A lot of folks have heard of this organization, but what role do they really play? If a good report is turned in on a player, what does that mean in regard to the draft?
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The MLB area scout has a different job to do than an organization's scout, he has to identify and educate (the draft process) those that are eligible for the upcoming draft or possibly future and that information is then communicated to all teams through MLB.
I maybe wrong but I thought that their reports were supposed to be impartial as to a player's ability, their reports would include health history, psych and eye testing.
I maybe wrong but I thought that their reports were supposed to be impartial as to a player's ability, their reports would include health history, psych and eye testing.
Our MLB Scouting Bureau rep is an old school guy named Don Kohler and he was great!
Don was very helpful in talking to our family about what to expect during the draft season and gave us a general time-line of when things would start heating up if he kept the pro teams attention. He was spot on with what he told us.
Aside from the normal scouting and testing duties that TPM mentioned, our MLSB rep also holds a camp each year and invites rising sophomores and junior players that he thinks have draft potential to a pro style workout and it is very well attended by pro scouts. Quite a few college coaches sneak into the event as well but they don't wear their colors
During son's draft year Don contacted me each week to get our sons advanced pitching schedule and forwarded it to all the MLB teams. He also made a point to let us know if some of the higher up's were coming in to watch him pitch as well.
Not sure if all MLSB guys are this good however I know we appreciated all the attention he gave our guy.
Don was very helpful in talking to our family about what to expect during the draft season and gave us a general time-line of when things would start heating up if he kept the pro teams attention. He was spot on with what he told us.
Aside from the normal scouting and testing duties that TPM mentioned, our MLSB rep also holds a camp each year and invites rising sophomores and junior players that he thinks have draft potential to a pro style workout and it is very well attended by pro scouts. Quite a few college coaches sneak into the event as well but they don't wear their colors
During son's draft year Don contacted me each week to get our sons advanced pitching schedule and forwarded it to all the MLB teams. He also made a point to let us know if some of the higher up's were coming in to watch him pitch as well.
Not sure if all MLSB guys are this good however I know we appreciated all the attention he gave our guy.
I graduated from MLB's "scout school", which is run by the MLB Scouting Bureau. I could not say enough good things about the guys who work for the scouting bureau. Although they don't get the "fanfare" of being affiliated w/one particular team, they provide an invaluable service.
TPM is correct with his statements. They grade tools, write reports, etc...They will follow up w/eye tests, personality/psych tests w/guys that may be drafted in earlier rounds. The scouting bureau guys do not really get in to the off field issues, background, signability, etc...The area scouts for the respective MLB teams have the responsibility of doing all that homework. That being said, just because it's not in report, doesn't mean that information isn't shared.
JerseyDad, sounds like you had a great experience w/your guy. Your story reminds me of a couple of the Bureau guys down here: Jim Walton and Rusty Gearhart. Great guys, w/tremendous knowledge. Those guys have forgot more baseball than I'll ever know.
TPM is correct with his statements. They grade tools, write reports, etc...They will follow up w/eye tests, personality/psych tests w/guys that may be drafted in earlier rounds. The scouting bureau guys do not really get in to the off field issues, background, signability, etc...The area scouts for the respective MLB teams have the responsibility of doing all that homework. That being said, just because it's not in report, doesn't mean that information isn't shared.
JerseyDad, sounds like you had a great experience w/your guy. Your story reminds me of a couple of the Bureau guys down here: Jim Walton and Rusty Gearhart. Great guys, w/tremendous knowledge. Those guys have forgot more baseball than I'll ever know.
quote:Originally posted by 643_DP:
The scouting bureau guys do not really get in to the off field issues, background, signability, etc..
Mmmmmm, not so sure about that. MLB Scouting Bureau had all kinds of questions about what kind of money my son wanted to forgo his scholarship. When my son told him what he was shooting for the rep said "you won't get that". And that info was given to the MLB teams. In our local paper Jim Callis from Baseball America was quoted saying signability could be a concern for what my son for was asking. The only one he told what he wanted for a signing bonus was MLB Scouting Bureau. Hence, he went undrafted
Did any area scouts do 'in home' visits to address signability concerns?
I have never seen the processed stopped because a bureau guy said a kid is not "signable".
I have never seen the processed stopped because a bureau guy said a kid is not "signable".
Safe to say ALL information is shared
Correct. Verbal, written, morse code, etc...
quote:Did any area scouts do 'in home' visits to address signability concerns?
Yes. Some bring it up sooner, some later, but if you're in their minds come late May, you will likely have been asked by then.
If you have a minimum number in mind, the MLBSB will distribute it to all if you give it to them. Which is a whole lot better than asking your "advisor" to do it, since that can lead to Andrew Oliver-type problems with the NCAA.
MLBSB does a great service. Very lean on OFP, then again they have lots to compare to.
