"Inner Arrogance"

This is a great one. In my opinion, there is a continuum of confidence=>arrogance=>cockiness. I would argue that you need guys all along that continuum in your dugout but that each has to be true to themselves and if you dip too far past one end or the other you are no good to yourself or your teammates.

I also think scouting this is very judgmental and based on the scout's experience or personal way to express him/herself. There were some who thought my son didn't care or didn't work hard because he's not the guy who's going to throw his helmet when things are going poorly or scream and flex when things are going well. The coaches/scouts who don't get him think he doesn't care. The ones that get him say that "He's very smart in the box with a low pulse" and that "He's a very cerebral hitter." Luckily the second opinions are his minor league field coordinator and scouting director. And the college he committed to felt the same way about him.

By way of background, he started his senior HS season super strong. His first 4 hits in the HS season were home runs against great teams/pitchers. Three of the four HRs were considered "pre-season" games so they didn't show up in HS stats. March came around and he started struggling. His team played top tier teams and those teams were throwing their best pitchers every game. He has a very good sense of the strike zone (definitely too picky at times) and got quite a few pitcher-friendly calls against him (some absolutely absurd and verified by video by his coaches). Then he started doubting himself. It was painful. His draft stock dropped. He wasn't himself in the box. But he doesn't show emotion. There were some that thought it meant he didn't care and didn't work hard. What they didn't know (or care to know) is that he stayed in the lab. Worked with his coach. Kept lifting, putting extra time in the cages and at the end of the season he came around. Fast forward to the minors, in 101 PA, he slashed .372/.465/.535 in the Arizona league (1.000 OPS), stealing 10 bases in 10 tries and playing most inning in CF. There is still a long way to go but he believed in who he know himself to be and not what one month of play said about him.

So...for him, confidence looked like not going crazy when he went through a dry spell, staying true to who he is and what he thought his worth was even when some people in the press absolutely trashed him. It allows him to be teammate who leads by actions not words. But there are definitely a lot of people who missed on him because the misinterpreted his quiet confidence as a lack of confidence.

Paula;

"outstanding" evaluation. Self confidence and competition at any age level with players who are older. Many years ago a veteran scout and I watched a College game.

I asked "what are you looking for"?

He said, I project the player to be in a World Series and and when his teammate makes a error. What does the player do?  Throw his glove or get back in the game?

Visualize success, think positive, study the game and do you homework on the opposing pitcher, infielders, outfielders, catcher and their Coach; the field, the weather and the sun.

Did you know Willie Mays would position the Giants defense from CF.

Bob

Paula, I completely agree.  The ones who wear it all their sleeves are fun to watch.  Teams need those guys.  They also need the guys who are steady and have the quiet confidence.  No show, just getting the job done.

Paula: Where James is now is not about draft stock and what those watching think about him (except the folks you mentioned), It’s about performance, and I would say people who saw James this summer heard what he was saying loud and clear! I can’t wait to watch his rise through the ranks…I think he’s gonna be a great one to watch! It’s always fun to see guys move up and mature, and with your son being as young as he is, the upside is incredible!