Analytics Series: Guest Matt Winkelman

Evolution Sports

Volume 5 - In Part 1 of our Analytics Series, Dave Sanders (@DSanders877) and Drew Ferraro (@DrewFerraro88) chat with Matt Winkelman (@Matt_Winkelman) about how sports organizations have adopted analytics. In most discussions about analytics, you'll find that those with the most extreme points of view (pro and anti) often have the loudest opinions, but we set out to have a more nuanced conversation that bridges the gap between both sides. (1:30-2:32) Why are traditionally kept stats, such as batting average in baseball, more accepted than newer stats, like Wins Above Replacement? (2:33-4:51) Is the pattern matching used in developing "gut feelings" actually similar to what large analytical models are doing? (4:52-5:38) How the interpretation of data is just as important as how it's gathered. (5:39-6:17) Analytics in MLB, specifically how the Phillies have shifted their focus towards analytical thinking in recent years. (6:18-7:23) Difficulty in testing data models. (7:24-7:57) Have analytics influenced the types of players that the Phillies have drafted or targeted in free agency? (7:58-8:48) With one of the worst defenses in the majors in 2018, did a recent change towards heavily utilizing defensive shifts backfire? (8:49-10:09) Does job security play a role in the willingness to adopt a mindset backed by analytics that may be unconventional to most? Is this impacted by the length of time the organization has been gathering data and building models? Thanks again to Matt for joining us! If you'd like to read more of his work, head over to philliesminorthoughts.com for great information on the Phillies Minor League System. You can find us on Twitter @EvoSportsPod and Facebook at Facebook.com/EvolutionSportsPodcast. Please subscribe and leave us a review so we can continue to improve! Thank you.