2nd annual Scout Development Program fosters pipeline of diverse talent

MESA, Ariz. -- Kiana Pancino has always been fascinated by the interconnecting worlds of numbers, sports and science.

So, it should surprise no one that the former softball player at Stanford graduated with a degree in engineering and pursued a career in baseball.

“I’m really passionate about the game and how to build a world of numbers and people,” Pancino said. “When I found out that baseball was merging those two worlds, that’s what really drew me to it.”

Pancino is currently working in the Baseball Operations department for the Giants as a fellow in MLB’s Diversity Fellowship Program. This week, she is one of 40 participants in Major League Baseball’s second annual Diversity Pipeline Scout Development Program. The initiative is designed to help build a pipeline of diverse talent for MLB teams and was created in partnership with the Buck O'Neil Professional Scouts and Coaches Association.

“We were looking for a way to give more opportunities to women and people of color in scouting, so we created the program and were really pleased with the success rate,” said Tyrone Brooks, who serves as MLB’s senior director of the Front Office and Field Staff Diversity Pipeline Program. “Last year, we had 29 participants, including seven that were already affiliated with clubs, and we ended up having 18 hired by teams in scouting or front office roles. The bar was set really high in 2021, and we are really excited about this year’s group in Arizona.”

Like last year, this year’s program features daily classroom instruction along with scouting opportunities at Arizona Fall League and collegiate games across the Phoenix metro area. This year’s version also features a coaching development component.

“Our staff is so good at being able to connect with individuals, meeting them at their level and helping them understand the different aspects of scouting and how to evaluate players,” Brooks said. “There is feedback and criticism with the goal of building them up so they can be prepared for opportunities.”

Led by Brooks, the instructors include Pirates consultant Greg Orr, MLB’s Bo Porter, retired scout and executive Fred Wright, along with Kinza Baad (Pirates), Andrew Toussaint (Mets), Bump Merriweather (D-backs), Jalal Leach (Marlins), Glen Walker (Mets), Alex Morales (Nationals) and Timi Moni (Phillies).

“We have been in the game a long time and it’s our duty to pay our blessings forward,” Porter said. “I have been blessed to learn from conversations with people like Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Bobby Cox, Willie Randolph and Dusty Baker. All of those people poured their time and knowledge into me and it's my responsibility to make sure that I pour it to the next generation as well.”

The coaching portion of the program features former Major League players Dmitri Young and Shawn Chacon along with Ashley Stephenson of Team Canada and Bree Nasti of Providence College, Jade Gortarez (Red Sox), Tervont Johnson (MLB Development Program), Tristan Toorie (Anderson University), Sherman Johnson, Mikael Mogues, Bryant Nelson and Gift Ngoepe.

“I have a lot to offer and I’m happy to give back. And the truth is, I’ve been working on the amateur side since 2012 with MLB, Perfect Game and USA Baseball,” Young said. “Having experience in this game speaks volumes, and I have the experience. I’m also learning, as well. The opportunity presented itself to be here and I took it.”

The week’s events will conclude with a dinner Sunday night, followed by the naming of the program’s Spirit Award winners, which honor former Yankees scout Kelly Rodman and former Cardinals scout Charles Peterson.

“We want to put them in the best position possible to have a career in scouting and in baseball, and we want to be able to provide a foundation for it,” Brooks said. “For those already at clubs, this program allows them to evolve and be further involved in the evaluation process in their organization.”