Yesterday, I credited James McCann with throwing the slowest individual pitch of 2026, but it has been pointed out to me that McCann only threw the slowest tracked pitch of 2026. Twenty-one times, a position player threw a pitch so funky that Statcast threw up its electronic shoulders and assigned it a velocity of “–”. Often, it did so because the pitch was so slow that the cameras didn’t know what to make of it, or perhaps (just a theory) because the slowness of the pitch forced the pitcher to throw such a high-arcing rainbow that it was out of the path where Statcast expects to find pitches. I mean, what are you supposed to do with this pitch?
Either way, it’s possible that McCann’s pitch was, at worst, the 22nd-slowest pitch of the season. However, McCann still threw a plurality of those 21 untracked position player pitches, which means that he’s still most likely the person who threw the slowest pitch of the entire season. It just might not be the one we highlighted yesterday. Could it be this preposterous offering? We’ll never know. Read the rest of this entry »
Hello everybody. Lighter queue today so far, guess that means it's the offseason. We'll see if it picks or if we have a shorter one today.
Metsox
How much has Zion Rose juiced his stock in Arizona?
Brendan Gawlowski
For us? Enough to go from where we had him in the draft to somewhere on our T100.
millvillemeltdown
which prospects have elicited the loudest uncontrolled reaction from you? shock, awe, dismay, hilarity?
Brendan Gawlowski
I'm relatively even keeled but I did just start laughing when Yanquiel Fernandez hit a fly ball 47 feet over the foul pole, an ump called it foul, and then he hit one even further out to right center on the next pitch.
Brendan Gawlowski
And also when Modesto broke an eighth inning, 0-0 deadlock when a wild pitch bounced off a catcher's shin guard and into the dugout and allowed the only run of the game to score.
Brendan Gawlowski
And when Juan Guerrero started playing hackey sack with his glove in left field as his pitcher came set.
David Wiers
I'm an 880ish rating. Is that Rookie Ball?
Brendan Gawlowski
That's probably 60th percentile or so on Chess.com? Sounds pretty good to me.
opifijikl
You mentioned somewhere (I think) that the Red Sox list was to be released earlier this offseason. Usually it’s a little later. Is this change due to feedback or something else? Either way, I’m looking forward to it
Brendan Gawlowski
Nope, just picked it out of a hat. Metaphorically, at least.
rfilla
Would you rather have a lineup of 9 Chandler Simpsons or 9 Yandys?
Brendan Gawlowski
Would be fascinating to see the 9 Simpsons play the 9 Yandys. Think I'm team Yandy but what a mess of a game that would be.
David Wiers
Is Angel Genao just blocked all across the infield to the point the Guards try him in LF, or is the bat just not playable there?
Brendan Gawlowski
I would view his situation as more of a temporary obstacle than something where you need to consider switching his position. Could be a trade chip, could be a Rocchio replacement, could be a second baseman and you move Bazzana.
Daron
Brewers LHP Wande Torres threw the 3rd most MiLB innings in their org this season. Do you think he profiles as a starter long term?
Brendan Gawlowski
Not out of the question but he's not very loose/fluid and he's already walking a fair few hitters. 80/20, 90/10 relief outcome.
Sir Nerdlington
What's one scout friendly change to the CBA that you'd like to see happen? (I know they're not at the table, but a change where one of the consequences is more human intelligence.)
Brendan Gawlowski
Pushing the draft back to June.
Brendan Gawlowski
To the user who keeps asking whether Players from Country Y are motivated and those from Country Z lazy: I'm not publishing that for what I assume are obvious reasons.
R.B. Urgess
Awesome stuff, struggled with command seems to be Jarlin Susana's AFL report on repeat… how does an organization forecast development with a prospect like that?
Brendan Gawlowski
They'll be kicking around various paths forward. Coaches and dev staff will have ideas on what they want him to do physically and how likely it is that change X can facilitate outcome Y (better command in this case).
Brendan Gawlowski
In Susana's particular case, that will likely involve a tailored plan for the winter (workout regimen, throwing program, etc.)
Brendan Gawlowski
And then an assessment of where he's at come spring training
war2d2
Would Bazzana’s bat play anywhere but 2B? Seems like a “good, not great” player if he makes it long term at 2B, but does he hit enough (or field enough) for anywhere else on the dirt?
Brendan Gawlowski
If he's a ~110 wRC+ bat over the long haul, that could play in a corner. I'm not saying "move Bazzana," more "I don't think you'll see Genao move to LF, here are a few ways he could get in the lineup without doing that."
Cromulent
Not a prospect but from an evaluation standpoint which role do you think Grant Taylor is best suited for: starter, closer or Andy Ashby?
