Joseph Yanchak
Amateur Scouting Associate | Detroit Tigers
WVU Major: BS in Sport Management (Minor: Business Data Analytics) Graduation: 2024
WVU Role: Director of Analytics and Player Valuation, Head Student Manager, Video Coordinator, Student Manager
Career Path Summary
As a freshman, Joseph began working with the WVU Baseball program as a student manager. This is where he first worked with data and technology in a baseball setting. As a sophomore, he was promoted to Video Coordinator where his main responsibility was operating the team’s BATS program as well as creating video playlists to be used in team meetings. For his junior and senior years, Joseph was the Head Student Manager, overseeing 30+ student managers, and he specialized in the collection and application of data analytics. During this time, Joseph was able to create projects to help the team develop players and win games. He implemented player postgame reports, advanced scouting reports and dashboards to efficiently track player statistics and advanced data for player development.
Following his graduation in 2024, he joined the support staff as the Director of Analytics & Player Valuation, where he was tasked on expanding the program’s use of data for player development and assisting with the recruiting process. Following the Fall 2024 season, Joseph joined the Boston Red Sox organization as a Video & Tech Associate for the AAA Worcester Red Sox. In this role, he traveled with the team and was responsible for the collection and application of data and technology for the team. He created advanced scouting reports, video playlists for meetings and opposing pitchers, as well as dashboards to assist the coaching staff as they track development of their players.
In November of 2025, Joseph accepted a role with the Detroit Tigers as an Amateur Scouting Associate. In this role, he will be assisting the scouting department with the organizational and data collection processes and applying his prior experiences into a new organization.
Key Skills Built at WVU
Data manipulation / visualization with R/RStudio
Experience with baseball data and technology including Trackman, BATS, TruMedia and Synergy
Application of data analysis into on-field development plans
Leadership experiences
Highlight Project
During his time as the Head Student Manager, Joseph created and developed postgame player reports for the program. This allowed players and coaches to have access to pitch data, at-bat summaries, and ball-in-play data immediately following games and scrimmages. This project was instrumental in creating shorter feedback loops for players and coaches to analyze and reflect on.
Alumni Quote
I came to WVU with a dream of working in pro ball. West Virginia Baseball provided me with the tools, resources, and opportunities to develop the skillset needed to break into the industry. I was able to jumpstart my career in baseball as well as experience the best four years of my life!
Advice for Future Students
Question everything and relentlessly seek ways to improve processes. WVU Baseball will provide you with the resources to jumpstart your career, but it is up to you to seize the opportunity and leverage it into a career with curiosity, innovation, and a forward-thinking mindset.
