Effectively Wild Episode 2239: The Post-October Banter Backlog

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about offseason EW, Tommy Kahnle’s love affair with changeups, the Yankees’ preparation and fundamentals, Aaron Boone’s managing, the Dodgers as a dynasty, the White Sox hiring Will Venable, Alex Kirilloff’s retirement, two prediction anecdotes, glove flips as the new bat flips, the check-swing challenge system, the Premier12 tournament, the Women’s Pro Baseball League, Eric Adams and the World Series, a Yankees executive keeping things in perspective, a record sum for a historic baseball, Shohei Ohtani trumping One Piece, Dodgers parade comments, a no-show for NPB’s Sawamura Award, and more.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to story on Kahnle’s changeups
Link to Kahnle pitch types
Link to pitch types Stat Blast
Link to Boone report 1
Link to Boone report 2
Link to Sherman on the Yankees
Link to 2015 Royals scouting story
Link to Ben on the Dodgers
Link to Dodgers dynasty story
Link to dynasty system
Link to MLBTR on Venable
Link to MLBTR on Kiriloff
Link to Kiriloff’s announcement
Link to Gleeman tweet
Link to elephants/mice info
Link to Fernando prediction tweet
Link to Fernando prediction story
Link to Vientos prediction tweet
Link to Vientos prediction story
Link to glove flip clip
Link to 2012 Chapman story
Link to Baseball for All tweet
Link to WPBL story
Link to WPBL interview
Link to Siegal EW episode
Link to Premier12 roster
Link to Premier12 wiki
Link to challenge system story
Link to challenge system video
Link to Afterman comments
Link to Adams attendance story
Link to Ohtani ball auction
Link to Ohtani ball auction 2
Link to Fat Joe comments
Link to Ohtani shirt response
Link to One Piece story
Link to Sawamura Award story
Link to Sawamura EW episode
Link to Petriello on catching
Link to “Something’s Coming”

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The Best and Worst Baserunning Plays of the Postseason

Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

It’s not hard to remember who had the biggest hits of the postseason, nor is it hard to remember which superstar sluggers came up short. But what about the components of offense that don’t take place at the plate? This past October had no shortage of riveting plays on the basepaths, so I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the most skillful baserunning, some of the least skillful baserunning, and either way, some of the most consequential baserunning plays of the 2024 playoffs.

To calculate baserunning value, the bright minds at Baseball Savant have developed a system that estimates runs above or below average for 10 different categories of “advance opportunities” on balls in play. There is certainly room for disagreement with the way the automatic system evaluates plays, but these numbers are a great jumping-off point. That’s especially true when it comes to bad plays, for which there is a clear delineation between the most harmful baserunning decisions and more forgivable mistakes.

Six runners ran into an out that cost their team 0.80 runs or more this postseason. No other baserunning play scored worse than -0.20 runner runs. Here’s a chart and a video compilation of those six disastrous decisions. I’ve also included Savant’s seventh-most detrimental baserunning play of the postseason for comparison:

The Worst Baserunning Plays (on BIP) of the 2024 Postseason
Runner Play Description Runner Runs
Giancarlo Stanton Stanton out at home on throw from left field. -0.95
Alec Bohm Bohm out at second on throw from center field. -0.94
Gleyber Torres Torres out at home on throw from right field. -0.85
Jesse Winker Winker out at third on throw from center field. -0.85
Salvador Perez Perez out at home on throw from right field. -0.84
Justyn-Henry Malloy Malloy out at second on throw from right field. -0.80
Kyle Schwarber Schwarber holds at third on single to right field. -0.20
SOURCE: Baseball Savant

The decisions by Bohm and Malloy to try for second, as well as third base coach Luis Rojas’ choice to wave Torres home, were all varying degrees of justifiable. That’s not to say any of them were smart plays, but it’s important to remember that getting thrown out doesn’t necessarily mean a baserunner made a mistake. A player who never gets thrown out on the bases isn’t taking enough risks.