Brendan Gawlowski
I think he can start, and given Chicago's rotation situation, it makes sense to give him a shot. The other two are nice fallback options.
BallparkFan
If anything, what under the radar things are taking place in player development systems?
Brendan Gawlowski
I think if you're here and subscribed to FG, you're probably pretty plugged in and aware of a lot of the things going on. Holistic athletic assessments, tailored and increasingly sophisticated strength and conditioning training, bat handle/barrel shape experimentation, pitch design labs…
Schu1719
You, understandably, wrote up Po-Chun Lin as a total wild card on the Mariners list last offseason. Any updated info on him now that he's pitched on the CPX?
Brendan Gawlowski
Please check back next week, I don't have a great answer for you this very second and complex stuff requires a little more legwork than I can do with a chat going on.
jose luis
What strengths can a farm director bring to a major league clubhouse?
Brendan Gawlowski
People management. Farm directors have to get so many different types of people and personalities (coaches, players, trainers; new school and old school; native English speakers and people still learning; front office folks; etc.) motivated and swimming in the same direction. It's a different challenge than managing a team of major leaguers and handling the media and whatnot, but if you're good at people management, I can buy that that skill could translate to a managerial setting.
Big Fan
When do you expect list season to kick off? I check twelve times a day for the updated Braves list : )
Brendan Gawlowski
Hopefully next week. But sounds like you could use a second sneak peak.
Luis Guanipa: Guanipa was a $2.5 million international signee out of Venezuela in the 2023 class. Despite the bonus, the 20-year-old is neither especially toolsy nor projectable, and the contours to his profile are similar to what they were a year ago. He makes a lot of contact (77% overall, 84% in zone last year) but it’s not especially authoritative. He tends to swing inside the ball and generates a lot of opposite field contact. Guanipa has average bat speed and is only able to consistently pull offspeed pitches that hang over the middle or inner part of the plate. His approach and swing decisions are generally solid but he started chasing more spin off the plate this past year and hardly walked at all after a late-season promotion to High-A.
Defensively, Guanipa’s tape is a mixed bag, with a blend of good reads off the bat and drifty routes that sometimes get him in trouble. He has the look of a guy who can play but not excel in center, and if anything he looks a half step slower than he did at last check in. There’s still enough hit skill and defensive versatility for him to grow into a fourth outfielder role, but some of the strongest parts of his game look a little dicier than they did in the low minors, and he’s correspondingly fallen a bit in this year’s update.
InsertWittyNameHere
What are your “if the lockout lasts too long here’s what I can write about” article ideas?
Brendan Gawlowski
Eric and I are not going to struggle for content.
Brendan Gawlowski
In an ideal world where all lists are published and there's no MLB, we've still got the minors, foreign leagues, colleges, etc. to follow. And I'd love to do more PD/scouting articles like the one I had last month about pro scouting.
Big Fan
Not a prospect question, but I keep reading about how the Brewers are good at bat design. Can you explain that to us, and particularly, why other teams can't copy it? I always think objective analysis is a lot easier to agree on than the more subjective analysis that so much of scouting is built on.
Brendan Gawlowski
I have no idea how good they are at it relative to anybody else but they're not alone in experimenting here. I can't find it but I thought I read something a couple years back about Julio trying various bat handles and actually not choosing the one that led to the very highest max EV because he didn't like the way it felt? Is that out there somewhere?
Bud Smith
What do you think is the biggest jump or fall a player has ever taken in an evaluation cycle? Have you ever bumped a 35+ to a 55+ in one season? Or the reverse?
Brendan Gawlowski
Better question for Eric, since he's been doing this forever… Plenty of really young guys will go from off the radar to the 40+ category in any given year. Breyner Figuereo with Texas just might end up in that territory.
Brendan Gawlowski
Conversely, there are a few guys who got money in the DSL who start as 40/40+ types that just aren't good. Kendry Martinez, Cristopher Polanco, etc.
munson burner
When it comes to the draft, are there prospects that you like who are likely to fail because of the team that drafted them? Can you name any situations in the past when you were upset for the player because of the team that drafted them?
Brendan Gawlowski
Of course. We try to comment when we think a player goes to a particularly good spot for their talents or vice versa.
Brendan Gawlowski
Too pithy to say "every time Colorado drafts a pitcher" but not by much.
Fun-Hating Dork
I mean, the Brewers were very involved in the most famous "bat design" incident (?) in recent baseball history: last year's "torpedo bat" opening weekend controversy.
