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Job postings show Reds becoming more data-driven

Posted at 8:02 AM, Nov 26, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-26 08:02:57-05

CINCINNATI -- Resumes likely are piling up in the Reds offices — figuratively in this case, because the people applying for two openings the Reds posted are usually digitally inclined.

The organization has two openings posted on the mlb.com website: One is for Manager of Baseball Analytics, the other is for Baseball Operations Manager. Both are new positions.

And it’s further indication the Reds are becoming a more analytics-driven organization.

When Dick Williams was named general manager, he made no secret that he relied heavily on analytics in decision-making.

“We have added people each of the last couple of the years,” Williams said via text. “But this will certainly ramp us further.”

MORE: In-depth with Reds' new GM

The new employees will report to Sam Grossman, the club’s senior director of baseball analytics. Grossman has been with the club for nine years. He’s headed the analytics operation since 2008.

Grossman has a degree in mathematics from Northwestern and worked at actuarial analyst before getting into baseball. That’s kind of background the Reds are looking for.

Grossman headed a four-person department this season.

“I’ll put our staff up against anybody’s,” Williams said when he was named GM.

Here are the job descriptions posted:

Manager of Baseball Analytics:

“The Cincinnati Reds are seeking a Manager for the team's Baseball Analytics department. The Manager of Baseball Analytics will work closely with the Senior Director of Baseball Analytics and Manager of Baseball Systems to implement the department’s research and development efforts and statistical models within new and existing applications.

"We envision the person in this position to play a major role in the creation of new baseball analytics concepts with the ultimate goal of enhancing on-field performance.”

Baseball Operations Manager:

“The Cincinnati Reds are seeking an Analyst for the team's Baseball Analytics department. The Analyst will work closely with the Senior Director of Baseball Analytics to enhance the department’s research and development efforts with respect to statistical models and applications.”

It adds that person will “work closely with the Director and Major League coaching staff to identify trends gleaned from statistical data feeds and develop systems to automate these processes.”

Both postings say that: “Bachelor’s degree in computational field, such as Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Quantitative Social Sciences or Analytics strongly preferred. Experience with Major League front office, sabermetric website or related work.”