Stanton’s out at home is at the top of the list for a reason. It was tough to watch him lumbering down the third base line in the moment, and it’s even harder to watch in hindsight when I know the outcome. It makes me feel like I’m watching a horror movie, but instead of wanting to scream at Stanton to stay out of the basement, I want to tell him to hold up no matter what Rojas was signaling. I could say the same of Perez, who is every bit as slow as Stanton. Juan Soto made a terrific throw, but all the same, third base coach Vance Wilson had no business sending Perez on that play. As for the inelegant slide into home, that’s all on Perez.

That being said, I hesitate to call either of those plays the worst example of baserunning in the postseason. For one thing, it’s clear from the clips that their coaches were more to blame. What’s more, it would be pretty boring of me to pick one of the biggest, slowest players in the game as the culprit behind the worst baserunning flub of October. So that brings me to Winker in Game 1 of the NLCS.

Here’s that play one more time:

By my count, Winker made three baserunning blunders in a very short time. His first mistake was taking too far of a turn around second base. His second mistake was realizing his first mistake and briefly turning back toward second before changing his mind once again and continuing toward third. His third mistake was giving up far too easily. He didn’t bolt for third and try to slide under Max Muncy’s tag, nor did he force the Dodgers to run him down, which might have given Jose Iglesias a chance to reach second base. Rather than putting up a fight, he basically just admitted defeat.

The Dodgers went on to win that game 9-0. Winker’s poor baserunning was hardly the only thing that did the Mets in. Still, if he’d held up at second base, it would have been the only time in the entire game the Mets had a runner in scoring position with no outs. Instead, Winker killed what little momentum the Mets almost mustered. So, of the 513 ball-in-play baserunning events that Baseball Savant scored during the playoffs, this gets my vote as the very worst of the lot.

I also went back and watched every caught stealing and pickoff play of the postseason to find the worst bit of baserunning that didn’t come on a ball in play. None of the straight-up caught stealing plays stand out to me as particularly egregious, although I made a compilation video so you can judge for yourselves. The compilation also includes Matt Vierling getting caught at second — a play that technically wasn’t considered as a stolen base attempt, presumably because it would have been officially scored a wild pitch if he were safe:

As for the pickoffs, all four look embarrassing for the baserunners. Pickoffs almost always do. Here they are, and I apologize in advance that the clip of Trevino’s pickoff on MLB Film Room is incomplete. But it’s not like you can’t extrapolate what’s going to happen. I also included Anthony Rizzo’s TOOTBLAN is Game 2 of the ALCS. Like the Vierling play, it technically wasn’t scored as a pickoff because it started with a ball in the dirt, but it’s close enough for our purposes:

The clip of Francisco Lindor is a bad look for the typically excellent baserunner. The camera shows that Lindor misread pitcher Brent Honeywell and started to take off for second base far too soon. Honeywell made him pay. Rizzo’s rundown was embarrassing, too, although after seeing the way Winker responded in a somewhat similar situation, I’ll give Rizzo credit for making a bit more of an effort.

The very worst of all those caught stealing and pickoff plays came just before Rizzo’s slip-up. Two batters earlier, Jazz Chisholm Jr. also ran into an out at second, and this one was a proper pickoff. It was the only instance out of all the caught stealing and pickoff plays I showed you in which the runner was already safely in scoring position with no outs. There was little reason for Chisholm to take such an aggressive lead toward third base. (Apparently the Yankees were planning to attempt a double steal, but Chisholm took off too early). According to Baseball Reference WPA, Chisholm’s pickoff was the most harmful caught stealing or pickoff play of the postseason (-0.076 WPA). It was also, by far, the worst caught stealing or pickoff play by championship Win Probability Added, reducing the Yankees’ chances of winning the World Series by 1.21%. And yet, I can’t blame Chisholm too much for his aggressive leads because, as you’re about to see, he was also responsible for some of the very best baserunning plays we saw this past October.

It’s significantly harder to identify the best baserunning plays than the worst. Simply put, it’s much easier to find plays in which a runner ran into an out than to separate the best advancement decisions from more commonplace ones. A runner goes from first to third on a single almost every game; when is that good baserunning as opposed to routine execution? All this to say, there aren’t any positive baserunning plays worth upwards of 0.80 runner runs on Baseball Savant. The top three plays of the postseason each added 0.25 runs of value. The next six came in at +0.24 runs. That said, these data still offer a good jumping-off point for this exercise.