Brendan Gawlowski
Came from the Yankees, but yes good example
Big Fan
Since you mentioned at the outset that the queue was a little lighter, can you take us behind the scenes of one of your chats? Are you cross referencing notes with stat pages with video, etc., or is it as simple as the questions come in, you pick one and type an answer and move on?
Brendan Gawlowski
Sure. First though, you guys have picked up the pace in a big way, tons of stuff in there now. But it's pretty simple, I see all the questions that have been asked, I try to select mostly ones I can answer relatively quickly but I also have my spreadsheets open and will watch a little video if there's a guy I'm familiar with but need a refresh or a new look. The Wande Torres question, for example, I pulled some video of him and had that in the b/g for a few minute while I took other q's. If there's something interesting that I'm unprepared for, I'll ask folks to come back the next week and try to do a little research for them between now and then.
Brendan Gawlowski
I've also heard some feedback that my answers can be terse; I don't mean them to be, I just wanna answer more rather than less.
willt
Are there any pitchers you or Eric have discussed hundo'ing based alone off pitch shapes or traits without the requisite sample size or game performance
Brendan Gawlowski
Discuss, maybe, but we generally want to see guys throw a little bit before we go nuts. Briggs McKenzie is a good example. We like him, I'd put a mid-rotation grade on him if I were scouting for a team… for the 100, let's see him hold his stuff over longer stretches first.
Anonymous Member #46
Are there any prospect types that are benefiting from the consolidation of the minor leagues?
Brendan Gawlowski
The handful of guys that are boat racing through are perhaps getting to the big leagues faster than they would have in the old days of ten years ago.
beanbong
Caminiti has seemed poised for a breakout for a couple years now, is he someone who gets a long runway to develop a viable offspeed? If the change doesn't come around, is there still enough stuff to 50 him?
Brendan Gawlowski
CH looks better year over year. He's one we have to talk through but I think he makes it.
fincampbell05
Any surprise 50s for the Red Sox list? How close are Godbout, Primera, Delzine?
Brendan Gawlowski
Delzine may just sneak on there. Primera PTC I think, Godbout I'm a little down on relative to last May.
tdmoc
>Bud Smith 11:40 AM What do you think is the biggest jump or fall a player has ever taken in an evaluation cycle? Have you ever bumped a 35+ to a 55+ in one season? Or the reverse?
iirc Vance Honeycutt went from 2025 45 FV to 2026 HM
(checks board) and now he's back to 40 FV!
Brendan Gawlowski
There are probably even more dramatic movers out there, too.
pronouncedsigh
How do you see the white sox handling Smith/Schultz/McDougal next year? Rotation? Bullpen? AAA?
Brendan Gawlowski
Just speculation, but Schultz gets every chance to start, Smith is the relief ace, McDougal less of a factor.
Brian Martin
Sebastian Walcott offense showing up in AFL stat line. If he makes it to the majors in 2027, what defensive position(s) would you expect to see? And what is a reasonable guess for how much shortstop he plays in his career ahead: more or less than 450 innings of major league shortstop?
Brendan Gawlowski
That's a fun over/under. I'll take the over, because that's not really all that many games. That said, if/when he makes it in 2027, I would guess it's in the outfield just b/c Seager is still around and productive.
Daron
Do you think there is any chance a version of the Rule 5 draft takes place at some point this offseason? If the likelihood is low will it materially impact team's 40-man roster decisions over the next two weeks?
Brendan Gawlowski
Chance, sure, doesn't seem likely. Team behavior would change if they knew one way or the other.
rfilla
How does the MiLB ball vs the MLB ball impact your evaluation of pitchers? Do all pitchers lose x% of their stuff, or does it only affect certain types of pitchers? On a related note, is Jacob Odle a Dude?
Brendan Gawlowski
Good question. Does not seem to effect all pitchers evenly, seems to effect the overhand/carrying fastball guys more than others but need to do more work to tell if that's anecdotal or a trend.
T-Swimm
Is Arias Gleyber Torres with better defense or is that just me?
Brendan Gawlowski
That comp doesn't light me up.
Brendan Gawlowski
But, if he posts a 113 wRC+ over his first nine years like Torres did, he's a star.
Chase Shiflet
Any chance Bodine or Gillen debut in 2027?
Brendan Gawlowski
Good chance, particularly for Bodine, who's already in Triple-A.
lmb2020
Will there be any fringy free agents that jump the gun and sign overseas just to avoid hits to development time?
Brendan Gawlowski
Speculation, obviously, but I'd buy that the uncertainty could push guys on the fence to take the leap. Maybe a few more Dan Straily types available for KBO clubs this year.
andecobi
What do you make of Bishop Letson after the way he finished his season?
