BP Blogs

December 6, 2012

BP Unfiltered

Texas Rangers Need IT Customer Service Specialist

IT Customer Service Specialist Position Available with the Texas Rangers

Our friends in Arlington asked if we could share this job opening with our readers. Please follow the link at the bottom to apply if you're interested. Tell them Baseball Prospectus sent you. Good luck!

Title	IT Customer Service Specialist
City	Arlington
State	TX
Description	JOB SUMMARY: The primary role of this position is to provide superlative customer service and user support to internal customers on company supported computer applications and platforms. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills and communication in addition to basic technical knowledge; responsible for a full range of activities which ensure the operational effectiveness and excellence of the business units. Essential to this role is the ability to demonstrate energy and charisma to customers and the competency to listen and question effectively, interpret and solve problems, provide technical support and keep track of problems and resolutions. Solving problems with enthusiasm, patience, and a genuine sense of urgency is critical for this position. Design and document workflow and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact operational effectiveness. This position will develop into a Project Lead role and will direct a number of key projects for the department and company. Ultimately, with development and training, the professional in this role will design and document business workflows and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact operational effectiveness of the business. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Provide frontline customer support in day-to-day operations by responding to requests for technical assistance, including hardware and software troubleshooting and diagnosis. • Ability to capture, consolidate, and communicate information from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). • Bridge-the-gap between SMEs and the business unit to construct the solution. • Develop positive customer relationships by communicating technical concepts and advice in layman’s terms and turning around repairs and solutions as quickly as possible. • Counsel and advice users on the system(s) capabilities and processes. • Meet with users to gather requirements for project definition. Analyze existing procedures and evaluate requested requirements to identify system changes. • Improve processes within the Company to increase the level and quality of service provided to internal and external customers. • Able to adapt to different demands, manage user and product issues, and effectively interact with all levels in the organization including executive management, senior level officers, and VIPs within the organization. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job.
Requirements	PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s Degree in analytics or business highly desirable. Computer technology or related degree is NOT required. • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a business office environment. • Prior experience and demonstrated success in a customer service or business analytics role. • Familiarity or basic knowledge of Microsoft based products including Windows (XP, 7, 8) and Microsoft Office. Certifications desirable, but not required. • Basic understanding of Internet core technologies such as Internet Protocol, DHCP, DNS, and Routing. Certifications desirable, but not required. • Analytical and problem solving skills. • Able to organize, coordinate, and direct users and teams. • Strong time management skills. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills as well as excellent presentation skills. • Ability and desire to offer “out-of-the-box” solutions and innovative ideas. • Initiative and a genuine desire to learn and excel. • Works well in a small-group environment and values the concept of teamwork.

Joe Hamrahi

December 6, 2012 4:38 PM

4 Comments

December 3, 2012

BP Announcements

Winter Meetings Coverage

The Winter Meetings kick off on Monday, and BP will be there.

The Baseball Winter Meetings kick off in Nashville on Monday, and BP will be there in force. I'll be joined by Joe Hamrahi, Jason Parks, Dan Evans, John Perrotto, Zachary Levine, Adam Sobsey, and Jason Collette. Together, we'll be bringing you the news if a big free agent signs, Scott Boras says something incredible, or a person falls into a pool at any time through Thursday. Follow us on Twitter and check back at BP for on-the-scene updates.

Ben Lindbergh

December 3, 2012 4:00 AM

0 Comments

December 2, 2012

BP Unfiltered

Daily Draft Video: Weekend Flashback (Bradley vs Barnes)

Daily Draft Video Weekend Flashback takes a look at today's top prospects before they were pros.

Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Matt Barnes were two of the top prospects featured in this year's Boston Red Sox Top 10 Prospects here at Baseball Prospectus. Today’s Draft Video Weekend Flashback features these former day one selections in pre-draft action.

Nick J. Faleris

December 2, 2012 10:00 AM

0 Comments

December 1, 2012

BP Unfiltered

Daily Draft Video: Weekend Flashback (Fernandez vs Yelich)

Daily Draft Video Weekend Flashback takes a look at today's top prospects before they were pros.

Jose Fernandez and Christian Yelich were the top two prospects in this year's Miami Marlins Top 10 Prospects here at Baseball Prospectus. This weekend's Draft Video Flashback features these former first round selections in pre-draft action.

Jose Fernandez (RHP) out of Alonso High School (Tampa, FL); Drafted 1st Round (14th Overall), 2011. Video from 2010 WWBA World Championship, hosted by Perfect Game USA. Fernandez was a University of South Florida commit and played with the FTB Mizuno/Cardinals Scout team.

