Great Body

Of course these are the teams that end up with Glennallen Hall instead of Kirby Pucket or Tony Gwynn.

quote:

Originally posted by Three Bagger:
Of course these are the teams that end up with Glennallen Hall instead of Kirby Pucket or Tony Gwynn.

That's Glennallen "Hill" and I should know since my team (Indians) ended up with him

Now that I have been through the process, here is how it appears to work. They look for physical characteristics and then judge whether they can play baseball. In other words, they look for great athletes, and from that pool, look for great baseball players. For players that are just outside that pool, there is an alternative career path but it is a grinder's path. Grinding from one level to the next and essentially producing your way to the top. Dan Uggla and Ian Kinsler are probably good examples of grinders. Although Dustin Pedroia was not drafted like a grinder, he plays like one. Kevin Youkalis is another good example.

Tony Gwinn and Kirby Pucket were pretty good athletes in addition to being excellent baseball players. What scouts are ultimately looking for is someone who has the attitude and IQ of Derick Jeter but also someone with Jeter's physical gifts. You simply cannot teach or learn the physical gifts, thus that is why they are so important.

Funny you should mention Jeter, saw a show on him on YES yesterday and they showed footage of him in the low minors. Tall , skinny, and he looked like he was struggling swinging wood.

this is all addressed in the book MONEY BALL.. not to stir up a hornet's nest ... its called buying blue jeans.

Its my understanding Jeter was scouted by the Mets. Whomever filled out the report rather than fill out details simply scrawled in big letters: No Prospect!

It happens in football all the time. Some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane.

I'd be interested in PG's take on this one.

"Some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane."

Now, that's funny.

I've got a "Little Scrapper" that has dealt with this his whole baseball life, now into HS. The really fun part is watching it happen year after year: the coach slowly realizing what he can get out of the "mean little f@rt", while getting the dissappointing results out of several of the nice-body ones.

Never had to go talk to coach about it one time, ever. It just happens.

It happens all the time in life... not just baseball. If you want to date a woman, are you going to pick the tall, thin, and se*y blonde or go for the short and pudgy brunette at first glance. If you're an employer and have two guys waiting to interview including a short squatty bald fella vs a tall athletic dark and handsome dude. What are your first impressions? We are often prone to making rash quick judgements. Sometimes in athletics those judgements might pay off more than in other areas of life.... but they are certainly not foolproof decisions.

And I was expecting so much more in the thread...

I want to mention that right now there is a kid at my son's former HS that is about to break the state record for average. He's hit 10 home runs and struck out 8 times. His OPS is right around 1.900. He will make the all state teams and may very well be the big school player of the year.

He looks like what he is, a great athlete, only in miniture. He's 5'5" and about 160lbs.

While the "studly" looking guy probably gets the first look and often the first chance, the very makeup of baseball with all its built in failure still tends to eventually give the more unathletic looking guy his eventual chance. After a while the coach just leaves the "bad-body" guy in there if he's a real ballplayer. But that type of guy does tend to have to be more of a scrapper and hustler to make a first impression.

quote:

Originally posted by gap2gap:
It happens in football all the time. Some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane.

They run like a deer and hit like one.

"You gotta fit the SUIT, man!"

it's not just the player physique either....i learned on recruiting trips, showcases, etc. to have either dad or grandpa accompany us. both are 6'5" and athletic even at age 40 and 70. our son is 6'3" and a solid 210. coaches would size up the player then dad or grandpa. i used to tease the guys that i couldn't tell if the coaches wanted to sign them or date them (tee-hee!)

Yet, the most common height in MLB is 6'. (Which means the real most common height is 5'11 and a half...

quote:

Originally posted by cball:
I have seen so many times the skinny scrapper or the pudgy ball player that can flat out get it done

I have seen a guy like that

quote:

i learned on recruiting trips, showcases, etc. to have either dad or grandpa accompany us. both are 6'5" and athletic even at age 40 and 70. our son is 6'3" and a solid 210.

A few years ago my son was playing in a 13U tournament. He was 5'2", 110 at the time. After playing very well the coach of a private high school walked up to me, looked me up and down (6'1", 180) and said, How tall is his mother? How tall are her brothers?" My son chose to attend the local high school. He's 6'1", 175 as a junior.

Several years ago my son met with the head coach of a school that he really wanted to attend. The coach had never seen him before and the meeting was pretty much a courtesy.

When the coach arrived my son was sitting down. After talking for about 15-minutes my son stood up. The coaches eyes lit up; he then stood up and put his hands on his upper arms, patted his muscles a few times and suggested that he show him their facilities.

At the time my son was 6'3" / 225. The fact that he made a physical impression ultimaly helped him get a scholy offer from a coach that NEVER saw him play.