I don't have any strong opinions off the cuff, it's the kind of thing that will have me looking for changes between September and July.
Brendan Gawlowski
But also, guys do this. I bought BIG on Case Williams throwing harder and missing a ton of bats down the stretch in 2022. Next spring, the velo uptick was gone and he was Case Williams again.
Graham Lewis
Listening to you on There R Giants right now. How many other orgs are lucky enough to have someone covering their farm system so comprehensively?
Brendan Gawlowski
Roger does a really good job, he's plugged in and is on top of all sorts of stuff. You and I hear a rustle in the wind, he hears that Samir Chires is throwing harder in a bullpen session.
Brendan Gawlowski
I don't want to miss anyone, so forgive errors of omission, but obviously Sox Prospects do a great job with Boston. Scott Lucas covers Texas and is a friend I've run into countless times on the backfields. Matt Winkelman on the Phillies. There are others, again, forgive my scrambled brain right now.
Brendan Gawlowski
MadFriars
WonderWall
How do you think about choice between having the multi-inning super reliever vs keep trying them at a starting (Aaron Ashby)? To phrase it differently, when do you just accept that you have a stud reliever who can cover multiple innings?
Brendan Gawlowski
If every start seems to start well and then turn into a quagmire around the third or fourth, you've got a good candidate.
Anonymous Member #46
What franchises would you anticipate most aggressively gambling that the Rule V draft doesn't take place?
Brendan Gawlowski
Franchises should not be gambling, it's against the rules.
Brendan Gawlowski
(More rooting than gambling, I'd imagine. Teams with deep systems, a crowded 40, and a ton of guys eligible for the R5. TB/MIL/SF come to mind)
Sammy Sooser
Looking at stuff, build, projection, delivery, athleticism, command, compete, holding velo, age x level, everything, am I crazy for thinking Zazueta is the best RHP prospect the Dodgers have had in like 20 years?
Brendan Gawlowski
He's up there. The tricky part is that we have the benefit of hindsight on a few good ones that haven't worked out. Like, Bobby Miller was a very good prospect, River Ryan we're obviously high on still, etc.
Sammy Sooser
re: Case Williams and velo jumps, Landon Knack hitting a hundo in spring training feels like a lifetime ago now
Brendan Gawlowski
Maybe the prospect with the widest range of radar readings I've encountered from the first to second time I saw him
Brendan Gawlowski
A good reminder that, while you can't/shouldn't ignore the gun, you shouldn't chase it either.
Fangraphs Man
Re: Grant Taylor- James has written a few times that Brian Bannister has, when talking about Taylor, brought up how his extreme extension is similar to Glasnow, and seemed to imply that it may lead to similar injury concerns with a starter's workload (especially on shoulder/lat which he's already had trouble with). Is this a concern you share, both for Taylor specifically and more generally as a potential issue for high-extension pitchers?
Fangraphs Man
Bannister on Taylor: Guys that pitch at max extension are kind of in that danger zone…
"There's just an added level of stress involved versus somebody who pitches more in the range of their physical height. If they have six-five extension and they're six-five, I think everything is operating in more of a middle, neutral range of the bell curve. It's just an observation and I do a ton of studies on my own, because a lot of this you have to operate in theory because there's not huge sample sizes. Like [Tyler] Glasnow [who has similarly high extension], when you look at the track record of innings pitched — and I have a lot of respect for him and his talent — there's a lot of seasons where he threw like, 60 innings. There's just not an extended track record of throwing 100-200 innings."
Brendan Gawlowski
Great question, I have no answer, but something interesting to think about. Might ask around this winter and see if there's an article there somewhere…
Brendan Gawlowski
Think I'm going to shut it down here. Thanks for coming as always and we'll do it again next week. In the meantime, be well.
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports, Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Induction Day in Cooperstown next summer could be a Giant affair, or at least have a very Bay Area-oriented theme. On Monday, the Hall of Fame announced its slate of eight candidates for the 2027 Contemporary Baseball Managers/Umpires/Executives ballot, dedicated to non-player candidates who made their greatest impact from 1980 to the present. The group is headlined by a pair of first-time eligible managers with ties to San Francisco, namely Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy, plus the general manager who oversaw their most successful seasons in the Giants dugout, Brian Sabean. Also on the ballot is another Bay Area general manager, Sandy Alderson, who built an A’s team that won three straight pennants and a World Series. On December 6 we’ll find out if any of them will be inducted next July 25, very possibly alongside former Giants superstar (and current president of baseball operations) Buster Posey, the top newcomer on the BBWAA ballot, which will be released on November 16.