I went digging for the top 10 baserunning plays on balls in play this postseason and came back with 11 due to a tie at the bottom of the list. Here are those 11 plays in chart form:

The Best Baserunning Plays (on BIP) of the 2024 Postseason
Runner Play Description Runner Runs
Brice Turang Turang doubles on groundball to left field. 0.25
Anthony Volpe Volpe scores from first on double. 0.25
Shohei Ohtani Ohtani advances to third on throwing error. 0.25
Francisco Lindor Lindor doubles on line drive to center field. 0.24
Bryson Stott Stott triples on line drive to right field. 0.24
Gavin Lux Lux goes first to third on single to center. 0.24
Parker Meadows Meadows doubles on fly ball to center field. 0.24
Shohei Ohtani Ohtani scores from first on double to left field. 0.24
Starling Marte Marte doubles on groundball to right field. 0.24
Anthony Volpe Volpe doubles on line drive to left field. 0.23
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm scores from second on single. 0.23
SOURCE: Baseball Savant

I wasn’t blown away by any of the three plays with a +0.25 run value. All three were the result of at least one defensive miscue and none involved a competitive throw. Understanding how to take advantage of poor defense is certainly a skill, as is moving fast enough to take an extra base without the defense even bothering to make a throw. Much like how the best defenders make tough plays look routine, the best baserunners can make low-percentage advancements look easy. Still, take a look at these three clips, and I’m sure you’ll forgive me for skipping past them as I try to find the best baserunning plays of the playoffs.

I was much more impressed with a few of the plays that had a +0.24 and +0.23 run value. But let’s start with the five that didn’t turn my head. Lindor made a nice slide to secure a double in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, but he was only safe because Turang couldn’t hold onto the ball to apply the tag. Meanwhile, Stott bolted his way to an RBI triple in Game 2 of the NLDS, but everyone was safe without a competitive throw.

Moving on to the NLCS, Ohtani scored from first on a Mookie Betts double in Game 1, but he did so without a throw. Indeed, the Mets pretty clearly knew he was going to score well before the ball landed in the cutoff man’s glove. Then, in Game 4 of the NLCS, Marte doubled because Betts badly misread a groundball to right field. Finally, Volpe earned 0.23 runs of baserunning credit for a double in the World Series, but he would have been out if Lux hadn’t lost the baseball. Here’s a compilation of those five plays for your viewing pleasure:

Now, let’s get to the three plays I really liked. Back in the NLDS, Lux made a great read on an Enrique Hernández single to shallow center and sprinted from first to third, beating Jackson Merrill’s throw. Meadows also made a terrific read on a pop fly in the ALDS, turning what could have been a routine out into a double. Here’s what those two plays looked like:

However, of these 11 baserunning plays, one clearly stood above the rest. Here is Chisholm scoring from second on an Alex Verdugo single in all its glory:

This was terrific television from start to end. The mind games going on between Chisholm and Michael Lorenzen were almost palpable. The footwork dance battle between Chisholm and Bobby Witt Jr. was delightful. Chisholm’s decision not to slide could have been disastrous, but instead it worked out perfectly (although the home plate umpire might disagree). And the greater context of the game only makes the play more thrilling. Chisholm was only at second base because of a controversial safe call on a stolen base earlier in the inning. The umpire on the field called him safe. The umpires in New York found the replay evidence inconclusive, even though it seemed pretty clear to the average viewer that Chisholm was out. While a less courageous baserunner might have exercised more caution after surviving by the skin of his teeth, Chisholm remained aggressive. It paid off.

According to Baseball Reference WPA, Verdugo’s single was the 10th most valuable ball in play (i.e. non-homer) of the postseason. A few of those nine other plays involved good baserunning, but there were none, I’d argue, in which good baserunning was quite as essential to the shift in win probability. Take a look for yourself. (Side note: While putting this compilation together, I learned that MLB film room won’t let you make a video with the word “balls” in the title. Seems like a design flaw.)

