DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have named Scott Harris the club’s President of Baseball Operations, as announced today by the club’s Chairman and CEO, Christopher Ilitch. Harris, 36, joins the Tigers after serving as General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, playing a key role in constructing the Giants roster over the last three seasons. That stretch included the 2021 team, which won the National League West Division and finished the season with a 107-55 record, the best regular season record in franchise history.
“Throughout this extensive search process, we were determined to find the best person to run our baseball operations,” said Ilitch. “Scott’s vision for how to construct a baseball organization to compete and win in the modern game is impressive. His leadership ability is polished from both his experience as an executive at multiple levels and mentorship from some of the game’s most talented baseball operations leaders. Scott is a difference maker, innovator and fiercely competitive, always looking for an edge. We’re excited to welcome Scott and his fiancé, Elle, to the Tigers family, and look forward to the bright future of our organization.”
During Harris’ three seasons in San Francisco, the Giants posted a 205-163 (.557) record, the fourth-best winning percentage among National League teams and the eighth-best mark in the Majors over that span.
“This is an exciting day for me and my family, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers,” said Harris. “The Tigers have a rich history and tradition as a charter member of the American League, and I can’t wait to get to work on the next chapter of Tigers baseball. I’d like to thank Chris Ilitch for believing in my vision for this organization and being so accommodating throughout the interview process. I’d also like to thank Greg Johnson, Rob Dean, Farhan Zaidi, Larry Baer and the entire Giants organization for their support over the last three years.”
There will be a media event in the Tiger Club at Comerica Park on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:30 p.m., where Christopher Ilitch, Scott Harris and Chris McGowan (President & CEO, Ilitch Sports and Entertainment) will be available for questions.
“I’m really excited to have Scott Harris join us as President of Baseball Operations,” said Tigers Manager, A.J. Hinch. “In getting to know him over the last few weeks, what he wants for the future of our team and organization is really inspiring and is something I know our fans will embrace as much as I do. His vision and expectation of winning makes it easy to want to work tirelessly for him. We have a lot of work to do and today is a great step in the right direction on that path.”
Prior to joining the Giants, Harris spent seven years working in the Chicago Cubs’ baseball operations department, most recently serving as Assistant General Manager under Cubs President Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer. He assisted in all potential player acquisitions, contract and trade negotiations, and player evaluations while overseeing several departments including research and development and high performance.
During his time in Chicago, the Cubs reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons from 2015-18 and ended a 108-year World Series drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in 2016.
Harris started with the Cubs in 2012 as Director of Baseball Operations after spending two years at Major League Baseball as the league’s Coordinator of Major League Operations. While at the league office, he provided transaction support and analysis to all 30 clubs and worked on the First-Year Player Draft, the Rule 5 Draft, the World Baseball Classic and various industry studies within the league office. Harris also worked for the Washington Nationals in 2008 and the Cincinnati Reds in 2010.
A native of Redwood City, CA, Harris attended Columbia Business School while working at Major League Baseball and later transferred to Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management to complete his MBA in 2015. He also graduated from UCLA in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and studied at the London School of Economics in 2007.