There’s plenty more to digest regarding this ballot, which also includes two other World Series-winning managers in Joe Maddon and Lou Piniella, maverick owner Ted Turner, and pioneering executive Bill White. Piniella and White are the top two returnees from the 2024 slate that elected Jim Leyland. Piniella has missed by one vote in each of his past two appearances counting the 2019 Today’s Game Era Committee ballot from the previous four-committee format. White (who also played for the Giants, though it’s each candidate’s post-playing career that’s the focus here) missed by two votes on the 2024 ballot but was the recipient of this year’s Buck O’NeilAward, given once every three years to “an individual whose extraordinary efforts enhanced baseball’s positive impact on society, broadened the game’s appeal, and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by O’Neil.” Of the eight candidates, Turner is the only one who is deceased; he died on May 6 at age 87.
2027 Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Managers/Umpires/Executives Ballot
Candidate
Born-Died
Category
Most Recent Ballot Appearance
Dusty Baker
1949–Living
Manager
None (1st time)
Bruce Bochy
1955–Living
Manager
None (1st time)
Joe Maddon
1954–Living
Manager
None (1st time)
Lou Piniella
1943–Living
Manager
2024 Contemporary Mgr/Exec/Umps (68.8%)
Sandy Alderson
1947–Living
Executive
None (1st time)
Brian Sabean
1956–Living
Executive
None (1st time)
Ted Turner
1938–2026
Executive
None (1st time)
Bill White
1934–Living
Executive
2024 Contemporary Mgr/Exec/Umps (62.5%)
I’ll have more to say about each of those candidates below and in the coming weeks, but first, some nuts and bolts. The eight candidates will be voted on by a 16-member committee of Hall of Famers, executives, and writer/historians that was appointed by the Hall’s board of directors. They will meet and discuss the candidates in person in San Diego on December 6, where the Winter Meetings would be held if not for the impending lockout by the owners. Each voter can include up to three candidates on his or her ballot (down from four in the previous 10-candidate format, which ran through the aforementioned 2022 ballots). Election to the Hall requires 75%, meaning votes from 12 of the 16 panelists. The results of the voting will be announced live on MLB Network’s MLB Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET, and any candidate elected will be inducted into the Hall next July 25 in Cooperstown along with anyone elected from the upcoming BBWAA ballot. Read the rest of this entry »
Liam Keating/News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tai Peete has changed for the better since being acquired by the Cardinals from the Mariners as part of a three-team trade back in February. At least from a statistical standpoint. In 2025, the now 21-year-old outfielder left the yard 19 times for Seattle’s High-A affiliate, but he also fanned at a 30.6% clip while batting a lackluster .217 with a 79 wRC+. Those results were reflected in our prospect rankings. Peete fell out of our Top 100 entering the 2026 season, with his FV dropping two grades from a 50 to a far-less-bullish 40+.
This season was a different story. Acclimating well to his new environs, Peete put up a 126 wRC+ and a .296/.359/.549 slash line across 300 plate appearances between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. (He also had 10 hitless at-bats rehabbing in the Florida Complex League.) Moreover, he lowered his strikeout rate to 26.9%. While not exactly Luis Arraez territory, the improved contact rate was a meaningful step in the right direction. As Eric Longenhagen wrote in last week’s Arizona Fall League Midseason Check-In, Peete’s “strikeouts have stabilized after they looked like they might be his undoing early in his career.”
The lefty swinger has continued doing damage since arriving in the desert. Over 72 plate appearances with the Peoria Javelinas, Peete has posted a .355/.431/.661 slash line, with 11 of his 22 hits going for extra bases. Taking ample advantage of his 60-grade speed, Peete has legged out four three-baggers and swiped 14 bags.
An unpublished observation from Eric merits mention. When I asked our lead prospect evaluator for an update a few days ago, he told me that Peete is “kind of in the Garrett Mitchell mold physically and swing-wise. He has posted some plus-plus run times this fall. Really seems fun to be around, too. Probably in that 45+ FV area for us now.” Read the rest of this entry »
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros’ new GM hire and Bryce Harper’s comments about the likelihood of a lost season and his preference for the offseason over the season (22:22). Then FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens joins to break down the MLB free agent class: the weak crop of domestic players, the top NPB imports, the outlook for Tarik Skubal, the players who could have been available if they hadn’t signed extensions, the lockout looming over the market, and much more.
Awhile back I was staring at the pitch movement chart of one player or another, and I got to thinking about cutters and gyro sliders. Often, cutters and gyro sliders end up right in the middle of the those charts. The cutter is designed to split the difference between a breaking ball and a four-seam fastball, and as its name indicates, the gyro slider leaves the hand with gyroscopic spin, which stabilizes the flight of the ball. I started wondering who throws the truest pitch in baseball, the pitch that moves the absolute least. I’m going to write about that later this week. It’s not today’s topic, though, because once I started down that path, I found that it kept branching.
