Archive for InstaGraphs

Position: Analyst, Baseball Research

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Statistical modeling and quantitative analysis to aid in the creation and improvement of models/tools for decision making in player development, game strategy, scouting, trades and free agency.
• Assist R&D department with data and model quality assurance.
• Prepare reports and presentations to disseminate information throughout baseball operations.
• Facilitate greater knowledge within R&D department of modeling best practices.
• Perform ad hoc quantitative projects to support baseball operations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mathematics, statistics, economics, physics or other quantitative field.
• 1-5 years of full-time work experience in a quantitative field.
• Data analyst experience: ability to interpret and analyze statistics.
• Exceptional skill communicating complex statistical concepts.
• Experience with statistical programs such as R, Python, Matlab, SPSS, Stata.

To Apply:
Please visit this site to complete an application.

It’s difficult, as a human person, not to arrive at the conclusion that the world is riddled with injustice. Epictetus felt it keenly. Marcus Aurelius felt it keenly. Owing to the infancy of medical science at the time, probably a lot of other ancients felt it keenly, as well.

Among those feeling it keenly in the year 2018, however, seems to be Cincinnati reliever David Hernandez. On Thursday, the winners of the Silver Slugger Award were announced. Hernandez, it seems, was unimpressed by the results.

It should be noted immediately that Michael Lorenzen and Hernandez were teammates in 2018, so there’s certainly a case to be made that bias is at play here. It should also be noted that, in this case, the “people” who “vote on awards” are major-league managers and coaches. These are important points to establish.

What’s also probably important to establish is that Hernandez, whatever the weaknesses of his rhetorical style, doesn’t lack for evidence.

This is the batting-runs leaderboard for pitchers from 2018. Batting runs account for everything that occurs at the plate. Walk? That’s a way to first base. Grounder to third? That’s also included, in its way. Most of the leaders here have a figure that’s just above zero because most pitchers regress to something even worse than that that.

Not Lorenzen, though. Over 34 plate appearances this year, he hit four homers and slashed .290/.333/.710. Overall, he recorded the top batting line of the year among pitchers with as few as 10 plate appearances:

The actual winner of the Silver Slugger, blameless German Marquez, did reach the .300 threshold, but he also recorded just a single extra-bast hit — a homer off a position player pitching — this season. Lorenzen, on the other hand, hit a double and four homers in roughly half the plate appearances.

Homers like this one, after a weird bunt thing:

There are certainly moments when one is wrong to feel aggrieved. For right-hander David Hernandez, however, this isn’t one of them. His teammate Michael Lorenzen both (a) probably deserved but also (b) didn’t win the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers. An injustice has probably occurred. A minor, minor, minor injustice.

The Houston Astros announced Tuesday afternoon that pitcher Lance McCullers was to undergo Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season.

Because fate is crueler to pitchers than German fairy tales are to misbehaving children (in some traditions, Santa Claus has sidekicks who actually eat kids), it’s never a surprise to hear of a pitcher going under the knife. It’s true that Tommy John surgeries have a solid success rate, with the majority of pitchers returning to the mound and resuming their careers — mostly where they were left off. The prospect of elbow surgery certainly isn’t as frightening as various shoulder operations, which are sufficiently risky and cruel that none have a pitcher’s name affixed to them. Still, nobody wants to miss a year-plus of their career due to a medical issue. For the Houston Astros, this complicates both their short- and long-term rotation plans.

One of the reasons the Astros were such a dangerous team in 2018 was the depth of the starting rotation. With the additions of both Justin Verlander and then Gerrit Cole in a six-month period, the team had too many starter — something about which nobody in history has ever complained. It gave them the luxury of being able to absorb some nasty surprises. Without the rotation staying healthier than in 2017, the Astros happily used Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock nearly exclusively as relievers, with sexy results.

Read the rest of this entry »

The New York Yankees and CC Sabathia reached an Election Night agreement on a one-year, $8 million contract that keeps the big lefty in the middle of the rotation for another year.

