Question for Mlbscout

[Braves]

First of all, welcome to the board:

:banana: :banana:

We are glad to have you here and look forward to some great posts from you.

My question------what do you look for when scouting players? And how important is attitude?

[MlbScout]

Thanks for the welcome, Braves. First we look for tools...foot speed, arm strength, fielding ability, hitting ability, and the ability to hit with power. We also look for other things such as makeup. Makeup would include a players attitude along with other things such as desire, hustle, etc. Most scouts will not rule a player out for a bad attitude. However, a good attitude will contribute to a players overall makeup grade.

[NCBBallFan]

Welcome aboard Scout

Are you primarily interested in the '03 players right now?

[MlbScout]

The 2003 players will demand most of my time. However, I'm always looking for the younger players too. I've found players as young as 14 who I have placed on my "future follow" list. These players can then be tracked during the HS season as well as during the summer and fall.

[RSgal]

What an awesome job! How did you get into the profession?

[MlbScout]

Originally posted by RSgal
What an awesome job! How did you get into the profession?

I had been in the game my whole life, as a player and coach. Then, I was just in the right place at the right time........and knew some people. :)

[Applejack]

Originally posted by MlbScout


I had been in the game my whole life, as a player and coach. Then, I was just in the right place at the right time........and knew some people. :)

Who'd you play for bro?

[MlbScout]

Originally posted by Braves
I dunno...AJ asked him a question to see if they knew some of the same people...either he has been real busy or he's skeered :D

But it's alright Patti, you can talk to us.

Part is true...I have been very busy lately. I didn't mean to duck AppleJack's question. My playing career ended in college...after tearing the ulnar ligament in my right elbow.....pre Tommy John days. I do believe that we have at least one player in common, AppleJack. I do think you've mentioned the name Milt Thompson before. Milt played American Legion baseball for me in Maryland in the late 70's and remains a close friend.

[Prepster]

MLBScout:

A lot of readers would be interested in the sort of schedule you keep. How about outlining a "typical week" once the high school and college seasons are in full swing, leading up to the June draft.

Also, you might describe the well-defined hierarchy that exists in major league scouting organizations (Scouting Director, Cross-checker, Area Scout, Associate Scout). How do the positions' scope and responsibilities vary?

[MlbScout]

Originally posted by Prepster
MLBScout:

A lot of readers would be interested in the sort of schedule you keep. How about outlining a "typical week" once the high school and college seasons are in full swing, leading up to the June draft.

Also, you might describe the well-defined hierarchy that exists in major league scouting organizations (Scouting Director, Cross-checker, Area Scout, Associate Scout). How do the positions' scope and responsibilities vary?

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. Those "typical weeks" are beginning. They run seven days a week. Phone calls and paperwork and travel during the day, games in the afternoons and evenings. Sometimes, if you plan well and get lucky, you can see parts of three or four games in a day.

With regard to the scouting positions and their scopes, typically they would be like this:

Scouting Director - The Boss. He hires and fires and is responsible for setting the overall tone and direction for the upcomming scouting season. He will see all of the TOP prospects and has final say on draft day.

Cross checkers - They can be national or regional. They will come into a territory ( such as eastern US ) and see the top prospects in that region.

Area Scout - he covers a subset of those regions, such as NC, SC and TN. He is the guy who first reports on a player he likes and gets his name into the system. He must have a detailed knowledge of his area and the players within.

Part time Scout - A part time Scout functions much like the area scout, except he does not usually sign players. He is paid a salary and expenses and will cover a wide area. Due to budget constraints, many teams do not use part time scouts.

Associate Scout - an Associate scout, also know as a bird dog, usually covers a more narrow area and reports to the area scout and part time scout those players that he thinks may be prospects and need to be seen. He is unpaid, but may sometimes get a commission from the club if they sign and retain a player who he recommended.

[Prepster]

Thanks very much, MLB! Given the way I know your workweek is heating up, the delay's understandable.