So, Chisholm gets my vote for the best ball-in-play baserunning play of the postseason. And that’s not all. He also provided the two most consequential stolen bases of the postseason, according to Baseball Reference WPA and cWPA. Not only that, but those two stolen bases came three pitches apart in the top of the 10th inning of Game 1 of the World Series. Another three pitches later, he scored what would have been the winning run if not for Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam. Even without a compilation video of the other 60 stolen bases this October, I feel confident giving Chisholm the crown for the best stolen base sequence of the playoffs. Here’s a look at the complete series of events:

None of the plays I wrote about today will be remembered for nearly as long as Freeman’s big hits, Gerrit Cole’s valiant efforts, or the poor defense that ultimately sunk the Yankees in Game 5. But I love writing about baserunning precisely because it gets far less attention than most other aspects of the game. I’m glad I had the chance to look back on all this action on the basepaths before we all turn our attention to the offseason ahead.


Ready for the Offseason? Too Bad! Angels, Braves Swap Canning for Soler

Denis Poroy and Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Did you enjoy that thrilling World Series clincher Wednesday night? Still glowing from Walker Buehler stomping in from the bullpen like Ricky Vaughn? Still got your protractor and T-square on your desk as you try to figure out if Gerrit Cole could’ve beaten Mookie Betts to first base with two outs in the fifth? I know I need a moment to decompress from all the excitement.

You know who doesn’t? Alex Anthopoulos and Perry Minasian, who couldn’t wait 24 hours to execute the first trade of the offseason. And this wasn’t some bit of bookkeeping minutiae, a my-garbage-for-your-trash trade to clear a 40-man roster spot before the Rule 5 draft protection deadline. This was a trade of big leaguers, and fairly noteworthy ones at that: The Braves are sending outfielder Jorge Soler to the Angels in exchange for right-hander Griffin Canning. Read the rest of this entry »


The Dodgers Embellish Their Playoff Dynasty With a Second Championship

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

NEW YORK — By closing out the Yankees with an unexpected World Series-clinching save two days after his brilliant Game 3 start put the Dodgers on the brink of a title, Walker Buehler had made a statement. Now, speaking to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and millions of viewers moments after striking out Alex Verdugo on a knuckle curve in the dirt, he had a message: “For our organization, we deserve this. We’ve been playing really good baseball for a lot of years. Everyone talks shit about 2020 and whatever, but there’s not much they can say about it now.”

Buehler was referring to the way that the Dodgers’ streak of 12 consecutive playoff appearances, which includes 11 NL West flags and three previous pennants, had been downplayed by some critics because the team not only had won only one championship during that epic run, but also because its lone title had followed the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. For many of the dozen core members who have remained with the team since (or in Enrique Hernández’s case, returned after a stint elsewhere), the application of that asterisk chafed.

“Get that Mickey Mouse shit out of your mouth,” said a champagne-and-beer-soaked Max Muncy during the ensuing clubhouse celebration, referring to the slight. “Now it’s two [championships], baby. Now it’s two… What are you going to say now?” Read the rest of this entry »


Job Posting: Philadelphia Phillies – Multiple Openings

Direct Links (Please see full job postings below):

AAA Strategy Associate
Associate Hitting Development Analyst
Associate Pitching Development Analyst
Baseball Video & Technology Associate (Multiple Locations Available)
Major League Strategy Intern (2025)
Major League Video & Technology Associate


AAA Strategy Associate

Department: Baseball Development
Report: Manager, Major League Hitting Strategy
Status: Temporary Seasonal
Dates: 2/1/2025 – 10/31/2025
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Job Description
The AAA Strategy Associate will support the daily production of material that enhances the strategy and preparedness of AAA coaches and players. This position will work closely with ML Strategy to promote continuity, while integrating critical thought, organizational research and resources to provide the highest quality information.

Responsibilities

  • Production of advance reports and other materials covering all aspects of opposing players and in-game strategy
  • Internal player analysis support, with a focus on individual development goals
  • In-game dugout and/or bullpen support as requested by AAA coaches
  • Participation in group discussions to innovate and optimize internal processes
  • Ad hoc projects to support AAA coaches and Baseball Development
  • Assistance with carrying out player training and preparation routines
  • Assistance with daily data and video review sessions

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Strong foundational knowledge in modern baseball analysis and evaluation
  • Experience working in professional and/or collegiate baseball
  • Strong oral, written and visual communication and presentation skills
  • Able to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office and support staff
  • Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications

  • Fluent or conversational Spanish
  • Proficiency in SQL, R, and/or Python
  • Experience working with sports technology, video and/or data collection
  • Playing background and ability to support on-field work (batting practice, hitting fungos, infield routines, etc.) is preferred
  • Experience building models and/or making rigorous predictions about on-field outcomes
  • Experience interacting with statistical forecasts and providing information additive to existing processes

You will be required to answer the following question along with the submission of your application:
Which active pitcher has the best pitch in baseball (e.g. Pedro Martinez’s changeup) and why? Please limit your response to 300 words.

