HOUSTON -- Following the recent departure of top analysts Sig Mejdal and Mike Fast, the Astros have restructured their research and development department and on Friday announced several additions to the staff, as well as some promotions.
Ehsan Bokhari joined the Astros as director of research and development and will lead the department. Bokhari comes to the Astros from the Dodgers, where he spent the past four seasons as a senior analyst in the club's research and development department. He was one of the original members of the Dodgers' research and development staff.
Sarah Gelles was hired as program manager for research and development after spending the past eight seasons working for the Orioles, including the past three seasons as director of analytics and Major League contracts. She oversaw the team's analytics department, led the development of internal baseball operations systems, handled Major League roster management and rules compliance and assisted with player acquisitions and negotiations.
Meanwhile, Colin Wyers (senior architect), Ryan Ferguson (senior analyst) and Catherine Cage (manager of research) received promotions. Ryan Hallahan, previously the club's senior architect, will take a new role as software development consultant.
Mejdal, who had worked with president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow since both were with the Cardinals in 2005, allowed his contract to expire on Oct. 31 to explore new opportunities. He joined the Astros in '12 and served in a variety of roles, including special assistant to the general manager this year.
Fast, the team's former director of research and development, left the club in September and has taken a role with the Braves as special assistant to the general manager.