Meet Scott Harris: New Tigers exec has impressive resume
Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris previously worked with a World Series-winning team (Cubs) and ran a 107-win team (Giants)
Tyler J. Davis, Wochit
The Detroit Tigers have hired Tampa Bay Rays senior director of amateur scouting Rob Metzler as the organization’s new vice president and assistant general manager, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Metzler, 42, will lead the Tigers’ amateur and international scouting efforts.
The move, directed by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, comes one day after the Tigers parted ways with assistant general manager David Chadd. The Tigers also fired scouting director Scott Pleis earlier this offseason. On Tuesday morning, the Tigers confirmed Metzler’s hire.
“We’re going to hit the ground running to ensure our processes of amateur scouting at both the domestic and international levels are the best they can possibly be,” Metzler said in a statement, “and search for the most comprehensive information possible to help inform our decision making.
“I’d also like to thank the Tampa Bay Rays organization for an incredible 15 seasons, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. The reason I’m here in Detroit is to bring that same energy, passion and innovative spirit, culminating with winning baseball on the field at Comerica Park for years to come.”
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Metzler worked 15 seasons for the Rays and the past seven leading the amateur scouting department. He was responsible for day-to-day scouting activities within the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico in preparation for the draft. He was responsible for drafting Shane McClanahan, Nathaniel Lowe, Joe Ryan and Taylor Walls, among others.
He joined the Rays in 2008 as a baseball operations intern without a traditional scouting background, rising from the administrative and front office side of the game. He is known for managing processes and incorporating an analytical approach.
With the Rays, Metzler wasn’t involved in international scouting.
“I hope all Tigers fans will join me in welcoming Rob and his family to our organization,” Harris said in a statement. “I am thrilled to add an executive of Rob’s caliber to lead our amateur and international scouting departments. Rob’s track record of success with the Rays speaks for itself, and his innovative approach to talent acquisition will help us achieve one of our main goals: to acquire, develop and retain young talent in Detroit.”
Before joining the Rays, Metzler interned for the Boston Red Sox, Baseball Info Solutions and the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He earned degrees from Bowdoin College, where he played baseball, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The Tigers now have three assistant general managers: Metzler, Sam Menzin and Jay Sartori.