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Associate Hitting Development Analyst

Department: Baseball Development
Reports to: Hitting Development Analyst
Status: Temporary Seasonal
Dates: 1/15/2025 – 10/31/2025
Location: Clearwater, FL

Job Description
The primary purpose of this position is to support the Hitting Department’s development, implementation, and tracking of individual player development plans. The position should promote cross-departmental integration and facilitate consistent communication between coordinators, coaches and players.

Responsibilities

  • Player plan tracking and management using internal resources
  • Ad hoc performance analysis and report development
  • Player-facing meeting support via creation and presentation of supplemental materials
  • Dissemination of daily postgame reports and curated leaderboards to coaches, players, and front office staff
  • Game planning process support across levels

Required Qualifications

  • Experience working in professional and/or collegiate baseball
  • Strong oral, written and visual communication and presentation skills
  • Strong foundational knowledge in modern baseball analysis, evaluation and progressive training methodology
  • Able to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office and support staff
  • Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proficiency in SQL, R, and/or Python is strongly preferred
  • Fluent or conversational in Spanish
  • Statistical modeling experience
  • Playing background and ability to support on-field work (batting practice, hitting fungos, infield routines, etc.)

In addition to your resume, you will be required to submit a response to the following question with your application:
What are the pillars of your hitter evaluation framework? Explain why these are important to your evaluation process. (400 words or less)

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Associate Pitching Development Analyst

Department: Baseball Development
Reports to: Lead Pitching Development Analyst
Status: Temporary Seasonal
Dates: 1/15/2025 – 10/31/2025
Location: Clearwater, FL

Job Description
The primary purpose of this position is to support the Pitching Department’s development, implementation, and tracking of individual player development plans. The position should promote cross-departmental integration and facilitate consistent communication between coordinators, coaches, and players.

Responsibilities

  • Player plan tracking and management using internal resources
  • Ad hoc performance analysis and report development
  • Player-facing meeting support via creation and presentation of supplemental materials
  • Dissemination of daily postgame reports and curated leaderboards to coaches, players, and front office staff
  • Game planning process support across levels

Required Qualifications

  • Experience working in professional and/or collegiate baseball
  • Strong oral, written and visual communication and presentation skills
  • Strong foundational knowledge in modern baseball analysis, evaluation, progressive training methodology and pitch design
  • Able to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office and support staff
  • Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proficiency in SQL, R, and/or Python is strongly preferred
  • Fluent or conversational in Spanish
  • Statistical modeling experience
  • Playing background and ability to support on-field work (batting practice, hitting fungos, infield routines, etc.)

In addition to your resume, you will be required to submit a response to the following question with your application:
What are the pillars of your pitching evaluation framework? Explain why these are important to your evaluation process. (400 words or less)

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Baseball Video & Technology Associate (Multiple Locations Available)

Reports to: Coordinator, Minor League Video & Technology
Status: Full-Time, Seasonal
Locations:

Lehigh Valley, PA
Reading, PA
Jersey Shore, NJ
Clearwater, FL

Please Note – Housing will be provided by The Phillies for this role for all locations

Position Overview
Oversee the daily video, sports technology, and advance scouting operations at assigned minor league affiliate. Duties will include, but not be limited to: filming and logging home and road games, as well as assisting in daily instructional film/data review sessions with coaches, players, and staff. In addition, the Video & Technology Associate will be responsible for maintaining all sports technology equipment including setup, logging, and uploading all data each day.

