Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2020
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Management
First Advisor
Paul Johnson
Second Advisor
Lloyd Wade
Third Advisor
Dwight Frink
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The area of study for this thesis is the use and optimization of the sub-departments within the larger baseball operations department in Major League Baseball front offices. The research is divided into the history of the two major units—scouting and analytics. This background is followed by an investigation of the balance between them. Information for this analysis was obtained through secondary research, primarily articles for online journals and previously conducted interviews with front office personnel. I have also included some of my own work, which was completed during the summer of 2019. The findings of the analysis are that the balance between scouting and analytics in the game today is going to vary for each team depending on the resources of the organization as well as the competencies of the general manager. Three teams—the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres—are used to exemplify the variation. Overall, there is not a single correct way to operate the department, but rather a proper method to determine the balance that is optimal for the individual team.
Recommended Citation
Weller, Eleanor, "The Data Revolution: An Examination of the Use of Scouting and Analytics in Major League Baseball Front Offices" (2020). Honors Theses. 1306.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1306
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