| Question:
At what age do you start watching a player? (i.e. youth summer
tournaments / varsity high school baseball)? |
| Answer:
In the United States we start following players when they
begin playing high school varsity baseball (usually 10th grade).
If the player continues to improve year to year we continue to
follow him through his senior year of high school. (Summer and
fall leagues are also used to follow a player's progress.) |
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| Question:
How important is it for a high school player to attend a professional
team's open try-out day? |
| Answer:
I feel it is important, the more a player can be seen the
better chance a scout has to evaluate the player the better chance
for a player to be drafted. |
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| Question:
At what grade in school should a player attend their first "try-out"
day? (i.e. 9th grade, 10th grade, etc.) |
| Answer:
After 10th or 11th grade. The 11th grade however is when the
scout will need to report on the player to follow for the next
year's draft. |
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| Question:
Is it a good idea for a high school player to send a letter of
introduction to a professional team? Much the same as he might
to a college coach. |
| Answer:
Some scouts don't pay much attention to a letter and some
scouts are even turned off by them. However, it may be a good
idea for the player or his coach to send a letter to an area scout
if the player feels he has not attracted any attention. We always
ask our scouts to follow through on all letters if it is geographically
feasible and cost efficient to try to see a player if the player
requests a try-out or to be seen at games. |
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| Question:
If a letter is a good idea should a player include statistics
from his high school and summer teams? Is sending "press clippings"
from local newspapers, that include highlights, about a player
a benefit? |
| Answer:
While statistics don't usually go into the evaluation process
of a player, if a player is going to write a letter he might as
well send all the information on his achievements since something
might catch the scout's interest. If the player does sign the
info can be used as a reference. |
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| Question:
Is it a good idea for a high school player to make a videotape,
of himself, in baseball situations and give it to a professional
scout? |
| Answer:
A video is a good idea if the player looks like a prospect
in it and he knows what to show-- like a smooth swing, approach
at the plate, a good delivery with good arm action pitching or
show smooth hands and foot action fielding. |
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| Question:
With the increasing number of "Showcase" events, in recent years
.... How important is it for a player to attend this type of event? |
| Answer:
It is in the player's best interest to attend at least one
showcase. The more exposure the better, but it also helps when
you compete against players with similar talent. |
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| Question:
How do you decide (as an organization) which showcase events to
cover? |
| Answer:
We decide on showcases based on their track record of player
attendance, scheduling and cost efficiency. |
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| Question:
Which showcase events do you personally consider to be the best?
From a professional MLB team's perspective. |
| Answer:
The number one (1) showcase should be the National Jr. Team
tryouts. It is supposed to be the best 45 junior players. The
Area Code games on the West coast and the East Coast Pro Showcase
would be the best ones to attend (depending on where you live).
Team One National showcase has also been well attended by scouts.
Smaller regional showcases (like the Florida Diamond Club Showcase)
are also good to attend. |
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| Question:
What is the best way for a high school player to get noticed by
a professional scout? |
| Answer:
The best way for a high school player to get noticed is to
play. Of course he also needs to have the ability, athleticism
and tools. Tools such as, athletic body, arm, speed, power, soft
hands, sweet swing, etc. If the player doesn't have any of these
tools as a 10th grader don't worry because with hard work he may
be able to improve his skills by his senior year. If his skills
are still a little short he can attend a small college and continue
his development. If he does develop someone (scout or a coach)
will recognize his skills and he will be seen. |
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| Question:
How important is a player's physical appearance? I do not
mean is he 6'-1" tall and weigh 200 pounds. What I am referring
to is tattoos, body piercing, odd hair styles, manner of dress,
etc. Are any or all of these a "negative" when a pro scout sees
a player? |
| Answer:
For some scouts it is very important for some it is not as
important. However, the more maturity, discipline and professionalism
you show on and off the field the better for the player. The player
should always present himself in a positive manner. Scouts will
look at tools first but the full package of good physical appearance
and makeup can really help as long as it's sincere. |
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| Question:
If a player has a bad day ... when a professional scout is
in the stands watching him for the first time .... Does that mean
it is "over" as far as that pro team is concerned? |
| Answer:
It will be "over" only if the player is being scouted by a
poor scout. Scouts are at games to see tools first. Performance
is nice to see but a guy who goes 5 for 5 with 4 rbi's and is
batting .500 with no tools will not be seen. If the player is
a tools guy, goes 0 for 5 and is hitting .290 he is the prospect
and will be noticed and followed. |
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| Question:
How important is a player's "attitude appearance" when in a game
and at practice? |
| Answer:
Attitude and body language are very important and they tell
a lot about a player's makeup on the field. A scout has to be
careful and interpret correctly what he sees. For example - a
player getting angry and throwing a helmet after getting thrown
out for being overly aggressive compared to a player who comes
across as a crybaby after giving up a homerun. |
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| Question:
Do college coaches and professional scouts ever talk to one another
about prospective high school players? |
| Answer:
Yes. Scouts use all resources and information. A scout may
even recommend a player to a college coach that he feels is not
a major league prospect. |
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| Question:
How important are the psychological tests in regard to where a
player may be drafted, in which round, or if he will be drafted
at all? |
| Answer:
That depends on the organization. In general we use tests
as additional information. I will generally depend on my scouts
opinion of the player more often than not. |
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| Question:
How important is a player's past medical history in regards
to a potential draft round? Same question for the vision tests. |
| Answer:
Very important. Every scout is responsible for getting up-to-date
and accurate medical reports to our office for our doctor to evaluate. |
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| Question:
How important is it for a player to attend a "pre-draft" workout
- if he is invited? Is it possible for a player to be drafted
in the first 5 rounds without attending a pre-draft workout? |
| Answer:
It is important to scouts. It gives us a chance to see the
player up close for one last time and erase any possible doubts.
A player can get drafted in the first 5 rounds without attending
a pre-draft workout. |
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| Question:
How important is the "draft and follow" method to your organization?
Do you utilize this process much? |
| Answer:
It is a valuable option for a club. There are players that
are very projectable but not mentally ready to start a pro career
straight out of high school. Going to a JC for a year gives both
sides another year to see if there is development and determine
what is best for both parties. |
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| Question:
How important are junior college players to your organization's
draft strategy each year? |
| Answer:
Some scouts don't do a very good job of scouting JC's. The
JC's however are important to see since a juco player is projectable
much like a high school player but with more experience. |
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| Question:
If a high school player has the option of attending a very
good junior or community college versus a small four (4) year
school what factors make one choice better than another? ( I am
referring to baseball programs -- not the academic institutions) |
| Answer:
If it is a baseball decision and the player feels he does
not want to wait more than one year or two to go pro then a good
juco is the best option. If the above is not important he should
choose the best program available, that is the one that will give
the player the best chance to play and develop. |
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| Question:
Do players get drafted that have not been seen by an individual
team's cross checking ("cross checker") scout? In other words
on the recommendation of an area / associate scout only? |
| Answer:
An area scout can get a player drafted without having him
cross-checked. However this usually doesn't happen in the first
10 rounds. The more experienced scouts and those with good track
records are exceptions. I do not feel that an associate scout
can get a guy drafted unless it is late in the draft and it is
a follow type player. |
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| Question:
What other tips or advice can you give a high school player
that would rather "go pro" than play in college? |
| Answer:
A player must realize he not only has to be physically ready
to go pro, but more importantly be mentally ready and committed.
He should be prepared and understand the challenges ahead and
be prepared to handle the physical and mental rigors of the job.
He should love the game and love to play, but also understand
this is a professional arena where it is a career opportunity
- a profession not a hobby. |
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