| Question:
What's the main purpose of the MLB Scouting Bureau? |
| Answer:
We try to provide the best information on prospects to help
clubs make more educated selections in the draft |
|
|
| Question:
When was the scouting bureau formed? |
| Answer:
In 1974, ownership developed the idea to centralize scouting.
It was not part of the Commissioner's Office. It was an independent
group supported by the clubs. In 1985 (Commissioner) Peter Uebberoth
brought the Major League Scouting Bureau under the umbrella of
the Commissioner's Office |
|
|
| Question::Why
was it started? |
| Answer:
Cost was a major issue. It allows the club to get information
for a fraction of the price of having two full-time scouts of
their own. They're getting a lot more bang for the buck. |
|
|
| Question:
How many scouts work for the MLB Scouting Bureau? |
| Answer:
We have 34 full-time scouts and 13 part-time scouts across
the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico |
|
|
| Question:
How do your scouts rate prospects? |
| Answer:
We have basic generic things that we apply to both pitchers
and position players and then we have specific things for position
players and pitchers. We grade position players on hitting ability,
power, running speed, arm strength and fielding. We use a scale
of 2-8 in each category to grade our players and come up with
an OFP (Overall Future Potential). A total range of 40-80 covers
Major League prospects. We have fringe, average and definite prospect
(categories). As the number gets higher, the better the prospect
is.
We grade pitchers on fastball, curveball, slider and other
(if the pitcher throws a knuckler or split-finger). If the pitcher
doesn't throw an "other," he gets graded on the three he throws.
But that's when a scout's instincts come into play. If a pitcher
only throws two pitches, but the scout sees he has the arm instinct
to develop a slider, he will grade him higher. A scout can move
a number up if he feels the potential is higher.
The generic qualities that apply to both position players
and pitchers are like aggressiveness, instinct, dedication and
work ethic |
|
|
| Question:
Predicting who will make a good Major League pitcher must be especially
difficult |
| Answer:
You can always tell arm strength. We have radar guns for that,
but you can't put a radar gun on a player's heart or head. If
you had seen Todd Van Poppel, you would have been sure he was
a can't miss. But he did. And then sometimes you have overachievers.
Orel Hershiser is a great example. Not too many people were high
on him |
|
|
| Question:
How does somebody become a prospect? How do you decide who to
scout? |
| Answer:
Every year our goal is the June draft. After that, we gear
up for the summer, when we get a chance to see younger prospects
we didn't have time for before the draft (Prior to the draft MLB
scouts are busy looking at those eligible for that year's draft).
We look at what we call "follows," mostly 15 and 16 year-olds.
There are showcase events that have been great for younger kids.
They have a chance to compete against the top kids in the country.
The more visibility (a kid) has to the scouts, the better.
We develop a follow list by the end of the summer or early
the next fall. We have a list of five to six hundred players
that are eligible for the 2000 draft. In addition, we'll have
lists of players eligible for the 2001 and 2002 drafts. We're
always trying to stay ahead.
We also get letters, phone calls, faxes from parents, girlfriends,
coaches, agents about players and sometimes it is very valuable
information. Some guys are creative. We get videotapes, color
shots of their swings. I guess they see it as an investment
in their future and are willing to go to that extent.
You can never have too much information. We will pass information
on to the scout in the area. We'll also provide players with
a list for try-out camps. We have 35 try-out camps in June throughout
the country and the clubs hold camps as well. It's a chance
for a player who doesn't have the chance to be seen to show
what they can do |
|
|
| Question:
How do players get in touch with the MLSB? |
| Answer:
They can write to:
Major League Scouting Bureau
3500 Porsche Way, Suite 100
Ontario, CA. 91764
Fax: (909) 980-7794
Phone: (909) 980-1881
|
| Current
links to more MLSB information:
Tryout
camp FAQ
MLSB
2006 Tryout Camp Schedule
|
