MLB organizations have understood that, in order to be really great and not just “good”, they need to pay attention to what happens off the field, specifically at the office level.
Bringing in tech resources and people who knows how to use them, being a step ahead of the competition when it comes to scouting and player development, and bringing in the right coaches is just as important as any free agent acquisition.
If you have capable people making decisions, the on-field product will, unavoidably, be better.
The Seattle Mariners, understanding that they need to strengthen their personnel in player development, made a crucial hire.
“The Mariners have hired Justin Toole as Director of Player Development. Toole, 36, has served as the Guardians’ Major League Hitting Analyst for the past three seasons,” MLB insider Mark Feinsand tweeted.
The Mariners have hired Justin Toole as Director of Player Development. Toole, 36, has served as the Guardians' Major League Hitting Analyst for the past three seasons.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 1, 2022
Toole’s baseball career as a player took place mostly in the minors and in independent leagues between 2009 and 2015.
He reached as high as Triple-A but didn’t make it to the majors.
A Talented Baseball Man
As the MLB hitting analyst of the Guardians, he was in charge of overseeing potentially impactful players in the organization.
The Guards may not be known for their offense, but they do have talented hitters in Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, Owen Miller, Amed Rosario, Oscar Gonzalez, and more.
In the minors, they have Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio, Bo Naylor, Nolan Jones, and other prospects.
Most of them were under Toole’s watch for the last three years, and most of them earned excellent results.
As the Mariners’ Director of Player Development, he will probably have more on his plate, including pitching.
Toole, however, is qualified for the job and will get a golden chance to prove it.
