Dave Wilder

David Scott Wilder

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 184 lb.

• School Contra Costa Junior College

• Born October 14, 1960

BR Minors page

Dave Wilder played seven seasons in the minor leagues, peaking at AA. He later was a scout, coach and front office worker before scandal ended his career.

Wilder was taken by the California Angels in the 8th round of the January 1980 draft. He evidently did not sign then began his professional career in 1982 with the Oakland Athletics organization. He hit .353/.480/.478 for the Idaho Falls A's in his debut. Had he qualified, he would have tied Leon Baham for 5th in the Pioneer League in batting average. He fell to .246/.392/.346 for the 1983 Madison Muskies, drawing 88 walks. He led Midwest League outfielders with 16 assists. Dave split 1984 between Madison (.251/.379/.359) and the Albany-Colonie A's (.261/.423/.387 in 70 G). He drew 91 walks for the season.

In 1985, Dave played for the Modesto A's (.259/~.391/.427, 23 SB) and Huntsville Stars (11 for 68, 5 2B, 2 HR, 19 BB). The next year, he produced at a .301/.434/.454 rate for Huntsville, with 100 walks, 22 steals in 30 tries, 91 runs and 85 RBI. He was not one of the brightest lights on an amazing Huntsville offense which included Southern League Player of the Year Terry Steinbach (.327, 24 HR, 94 BB, 113 R, 132 RBI), All-Star 2B Gary Jones (.311, 129 BB, 31 SB, 116 R) and Jose Tolentino (.315, 16 HR, 105 RBI) as well as Mark McGwire (.303, 46 BB, 10 HR in 55 G). Somehow, Huntsville did not win the pennant.

In the off-season, Wilder was dealt with Mark Leonette and Brian Guinn Sr. for the seemingly washed-up Dennis Eckersley of the Chicago Cubs; the move would be a huge one for Oakland. Wilder fell to .223/.354/.325 for the 1987 Pittsfield Cubs then did not bat in three games for the '88 Charleston Wheelers to end his career.

Wilder was a scout for the A's starting in 1990; he also coached that year for the Southern Oregon A's. He was in the Atlanta Braves chain from 1991-1995 in various roles. From 1996-1998, he was the Cubs' Farm Director, then served the team as assistant GM in 1999. He was vice president of player personnel for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-2002 then scouted for them in 2003.

From December 2003-2006, Wilder was the Chicago White Sox director of player development. He encouraged GM Kenny Williams to take a chance of free agent Jermaine Dye, a move which paid off for the Pale Hose. In 2007, he was promoted to senior director of player personnel. A year later, he was forced to resign his job when he was caught in a bonus-skimming scandal involving Dominican prospects.

Sources

• MLB.com
• Baseball America
• Assorted Baseball Guides, Baseball America Statistics Reports