Identifying Differences in Intentional Walk Decision Making

Virtue Bama and Jack Overton

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Rosen, teacher, The Ingenuity Project

Sig Mejdal, mentor, The Baltimore Orioles

For decades, sports teams have been utilizing statistics to inform and develop strategies that have allowed for extremely successful seasons and careers. The use of statistical analysis has saved some franchises and caused the downfall of others. Although statistical analysis has caused controversies across the sport, correctly developed statistical analysis can be a big advantage. In this paper, we identify the trends of MLB managers when they call for intentional walks. We received data from a query from the Baltimore Orioles. This data was the complete record for intentional walks over the 2020 season. We then analyzed this data using Excel and R. We saw significant differences in how managers utilized their decision-making. We saw basic similarities in the scenario the teams called for the intentional walk but there were still vast differences in the frequency of these decisions by team. These differences show there is still major optimization possible when calling for intentional walks.