Hello Again

Hello there. If you’ve been reading the site for a while, you might remember me. Back in 2014 and 2015, I did prospect stuff here. Then, at the end of 2015, I had to say farewell, having been hired to work in the Atlanta Braves front office. After spending a couple of years back inside baseball, both in the office and as a cross-checker, I’m pleased to announce that I’m rejoining the FanGraphs staff, effective today.

It’s a long story how this all worked out, but suffice to say that this was the right time for this move and I’m very happy how everything turned out. I enjoyed my time with the Braves, but am excited to be able to contribute here and be part of this community again.

However, I won’t be coming back to be the Lead Prospect Analyst as I was before.

Eric Longenhagen has capably taken that job and made it his own. Eric deserves all kinds of credit for his work, and I’m thrilled that I’ll get to work with him here. I will definitely be contributing prospect content in collaboration with Eric — and yes, I’ll be helping with the organizational prospect lists — along with some other ambitious plans that are coming together, including a project I teased over two years ago. I may also show up in pieces that aren’t specifically prospect related, but are interesting player evaluation (or valuation) situations.

You’ll be hearing a lot from me in the coming weeks as I jump back into the writing world. I’m excited to be here again, and look forward to talking baseball with all of you.

Lastly, I wanted to express some gratitude. Thanks to David Appelman and Dave Cameron for taking another chance on me here at FanGraphs, and thanks to the Braves for giving me a memorable couple years with their organization.

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Kiley McDaniel has worked as an executive and scout, most recently for the Atlanta Braves, also for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He's written for ESPN, Fox Sports and Baseball Prospectus. Follow him on twitter.

58 Comments
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ShauncoreMember since 2019
8 years ago

MY GOD WE GET BOTH ERIC AND KILEY?

This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Happy holidays, I’m crying now.

ShauncoreMember since 2019
8 years ago
Reply to  Shauncore

However this does ruin the Professor of the Dark Arts meme (which I suppose was ruined anyways since Eric came back for second year).

EddyMember since 2024
8 years ago
Reply to  Shauncore

THIS IS JUST LIKE STANTON JOINING JUDGE.

Cole
8 years ago
Reply to  Shauncore

I’ll second this! Having both Kiley and Eric is a real treat

Trey Baughn
8 years ago

Welcome back, Kiley.

GoatHerderMember since 2016
8 years ago

Welcome back!

TapeyBeerconeMember since 2016
8 years ago

Christmas comes early!!

Psychic... Powerless...
8 years ago

Great news!

lmb2020Member since 2020
8 years ago

***Reggaeton Horn Blasts***

asaw780
8 years ago

Awesome! Welcome back Kiley

JeremyMember since 2016
8 years ago

Welcome back Kiley! I have to imagine this is a popular time to get out of the Braves organization, unfortunately.

pumpsie greenMember since 2022
8 years ago

Awesome! The contract valuation that Dave does every all-star break seems to be among the most popular on the site, and it is the one I personally love the most. When you talk of valuation articles, is that the kind of thing you mean? It would be great to see on a monthly basis through the season. I’m sure every front office and agent has their own metric – something for the public would be terrific!

jmohan
8 years ago

Hit the goddamn airhorn!

sadtromboneMember since 2020
8 years ago

This is excellent news. I always loved your content here before, and can’t believe our good fortune to have you back.

Sorry you got caught in the crossfire with the Braves (I don’t expect you to address it, FYI), but at least you’re back home now.

aglossmanMember since 2016
8 years ago

Holy crap!! Welcome back, Kiley!!

ABerkoMember since 2016
8 years ago

Welcome Back!

CindyJNCMember since 2021
8 years ago

Hate you are leaving the Braves, but glad to have you back at Fangraphs.

DeanAnna
8 years ago

I hardly ever look for or recognize names in this site, or any other, outside of a chosen few. This name stood out as soon as the website loaded. Exciting!

mjbissonn
8 years ago

Who would like to hear a pod with Kiley, Eric, and Carson?

*raises hand*

southie
8 years ago

I think this is a bigger loss for ATL than Maitan!

Dooduh
8 years ago

Welcome back dude!

I bet you’ve got some tales to tell about the Braves FO…

RonnieDobbs
8 years ago
Reply to  Dooduh

Probably not… ATL is not known for their transparency

mlbjk8
8 years ago

HELL YEAH

Inge15Member since 2020
8 years ago

Welcome back, Kiley. Having you and Eric together is great news. Kudos to Appelman and Cameron as well for wooing you back.

MichaelMember since 2016
8 years ago

I remember Kiley spreading a rumor that Carson was going to name his son something funny, but can’t remember the name.

mrenick1974Member since 2018
8 years ago

Glad you’re back. I hope your new role allows for you to regularly participate in the podcast. First we lost parks and KG. Then we lost Rany and Joe. Then we lost you. Come back to us, please.

ericcanfieldMember since 2016
8 years ago

Great News! Welcome back.