All the Yankees hoped Sabathia would do for the team in 2018 was eat 150-175 innings respectably and cut off the downside risk of the team’s rotation so they wouldn’t have to cross the luxury-tax threshold with a free-agent acquisition. That’s precisely what Sabathia did, his late-career mini-renaissance continuing to the tune of a 3.65 ERA and 8.2 K/9 — his most in a healthy season since 2012, the tail end of his ace years.

There’s no question that Sabathia’s day at the top of the rotation has long since turned to night, but there’s little reason to think he can’t continue to do what he’s been doing for the last few years. Surgery on his knee last month was only a minor one and shouldn’t affect his availability.

Fittingly for someone wearing the same uniform as Mariano Rivera, Sabathia pulled his career off the brink in 2014-15 with the addition of a cutter, a pitch initially taught to him by Andy Pettitte in 2014. It essentially replaced his fastball, a pitch that went from touching 95 in his prime to around 90 in recent years. The cutter hasn’t gotten Mariano-esque results, necessarily — he’s allowed a .238 batting average and .382 slugging percentage on the pitch since 2016 — but it gives him a good complement to his slider, which has always been his key pitch.

Read the rest of this entry »

Our 2019 Free Agent Tracker is now live, housing the results from our crowdsourcing effort from the last two weeks. It will update with new contract data as free agents sign.

You might notice a new interface: readers are now able to filter the board choosing multiple teams and multiple positions. Also, in the top-right corner, we’ve put links to leaderboards and projection boards for the free agents.

The crowdsourcing numbers include both the average values and the median values for prospective player deals. The projected WAR uses the Depth Charts projections available on the projection page and player pages. At this point in the offseason, the Depth Charts projections closely reflect Steamer, but the playing time might differ slightly. ZiPS will be added at a later point in the offseason.

If life reveals anything, it’s that the best way to contend with the past isn’t to process it calmly and deliberately but rather to push it far away and pretend it never existed and hope blindly that the future will somehow facilitate better outcomes.

Today, FanGraphs is happy to participate in this very healthy and doctor-approved process by presenting the 2019 Steamer projections. The work of Jared Cross, Steamer represents the first opportunity of the offseason to peer into the gauzy mists of the future. The prorated version of the forecasts (known as Steamer 600) is useful, too, as a sort of quick estimate of true talent.

What does one find in the numbers? That Mike Trout remains strong in the baseball department, for one. And that free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are likely to produce very similar age-26 campaigns. And that, whatever happens next week, Boston left-hander Chris Sale is the AL Cy Young favorite for 2019.

Position: Product Manager, TrackMan Baseball – Baseball Research, Analytics, and Reports

Job description:
TrackMan is looking for an experienced product manager to further develop and expand their baseball research, analytics and reporting products, services, and capabilities.

TrackMan is a Danish company founded, owned and managed since 2003 by three entrepreneurs with a strong passion for sports. Today, they have a global footprint with their headquarters located in Denmark (Vedbaek) and offices in New York, Phoenix, Poland and Tokyo. They employ more than two hundred and fifty people worldwide, half of whom work in Denmark where most of their hardware and software products are developed, tested and manufactured.

Serving as product manager, you will lead TrackMan Baseball’s team of analysts, conduct research to gain key insights from TrackMan data, and develop the baseball reports and tools necessary for all TrackMan customers to use and find value in TrackMan’s unique and valuable data. Customers include not only all professional baseball teams globally, but internal users as well. As a baseball analytics expert with knowledge on the use of data throughout TrackMan’s customer organizations, you will provide guidance and insights to drive their overall business.

If you are a baseball data expert and can create and manage products, this is an exciting opportunity for you to help TrackMan further revolutionize and impact the game of baseball. In the United States, TrackMan technology is installed in all major league and all minor league stadiums, used by all 30 MLB teams for player development and evaluation, and is a core component of MLB’s award-winning StatCast system.

