MLB on Monday concluded its second annual Scouting Development Program after upping the ante from last year’s inaugural iteration, including the launch of its week-long Coaching Development Program. Both initiatives, which were done in partnership with the Buck O’Neil Professional Scouts and Coaches Association, were held during the Arizona Fall League and designed to build the diversity of MLB’s scouting and executive pipeline. The scouting program, which took place from Oct. 9 to 17, included 40 participants, up from 29 last year. The coaching program, which unfolded from Oct. 6 to 12, included six individuals. Nine women (including three in the coaching program) participated. Fifteen participants are currently working for MLB clubs, and seven played in the major leagues during their playing careers.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES: MLB SVP/On-field Operations Mike Hill said over 300 people applied for a spot in one of the programs. Last year’s inaugural scouting program led to 18 new hires and seven club personnel receiving promotions into new roles. Hill said the league has been in contact with MLB’s clubs regarding the programs’ participants: “We just want all 30 clubs to know that this is a tremendous resource available to them when they're in search of a diverse candidate. They know that these candidates are getting the education that allows them to enter into an organization and do a good job for them.” Will Johnson, who played for Eastern Kentucky before participating in the MLB Draft League, was mentored through this year’s program by Mets Assistant Director/Amateur & International Scouting Andrew Toussaint. “When you bring in a lot of people with different perspectives and different backgrounds, I think that can only be great for the game and I think that that lends to baseball as a global game,” Johnson said.
