From Pierce Baseball to the Major Leagues: Billy Boyer Named Detroit Tigers Third Base Coach

Pierce College Athletics is proud to celebrate a major milestone for former Raider baseball assistant coach Billy Boyer, who was named the Detroit Tigers' third base coach on July 7, 2026.

Boyer's promotion marks another step in a coaching journey that began at Pierce College, where he served as the Raiders' assistant baseball coach from 2011-2015. During his time in Lakewood, Boyer helped guide Pierce Baseball to one of the most significant achievements in program history - the program's first NWAC Championship in 2012.

Before beginning his coaching career, Boyer played professional baseball after being drafted by the Anaheim Angels, bringing valuable playing experience to the Raider dugout. His passion for teaching the game quickly became evident, laying the foundation for what has become one of the most impressive coaching careers to come through the Pierce Baseball program.

Following his time at Pierce, Boyer's career continued to climb through every level of baseball. He joined the University of Washington as an undergraduate assistant before spending a season as an assistant coach at Seattle University. His success at the collegiate level opened the door to professional baseball, where he accepted a player development role with the Minnesota Twins as their Infield & Baserunning Coordinator.

Boyer later joined the Detroit Tigers organization as the club's Infield Coordinator before returning to the University of Washington as an assistant coach for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He rejoined the Tigers organization in 2023, serving as the Minor League Field Coordinator and Infield Coordinator for two seasons before being promoted to Major League Quality Control Coach in 2025.

On July 7, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced that veteran third base coach Joey Cora had departed the organization, with Boyer stepping into the role of Major League third base coach effective immediately.

While Boyer's resume now includes leadership roles at the highest level of professional baseball, he credits Pierce College as the place where he truly discovered his identity as a coach.

"Every coach has a place where they become who they're meant to be. For me, that place was Pierce College.

It was where I learned that coaching wasn't about having all the answers, but more about showing up every day, learning, making mistakes, and growing. I was blessed to be given the freedom to find my own way, and I'll always be grateful for that.

When I look back, I will certainly remember the championships and all the wins, but not as much as the people. I hope every player I coached left believing in themselves a little more than when they arrived. This game has given me so much, but Pierce gave me the opportunity to become the coach I am today."

Boyer's promotion is a testament not only to his dedication and baseball knowledge, but also to the impact that Pierce College Baseball continues to have on the game beyond the NWAC. From helping the Raiders capture their first NWAC championship to earning a spot in a Major League coaches box, Boyer's journey reflects the opportunities that can grow from hard work, strong relationships, and a commitment to continual development.

Everyone at Pierce College Athletics congratulates Billy on this well-deserved accomplishment and wishes him continued success with the Detroit Tigers.