SABR Analytics Certification

Whether you are a student or professional looking to set yourself apart as you break into the ultra-competitive baseball industry, or a broadcaster, coach, scout, or fan interested in gaining a better understanding of the present state and future of the game, the SABR Analytics Certification was created with you in mind.

The SABR Analytics Certification program is an online, on-demand curriculum offering professional development and learning opportunities for those interested in elevating their skills and knowledge relating to baseball analytics. The curriculum was developed by current baseball professionals, including employees of Major League Baseball and its clubs.

Click on a button below to find more details on our first three courses available online:

Courses advance through progressively deeper dives into the world of baseball data and analytics, with virtual instruction provided by industry thought leaders and the opportunity to present your own analysis to be reviewed by esteemed professionals. Upon completion of each course, participants will earn certification recognition to illustrate their learned proficiencies and separate themselves from others.

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Courses

All virtual courses were developed by current baseball professionals, including employees of Major League Baseball and its clubs. They are offered on-demand, giving participants the ability to learn at their own pace.

Student learners progressing through the full curriculum will also be more prepared to participate in work showcases and high-profile competitions, like the Diamond Dollars Case Competition.

Level One
Conversational Analytics and Critical Thinking in Baseball

Jake StoneAn introductory exploration of baseball data and analytics, including historical eras of analytics, descriptive vs. predictive data, metrics vs. statistics, key hitting, pitching, and fielding terms and practical applications of each, and player comparisons

  • Instructor: Jake Stone is the Director of Operations & Player Development at Penn State University. Jake has professional and collegiate baseball experience under his belt, working for the Baltimore Orioles and previously serving as the head student manager at the University of Iowa. In his roles, Stone demonstrated advanced knowledge of the cutting-edge player development technology that has proliferated through baseball and efficiently implemented the new systems to improve player development plans. He is also the creator of the popular website and YouTube channel Simple Sabermetrics. Follow Jake on Twitter @SimpleSaberBSB.
  • Availability: Open to all interested learners via guided on-demand video
  • Duration: 15 video modules, with total run time of just over two hours
  • Completion: Level One course completion requires a written player analysis which will be reviewed by a Baseball Prospectus staff writer
  • Cost: $125 for SABR members; $180 for non-members
  • Learn more: Frequently Asked Questions

SABR MEMBER REGISTRATION:

In addition to the incredible benefits of SABR membership, SABR members receive a significant discount on Analytics Certification course registrations. SABR members can sign up for the Level One course here. Note: You must be signed into your SABR account to receive your membership discount.

Members - Register Here

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION:

While SABR members receive significant discounts on Analytics Certification courses, non-members are welcome to participate. However, we encourage you to explore the benefits of SABR membership, where you can join a passionate international community of fans, writers, broadcasters, players, and students of the game. Sign up as a SABR member today and begin receiving great benefits, and your certification course discount, immediately. If you would like to proceed with a Non-Member Registration, click here. After purchasing a Non-Member Registration, you will receive email instructions for signing in to view course video modules within one business day of purchase.

Non-Members - Register Here

Click here to watch a video preview of Level One:

Level Two
Advanced Analytics in Baseball

Ben JedlovecLevel Two provides a deeper study of the key concepts in baseball analytics — hitting, pitching, fielding, and baserunning metrics, park and league adjustments, replacement levels and WAR, as well as projections and economics — helping to develop critical thinking. While Level One provided an introduction to many of the metrics seen and heard in baseball analytics circles, this course will provide learners with a deep understanding of the theory behind these concepts, why they are calculated the way that they are, and how to best apply them considering their relative strengths and weaknesses. The goal of this course is to prepare learners to apply this knowledge and analytical ability to their own research — including the case prompt at the end of the course — and to be equipped for the technical skills introduced in Level Three.