Slappytheclown
8 years ago

Wow! Welcome back Kiley, awesome!

I bet you could share quite a lot about what exactly went on with the Braves organization but I’m sure that’s all hush hush. Well, there loss is our gain!!

Jaack
8 years ago

HARK THE HERALD REYNOLDS SING
GLORY TO THE FANGRAPHS KING
PEACE ON EARTH AND PROSPECTS MILD
SCOUTS AND STATHEADS RECONCILED
JOYFUL ALL YE COMMENTER RISE
JOIN THE LIVE BLOG IN THE SKIES
WITH ANGELIC TROUTS PROCLAIM
KILEY IS BACK FROM THE BRAVES’ HAREM.
HARK THE HERALD REYNOLDS SING
GLORY TO THE FANGRAPHS KING

KILEY BY HIGHEST FANGRAPHS ADORED
KILEY THE EVERLASTING LORD
LATE IN TIME BEHOLD HIM COME
OFFSPRING OF ATLANTA’S WOMB
VEILED IN FLESH THE TROUTHEAD SEE
HAIL THE INCARNATE KILEY
PLEASED AS FANS WITH FANS TO DWELL
KILEY OUR MCDANIEL
HARK THE HERALD REYNOLDS SING
GLORY TO THE FANGRAPHS KING

JDX
8 years ago
Reply to  Jaack

Godhead to Trouthead make me lol.

DookieHowserMD
8 years ago
Reply to  JDX

I’ll never be able to hear this song again without thinking of harold reynolds

witesoxfan
8 years ago

This is some LEGIT news.

JEdwardMember since 2016
8 years ago

As a Braves fan, I’m very sad to see you go. As a Fangraphs fan, I’m incredibly excited to see you return. Welcome back!

ander420Member since 2021
8 years ago

Nice to have you back Kiley. I for one missed your take on things here a lot.

JamesMember since 2016
8 years ago

Welcome back Kiley! Does this mean that you’re the Thallium Prospect Analyst now?

Paul Kasiński
8 years ago

Welcome back!! We’ve missed you. Hoping to hear you back on a podcast with Carson soon.

The GuruMember since 2026
8 years ago

welcome back kiley! Missed your work.

One thing i’d wish someone would work on or add to the list is to finally add framing runs to war caclulations. All the MLB teams already do this, but for some reason fangraph website/others does not account correctly for catchers and war. Pitchers are currently getting all the war credit from great catching which is incorrect.

Original Greaser Bob
8 years ago

Allow myself to introduce… myself. My name is Richie Cunningham and this is my wife, Oprah.

Pinstripe Wizard
8 years ago

Hey, it’s me again
Plain to see again
Please, can I see you every day?
I’m a fool again
I fell in love with you again
Please, can I see you every day?

IgnatiusJReillyMember since 2024
8 years ago

Great news for Fangraphs fans, probably less so for the Braves. Looking forward to the prodigal son returns podcast!

barry6124
8 years ago

I demand a podcast with Carson immediately.

Jon
8 years ago

This is great, man. Incredibly happy to have you back!

hopbittersMember since 2020
8 years ago

Great to have you back. Braves’ loss, our gain.

Jetsy Extrano
8 years ago

“Memorable”, yeah, I bet. Welcome back! and I’ll understand if you never see fit to do a Cameron / Coppolella compare and contrast.

RagingRandleMember since 2017
8 years ago

Alright!! Glad to hear it, welcome back! At some point do we get a hint of the behind the scenes Braves scandal dirt?

JRMayneMember since 2016
8 years ago

Kiley! Fantastic to see you back – your presence is appreciated.

I join the chorus of good wishes and anticipation of good things to come.

awy
8 years ago

TEAM KILEY

estone2005
8 years ago

omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg

Jonathan Sher
8 years ago

Clearly, MLB has cracked the whip again on the Braves for violating international signing rules, and this time the league is serious: Atlanta is not just given up prospects but a proven and quality veteran in Kiley. Welcome back!

John Elway
8 years ago

YEIGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan DCMember since 2016
8 years ago

Can we get August back too?

Nathan Lazarus
8 years ago

Hooray!

bookbookMember since 2024
8 years ago

It’s funny. I had assumed you got canned for constantly pitching your personal (non fan graphs) projects in response to readers’ questions. It sounds like you had an awesome couple year adventure…

cowdiscipleMember since 2016
8 years ago

Well, that does it. Take my $50.

Failedstate
8 years ago

I’m boned up from the throne up. Welcome back!

pedeysRSox
8 years ago

Welcome back Kiley, really looking forward to hearing what ideas you have

vicfirth98Member since 2017
8 years ago

welcome back!!!

soaktherichMember since 2016
8 years ago

Welcome back, Kiley. Now, come clean: have you also been banned for life from organized baseball?