"He's Projectable"

Pojectable is a buzz word used by scouts and coaches.
It basically means that the player may have a lot more untapped ability, room to grow, mature and improve.
An example a young, baby faced, skinny lanky player (under 200 lbs)who shows pro ability is a lot more projectible (in terms of development) than a 250 pound, bearded, shorter player who may have reached max growth and ability.
Like looking into a crystal ball, asking what would this player be like at age 23,25 when most players have reached peak physical development.
That's my interpretation.

College coaches and pro scouts see thing slightly differently. College coaches are looking for players that can make a relatively immediate contribution to their college baseball team whereas the professional scout anticipates and can tolerate a development period. I agree pretty much with TPM (as usual) but her son is a pitcher.

quote:

An example a young, baby faced, skinny lanky player (under 200 lbs)who shows pro ability is a lot more projectible (in terms of development) than a 250 pound, bearded, shorter player who may have reached max growth and ability.

Of course a pitcher's mother would see it slightly differently than a catcher's father.

My son was shaving at 12, slightly under 6 foot, and weighed over 200 and they said he was very projectible. I asked the scouting director to explain. He said my son had the things they COULD'T teach and the things he lacked, they COULD teach. In other words I think projectible means the player doesn't necessarily have the ability to compete at the highest level but he doesn’t appear to have any inherent flaws or shortcomings that would exclude him from reaching that level.
Fungo

****, ya'll are good.

Fungo, FO,

TPM;

This is a very good topic. In the 22 years of the Area Code games and the Goodwill Series International events, the word "projectable"
was used by pro scouts, Scouting Directors, National Crosscheckers and Agents.

In 1994, when our American team played Japan and Korea, Scott Boros, the agent in a response to my question as to "who do you like". He said, Chad Hermanson our shortstop, because he was projectable and athletic.

In the 1995 Area Code games, Dee Brown, a football player from New York, had 10 K's and did not hit a HR, however one pro scout said "he has bat speed".

Neither player has made an impact in the Major Leagues. In summary, projectable is like the word "make up".

There is no true definition in the two words often used by professional scouts. It is indeed a "slang" word. When you heard the words, ask the scout, what do you really mean?" Repeat the word "projectable" and you will learn an "in depth" answer.

Lloyd Christopher, a former ML player and a great scout from SF, would not sign a player unless in his opinion the player could play in the Major Leagues. One that was not a "project".

Personally in the past 23 years, I look for "common treads" with young players.

Bob Williams

Bob, despite the similarity in the verbiage, I don't think "projectable" is a word you would use to describe a "project".

Someone who is "projectable" shows basic skills but has the appearance of not having fully physically matured. For example, I know a kid who went from 5'8" to 6'4" in about 18 months. A great pitcher with decent velocity, but more to the point, he was a classic string bean. As he's gotten into the weight room, he's put on some solid muscle weight, and with that extra muscle he's gained several MPH. He was "projectable", now he's a prospect!

In contrast, a "project" is not necessarily a a "prospect". A "project" is usually someone with tremendous raw athleticism, but maybe not much baseball experience, maybe with unrefined skills. This is someone with the natural gifts of a ball player, but who has yet to show he can learn and master the tasks as needed.

Projection is perhaps the most artful part of scouting.

Usually it is presented as a good frame that hasn’t filled out. It can be a skinny pitcher with a very fast arm. It can be a great swing from someone who will fill out and be stronger. It can be many things that could cause a scout to think a player is projectable.

I know we used the words backward or opposite projection at times. This doesn’t mean we are projecting a player to get worse or go backwards, but that the player projects for the opposite reasons.

I’m always better when giving examples rather than trying to explain.

Chris Perez is a RHP from Miami that we saw at a young age. He could throw fairly hard back then and he was good but… Well… Over weight with baby fat. His arm worked great, he could spin it and he was athletic for his size. We used the words backward projection in his report, meaning once he lost the baby fat he was going to throw harder and be special. He went to U of Miami and was drafted in the first round.

Connor Graham is a RHP from Ohio. We first saw him at an indoor showcase in Iowa. In fact MN-Mom’s son was at the same showcase along with several other very talented players. Connor’s dad posts here at times (I forget his user name). I told his dad that Connor needed to tune up his 6’6/265 body) He threw in the upper 80s, but it wasn’t hard to project more. His arm worked great and he had a feel for three pitches. This was a backward projection.

Connor and his dad to there credit did not take the suggestions the wrong way. His dad notified me later that Connor had in fact worked hard and toned up. It paid off big. He went to Miami U (OH). This year he was one of the top prospects in the Cape Cod League and listed at 6’7/235. He now throws mid to better 90s and is a top draft prospect for this coming June. Looking at him then and now would completely explain backward projection.

Chris Perez and Connor Graham are just two of many examples. You could say they both needed to get smaller in order to reach their potential. Or at least get into better condition. They both did!

By the way, both these guys had something else… The other scouting word without a clear definition… They had great "MAKEUP"!

PG - great stuff! Connor's Dad is 04Parent and he is a very nice man.

Since you brought up the concept of back projection, I am guessing those same things were said about CC Sabathia. He has had success with the Indians but I wonder if he will ever reach his true potential with the extra luggage he carries around. Some guys it seems just never seem to look like great athletes yet still seem to produce. David Wells comes to mind somewhat and going back aways maybe someone like Lamar Hoyt was also in that category.

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Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
Fungo, FO,

I had a friend who doesn't post often email about the meaning of FO. Just for clarification purposes I was not telling Fungo to **** OFF, but returning a big smile to him and Fomer Observer as well.

I may be direct at times but never have told anyone here to do the above.

I hope that this clears things up!

Whew! Thanks for clearing that up. But from this point forward every time I see Former Observer's name abbreviated, I will always think ---

You guys are all awesome. I knew I would get plenty of intelligent feedback to help me. Thanks a bunch.

Just an update...

We had a potential advisor visit us tonight in our home. And yep, "projectable" he said, about my son. I couldn't resist.. What do you mean? "Well," he said. "He's 6'2" 180, long loose, and lean. Pitches with no effort. He's not done growing or filling out. We're looking at him in 3-5 years how he might progress and mature." Alas, Tiger Paw Mom you rock!

TPM is the only one that uses FO "that way".

FO

Am I wrong, or is the term "projectable" more often used to describe pitchers than position players?

quote:

Originally posted by lemme coach:
You guys are all awesome. I knew I would get plenty of intelligent feedback to help me. Thanks a bunch.

Here are a couple good reads.......

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:QxQ9PCyxVH0J:www.baseballprospectus.com

http://probaseballtryouts.com/scouting.htm

PG,

Nice update on Connor Graham, wow! My husband and son Joe were indeed at the same showcase back in 03, and reported back to me that Connor and his dad seemed like a very nice family, and that Connor looked like he had a great future. I've corresponded with Bob (dad/04Parent) not too long ago and knew from the Miami-OH website that Connor was doing well, but didn't realize he was well into the 90s now (typical modesty from 04Parent).

Best wishes to Connor this year!

Julie