2022 SABR Virtual Analytics Conference highlights
The SABR Virtual Analytics Conference, presented by Major League Baseball and Rawlings, was held over four days in online sessions from March 17-20, 2022, bringing together the top minds in the baseball analytics community to discuss, debate, and share insightful ways to analyze and examine the great game of baseball.
Click on a link below to watch a video replay of each session.
Featured Panels
Brian Kenny and Sarah Langs: The Year in Analytics
Introduction by SABR CEO Scott Bush. Presentation by MLB Network host Brian Kenny and Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
Current Baseball Technology and Future Trends
Panelists: Seth Daniels, Rapsodo; Jacob Howenstein, BlastMotion; Keenan Long, LongBall Labs; moderator: Eno Sarris, The Athletic.
The Technical Side of Being an Analyst
Panelists: Karim Kassam, Zelus Analytics; Maggie O’Hara, Detroit Tigers; Nick Wan, Cincinnati Reds; moderator: Dan Aucoin, Driveline Baseball.
What is Biomechanics and How is it Used in Baseball?
Panelists: Georgia Giblin, Detroit Tigers; Bryson Nakamura, Stanford University; Ethan Stewart, Cincinnati Reds; moderator: Megan Stewart, Milwaukee Brewers.
MLB FieldVision Demo and Deep Dive
Panelists: Joel Feinberg, Clay Nunnally, Sid Sethupathi, moderator: Ben Jedlovec, Major League Baseball.
Sport Science and Player Health
Panelists: Ryan L. Crotin, ArmCare.com; Kristen Nicholson, Wake Forest University; Jason Themanson, Illinois Wesleyan University; moderator: Will Carroll, Under the Knife.
Diamond Dollars Case Competition
Encore presentation by Tufts University: Richard Diamond, Andrew Holden, Evan Hu, Joshua Ober, and Brendan Tivnan. Learn more at sabr.org/analytics/case.
SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards presentation
Emma Baccellieri, Brittany Ghiroli, and Eno Sarris were honored as winners of the 2022 SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards. Click here to learn more and to read their award-winning articles.
Research Presentations
RP1—Alan Nathan, “How Do Drag and Spin Affect the Flight of a Baseball?”
RP2—Hillary Plummer, “Hip Abductor Strength Asymmetry: Relationship to Upper Extremity Injury in Professional Baseball Players”
RP3—Rob Mains, “The Third-Time-Through-The-Order Penalty Is Worse Than You Thought”
RP4—Sarah Thompson, “Stops and Sends: 3B Coach Data and Analytics”
RP5—Ryan L. Crotin, Jonathan Swolik, Gene Brewer, and Glenn Fleisig, “Biomechanical Predictors of Pitch Efficiency in Professional and Collegiate Pitchers”
RP6—Glenn Fleisig, “Emerging Technologies in Biomechanics are Changing Baseball”
RP7—Kristen Nicholson, “Machine Learning and Statistical Prediction of Fastball Velocity with Biomechanical Predictors”
RP8—Jason Themanson, “Neuroscience at the Plate: Neural Activity during Computerized Task is Related with In-Game Hitting Performance”
RP9—David Hyland, “Rounding Second – A Probabilistic Investigation of the MLB Modified Extra innings Rule”
RP10—Jeremy Losak, Andrew Weinbach, and Rodney Paul, “Behavioral Biases in Daily Fantasy Baseball: The Case of the Hot Hand”
RP11—Julia Wapner, David Dalpiaz, and Daniel Eck, “SEAM Methodology for Context-Rich Player Matchup Evaluations in Baseball”
RP12—Xander Schwartz, “Improving Batter-Pitcher At-Bat Modeling Using K-Means Clustering and Mixture Models”
RP13—David Schmerfeld, “Measuring the 6%: Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models to Compare DRS, UZR, FRAA, and Statcast Team Season”
RP14—Scott A. Brave, Andrew Butters, and Kevin Roberts, “Rebuilding Competitive Balance in MLB: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective”
RP15—Joshua Mould and David Anderson, “Quantifying Hitter Plate Discipline in Major League Baseball”
RP16—Sean Sullivan, “Exit Velocity Over Expected: An Evaluation of MLB Batted Ball Data”
Student Sessions
Thursday, March 17
Visit YouTube.com for timestamps to move ahead to each presentation in this video:
- (0:00) Introduction to Baseball Databases
Sean Lahman, SABR - (1:13:05) Working with Baseball-Reference Data
Jonah Gardner and Zoe Surma, Sports Reference - (2:28:05) Working with Baseball Savant and R
Josh Keen, Baseball Operations Analyst, Major League Baseball - (2:58:25) SLICED with SABR
Nick Wan, Director of Analytics, Cincinnati Reds
Saturday, March 19
Job Opportunity Networking Session
Hosted by SABR’s Jessica Smyth, students had the opportunity to hear a Job Opportunity Networking Session from Cory Schwartz, Major League Baseball; Rob Dougherty and Matt Manocherian, Sports Info Solutions; and Christopher Jones, Chicago Cubs.