Newman brings analytics background to Pirates' scouting director role

PITTSBURGH -- Justin Newman began a formal interview process for the Pirates' director of amateur scouting job around mid-September. But with a decade of experience already in the organization, he’d been informally working toward the position for years.

“It's always something that I had my eye on to some degree, and I think it maybe came more into focus for me over the last year or so,” Newman told MLB.com Monday.

With a background in quantitative analysis and research and development, Newman brings a unique perspective to the position. He now leads a team with recent success stories in the Draft, from adding cornerstones like Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin along with up-and-coming prospects…