Is there a good resource out there to understand just what norms scouts are looking for in prospects?
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Just gave my opinion on the same question in a recent email so I will share here also....
Here are some minimum numbers for players to strive for:
Pitchers - 85MPH
Catchers - 2.0 Pop - upper 80's bat exit velocity
1B/3B - Low 90's bat exit velocity
MINF - upper 80's bat exit velocity - 6.9 60 yard dash - mid 80's crow hop arm velocity
OF - upper 80's bat exit velocity - 6.8 60 yard dash - mid 80's crow hop arm velocity
Obviously it is hard to give exact numbers that will equate into a player getting recruited.
Hope this helps.
I assume most of those would equate to D1 prospect or just possible prospect overall?...and thanks.
My opinion those numbers are minimum to attract any coaches in Texas. D1 Universities would be much higher.
There are MANY other factors that are not on this list. For example, If a player is 6'6 and a LHP, then he wouldnt have to throw 85mph to get attention. If there is a defensive SS that picks it very well, he wouldnt have to perform as high in other aspects.
Everything is a balancing act. If you are great at one aspect, you can be below average at another. But if you are average, then you need to be atleast average all across the board. These numbers I feel would be those averages.
Thanks again!
uhhh...I don't think there is a norm per se, however PG has the most extensive and accurate database of HS baseball athletes of anyone. They can slice and dice data better than anyone in the world and I know PGStaff has posted some of this data here on and off over the years.
If you are really interested then sign up with them or go back through some of his posts, and do some searches. If there is something in particular you are interested in he is extremely gracious and would help out.
Thanks BOF. I have a good idea from some of the different sites I have seen but didn't understand if there was one sheet of paper that everyone went off to some degree. Don't believe we have done a PG to my recollection.
there is data that the pro's adhere to, colleges have the luxury of looking lower, what he gave bacically is what attracts the pro scouts out.
The data that I gave is a general assessment of what I looked for when I coached at a d3 junior college. Almost all players that i signed fell into this data also. Through hundreds of players getting recruited out of my camps..... This data is what I have seen to be the norm. Just trying to help give an idea what it takes to play at the next level. Again, these numbers are for the state of texas. The numbers might be different In other states.
monkeyboy,
Google MLB Scouting Scale.
pay attention to MLB average (5 or 50)
Highest level DI is looking for pretty much the same thing MLB scouts look for. However, those with 50 or higher grades in more than one or two areas often sign pro contracts out of HS. In other words, they become high draft picks. Find the explanation of those grades. If a player grades out 2 across the board DI is probably out of the question. However 3 or 4 grades might be attractive to DI coaches. Also only one strong area (hitting) can often create lots of interest.
From there you can simply lower the number/grade for levels below that.
DIII and other small college levels are interested in tools just like everyone else, but most important is the ability to win baseball games. When I coached small college, I would look for...
Tools that somehow slipped through the cracks of the scouting community. Players that had an advanced "feel" for the game. Players that had a unique skill. Players that were intelligent and hard working. But most important, players that wanted to win championships and willing to do whatever it took to accomplish that. Some of the best championship caliber players we had over the years, had no obvious skill that would interest a scout. Their biggest attribute was... They were big winners!
All this stuff varies from one program to another. Even at the DIII level there are programs that operate like DI programs. The coaching can be as good or better at these programs and they get lots of talent. They just can't often get the high profile types that scouts and top DIs love. There are also DIII programs that only care if a player is alive and capable of being admitted.
Bottom line... Answering your question is impossible. There are really no norms that cover college baseball. Each coaching staff decides what or who they want. One program might really like a player while another equal program isn't interested in the same player. Sometimes it is based on need, sometimes it is based on philosophy, sometimes it is based on other things. My suggestion is always... Never be satisfied no matter how good you might be, strive to improve in every area. Make sure that the right people see you. That doesn't have to be PG, but sometimes it is. BTW, "T.P." we see thousands of players every year that never pay us a dime. But you're correct, there are a lot of places to be seen! In the interest of helping others, why don't you suggest a few.
Outstanding responses by all involved. Much appreciated!!!
The Dallas Metro Scouting League is a great place to be seen and we also got great responses from The Complete Showcase. Just never had the oportunity at PG. Im not knocking it at all.
Originally Posted by PGStaff:
monkeyboy,
Google MLB Scouting Scale.
pay attention to MLB average (5 or 50)
Highest level DI is looking for pretty much the same thing MLB scouts look for. However, those with 50 or higher grades in more than one or two areas often sign pro contracts out of HS. In other words, they become high draft picks. Find the explanation of those grades. If a player grades out 2 across the board DI is probably out of the question. However 3 or 4 grades might be attractive to DI coaches. Also only one strong area (hitting) can often create lots of interest.
From there you can simply lower the number/grade for levels below that.
DIII and other small college levels are interested in tools just like everyone else, but most important is the ability to win baseball games. When I coached small college, I would look for...
Tools that somehow slipped through the cracks of the scouting community. Players that had an advanced "feel" for the game. Players that had a unique skill. Players that were intelligent and hard working. But most important, players that wanted to win championships and willing to do whatever it took to accomplish that. Some of the best championship caliber players we had over the years, had no obvious skill that would interest a scout. Their biggest attribute was... They were big winners!
All this stuff varies from one program to another. Even at the DIII level there are programs that operate like DI programs. The coaching can be as good or better at these programs and they get lots of talent. They just can't often get the high profile types that scouts and top DIs love. There are also DIII programs that only care if a player is alive and capable of being admitted.
Bottom line... Answering your question is impossible. There are really no norms that cover college baseball. Each coaching staff decides what or who they want. One program might really like a player while another equal program isn't interested in the same player. Sometimes it is based on need, sometimes it is based on philosophy, sometimes it is based on other things. My suggestion is always... Never be satisfied no matter how good you might be, strive to improve in every area. Make sure that the right people see you. That doesn't have to be PG, but sometimes it is. BTW, "T.P." we see thousands of players every year that never pay us a dime. But you're correct, there are a lot of places to be seen! In the interest of helping others, why don't you suggest a few.
I found good information by googling the term, "what scouts look for in a _____"
ie: pitcher, infielder, outfielder etc
2014 RHP is 6'3" 200...hit 89 in his first scrimmage the other day so i guess I am trying to understand how they are evaluated. 
monkeyboy,
That puts him easily in the top 1% of 2014 pitchers.If he can also pitch, at his size, he should create a ton of interest. I'm not sure what you mean by how they are evaluated. Pretty much all evaluations are based on comparison to others. With an 89 mph fastball already at his age, his velocity is Pro Prospect level. That should create lots of interest, but it's the other stuff that will separate him, one way or another, from others that throw that hard or better at the same age.
At his age evaluations are based on the following.
Velocity
Arm Action
Control
Other pitches
Life/Movement
Mechanics
Actions/Athleticism
Amount of effort
Competitiveness
Demeanor
Body Type
Physical Maturity
All and more that lead to Projection (How good will he be?)
Not sure if that is what you're looking for.
Hey Monkeyboy,
It also depends on whether the kid can overcome being the son of computer nerd that worries too much. You boy will get lots of interest over the next 6 months. It is going to be fun to watch.