Essential Duties

  • Open and oversee operations of affiliate video room on a daily basis
  • Film and accurately log all home and road games using BATS video system
  • Film and capture data for bullpens, batting practices, and workouts based on requests by Phillies coaches and staff
  • Efficiently set up and run various sports technology equipment, including but not limited to: bat sensors, motion capture tools, and ball flight tracking technology
  • Operate, troubleshoot, and support IP and high speed video cameras, computer networks, and network hard drives
  • Assist with daily data and video review sessions with Phillies coaches and players
  • Provide regular status reports to Minor League Video & Technology Coordinators and other Player Development staff in Philadelphia and Clearwater
  • Assist with various Baseball Development, Player Development and Amateur Scouting initiatives as needed

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree or currently enrolled college student
  • Must be able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office personnel and medical/training staff, and be a good team player
  • Must be detail oriented, organized and a strong communicator
  • Must be active, quick-thinking, and a good technology troubleshooter
  • Must have the ability to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Must be able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays
  • Previous experience working with BATS video system and/or sports technology is preferred
  • Previous experience working in professional or college baseball is preferred
  • On-field skills such as throwing BP is a plus
  • Must be based in or willing to relocate for the duration of the 2024 season (approximately February through up to end of September) to one of the following locations:
    • Lehigh Valley, PA
    • Reading, PA
    • Jersey Shore, NJ
    • Clearwater, FL

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Must be able to stand and walk in hot conditions for long periods of time

To be considered, all candidates must submit a response for the prompt below:
Please list the different types of baseball technology you have experience working with. Only a list format is requested and if you wish to elaborate on any of this experience in more detail please include it below your baseball technologies list.

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to, serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Major League Strategy Intern (2025)

Department: Baseball Development
Reports to: Manager, Major League Hitting Strategy
Status: Temporary Seasonal
Dates: 1/15/2025 – 10/31/2025
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Job Description
The Major League Strategy Intern will support the daily production of material that enhances the strategy and preparedness of Major League coaches and players. The Major League Strategy Intern will integrate critical thought, organizational research and resources to provide the highest quality information.

Responsibilities
Breakdown of responsibilities may vary depending on the background and strengths of the candidate. We hope to develop the selected individual based on their goals and how they can best help The Phillies. Previous responsibilities covered by this role and areas in which this role might be able to make an impact include:

  • Production of advance reports and other material covering all aspects of opposing players and in-game strategy
  • Research and analysis to guide player development at the Major League and Minor League levels 
  • Participation in group discussions to innovate and optimize internal processes
  • Ad hoc projects to support Major League coaches and Baseball Development
  • Assistance with carrying out player training and preparation routines 

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Strong foundational knowledge in modern baseball analysis and evaluation
  • Experience working in professional and/or collegiate baseball
  • Strong oral, written and visual communication and presentation skills
  • Able to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office and support staff
  • Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications

  • Fluent or conversational Spanish
  • Proficiency in SQL, R, and/or Python
  • Experience working with sports technology, video and/or data collection
  • Playing background and ability to support on-field work (batting practice, hitting fungos, infield routines, etc.) is preferred
  • Experience building models and/or making rigorous predictions about on-field outcomes
  • Experience interacting with statistical forecasts and providing information additive to existing processes

You will be required to answer the following question along with the submission of your application:
Who do you project to be the most valuable defender in MLB in 2025 and why? Please limit your response to 300 words.

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


Major League Video & Technology Associate

Department: Baseball Development
Reports to: Manager, Major League Video & Technology
Status: Temporary Seasonal
Dates: 2/1/2025 – 10/31/2025
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Job Description
The Major League Video and Technology Associate will work closely with the Manager, Major League Video & Technology and the Manager, Major League Hitting Strategy. Primary objectives are to support the Video & Technology and Major League Strategy departments with daily responsibilities. The position is based in Philadelphia.

Responsibilities

  • Film, capture and process video and data for bullpens
  • Compile pre-series advance scouting playlists
  • Process video requests from Major League players, coaches and support staff
  • Monitor Major League video pre-series and in-game to identify tendencies
  • Monitor relevant internal Minor League video to identify tendencies
  • Assist with ad hoc projects to support Major League Strategy at the direction of Manager, Major League Hitting Strategy

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Experience working with BATS video system, Edgertronic cameras, Trackman Mobile and other sports technology
  • Experience working in professional and/or collegiate baseball
  • Proficiency in video editing software
  • Able to work with and protect highly confidential information
  • Able to interact professionally with players, coaches, front office and support staff
  • Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays
  • Proficiency in SQL, R, and/or Python is preferred
  • Playing background and ability to support on-field work (batting practice, hitting fungos, infield routines, etc.) is preferred
  • Fluent or conversational Spanish is preferred

Application Question (All interested applicants must submit a response to the following question):
Please list the different types of baseball technology you have experience working with. Only a list format is requested and if you wish to elaborate on any of this experience in more detail please include it below your baseball technologies list.

