Excellent points, to add something else to what you've mentioned...
quote by cheeseattheknees
quote:Those who get drafted are those who show the tools at game speed.
The game changes speed at every level. You have to "project" or predict if a player has the ability and makeup to make the adjustments all the way to the top. Game speed can be very different and it's always somewhat of a prediction, in most cases, whether or not someone will be able to play at Major League "game speed". That is where the tools are important... in making a good prediction.
Everyone likes to see players compete against the best possible competition. That helps answer a lot of questions. It's also the reason many high school and some college players don't succeed at the professional level. For example, when you see a player hit with wood against good 90+ or quality breaking balls it means much more than hitting against average high school pitching.
BTW, just to be clear... I'm very big on good kids! To me that is much more important than being a good baseball player. Just trying to give an honest opinion to the original question.
Here's another old scouting saying...
"Tools get you drafted, but makeup gets you to the Big Leagues"