I started wondering about who throws the sweepiest sweepers and the fastest fastballs and the sinkiest sinkers. Which pitch hits the edges of the zone most often? Which pitch fools hitters into chasing and which pitch fools them into taking called strikes? Which pitch tricks batters into challenging those called strikes? Which pitches miss bats the most and by the furthest? Which pitches get pulled, or skied, or beaten into the ground the most? We’re looking for the most extreme pitches in baseball, so now that the 2026 season is over, we’re not leaving any of the path with leaves no step had trodden black. We’re going to spend the week handing out some superlatives. This is part one, and it’s going to be focused mainly on velocity. Read the rest of this entry »
Despair! Another baseball season is in the books, which means many months of inactivity before the games matter again. But rejoice! Because as we do every year, FanGraphs is releasing our ranking of the top 50 free agents available this winter. In the past, Dave Cameron, Kiley McDaniel, and Craig Edwards helmed this exercise; this is my sixth year in the driver’s seat. As usual, my real superpower here was collaboration; the entire FanGraphs staff contributed at every step in the process.
Below, I’ve provided contract estimates and rankings of the offseason’s top free agents, along with market-focused commentary for the top 25 players. A collection of FanGraphs writers – Davy Andrews (DA), Michael Baumann (MB), Brendan Gawlowski (BG), Jay Jaffe (JJ), David Laurila (DL), Eric Longenhagen (EL), Matt Martell (MM), Kiri Oler (KO), Matthew Roberson (MR), and Dan Szymborski (DS) – have supplied player-focused breakdowns for the entire top 50, designed to provide some context for each player at this point in their career. The two blurbs might overlap in places – player-focused breakdowns inevitably involve the market, and market-focused breakdowns inevitably involve the player – but combined, they’re designed give a fuller picture of how each player’s free agency might go and how the seasons to come might unfold. Huge thanks go to Meg Rowley for acting as a sounding board throughout the process, Eric and Brendan for their extensive contributions to my evaluation of the international players, Jason Martinez and Jon Becker for their market expertise, Dan for his early help providing projections, and Sean Dolinar for his technical assistance.
The players are ranked in the order in which I prefer them. That’s often the same as ranking them in the order of the value of the contracts I’m projecting, but not always. In some cases, I prefer a player I expect will get less money over one who stands to make more. I’ll generally make note of that in the accompanying commentary, but just to reiterate, this list isn’t exclusively sorted by descending guaranteed dollars. Read the rest of this entry »
About Us
The Colorado Rockies Baseball Club is embracing the climb, committed to building a championship-caliber organization on the field, in the clubhouse, and throughout our business operations. Playing at altitude presents unique competitive challenges and opportunities, and we embrace innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based practices to support elite performance.
Rooted in the traditions of America’s pastime, we operate with integrity, service, quality, and trust while striving to create an exceptional experience for our players, staff, and fans.
Our Baseball Analytics group partners with coaches, scouts, player development staff, medical and performance staff, and front office decision-makers to ask better questions, build better tools, and turn evidence into action.
Position Summary
The Colorado Rockies are seeking a senior-level analyst to join Baseball Analytics with a focus on developing and deploying predictive models and forecasts. The right candidate will combine technical rigor, baseball curiosity, and clear communication to help the organization make better decisions.
This posting may be filled at either the Senior Analyst or Lead Analyst level depending on the selected candidate’s experience, demonstrated ownership, and expected scope of responsibility.
The person in this role will help turn baseball questions into rigorous analysis, deployed predictive models, durable forecasting tools, and clear recommendations for Baseball Operations staff.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Ready to Lead – Senior or Lead Analyst
Building, testing, documenting, and deploying predictive models and forecasts with a high degree of autonomy in determining model type, specification, and output.
Communicating findings, uncertainty, and practical implications to Baseball Analytics colleagues and front office decisionmakers.
Working with the team to identify forecasting questions worth testing and to turn successful analyses into work that can be repeated or handed off.
Ready to Contribute
Contributing to a department-wide set of technical standards and project philosophy.
Evaluating new research, data sources, technologies, and analytical methods for potential use in Baseball Operations.
Collaborating with Baseball Systems, scouting, and player development groups to meet operational needs related to Baseball Analytics.
Ready to Learn
Translating strong individual projects into repeatable systems, organizational best practices, and operational infrastructure.
Learning the Rockies’ existing data, models, systems, and baseball workflows, with hands-on guidance during onboarding.