The Phillies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to growing a workforce diverse in perspective and background. We proudly strive to build a group of employees who represent the fans and communities we currently, and aim to, serve.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Philadelphia Phillies.


Effectively Wild Episode 2238: That’s a (World Series) Wrap

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Games 4 and 5 of the World Series, with an emphasis on Game 5’s error-plagued fifth inning, managerial moves and bullpen performance, the significance of the Dodgers’ victory and the future of the franchise, puzzling stats about sweeps and teams that fall behind 3-0 in best-of-seven series, cluttered fun facts, fan interference mishegoss, and much more.

Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Daniel Lewis, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Ben on the Dodgers’ win
Link to Game 5 fun facts
Link to Kram on the fifth inning
Link to Will Smiths story
Link to Rogers tweet
Link to fan ban
Link to facial recognition story
Link to Gronk tweet
Link to 3-0 leads story
Link to Ben on predicting sweeps
Link to Paine on sweeps 1
Link to Paine on sweeps 2
Link to fun fact 1
Link to fun fact 2

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Job Posting: New York Mets – Analyst, Major League Strategy

Analyst, Major League Strategy

Location: Citi Field – Queens, New York

DESCRIPTION
The New York Mets are seeking an Analyst in Major League Strategy, within the Baseball Analytics department. This position involves collaborating closely with the Major League coaching staff, Player Personnel, Performance, Player Development and Analytics departments to enhance player performance and inform strategic decision-making. A key focus will be on player analysis, utilizing data-driven insights to assess strengths and areas for improvement. The role requires effective communication and teamwork to integrate insights from various departments, ensuring that player development and game strategies align with organizational goals.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Interpret data and conduct in-depth player analysis, drawing actionable conclusions to inform coaching strategies and enhance overall team performance.
  • Evaluate game strategy to provide insights that enhance decision-making and optimize tactical approaches.
  • Communicate analytical findings clearly and effectively to coaches, players, and members of Baseball Operations.
  • Assist the Major League coaching staff by developing and analyzing scouting reports.
  • Deliver actionable insights and feedback from the Major League coaching staff to leadership team to support ongoing process improvements.
  • Assist with the day-to-day operations of the Advance Scouting process.
  • Partner with the Data Science team to ensure optimal model outputs and clear interpretations for effective decision-making.
  • Edit and enhance the suite of Advance reports in R as necessary.
  • Collaborate across departments within Baseball Operations to explore and advance research initiatives related to player development, performance, and team strategy.
  • Work with the Data Engineering team to define desired outputs and collaborate with the Baseball Systems team to ensure effective presentation of tools and information.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Master’s and/or BS degree in statistics or a related field.
  • Background in a wide variety of statistical techniques is a plus.
  • Proficiency in R and SQL is a plus.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
  • Practical knowledge and experience analyzing baseball-specific data.
  • Prior experience working with coaches and players is a plus.
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, or holiday hours with willingness to adjust availability to the baseball schedule.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature, type, and level of work to be performed. The information is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The individual selected may perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

The New York Mets recognize the importance of a diverse workforce and value the unique qualities individuals of various backgrounds and experiences can offer to the Organization. Our continued success depends heavily on the quality of our workforce. The Organization is committed to providing employees with the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000

For technical reasons, we strongly advise to not use an .edu email address when applying. Thank you very much.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the New York Mets.


Job Posting: Atlanta Braves – Minor League Technology Trainee

Minor League Technology Trainee

Reports To: Manager, Minor League Technology
Department: Player Development

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Minor League Technology Trainee will provide a service to an Atlanta Braves affiliate through charting live baseball games and providing video and information to Braves coaches, coordinators, and front office personnel. This role manages all aspects of the assigned affiliate’s video, technology, and advance scouting operation and aims to provide an experience that prepares the ideal candidate for a future role in the baseball industry.