Baseball Analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) team management

Serving as the baseball analytics lead for TrackMan baseball, you will:

• Lead a talented and established team of analysts and BI developers
• Be a thought leader both internally and externally on baseball data, and its application and use across baseball
• Survey latest methods and advancements in baseball research to support TrackMan Baseball
• Develop leading data-driven, baseball insights benefitting TrackMan’s broad customer base
• Assist the TrackMan Baseball team in building and managing a sales pipeline for reports and analytics-driven businesses

Product Management and Development

Serving as the product lead for TrackMan Baseball’s research, analytics, and reporting offerings, you will:

• Identify, research, and quantify new data-driven opportunities across all segments of the baseball market, and present findings to management for consideration.
• Interact with, and at times collaborate with, global customers and users.
• Develop and execute an analytics/reporting/tools-based product strategy and roadmap, offering customers the ability to best use TrackMan’s valuable baseball data.
• Develop and manage baseball analytics and BI-based products and services that serve their multiple customer users and stakeholders, including baseball operations, coaches, player development, and scouting.
• Develop visualizations and methods for disseminating analytical results for a variety of users, including less technically and analytically inclined users.
• Work closely with TrackMan’s Denmark-based data engineering team, and collaborate with US, European, and Asian-based counterparts in developing products and services.

Requirements:

• Strong statistical and database understanding along with excellent verbal and written skills.
• Extensive baseball knowledge with experience in the latest baseball research and trends.
• Product development or product management experience.
• Understanding of agile SW development process.
• Strong baseball industry knowledge and experience.
• Experience with leading Business Intelligence SW tools and statistical SW packages.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent people management and leadership skill with the ability to attract, recruit, and retain great people.
• Strong work ethic with an attention to detail, and an ability to self-direct.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university is required.
• Advanced degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, or other quantitative discipline is desired.
• 5+ years relevant industry experience encompassing quantitative analysis.
• 3+ years of experience managing staff or leading development or research teams.

To Apply:
Applications are continuously assessed, so please send your application as soon as possible. To apply, please visit this site.

Position: 2019 Baseball Video Scouting Internship

Location: Coplay, PA

Description:
Sports Info Solutions, originally founded as Baseball Info Solutions, is looking for highly motivated individuals with a desire to work in the baseball industry. Video Scouts will have a chance to make an immediate impression on the company. Each Video Scout will be collecting data that is directly used by SIS clients (including major league teams) for advance scouting and evaluation purposes. Not only will the Video Scouts become more familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of hundreds of amateur and professional players, but they will also learn the ins and outs of the baseball statistics industry.

Former Video Scouts have risen rapidly through Major League front offices after getting their start watching two to three games per day at SIS. In the words of one former Video Scout and current Vice President of Baseball Operations, “My summer at [BIS] was the best baseball experience of my life.” Major League teams frequently approach SIS for recommendations when they need to fill a position within their organization, and SIS’ top video scouts each year routinely land team internships and/or full-time jobs.

SIS takes pride in making their internships great development opportunities for those looking to get their start in baseball. In addition to gaining invaluable experience watching thousands of
players across different levels, they offer introductory classes that cover writing scouting reports and using the database management language, SQL. They also provide insight and advice from previous SIS Video Scouts who have branched out into a variety of areas in the sports industry.

Responsibilities:

• Score and pitch chart MLB, MiLB and amateur games using specialized computer software
• Check the accuracy and validity of data
• Prepare and analyze statistical data for delivery to customers
• Assist with the production of the 2020 Bill James Handbook
• Provide administrative support to the full-time staff

Compensation:

• A starting hourly rate of $7.75 and/or college course credit will be offered.
• Each Video Scout will also be eligible for regular raises based on performance.
• There will also be opportunities to sign up to work overtime to earn extra income (opportunities will depend on work levels throughout the year).

Time Frame:
SIS offers two unique start dates for this position. The first begins February 4th, 2019. It will last for a period of four to five months into early June, with the possibility of extending further based on company workload and the Video Scout’s performance. The second begins on March 6th, 2019. This will last five to six months into early September, again with a possibility of extending longer.

To Apply:
To apply, please use this link to submit your application.