  • Instructor: Ben Jedlovec is the Vice President of Data & Technology at Zelus Analytics. Previously, he led product and data science for MLB’s Baseball Data team, including the Statcast platform. Prior to joining MLB, he led Sports Info Solutions’ product development and R&D, including Defensive Runs Saved and shift recommendations, with clients including 25 MLB Clubs, ESPN, FanGraphs, and Baseball-Reference. He co-authored two volumes of The Fielding Bible with John Dewan, edited nine editions of the Bill James Handbook, and serves on the SABR Defensive Index committee. He also taught Sabermetrics 101 for five years as an adjunct professor as part of the Economics and Data Science programs at Lehigh University.
  • Availability: Open to all interested learners via guided on-demand video
  • Duration: Eleven video modules with a total run time just over three and a half hours, in addition to self-paced quiz work and assigned outside reading
  • Completion: Level Two course completion requires a written case study which will be reviewed by a Baseball Prospectus staff writer
  • Cost: $195 for SABR members; $250 for non-members
  • Learn more: Frequently Asked Questions

SABR MEMBER REGISTRATION:

In addition to the incredible benefits of SABR membership, SABR members receive a significant discount on Analytics Certification course registrations. SABR members can sign up for the Level Two course here. Note: You must be signed into your SABR account to receive your membership discount.

Members - Register Here

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION:

While SABR members receive significant discounts on Analytics Certification courses, non-members are welcome to participate. However, we encourage you to explore the benefits of SABR membership, where you can join a passionate international community of fans, writers, broadcasters, players, and students of the game. Sign up as a SABR member today and begin receiving great benefits, and your certification course discount, immediately. If you would like to proceed with a Non-Member Registration, click here. After purchasing a Non-Member Registration, you will receive email instructions for signing in to view course video modules within one business day of purchase.

Non-Members - Register Here

Click here to watch a video preview of Level Two:

*AVAILABLE NOW*

Level Three
Introduction to Baseball Programming

Rob ArthurLevel Three provides an introduction to programming using a pragmatic and practical approach in its application for baseball. Focusing on R (with a dash of SQL) as a programming language, the goal of this course is to give learners a foundational understanding of the technical skills necessary for a career in data science and baseball analytics. The course includes topics such as data manipulation, visualization, and statistical models, and culminates with a final assignment that challenges learners to generate their own player performance projection that can be compared to other forecasts and used in building a personal portfolio.

  • Instructor: Rob Arthur is a Chicago-based data scientist at Muck Rack and journalist. As a data scientist, he has consulted for three MLB teams, nonprofits, law firms, and a Fortune 500 company. As a journalist, he writes about baseball, criminal justice, entertainment, and politics for outlets like VICE News, Slate, Baseball Prospectus, and the Atlantic. He earned his PhD in evolutionary genetics from the University of Chicago in 2015.
  • Availability: Open to all interested learners via guided on-demand video; completion of Level Two highly recommended
  • Duration: Ten video modules with a total run time of roughly four and a half hours, in addition to self-paced quiz work and outside reading and resources
  • Completion: Level Three course completion requires completion of a final programming assignment and written summary which will be reviewed by a Baseball Prospectus staff writer
  • Cost: $195 for SABR members; $250 for non-members
  • Learn more: Frequently Asked Questions

SABR MEMBER REGISTRATION:

In addition to the incredible benefits of SABR membership, SABR members receive a significant discount on Analytics Certification course registrations. SABR members can sign up for the Level Three course here. Note: You must be signed into your SABR account to receive your membership discount.

Members - Register Here

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION:

While SABR members receive significant discounts on Analytics Certification courses, non-members are welcome to participate. However, we encourage you to explore the benefits of SABR membership, where you can join a passionate international community of fans, writers, broadcasters, players, and students of the game. Sign up as a SABR member today and begin receiving great benefits, and your certification course discount, immediately. If you would like to proceed with a Non-Member Registration, click here. After purchasing a Non-Member Registration, you will receive email instructions for signing in to view course video modules within one business day of purchase.

Non-Members - Register Here

Click here to watch a video preview of Level Three:

*COMING SOON*

Level Four
Using Data Science to Create and Replicate Work