RESPONSIBIITIES:

  • Capture video and collect data for each game of the full minor league schedule of an assigned affiliate (home games and team travel to road games, postseason included).
  • Manage a network of cameras set up to collect high-quality video from multiple angles.
  • Attach, edit, and upload video following each game daily.
  • Assist in the deployment and utilization of all Braves technology equipment at assigned affiliate.
  • Support the coaching staff/players with ad-hoc video/technology requests as assigned.
  • Participate in the affiliate’s advance scouting process and produce associated materials for the coaching staff.
  • Attend Spring Training in North Port, FL to undergo training on all video, technology, and advance applications.
  • Assist in other Braves Player Development initiatives as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Prior baseball experience (High School, College, or Professional preferred)
  • Advanced knowledge of baseball rules, scoring, and statistics
  • Possess an understanding of pitch types and have the ability to identify them in a fast-paced environment
  • Exceptional communication skills and computer knowledge
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Willing to relocate to a Braves minor league affiliate from April through Mid-September
  • The ability to safely lift and transport equipment weighing 25 lbs. or more
  • Capable of climbing ladders and successfully placing equipment from various positions and heights
  • Flexible schedule: ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Completed a bachelor’s degree
  • Able to successfully complete a background check

The Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. A diverse workforce representing varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences is key to delivering on our business promise to our fans and the communities we serve. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Atlanta Braves.


Who Wants a Parade? Dodgers Win World Series After Wild Game 5

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since the start of 2013, the Dodgers have been the best team in baseball. Over that 12-season span, they’ve won the National League West 11 times, made it to the NLCS seven times, and made it to the World Series four times. Their 1,215 regular season wins are 95 more than the team in second place, and their 64 postseason wins are also the most in the game. Despite all that, until late Wednesday night, they’d only managed one championship. What deserves to go down as one of the most impressive dynasties in the history of the game has been consistently denied that sort of recognition because of the delightful, infuriating unpredictability of playoff baseball. During an absolutely wild World Series Game 5, that unpredictability finally worked in the Dodgers’ favor.

This paragraph is just a list of things that happened during Game 5, so hold on tight. There was a brief no-hit bid from one starter and a disastrous, abortive start from the other. There were monster home runs, broken bat singles, seeing-eye grounders, great defensive plays, calamitous errors, inexcusable mental mistakes, a five-run inning, a five-run comeback, unearned runs, nearly catastrophic baserunning decisions, a catcher’s interference, a disengagement penalty, a surprisingly high number of sacrifice flies, a starter coming in to get the save on one-day’s rest, and, I’m absolutely certain, a bunch of other stuff that I’m too fried to remember. The only thing that didn’t happen, thankfully, was two ding dongs grabbing Mookie Betts. In the end, the Dodgers were the team left standing, securing a 7-6 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium for their eighth World Series title in franchise history and the second in the past five years. Read the rest of this entry »


The Yankees Are Hoping Bad Baserunning Wins Championships Too

John Jones-Imagn Images

NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe’s go-ahead grand slam in the third inning will be what Yankees fans remember most from Game 4 of the World Series.

It was the highest-leverage swing of his young career, the most pivotal play in the most important game this organization has played in at least 15 years. It was the main reason why in the ninth inning, once the game was well out of reach, the majority of the 49,000-plus fans at Yankee Stadium were chanting his last name, which Volpe said was “definitely number one” on his list of coolest moments. It restored the Yankees some level of dignity as they avoided getting swept out of the Fall Classic with an 11-4 blowout win over the Dodgers.

Indeed, if the Yankees pull off a miraculous comeback and become the first team to win the World Series after losing the first three games, Volpe’s blast will go down as the biggest turning point in the State of New York since the Battle of Saratoga. If the improbable happens — if the home run is going to be more than a fun little footnote to just another failed season — we’ll have plenty of time to rhapsodize about the local kid’s signature Yankee Moment. For now, though, I’d like to dig into the two other runs that Volpe scored in Game 4 and the events that led up to them, as they offer a window into the most important element he brings to the Yankees offense: his baserunning. Read the rest of this entry »