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If you're good, will they find you?

B baseball16810+ posts
This question is about another player on my son's team and his chances of getting drafted.

As a junior, the kid (who is a catcher in high school) was hurt for half of the year, which also caused him to miss most of the summer (did not attend Area Code games or other notable showcases). As a senior, he has put together an outstanding season, great numbers, leading the league in HR's and SB's, getting all sorts of awards. He has been committed to a mid to low level D1 since August as an OF.

He is a good player, runs about a 6.8 60 yard dash, has a strong arm, and is by all accounts from people that would know, a draftable player out of high school. Other players in the league draw scouts to games, but none of the scouts seem to know this kid's name.

I've got two questions. Number 1: Is the adage "if you're good, they will find you" true anymore? If you don't go to showcases, will they find you? He has better stats (yes, high school stats are useless I know) than guys in the area projected in the top 100 picks and is about as athletic, but didn't put himself out there like they did.

And number 2: Is it possible for someone like that to get drafted just off word of mouth? If a scout never really talks to him, could he still get drafted? Isn't it hard for the local scouts to not notice if one guy gets league MVP over 2 or 3 guys that are going to get drafted?

I'm wondering because I know the kid well, and my son might go through similar experiences next year so any info is appreciated. Thanks.
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T TxMom500+ posts
Hi!
Pro scouts are trained to spot players with abilities that can be developed into those needed at the major league level. Performance at the high school level is secondary. If he's shown projectable talent, especially in CA, word will get out.

If he's not filled out any MLB questionaires or had any contact from MLB scouts he probably won't be drafted this spring. However, many players emerge as prospects in college and are drafted after their junior or senior years.
Last edited by TxMom
M MDMom10+ posts
Pro scouts like to find players that they can draft low and pay low. If you want to go pro you need some bonus money to survive so it is in a player's best interest to get as many scouts looking at him as possible, to drive up his stock and create a situation where he is ranked higher and will get a better draft slot.

If only one or two pro scouts know about a player his chances of getting drafted are lower so get the word out, get him seen, send him to the tournaments, make a big noise.
S swingbuilder100+ posts
Being good is relative.

The key is tools.

Arm strength, not judged against your peers but ML players.

Running speed, not judged against yoour peers but ML players.

Fielding ability, not judged against your peers but ML players.

Hitting skills, not judged against your peers but ML players.

Power Skills, not judged against your peers but ML players.

being a good hitter/ player in HS and college doesn't always merit an opprotunity. Athletic actions and looks also carry weight.

Fastball velo is important. Yet, so is fastball command. Unless of course you throw 95 plus all the time.

Curvball spin,deception and command is important. Deception and spin to get ML hitters out.

Slider angle, deception and command is important.

Change-up mechanics, action and command are important.

Pitch ability is important along with control.

But the most important things have to deal with pitchers having good stuff with good angle and good plane and making it work.

To many, 10 strikeouts a game is good for a pitcher. Problem is they were all of hitters swinging at balls that weren't even close to being strikes.

So being good is all relative. Relative to the evaluator and his/ her experience. How a parent or coach evaluates may not be the same as the college coaches or scouts.
Last edited by swingbuilder

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