Wake Forest University
“The hiring of a full time Director of Analytics is another huge step forward for our program. With the installation of KinaTrax (an on-field biomechanics system) and our analytics team continuing to grow, it was essential to have someone capable of pulling together massive amounts of data and making that data actionable for our coaches,” said Walter.
Lewis will be responsible for supporting all areas of baseball operations through baseball-related data science, including research, visualizations, and other projects using statistical modeling and analysis of a variety of data sources including Trackman, KinaTrax, TruMedia, and internal data sets.
“Chris was with us every step of the way through our Omaha run last year and now, after interning with the Blue Jays, is back in a role that is made for his talents. I would like to personally thank Bob McCreary, Jeff Kentner and Kent Bonham who have stepped up to ensure our program continues to lead the industry in the gathering and application of data.”
Lewis led the efforts of the analytics team as a student, helping guide the Demon Deacons pitching staff behind the scenes. Overall as a staff, Wake Forest’s pitching staff set school records with 10 shutouts, 779 strikeouts and 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The strikeout total ranks as the third most in NCAA history. Lowder (143) and Josh Hartle (140) established the program’s top two single-season strikeout totals. The Deacs led the nation in virtually every pitching category (ERA, hits-per-nine innings, WHIP, strikeouts-per-nine innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio and strikeouts).
“I am excited to be returning to Wake Forest as Director of Analytics for the baseball program. This university and the baseball team hold a special place in my heart,” added Lewis. “I look forward to working with our players and coaching staff to bring a national championship back to Winston-Salem.”
As Director of Analytics, Lewis also oversees a team of student interns that assist the baseball program in player development, advance scouting, and biomechanical analysis. Having served on the analytics team from 2019-2023, the Saddle River, N.J. native returns to the Deacs after spending the summer with the Toronto Blue Jays as a Pitching Development Analyst.
With the Blue Jays, he collaborated with pitching coordinators to build development plans using data from Hawkeye, TrackMan, and Kinatrax data from the pitching lab, developed internal pitch candidacy models using in-game and pitching lab Kinatrax data to project fastball and breaking ball shapes based on how the pitcher moves and conducted ad-hoc research analysis at the request of pitching coordinators.
“We’re thrilled to have Chris Lewis back in Deactown. Chris has been instrumental in us leveraging data and using it to develop our pitching staff and create strategic plans for all of our players. In many ways, Chris and the analytics team have allowed us to take our program to the next level. His return to Winston-Salem ensures a bright future for Wake Forest baseball,” added pitching coach Corey Muscara.
Lewis graduated Summa Cum Laude and was the Delmer P. Hylton Excellence in Accountancy Award winner, earning his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Minor in History in May of 2022. During May of 2023, Lewis completed his Master of Science in Accountancy with both degrees coming from Wake Forest.