Trying to predict your son's size can be tough to do! My son is in his junior year of HS and is just over 5'11". He has bigger hands and feet than me, as he's currently in a size 12. I was 6'1" my junior year of HS, and I'm currently 6'3"...but there is no guarantee that he'll reach my height. I know it's something we can't control, but sometimes it's frustrating when I see other 6'-6'4" kids running around and their dad is only 5'9"! I guess that's why coaches inquire about mom's side of the family too? Unfortunately for my son, my wifes dad is only 5'8". I guess I'll try stretching him out this summer!

quote:

Originally posted by bsbl247:
Trying to predict your son's size can be tough to do! My son is in his junior year of HS and is just over 5'11". He has bigger hands and feet than me, as he's currently in a size 12. I was 6'1" my junior year of HS, and I'm currently 6'3"...but there is no guarantee that he'll reach my height. I know it's something we can't control, but sometimes it's frustrating when I see other 6'-6'4" kids running around and their dad is only 5'9"! I guess that's why coaches inquire about mom's side of the family too? Unfortunately for my son, my wifes dad is only 5'8". I guess I'll try stretching him out this summer!

So I guess my son and I would REALLY frustrate you since he's 6'1" and I'm 5'7"...but, his Mom's family has the height...I guess I better send her to the showcases and tourneys this summer! Don't want them thinking that he's gonna shrink and gain weight!

quote:

Originally posted by TurnTwoNet:

quote:

Originally posted by bsbl247:
Trying to predict your son's size can be tough to do! My son is in his junior year of HS and is just over 5'11". He has bigger hands and feet than me, as he's currently in a size 12. I was 6'1" my junior year of HS, and I'm currently 6'3"...but there is no guarantee that he'll reach my height. I know it's something we can't control, but sometimes it's frustrating when I see other 6'-6'4" kids running around and their dad is only 5'9"! I guess that's why coaches inquire about mom's side of the family too? Unfortunately for my son, my wifes dad is only 5'8". I guess I'll try stretching him out this summer!

So I guess my son and I would REALLY frustrate you since he's 6'1" and I'm 5'7"...but, his Mom's family has the height...I guess I better send her to the showcases and tourneys this summer! Don't want them thinking that he's gonna shrink and gain weight!

TTN,

Yes...that REALLY frustrates me! ...too funny! My younger brother is barely 6', yet his 20 year old son is 6'5", hasn't played sports since junior high, but is able to use his height playing lead guitar in a alternative rock band! That's my blood, if only my son could have a few inches from my nephew!

It's done all the time to justify a coach/scout's decision on a player.

"Heck. I don't know what happened. He had all of the tools..."

makes it sweet for the little guy when they overcome. The kid was playing a doubleheader on the weekend, they had 2 guys 5'4" - a real anonomoly in the land of the giants, both very fast on the basepath with quick bats. pticher left a low 80's fb over the heart of the plate and the smallest one hit it over 320 down the line to score 3. that was all they needed.

I think it gives a little extra push for the smaller guys to keep at it - as frustating as it can be sometimes.

The top high school player in our area is 5'8". He runs a 6.5 sixty. He'll be playing at North Carolina next year joining his older 5'8" brother. On another note the top pitcher is 6'5" and lefthanded.

I would think most good ball players have finished growing by the time they are 17 and/or juniors in HS...I'll find out this Summer, but I wouldn't expect many college coaches to be sizing up the parents and grandparents to see what is left in the gene pool.

Actually young men continue to grow untl their low 20's. On the other hand, I don't think colleges project, where as MLB does.

quote:

Originally posted by MadDogPA:
I would think most good ball players have finished growing by the time they are 17 and/or juniors in HS...I'll find out this Summer, but I wouldn't expect many college coaches to be sizing up the parents and grandparents to see what is left in the gene pool.

My son just turned seventeen. He recently had a couple of xrays for potential injuries. The doctor said his growth plates are still open. His sister was still growing at fifteen which is late for girls.

I click on this topic I'm expecting Woody to have the photo gallery of all time... and I get to read about an athletic looking grandpa??

This country is going down the drain.

I see this every year with college recruiters. I work with a ton of high school pitchers that have excellent talent. It's funny what many coaches tell some of the players, they just need to gain some weight, that's after they strike out 5 of their 6 guys during tryouts. Most of them that want it bad enough play college ball, but there are some that don't have the mental makeup after two teams tell them no they give up. I tell them it's just like trying to look for a job, regardless of talent, you still have to choose who you want to work for.
But yes, it drives me nuts that coaches rely so much on physique and not talent.

quote:

Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
I click on this topic I'm expecting Woody to have the photo gallery of all time... and I get to read about an athletic looking grandpa??

This country is going down the drain.

If you were hoping for some kind of discussion about A-rod's booty or something, you may be able to start a threat on the "Ladies Only" section and get lots of photos posted. They probably like that sort of thing down there...

Just saying.

quote:

Originally posted by 3rdgenerationnation:
I want to mention that right now there is a kid at my son's former HS that is about to break the state record for average. He's hit 10 home runs and struck out 8 times. His OPS is right around 1.900. He will make the all state teams and may very well be the big school player of the year.

He looks like what he is, a great athlete, only in miniture. He's 5'5" and about 160lbs.

That's awesome! Where is he going to school?

I'm with Trojan Skip....Woody has disappointed...which is rare.

I thought that this was an interesting Bar Graph concerning height of players in baseball.

http://www.baseball-almanac.co...eights/heights.shtml

It's funny how baseball players come in all shapes and sizes and how it's hard to identify the prospects but college recruiters all come out of the same mold.
You can spot a college coach/recruiter at a game from a hundred yards at night with the kaki shorts, sneakers and golf shirts. Throw in the clipboard and shoulder bag and even my wife could find one.