Learning how to leverage predictive models in additional Baseball Operations workflows.
Balancing immediate decision support with longer-term research and infrastructure investments.
Additional Scope for a Lead Analyst
Helping coordinate forecasting research across the team, including organizing research discussions, reviewing others’ code, and advancing technical practices.
Mentoring junior staff in Baseball Analytics, especially on projects related to predictive modeling and forecasting.
Taking independent ownership of broader forecasting work after becoming familiar with the Rockies’ data, systems, and priorities.
What We Value
Reproducible work and honest communication, because we want team players who are committed to doing right by collaborators over being right.
Respect for empirical baseball expertise from practitioners such as coaches, scouts, players, and staff across the organization.
Curiosity about the unique challenges and opportunities of competing at altitude.
Continuous improvement in technical and professional skills.
Job Qualifications
Candidates should generally have at least 4 years of relevant experience, with 6 or more years expected for consideration at Lead Analyst. Advanced degrees such as a research-based master’s degree or PhD may count for up to 2 years when the topic is closely related to the role.
Experience owning complex analytical projects from scoping through delivery.
Evidence that analytical work has informed a decision or improved a workflow, with clear baseball-relevant or operational impact.
Strong technical judgment in model development, validation, reproducibility, and communication.
Ability to communicate priorities, uncertainty, and tradeoffs with credibility across highly technical to nontechnical audiences.
Experience developing, validating, and deploying predictive models or forecasts in applied decision-making environments.
Strong practical ability with R or Python, SQL, reproducible workflows, and model evaluation.
For consideration at the Lead Analyst level, we would also look for evidence of:
Leading applied analytical work across projects or stakeholders.
Shaping project direction, reviewing others’ work, and mentoring analysts.
Coordinating people and work to move research forward.
Work Schedule & Location
This position is based onsite at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado
Work is performed in a combination of office settings, indoor training facilities, laboratory/performance environments, and outdoor baseball environments.
Occasional travel to Spring Training in Scottsdale, minor league affiliate locations, training complexes, and other organizational sites may be required.
Physical Job Requirements
Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while analyzing data and using computer systems.
Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via electronic communication.
Ability to move throughout office spaces, clubhouses, dugouts, batting cages, bullpens, and performance labs.
Ability to observe and interpret visual information, including data visualizations, video analysis, and live on-field activity.
May occasionally lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds (e.g., portable technology equipment, training devices).
Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including indoor facilities and outdoor weather conditions typical of baseball operations.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary Range: Senior Analyst: $110,000–$140,000; Lead Analyst: $130,000–$150,000. This position may be filled at either level based on the selected candidate’s experience and the scope of responsibility they will assume. This is a regular-status, full-time, exempt position.
As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, job-related skills, and any other factors the Colorado Rockies consider relevant to the hiring decision for this position.
In addition to the base salary, the Club believes in providing a very competitive and generous compensation and benefits package for its employees. Benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, generous vacation and holiday program, employee parking, employer-provided game tickets to home games, onsite fitness classes and experiences, employee discounts on merchandise, and so much more! All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and the terms of official plan documents, which may be modified or amended at any given time.
Application Process
Candidates should submit Resume
A one-page cover note addressing the prompts below (no need for a formal cover letter; brevity and candor are highly valued)
Optional portfolio, GitHub, writing sample, or project example (optional but highly suggested for candidates who do not have professional experience in MLB)
Please use your application materials to help us understand the following:
What forecasting or modeling work could you take ownership of now, and what would you want to learn after joining?
Briefly describe one analytical project: the question, your contribution, how you communicated the result, and whether it affected a decision or workflow.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by November 6, 2026. The posting may be removed or extended at any time.
The estimated time to complete the recruitment process will be by December 1, 2026
A note for Colorado Rockies employees: Please apply via the internal job board in UKG by following these prompts: MENU > MYSELF > MY COMPANY > VIEW OPPORTUNITIES > select the position > CONSENT > APPLY NOW
If you cannot access UKG, please list your most recent Manager as an Employee Reference on your application.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Rockies baseball is for everyone! We pride ourselves on hiring, developing, and promoting talent as an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, we will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified job applicants and employees with known physical or mental disabilities in compliance with the ADA. All employment and promotion decisions will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business needs.
The Colorado Rockies participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Affiliate Technology & Data Fellow (Albuquerque NM, Hartford CT, or Scottsdale, AZ)
About Us
The Colorado Rockies Baseball Club is embracing the climb, committed to building a championship-caliber organization on the field, in the clubhouse, and throughout our business operations. Playing at altitude presents unique competitive challenges and opportunities, and we embrace innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based practices to support elite performance. Rooted in the traditions of America’s pastime, we operate with integrity, service, quality, and trust while striving to create an exceptional experience for our players, staff, and fans.
