Cutters’ data coordinator Barone has shown his drive, work ethic this summer
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The MLB Draft League is cut-throat.
In a blistering 80-game campaign over the course of three months, athletes from across the country meet up in the northeast as a last ditch attempt to appear on draft boards and get in front of pro scouts leading up to the draft.
Facilitating hundreds of athletes over one season, the atmosphere surrounding the league as a whole is far from complacent.
Simply put, a ticket to the show is hard to get, and requires an impregnable drive and determination in order to get the contract that keeps their baseball dreams alive.
It is a reality that, while headlined by the exploits on the diamond, is also the same up in the dugout or press box.
Beyond the athletes, there is a slew of managers, coaches, analytics and personnel representing each MLB Draft League team that also have further hopes of a job deeper in the industry. With the opportunity to work for a summer league that is in association with MLB, the opportunity at a job or internship can serve as a springboard for future career aspirations.
It's an opportunity that Williamsport Crosscutter date coordinator Vincent Barone has not taken lightly.
Barone, a graduate of Quinnipiac University, has put in the work to get the opportunity to work with the Cutters. Graduating with a bachelor of science degree in business with a master's in business analytics, Barone was the co-founder and president of the Sports Analytics club while spending a pair of years in Pomona, New York within the box office of the New York Boulders in the Frontier League.
The impressive resume stood out to the Draft League, who brought Barone in to represent the Williamsport Crosscutters as the teams' data coordinator for the entire 2026 season.
"I was so excited," described Barone when he received word in April that he would work with the Draft League. "I knew this would be a great developmental role, and it has been just that... I was relieved as well, since it was in April and I was graduating in a month!"
From the opening day of the season, it was clear Barone was not taking the role for granted. A jovial character that isn't shy to the players or Crosscutter coaching staff, Barone can be seen before games shagging flyballs, running the pitch machine or chopping it up with coaches.
During the game, the upstate New York native is up in the press box, running the online live stats for home games while producing camera changes and managing the pitch clock in road contests.
Outside of gametime, Barone's communication with players has led to developments in their game as well.
"Every day in the first half, me and (infielder Kyle Schupmann) would go over whether or not to swing at the first pitch," discussed Barone on his favorite moment of the summer. " And on one of the first pitches he wound up hitting a home run. I remember thinking that was very cool."
Making it to the show whether that be from the diamond or the press box, is a never ending mountain of putting in the work, making connections, and improving on where you are the day before. No matter what part of the stadium, it takes a lifetime of work to get to the highest stage. But for Barone, if anything, he has shown throughout the summer that he has the drive and work ethic to go as far as he wants to take his young career.
"I'd say I'd love to work in advanced scouting doing reports," concluded Barone. "Honestly, I like this type of level, looking and trying to find that hidden gem that's around. I would love to work within MLB and get data on guys that you wouldn't expect to be good. Look for those hidden gems."