Analytics and baseball bring David Miller ’10 from Salve to Fenway

David Miller ’10 is the assistant director of baseball analytics/major league strategic information for the Boston Red Sox. Seventeen years ago, he was a math major at Salve studying for a dual degree in secondary education and mathematics, with plans to become a high school teacher.

At Salve he was also a member of the Seahawks baseball team. In his senior year, his love of baseball was cemented by a winning season. “The team made a deep run in the conference playoffs,” he remembered. “That season and playoff experience were full of great memories.”

When his undergraduate career at Salve ended, he changed his plans, opting to set his sights on graduate school. Dr. Ernest Rothman, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, remembered Miller’s drive.

“David was a very talented and enthusiastic student, who made the most of his education at Salve. In addition to taking regular classes, he worked with faculty on independent studies. When he entered a Ph.D. program at the University of Connecticut, his natural talent, intellectual curiosity and work ethic ensured his successful completion of his degree,” reflected Rothman.

Miller spent three years after earning his Ph.D. as a tenure-track assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Hartford. While there, he volunteered his time supporting the baseball and basketball teams with analytic insights and learned data science skills. In 2019, Miller was hired by the Boston Red Sox as an analyst in baseball operations.

“After his years in academia, [Miller’s] creative mind combined with his love of both mathematics and baseball secured him a position with the Red Sox. His is a continuing source of pride for our department,” said Rothman.

Rothman noted that Salve has had a rigorous mathematics major for decades. “Over the years our graduates have found employment using their mathematics education. Many graduates have gone on to become mathematics teachers or found careers in software development, consulting, actuarial work, or statistical analysis.”

Although the program was not available while Miller was a student, Salve now offers a data analytics minor and a 3+2 dual degree program in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The program leads to a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in data analytics from Salve plus a master’s degree in data science from UMass Dartmouth.

Today, Miller manages a team of analysts who provide coaches and players with the data they need to prepare for games and series. He spends his days building predictive models, spending time in the clubhouse and traveling with the team.

Miller believes his Salve experience was a great foundation for his career as a baseball analyst. “Coach Steve Cirella and my advisors – Drs. (Carol) Gibbons, Rothman and (William) Stout – were a major influence on my eventual career. As a math major who played on the baseball team at Salve, what I do at the Red Sox is a perfect blend of my interests.”