Position Summary
The Affiliate Technology & Data Fellow supports Baseball Operations and the minor league coaching staff by coordinating day-to-day video and technology operations at an assigned affiliate. Approximately 75% of the role focuses on video capture, technology operations, and maintaining accurate, reliable video and data. The remaining responsibilities vary based on the fellow’s skills and may include analysis, scouting reports, research, model development, or on-field coaching support. This position requires reliability, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with coaches, players, and Baseball Operations staff.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Manage day-to-day video and technology operations for the assigned affiliate, supporting the coaching staff, players, and Player Development department.
Capture, tag, and upload video for the assigned affiliate using BATS software for all games throughout the season, and collect video and data from bullpens, batting practice, and defensive work.
Set up, test, and troubleshoot video and baseball technology equipment to support games, practices, and player development activities.
Review captured video and collected data for accuracy, completeness, and timely availability, addressing or escalating issues as needed.
Organize the use of other baseball technology (Trackman, Hawkeye, Edgertronic, Blast Motion, PitchBase, TruMedia, etc.) and share information as needed.
Contribute to analysis of video, tracking, and performance data to produce reports for coaches, players, and other non-technical audiences.
Collaborate with coaches and analysts to prepare advance scouting materials for each series.
Work with coaches and coordinators to create in-house instructional videos for demonstration, teaching, and development.
Additional Responsibilities
Depending on the fellow’s skills, career interests, and team needs:
Support analytical projects, baseball research, model development, or scouting reports in collaboration with Research & Development, Baseball Technology, and coaching staff.
Assist coaches with on-field drills, bullpens, and batting cage sessions.
Perform other duties as assigned by the front office.
Job Qualifications
Advanced knowledge of baseball rules, scoring, and statistics
Passion for the game of baseball.
Extremely motivated, with a strong work ethic and problem-solving skills, with the desire to learn and grow.
Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills, and multi-tasking abilities.
Ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships with members of the Club’s on-field staff and players.
Strong interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication.
Consistent, punctual, and regular attendance, while presenting a professional image and demeanor.
Ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple priorities while maintaining focus and accuracy.
Preferred Skills
Experience working in professional sports preferred.
Experience working with baseball video, technology, and data preferred.
Experience with data analysis, statistics, and data visualization (e.g., Python, R, SQL, Excel, Tableau) preferred.
Training & Development
Fellows receive training in the video and technology systems, equipment, and workflows required for their daily responsibilities.
Mentorship and project opportunities are tailored to the fellow’s skills and career interests, in alignment with team needs.
Work Schedule & Location
This is a fellowship position, with specific hours and days to be determined based on the needs of the minor league team and the baseball season.
The role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Location: Albuquerque NM, Hartford CT, or Scottsdale AZ.
Travel with the assigned minor league team throughout the season is required.
Physical Job Requirements
Most of the work involves being outside, standing, and handling equipment. Approximately 70% of the time will be spent standing and performing tasks related to equipment handling.
About 30% of the work involves sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Frequent typing and use of a mouse or other input devices are necessary. Good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are essential.
The role requires the ability to review and interpret detailed data and visualizations, necessitating good visual acuity and the ability to work with screens for extended periods.
Regular communication via email, video calls, and in-person meetings. Clear verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: at the rate of $60,000 per year. The role is expected to earn approximately $45,00 for the duration of the assignment through Sept or mid-Oct 2027.
This role may come with a housing stipend for non-local candidates.
Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and more, subject to plan eligibility and applicable policies.
Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by November 16, 2026. Please note that this is just an estimate, and the posting may be removed or extended at any time.
The estimated time to complete the recruitment process will be by December 1, 2026.
A note for Colorado Rockies employees:
Please apply via the internal job board in UKG by following these prompts: MENU > MYSELF > MY COMPANY > VIEW OPPORTUNITIES > select the position > CONSENT > APPLY NOW
If you cannot access UKG, please list your most recent Manager as an Employee Reference on your application.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Rockies baseball is for everyone! We pride ourselves on hiring, developing, and promoting talent as an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, we will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified job applicants and employees with known physical or mental disabilities in compliance with the ADA. All employment and promotion decisions will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business needs.
The Colorado Rockies participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States
Sponsor Us on Patreon
Give a Gift Subscription
Effectively Wild Subreddit
Effectively Wild Wiki
Apple Podcasts Feed
Spotify Feed
YouTube Playlist
Facebook Group
Bluesky Account
Twitter Account
Get Our Merch!
