A Tale of 4 Scouts

I think we was at the same game.The younger scouts seem to always be on the phone or texing the whole time, while the older scouts pay close attention to everthing going on.

I've seen a young scout stay for an entire game and end up signing a shorter pitcher who had been overlooked previously. The older scouts had all left. The kid had been a spot starter and long reliever working in the upper 80s with not much movement. This particluar game he closed and was consistently in the low 90s. The hitters were not catching up to the high fastball.

Good story Hot Corner Dad! Have seen it many times.

Two of the hardest working scouts in our area...by that I mean I see them everywhere, often by themselves...are more "seasoned veterans" shall we say.

Good points, but if I may, just to play devil's advocate.

Scouting is not among the most secure employment. So I guess the old timers are old timers for a reason, they’ve earned it. However, most of the old timers started when they were young.

Scouts are just like players, coaches, umpires and players. Some are good, some not so good, some are slackers. Age means experience, but it's all about how hard someone works, how much they see, how much they care. That can take energy which can be an advantage for the younger guys. It also takes a certain amount of talent.

Point is... There are some excellent young scouts. And there are some young scouts that will never become old scouts.

Question... How do we know who the scouts were texting?

Texting info to the scouting director, cross checker, or other supervisors and contacts is very common these days. Returning text to scouting directors is very common. Technology has been included in scouting. Communication is important in scouting. You don't wait to return a text or phone call from your scouting director.

Also, just because some scouts stay to watch the second game of a double header doesn't make them a better scout. Maybe it makes them a worse scout. Maybe those that left were headed to another game to get a look at some other player or players. Maybe the scout that left is actually the one who is working the hardest? And if there were 4 scouts at a game, where were all the other scouts?

Often players are drafted by a club that has not scouted them the most. I would always prefer the scout that graded me the highest over the scout who has watched me the most and graded me lower. I'm going to think one is a better scout than the other.

Bottom line... It's hard to determine who the best scouts are unless you're their boss. That said, I do agree there are some bad scouts and they tend to stick out if someone is observant enough. And for the most part, those guys don't last very long.

We got a kid who's getting scouted and had several at a game last week. To tie it in with this thread one of the scouts stood out to me over the other ones. Now after reading PG's post I have no idea if he was the better one or not that the others but he caught my eye.

During BP whenever our kid was doing something he was right there paying attention to everything our kid did. The other guys were standing around talking to whoever. The guy I noticed walked around and watched the rest of our kids hit and even the other team's players. The other guys were still talking.

I have no idea who the better scout was but appearances wise the guy I noticed seemed to be doing his job. I honestly have no idea but on the outside looking in he seemed to be the one working.

coach,

In the example you give, I would think the same way.

PG,

All of your comments are completely fair. There was no way to know who the young scouts were texting, where they needed to be next, etc. I was simply struck by the contrast taking place in front of me: the thoroughness of the old guys vs. the more casual approach of the younger scouts; the interest in the whole game by the older scouts vs. the obvious interest in one player by the young guys. No way to know for sure who was doing the best job, but I still have to believe you can learn a lot simply by watching the field.

By the way, the reason the older scouts stayed for the second game was obvious but I didn't mention it. The starting pitcher in game two for the same team was also legit. How do I know? Five other scouts showed up to watch him, too.

That was a great post PG.

quote:

Question... How do we know who the scouts were texting?

I was out at a game this year. A catcher threw on my watch a mid 1.8 game time pop.. I saw several scouts go straight to their mobile devices and start texting away.

Sometimes game time texting is good.

Hot Corner Dad,

Truth is you saw what you did and if I saw the same thing I might form an opinion regarding those scouts.

My only reason for posting was to comment that what we see can sometimes be misleading. Especially when it comes to age, texting, and scout schedules.

Sometimes it can even be difficult figuring out who the full time scouts and the bird dogs are.

Chances are you saw a couple slackers and they just happened to be the younger guys. I just wanted to say that there are some excellent younger scouts.

There are some of the older established guys that are very famous in scouting circles as being champion talkers. They are talking all the time, yet they still get the job done and see what is going on. It does bother me when I see a scout has his back to the action. Makes me feel like telling him... Hey... The players are over there.

BTW, the highest level scouts are the Scouting Director. Often they go unnoticed at games. Often no radar gun or seat behing home plate.

Example... Tim Wilken has been a scout for well over 30 years. He was the scouting director for the Blue Jays for years and also the head of baseball operations. He was a special assistane to the GM for the Rays and is now the scouting director for the Cubs.

He has been to many PG events. I think he has been to every PG National and PG World Showcase. I hardly ever see him unless he finds us to ask a question, which is hardly ever, or I happen to cross his path somewhere. If I didn't know him, I would have no idea if he were a parent or a scout.
I have no idea how he is so invisible.

Point is... You don't always see what's going on even if it's right in front of you. Sometimes good scouts can learn more when they are undercover (so to speak). That's hard to do for the area scouts, who are generally well known, but the head guy can be at your game without you ever knowing it.

Anyway, your post was great and speaks volumes.

PG,

This is why I am so grateful for your participation on this site. Your perspective and knowledge of the game is a gift to those of us who love learning about the nuances of scouting and other facets of baseball. Reading your posts is like going to baseball school with a really good teacher. Just wanted to say thanks for being here and sharing so generously with the rest of us.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Corner Dad:

This is why I am so grateful for your participation on this site...... Reading your posts is like going to baseball school with a really good teacher...... .

What a great comment. This is very true for PG and for so many of the other long time members here.

I can't tell you how glad I am that I found this place. I feel so much more prepared to help my 2012 son navigate through these upcoming important HS and summer seasons.

Hot Corner Dad,

That is very kind of you to say that. As well, I am grateful to you for your participation.

Except for those just wanting to create a problem, we should all be grateful that a site like this is around.

Lots of good people with good intentions around here.

Just wanted to add a comment: because the young scouts were typing into a cell does not mean they were texting anyone. I sat with a friend and his buddy, an MLB scout, at Miami last spring. Scout was all over his phone all game. I asked my friend who he was texting and he told me the scout wasn't texting anyone, instead typing notes on the players he was looking at. Many people use their cells the way my generation uses a computer to store information.

Also keep in mind that you don't know who those scouts saw earlier in the week or earlier in the season and maybe they're leaving because this is their best opportunity to see another player elsewhere. Lots of area guys are spread pretty thin, and with unpredictable weather, usage patterns, etc., if they pass on a chance to see another guy today they may not have another decent opportunity all spring.

If you want to know the answer talk to the scouts.

They will not bite!

Watching and observing the pro scouts for 28 years.

They have many "faces" and characteristics, but one
common goal - "find players who can play".

We travel to Australia each year with 12 pro scouts as coaches. They are very qualified to coach, evaluate and scout. The "unsung" heroes of MLB.
with a few "thank you's" from parents or players.

Each scout has different and personal and individual methods to achieve their assignment - to find talent. They could work for the CIA.
Each day, I send a thank you.

Bob

My dad was a scout in the 70's. I used to get drug around looking at pitchers. My dad would catch them, he was a catcher for redlegs farm club earlier in life, so he would get right in there and catch the pitcher he was looking at. Right in the kids front yard. And he used to judge by how swollen his hand got, that was his radar gun. Never wore gear either.

PGStaff, you have a PM.