Smitty- I'll answer a bit more seriously, as my post earlier was somewhat sarcastic. I think the most interesting point you made was the assumption that projecting pitchers is easier. Despite the fact that I was a pitcher when I played, I find the complete opposite to be true. There are far more ways for an elite level athlete to impact the game at a high level as a position player than as a pitcher. Not to mention, there is inherently a much higher injury risk with pitchers than with position players.
When evaluating the hit tool, Truman hit a lot of good points. Beyond those, swing plane is a huge factor in projecting future production, and is often a major facet of a player's ability to consistently drive the ball. If a player is mechanically sound, combining good bat speed with a good swing plane and a timely hip fire, it's a bit easier to project those players to hit at a high level. The most elite hitters - those that are found at the top end of the draft - have what I refer to as a "carrying tool." For some, it may be enormous raw power. For others, it might be barrel control through the zone. While running speed is not a factor when evaluating a player's true bat-to-ball ability, it can sometimes factor into a player's overall plate approach. The most elite hitting prospects will combine all of the mechanical cues mentioned above while still maintaining a patient, sound approach and consistently squaring balls up.
Lastly, athleticism is crucial in high level prospects - at any position. An above average athlete will be able to adapt and make adjustments at a much faster rate than someone who may not be as athletic. The more athletic a player is, the more attractive that player is to a talent evaluator. If present skills are lacking but tools are there, and the player is a good athlete, it's often easier to bet on that player reaching his projected ceiling than someone without as much natural athletic ability.
The tools that Bob mentioned pertaining to character and work ethic come into play only after raw baseball tools are present. I've met an unbelievable amount of high character young men while working in the game, all of whom have incredible drive and desire and work ethic. Almost all of them are lacking the ability to have a toolset that will carry them to the next level. Unfortunately, it's literally meaningless without baseball tools. Character is absolutely a crucial element to evaluating a prospect that possesses tools, and goes far beyond being a good citizen and a hard working. I define character largely by a player's baseball aptitude. I'll pull an example that I'm familiar with, that pertains to a friend of mine. Gabe Kapler was drafted in the 57th round (!!!) of the 1995 draft out of a Southern California junior college. He was, at the time, a scrawny outfielder with some athleticism and he knew how to put the ball in play. Gabe was admittedly oblivious to the fact that a 57th round pick is simply not supposed to succeed at the highest level. Rather than wilting away with the inability to keep up with more naturally talented players, Gabe saw his ability to put on muscle as a way to illuminate his tools. With his newfound strength (I'm sure some of you have seen the shirtless pictures from his playing days), Gabe's abilities that were previously below average allowed him to reach his ceiling as a player. Gabe's work ethic pertaining to physicality saw him get 3,315 big league plate appearances - assuredly 3,315 more than anyone expected him to get. Other than himself, of course. With those plate appearances came two World Series rings, including the first in Boston in 86 years.
Another story, one that is more well known, is that of David Eckstein. Somewhat of a polar opposite in physical appearance in comparison to Gabe, Eckstein was a diminutive second baseman that signed for $1,000 as a college senior. He possessed no tangible tools that could project to big league average. What Eckstein did so well was maximize his given tools. He understood exactly who he was and what he could/couldn't do. He focused on improving his tools rather than attempting to create tools that weren't there. He became an expert in footwork and defensive positioning, and learned his own swing enough to ensure his bat-to-ball skills allowed him to make contact at a consistently hard rate. Eckstein had almost double the amount of big league plate appearances that Gabe did, to go along with 2 All-Star Game appearances, 2 World Series rings and a World Series MVP trophy. Not bad for a 5'6" college senior second baseman who threw the ball with three fingers.
These are anecdotal stories, of course, and intended to provide a "feel good" notion to the subject. At the end of the day, regardless of the tool being evaluated, the player should worry about being the best he can possibly be. The talent evaluators will sift through the information at hand and decipher for themselves.