Position: Minor League Video and Information Intern

Description:

The Minor League Video and Information Intern 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 members.

This role manages all aspects of the assigned affiliate’s video and advance scouting operation and aims to provide an experience that prepares the ideal candidate for a future role in the baseball industry.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Capture and chart video 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.
• Support the coaching staff/players with ad-hoc video/technology requests as assigned.
• Lead the affiliate’s advance scouting process and produce associated materials for the coaching staff.
• Act as a point-person for affiliate’s use of performance technology initiatives as assigned by the Braves front office.
• Attend a portion of the Braves’ Spring Training camp in Orlando, FL to undergo training in video and advance information.
• Participate in periodic calls with the Baseball Operations group in Atlanta.
• Other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• An understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures and an ability to work effectively and relate well with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Self-motivated individual with high degree of responsibility including confidentiality, sense of urgency, and accountability.
• Proactive, organized and detail oriented person who can prioritize their workload and follow-through with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm in attitude and approach.
• Willing to relocate to a Braves minor league affiliate from Mid-March through Mid-September.
• Able to successfully complete a background check.

Preferred:

• Programming experience with SQL/R
• Playing experience at the collegiate/professional level

This is a paid position that includes a housing stipend for the duration of the minor league season.

To Apply:
Applicants should submit their resume, cover letter, and references to bravesopsjobs@gmail.com and include “Minor League Video and Information Intern” in the subject line.

ANLBC, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note, this posting contains two positions.

Position: White Sox Baseball Operations Software Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL

Description:
The Chicago White Sox seek an experienced Software Engineer to join their baseball operations group. The engineer will be responsible for building and maintaining data driven systems with a focus on Baseball Analytics, however there will be additional exposure to all facets of baseball operations. This position will report to the Director of Baseball Analytics.

Responsibilities:

• Develop data-driven web applications and reports to assist the White Sox front office with player evaluation, arbitration, scouting, and player development.
• Manage the integration of new data sources.
• Provide operational support.

Requirements:

• Degree in computer science, engineering, or similar field.
• Technical proficiency in web development and scripting technologies such as HTML, PHP, AJAX, and JavaScript.
• Object oriented development experience with Visual Studio and C#.
• Strong UI design fundamentals, with examples of intuitive and flexible interfaces.
• Knowledge of SQL Server or MySQL with the ability to write and optimize complex queries and stored procedures.
• Experience working with large datasets.
• Familiarity with advanced baseball metrics and research.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated high degree of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and discretion.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ETL methodologies.
• Experience presenting data with Tableau.
• Experience performing advanced statistical analysis with analytical tools such as R, MatLab, or Python.
• Advanced quantitative degree or published research.
• Prior baseball playing or operations experience.

Proposed Start Date: December 1, 2018

To Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter to ApplyAnalytics@chisox.com.

Position: White Sox Baseball Analytics Internship

Location: Chicago, IL

Description:
The Chicago White Sox seek a passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated individual with a desire to work in Baseball Operations. The internship will focus primarily on the numerical methods that drive Baseball Analytics, however there will be additional exposure to all facets of baseball operations. The internship is a paid position with a 3-4 month term.

Responsibilities:

• Develop data-driven applications and reports to assist the White Sox front office with player evaluation, arbitration, scouting, and player development.
• Create proprietary performance metrics and predictive models.
• Provide operational support.

Requirements:

• Degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or similar field.
• Knowledge of SQL Server or MySQL with the ability to write and optimize complex queries and stored procedures.
• Experience performing advanced statistical analysis with analytical tools such as R, MatLab, or Python.
• Experience working with large datasets.
• Familiarity with advanced baseball metrics and research.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated high degree of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and discretion.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical proficiency in web development and scripting technologies such as HTML, PHP, AJAX, and JavaScript.
• Object oriented development experience with Visual Studio and C#.
• Experience presenting data with Tableau.
• Advanced quantitative degree or published research.
• Prior baseball playing or operations experience.

To Apply:
Please send a resume to ApplyAnalytics@chisox.com.