Players: Note that he might see 3 or 4 games in a day. What that translates into is "portions" of a game...and, sometimes, I'll bet that "portion" is pretty well limited to warmups and maybe the first couple of innings. Or, then, maybe it tranlates into a couple of mid-game innings. The points are (1) that you can be seen by people who "count" ANYTIME you're on the ballfield...including warmups and (2) that it's probably going to be for a limited amount of time. Better make the best of the WHOLE time you're on that field if you want to play past high school.

[MlbScout]

Very good point, Prepster.

[Prepster]

While we're on the subject of scouting here, here's an interesting article about the life of a Milwaukee Brewers' scout in New England:

Article (http://www.brewerfan.net/fullArticle.jsp?articleId=56)


By the way, I ran across it on one of the High School Baseball Web's message boards.

HSBaseballWeb Message Boards (http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=5316041581)

[Nostradamus]

MLBscout, I know scouts look at other things besides velocity when analyzing a pitcher but just out of curiosity, what type of velocity do you generally look for from a 17-18 year old kid who relies heavily on his fastball and has a slightly above average changeup/curveball?

[MlbScout]

Originally posted by Nostradamus
MLBscout, I know scouts look at other things besides velocity when analyzing a pitcher but just out of curiosity, what type of velocity do you generally look for from a 17-18 year old kid who relies heavily on his fastball and has a slightly above average changeup/curveball?

Not to evade your question, but the velocity is dependant on the physical maturity of the boy. If I feel that he will make large future gains in size and strength, I can live with a lower velocity. Also, if he has correctable mechanical flaws, the velo need not be the major consideration. With respect to the offspeed stuff, do you mean slightly above average for a HS pitcher or a ML pitcher?

[gonzo]

Originally posted by Prepster
Thanks very much, MLB! Given the way I know your workweek is heating up, the delay's understandable.

Players: What that translates into is "portions" of a game...and, sometimes, I'll bet that "portion" is pretty well limited to warmups and maybe the first couple of innings.
.... Better make the best of the WHOLE time you're on that field if you want to play past high school.

MLB, I have seen several times that scouts like to watch the way a player warms up before a game, that his demeanor and attitude along with attention to the task at hand mean bunches. Do you agree with that statement?

[MlbScout]

Originally posted by gonzo


MLB, I have seen several times that scouts like to watch the way a player warms up before a game, that his demeanor and attitude along with attention to the task at hand mean bunches. Do you agree with that statement?

Yes, I do agree. I like to watch the player stretch, jog, and warm up. You can see how flexible he is as well as get a good idea of his overall athleticism. Also, how he goes about his business is often an insight to his work ethic and overall makeup.

[Braves]

Bump for info

[Diamond Rat]

One thing I've always been worried about as a player, is having one bad game the day that scout is there. Does one bad day rule out (expecially if it's first day) a player? And if a kid has a bad day but you've heard a lot about him, do you rule him out on your own? Or do you confront the coach?

[Coach 27]

about Will Clark when he was in high school. Coach Polk came to see him play. Will wanted to go to Miss State very badly and had not been offered any scholarhip opportunities yet. It was late in the year and he was pressing at the plate in an attempt to impress the college coaches. Wil was told that Coach was coming to see him play so he was nervous. He struck out all three times he got up that day and was very upset in the dugout after the game. Coach Polk said to Wils HS Coach "Tell the boy I loved him and I will be in touch soon. He has a beautiful swing and is a terrific player." Later in the week Wil signed with Miss State and the rest is history. The fact is scouts are looking for tools. You can have a bad game and still show terrific tools that will play. You can go 4-4 and make every play and not show the scouts the tools they believe are needed to play at their level.

One bad day is no different than one good day. Its just one day. Keep banging away and keep working hard.

[Braves]

Another great "pearl" from Coach May

[mosborne73]

I work with middle school players and watch players all the time from young age all the way up ti highschool.I have learned alot since i have started coaching and always notice a good player.Hope to meet you sometime.

Coach Michael