ANALYTICS HAVE FOREVER CHANGED THE BUSINESS OF BASEBALL AND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

Abstract

The main goal of this thesis is to analyze the impact that analytics have had on the game of baseball. From a business perspective, the front offices managing Major League Baseball teams are now utilizing and sifting through big data to find hidden value in player assets. This information is then organized into complex information systems to assist in decision making. In the past, Major League Baseball had conducted business in a very traditional manner, with general managers, scouts, and coaches relying on their “baseball instincts,” which have been acquired through spending years in the game. However, baseball’s sacred fraternity, which had been often restricted to baseball lifers or former players, has now found a place for analytically minded individuals. This has completely changed the strategy of the business and the game itself. The thesis is structured into seven sections: (I.) Overview/Introduction, (II.) “What exactly are analytics and how are they used?”, (III.) “How is information used for analytics collected, stored, and used?”, (IV.) “What MLB teams are buying in and which aren’t? What is the impact?”, (V.) Interview Takeaways, and (VI). “Conclusion and Impact Beyond Baseball.” Full interview notes and transcripts can be found in (VII.) Appendices.