Christian Yelich (OF/1B) out of Westlake High School (Westlake Village, CA); Drafted 1st Round (23rd Overall), 2010. Video from 2009 WWBA World Championship, hosted by Perfect Game USA. Yelich was a University of Miami (FL) commit and played with the ABD Bulldogs travel team.

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Nick J. Faleris

December 1, 2012 9:30 AM

1 Comment

November 30, 2012

BP Unfiltered

Daily Draft Video: Ty Ross

Daily exclusive video series designed to familiarize you with the names you need to know leading up to the 2013 amateur draft.

In a very thin college catching crop, LSU’s Ty Ross (C) appears to be one of the few backstops with a chance to climb into Day 1 consideration. In spite of an underwhelming showing on the Cape, the former Louisiana prep standout has the foundation to grow into a solid MLB regular. Ross possess solid tools behind the dish, including a respectable catch-and-throw game, but will need overall refinement in his receiving and behind-the-plate actions. Offensively, he'll show plus raw power in BP and with the BBCOR bats, though this summer has raised questions as to just how much of it he'll be able to get to once swinging wood at more advanced arms. Still, he'll get plenty of looks throughout the spring, as well as the opportunity to showcase his offensive skill set against some of the top draft-eligible arms in the game during SEC play.

Nick J. Faleris

November 30, 2012 8:00 AM

0 Comments

BP Daily Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 92: Why the Twins' New Prospect Isn't Their Type/Why Didn't Russell Martin Make More Money?

Ben and Sam discuss why prospect Alex Meyer isn't the Twins' usual type, then wonder why teams didn't think Russell Martin was worth more than the Pirates paid him.

Episode 92: "Why the Twins' New Prospect Isn't Their Type/Why Didn't Russell Martin Make More Money?"

Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller

November 30, 2012 5:00 AM

3 Comments

Minor League Update

Five Venezuelan Winter League Prospects Most Likely To Make An Impact In the Majors In 2013

The Five Venezuelan Winter League Prospects Most Likely To Make An Impact In the Majors In 2013

With only a few games on Thursday's schedule and only one or two notable prospect performances, I'll take this opportunity to tell you a little about the five prospects in the Venezuelan Winter League most likely to make an impact in the majors next season.

 Evan Gattis, C/LF, Braves (Zulia): .277 BA, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 7 2B, 10 BB, 23 K in 38 games. There are a few scenarios in which the 26 year-old, who now has 26 homers in 420 at-bats between Hi-A, Double-A, and the VWL this year, could find himself in Atlanta in 2013. With Brian McCann expected to start the season on the DL, Gattis could be in the mix to back up Gerald Laird in April. It might be more realistic, however, if he serves as the third string catcher so the Braves could utilize his right-handed power off the bench and in a platoon situation where he's starting in left field against left-handed pitchers. It wouldn't surprise me if he gets a month or two of regular at-bats in Triple-A before the Braves move him into what could be a very challenging part-time role for a rookie.

Carlos Sanchez, 2B, White Sox (La Guaira): 1-for-3, 2B, BB. The 20 year-old switch-hitter made it to Venezuela just in time to be included on my list. It's not like he's been slacking off since the season ended, though. Sanchez hit .299 with 9 walks and 11 stolen bases in 22 games in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League. After impressive stints with Hi-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham during the 2012 season, Sanchez finished the year with 11 games in Triple-A. He''s likely to return there to start the 2013 season but he could force his way to the big leagues rather quickly.

The White Sox have a void at third base, which could be filled this offseason via free agency or trade. If it isn't, they'll likely give Brent Morel, who has a career .611 OPS in 182 big league games, the first chance to take the job and run with it. If that doesn't work out, Sanchez could get the call to play at the hot corner, or he could play second with Gordon Beckham moving to third base.

 Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Twins (Aragua): .256 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 6 2B, 12 BB, 31 K in 36 games. Yesterday's trade of Denard Span means Ben Revere moves over to center field, making there one less option for the open right field spot. Chris Parmelee is the leading candidate at the moment. The Twins could very well fill the void through free agency or trade. Or they could give the 21 year-old Arcia, who hit .320 with 17 HR, 36 2B, 8 3B, and 51 BB in 124 games between Hi-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain last season, a legitimate chance to win the job out of Spring Training. Expect Arcia to start the season in Triple-A Rochester, while Parmelee and possibly a free agent stop gap try and hold down the right field job for a couple months.

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Jason Martinez

November 30, 2012 5:00 AM

6 Comments

November 29, 2012

BP Daily Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 91: What Will the Braves Get from B.J. Upton?

Ben and Sam break down the Braves' signing of B.J. Upton and discuss the discrepancy between different appraisals of his value.

Episode 91: "What Will the Braves Get from B.J. Upton?"

Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller

November 29, 2012 5:00 AM

0 Comments

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