Chase Aldridge ’15 thought he was headed for a career in sports analytics. Instead, he found himself on the field, helping shape player development first-hand for the Dodgers, one of Major League baseball’s premier teams. 

Aldridge said everything pointed toward a future in sports, coding and data analytics when he arrived at college. 

“When I left Harvard-Westlake and got to college, I was pretty convinced I was going to work in sports analytics,” Aldridge said. “I joined the Sports Analytics Club at Harvard. I was learning how to code and I spent a summer working remotely for Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart. On paper, it all made sense.”

Over time, Aldridge said he realized he was not as passionate about sports analytics as he initially thought.

“I just didn’t enjoy coding the way I thought I would,” he said. “I liked sports a lot, but I didn’t want my day-to-day to feel that far removed from the field. I started paying attention to what parts of the work actually energized me, and it wasn’t sitting behind a screen all day.”

That realization pushed Aldridge to explore other areas of sports. Through  alumni connections, Aldridge  landed an internship with the San Diego Padres, an experience that reshaped how he viewed a job opportunity in baseball. Aldridge said that experience proved to be a turning point, opening his eyes to a different side of the game.

“That internship was huge for me,” Aldridge said. “It was the first time I really saw how a front office operates and how many different ways there are to contribute. It felt more hands-on, more connected to players, and that’s when I started thinking, OK, this might actually be what I want to do.”

After the summer, Aldridge said he applied broadly to other Major League Baseball teams, and one application, submitted through a standard online posting.

“I applied to a lot of teams,” Aldridge said. “I got rejected plenty of times. That’s just how it goes in baseball. The Dodgers were the one that said yes.”

Seven seasons later, he is still with the organization. Aldridge said the biggest challenge came before the work ever began. 

“Getting your foot in the door is the hardest part,” Aldridge said. “There are so many smart, capable people who want to work in this industry. Sometimes it really is about timing and fit.”

Aldridge has held several roles within the Dodgers organization, including two seasons as a hitting coach in the Dominican Republic. He now serves as assistant director of methodology and player development, working in the Dodgers minor league system. Aldridge said his work extends far beyond the field.

“In the off-season, a lot of my job is about people,” Aldridge said. “Hiring, onboarding, staff development, presentations, even book clubs. It’s about making sure coaches feel supported and aligned.”

Aldridge said once the season begins, the focus and work shifts. 

“I’m checking in with coaches constantly,” Aldridge said. “Talking through what players need, helping identify trends, and sometimes stepping in when someone is away. It’s a lot of communication and problem-solving.”

Aldridge said hitting still remains his favorite part of the work. 

“I love hitting,” Aldridge said. “Any time you can help a young player make a jump, whether that’s confidence, approach, or results, that’s the most rewarding thing. That’s why you stay in the game.”

When asked about challenges, Aldridge said it was  less about moments inside the job and more to the uncertainty that came before it.

“The hardest part for me was just getting started,” he said. “You can do everything right and still receive a no. That can be discouraging, especially early on.”

Aldridge said his advice to students interested in sports careers are reflected from his own experiences.

“The biggest thing is figuring out what you actually love about the game,” Aldridge said. “This field has gotten really specialized. If you’re into scouting, coaching, analytics, design, tech, whatever it is, start building something that shows you care. Don’t wait for permission.”

Aldridge said he  traces much of how he thinks back to his time at Harvard-Westlake, particularly in the classroom.

“My history teachers had a massive impact on me,” Aldridge said. “Dean Karen Fukushima  in particular taught me how to evaluate sources, build arguments with evidence, and dig deeper below the face value.”

Those skills, he said, still show up in baseball. 

“A lot of my job is asking why,” Aldridge said. “Why is this happening? What’s the context? What’s the bigger picture? That mindset came from those classes.”

More than anything, Aldridge said he is grateful for the people who shaped his time at Harvard-Westlake.

“A lot of my closest friends today are still from those years,” Aldridge said. “That community really stays with you. I’ll also forever be thankful for the tight-knit alumni network that helped me get my foot in the door of the business side of sports too.”

Looking back, Aldridge said he  does not frame his career as a straight climb, but as a process of paying attention and adjusting.

“I didn’t have everything figured out,” Aldridge said. “I still don’t. But staying curious and being willing to change direction made all the difference.”