MLB University gathers at Winter Meetings

SAN DIEGO — Welcome to MLB University, baseball’s institution of higher learning and training.

Class is officially in session.

“We are doing tremendous work at the entry level, and we wanted to put something together to continue to grow those employees, so they are in line to be our future leaders,” said Michael Hill, MLB’s senior vice president, on-field operations, who is leading the program. “We are growing our applicant pool for our future assistant GMs, and future GMs, future presidents of baseball operations, and that’s the thought behind MLB University.”

The inaugural MLB University class, which is made up of one non-senior level professional with a diverse personal background from each team, participated in its first session of the 10-month course last month and had another session Monday during the Winter Meetings. Five members of the Buck O’Neil Professional Scouts & Coaches Association are also participating in the program.

Topics covered in the semi-monthly training sessions, held via Zoom, include roster management, payroll and CBT accounting, player contracts and salary arbitration. Participants will also learn about the Draft and the international talent system, analytics, baseball operations and medical administration, along with topics related to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, MLB rules and MLB regulations.

“We are giving them access to the tools, the information and the knowledge to put them in a good position for the future,” Hill said. “My hope is that we continue to grow our pool of future leaders, and in three years you will see a GM that can say he or she went through MLB University, and the information we shared was invaluable in getting an opportunity to lead a baseball operations department.”

The program also features Tony Reagins, MLB’s chief baseball development officer; Morgan Sword, MLB’s executive vice president, baseball operations; and consultant Theo Epstein in training and on-going mentorship roles.

“This is another important piece to the puzzle and another way to prepare people for future opportunities,” Reagins said. “With Take the Field, the Diversity Pipeline Program, MLB University and with the things that we’re doing in my area with the young people, it’s all about establishing the pipeline and making sure these candidates are prepared for the next level.”

There is a track record of success in the programs.

Close to ninety percent of the MLB Diversity Fellows have full-time employment in baseball, and nearly 30 participants in Take The Field have been hired by Major League Baseball, one of its clubs or a Minor League team. What’s more, the inaugural Scouting Development Program in 2021 led to 18 new hires and seven Club personnel receiving promotions into new roles. The Development Program expanded in 2022 to include coaching and scouting training opportunities.

“Commissioner [Rob] Manfred has been very supportive, and the owners in the Diversity Committee have been very supportive, so this is just the next step,” Reagins said. “We’re headed in the right direction.”