Sydney Hernandez, a senior economics major at Samford University Brock School of Business, is set to graduate in May and has already taken a giant step toward launching a business career in the sports industry. During her final semester, Hernandez has been working remotely with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur scouting associate, and after graduation, she will move to Atlanta to continue in the role full-time.
Throughout her time at Samford, Hernandez made the most of every opportunity to sharpen her sports business skills. In addition to her economics major, she secured concentrations in sports marketing and data analytics and participated in a mentorship program with the Braves, which pairs Samford students with industry professionals for personalized guidance and support. She also completed internships with the Chicago Cubs and the Chatham A’s, building a strong foundation in data analysis, strategy and communication—skills she now uses every day in the fast-paced world of Major League Baseball.
Reflecting on her journey, Hernandez shared her deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her path. "I’m just incredibly grateful for Samford, Dr. Matt Mazzei, the Braves, Kayleigh McGrady and the people who have spoken belief and encouragement into me along the way," she said. "I’ve been given opportunities I never expected to have this early, and I’ve seen God’s kindness and perfect timing in every step. None of this has been by accident, and I’m so excited to be walking into this next chapter with open hands and a really full heart."
We recently sat down with Hernandez to hear more about her new role with the Braves and the experiences that have prepared her for this exciting next step.
What does a “day in the life” look like in your role with the Atlanta Braves?
I am currently serving as an amateur scouting associate with the Atlanta Braves. A typical day can include anything from reviewing player data and scouting reports to assisting with draft preparation, attending high school and college games and helping organize internal evaluations. Every day looks a little different, but there is always something new to learn. Right now, I am still finishing my senior year at Samford, so it has been a little busy trying to juggle school and work at the same time. Balancing class assignments, travel and the responsibilities of this role has definitely been a challenge at some points, but it has also been one of the most rewarding seasons of my life. I feel really grateful to be learning and contributing in this space even as I wrap up my degree.
How did the Braves mentorship program shape your experience at Samford, as well as the early stages of your career?
My mentor through the program was Kayleigh McGrady, who works in corporate partnerships with the Braves. Even though I was hoping to go into the baseball side of the front office and she’s on the business side, I was really excited to learn from her. She understood the demanding lifestyle that comes with working in sports, and more than anything, she was someone I knew was in my corner. As I navigated a long season of applications and interviews, she was there every step of the way—encouraging me, helping me stay grounded, and even trying to connect me with other teams when she could. Having her support made such a difference during a time that could have felt really overwhelming. Samford also prepared me to step confidently into high-level opportunities like my internships with the Chicago Cubs and Chatham A's on Cape Cod. Those experiences stretched me, challenged me and taught me more than I could’ve imagined. Looking back, I’m so aware that God opened each of those doors at exactly the right time.
What were your initial thoughts when you landed this opportunity and what are you most looking forward to once you move to Atlanta?
When I got the call, I was honestly just overwhelmed with gratitude. I never expected to have the chance to move back home to Atlanta and work for the Braves this early in my career. I was excited, of course, but more than anything, I just felt thankful for the opportunity to be back near my family and to work for an organization I’ve always admired. It felt like such a kind and unexpected gift, and the timing could not have been more perfect. I’m most looking forward to being in Atlanta full time and learning from the incredible people in this organization. Everyone I’ve met so far has been passionate, intentional and team-oriented, and I’m excited to grow not just as a professional but as a person as well.
How did the Brock School of Business curriculum prepare you for your internship?
The curriculum in Brock School of Business and the Center for Sports Analytics provided the foundation I needed to excel in this role. Kevin Pan's data management and Stephen Hill's data analytics courses prepared me with the technical skills, like R and Python, necessary to build post-game reports, as well as a lot of the ad-hoc tasks. I left my internship with the Chicago Cubs in the summer of 2023 knowing I wanted to strengthen my technical coding skills, and these classes provided an opportunity to do just that.
Additionally, working with the Samford baseball team since my freshman year, thanks to the Center for Sports Analytics, gave me opportunities to operate Trackman and the confidence to step into this position. Working with Matt Mazzei, our Samford baseball analytics team adviser, he has always emphasized data visualization and communication. Most people can find ways to crunch the numbers, but if I cannot effectively communicate that to players, coaches or scouts, I am not doing a good job. Numbers can be complicated and hard to understand. Learning to adapt to different people's levels of understanding is the ultimate key to any job in analytics.
What are some things you've learned while working in the sports industry?
Working in sports has taught me the importance of persistence, adaptability and relationship-building. Breaking into baseball often requires multiple internships and resilience in the face of rejection, but my time with both the Chicago Cubs, Chatham A's and now the Braves, has shown me just how rewarding this journey can be. I’ve found baseball to be full of kind and genuine people who are willing to help those who are passionate and dedicated. Maintaining and growing these relationships has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey so far.
This internship also reinforced the importance of effectively communicating complex data in ways that drive actionable insights for coaches, players and scouts. While my technical skills have improved, I’ve learned that presenting data clearly and adapting to different levels of understanding is key to making an impact. My experiences with the Cubs, the Chatham A's and the Braves have strengthened my passions for continuing to learn and contributing to the game in meaningful ways.
The sports industry programs in Samford’s Brock School of Business paired with the nationally recognized Center for Sports Analytics provide unparalleled experiential learning opportunities for students, engaging them in real-world projects across diverse areas in the sports industry. With a 100% internship and job placement rate, students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed as they begin their careers in sports, and it’s a testament to Samford being ranked No. 8 in the nation for career preparation and No. 10 in the nation for most recommended colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse (2025).
