One of the largest departments for an MLB organization is Player Development.
Sometimes referred to as “minor league operations”, the sole goal of everyone in Player Development is to assist in the growth in all aspects of the players and staff within an MLB organization.
The most successful Player Development departments see their players and staff advance and contribute to the MLB club. Some personnel that fall under this department’s umbrella can include; minor league players, coaches, roving coordinators, strength coaches, nutrition staff, mental skills coaches, analysts and many more.
Structure
Most PD departments are headed by an Assistant General Manager or Director within the front office. Working down the organizational ladder, there will be assistant directors, managers, coordinators, assistants, and interns that will fulfill the day to day and long-term tasks required to run the minor league system. Each organization may be structured slightly differently and have different job titles, but the overarching goal remains the same.
On field personnel include the players at each minor league affiliate along with a manager, hitting coach, pitching coach, 4th coach, strength coach, and athletic trainer leading each team.
Teams will employ positional coordinators to head up the coaching side, for example, many teams will have fielding, pitching, catching, hitting, baserunning, infield, and outfield coordinators. Each positional coordinator will oversee their respective coaches at each minor league affiliate, with the field coordinator overseeing all on field coaching and positional coordinators.
Other positions that are based out of the minor league headquarters may include cultural assimilation/language education staff, nutritionists, mental skills coaches, heads of minor league equipment, and various other positions depending on the club.
Administration/Operations
Player Development front office personnel will be responsible for a multitude of tasks throughout the calendar year. They will organize travel to spring training, to the minor league affiliates, travel when players are promoted/demoted, and for offseason camps/training.
Throughout the year, other Player Development staff members may help analyze which areas the organization is in need of, or have depth at, to help determine which players and coaches to sign as free agents or draft to fill out minor league rosters.
They will help create and process all contracts, salary payments, and communicate with all other relevant departments regarding player and staff movement. Overall, they fulfill all tasks necessary for the minor leagues to run.
Analytics/Technology
In the current age of information within MLB, the analysis of players does not start at the major league level. Player Development departments will begin using data and technology to help impact player performance from the moment they get drafted. Using this information, teams can analyze and quantify everything a player does from the field to the weight room.
This type of analysis is a starting point for Major League clubs and as players advance throughout the minor league system, player development staff will review data collected in order to create tools, player plans, visuals, and conduct presentations to help inform coaches and players of their weaknesses, strengths, and areas for growth.
Summary
Player development can be considered the lifeblood of an organization. The vast majority of players play in the minor leagues prior to reaching the big leagues. Every team strives to have sustainable success in the Major Leagues, and having a strong, efficient player development system is an integral part of any championship caliber organization.
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