MLB Scouts

I am far from being an expert, but we have been going through this same thing ourselves this year.

It has been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows.

My son had a bad game and one of the same scouts watching that game brought a cross checker to another game afterward. So, I don't think scouts look at high school players the same we (parents and fans) do nor do all of them talk to the player after each game.

I know I can't speak as an expert, but I do know some of what you are going through and feeling. Good luck to your son.

njcatcher06 -
HowUbe is right, don't read anything into the "no communication after the game". Our experience last year showed that every scout and MLB group had a different approach to conducting their information gathering. Good Luck

Sounds like a normal day at the ball park. I'm not trying to make lite of a very important time in your son's life, but you or he won't really know where he stands with the professional clubs until draft day. Yes, there will be indicators that gets his hopes up and there will be those that pop his bubble but I wouldn't worry too much about either of them ---easy for me to say Huh? If you feel as if your son might be drafted I would help him plan for it --- but I would also encourage him to have a plan if it doesn't.
PS Don't try to read between the lines of you will go nuts!!!!!
Fungo

Fungo,

Plan is to fulfill his baseball scholarship to Winthrop University. If another avenue opens I guess we'll explore it. Thanks everyone for your advice, that's what makes this site so great.........

I would be surprised if most scouts have anything to say to your son or you at a game. My experience has been that most will attend a game, see what they need to see, and leave without talking to anyone most of the time.

Last year, one of my summer players was drafted out of high school. He didn't even know the club that drafted him had any interest in him at all until they called on draft day to tell him they'd just picked him. A couple of other players had workouts with clubs, filled out questionaires, had in-home visits and one was even told to keep his cell phone handy on draft day because he'd be getting a call from the scout. None of those players were drafted at all. One of them is playing in Jr. College and the other has since turned professional through an independent minor league.

quote:

My experience has been that most will attend a game, see what they need to see, and leave without talking to anyone most of the time.

CADAD is correct and even though I have never been full-time, I have left park with full-time scouts after they see what they need to see and once asked the question to one particular scout why he avoided parents at game.
He said and I quote, "I have everything I need and all I can do is recommend and send in one more report and just cross my fingers draft day and hope my player will get selected by front office personnel at draft board."-Anonymous1991

Don't think the process has changed too much through the years and hope this shed's a little light on process and good luck in June peace

Shep

Sometimes they do talk to parents. Last week we had 15 MLB scouts at our game. Eight of them approached us. Several who already had paperwork on my son just wanted to introduce themselves and 4 wanted to give us packets since it was the first time they'd seen my son. Amusingly, my son's pesky little brother, who was sitting behind the radar guns (spying on numbers), was visited with more than anyone else. Maybe he was more approachable? I sure think he's cuter!

quote:

Amusingly, my son's pesky little brother, who was sitting behind the radar guns (spying on numbers), was visited with more than anyone else.

KC...and they learned more about your family and your son, from his little brother, than you can even imagine!

As this final college senior year plays out I find myself wondering more and more what we're gonna be doing next baseball season. My son really wants the opportunity to play professionally, but has one semester left to graduate...so one more semester will happen no matter what. He has had seven teams contact him for infomation + filled out documents for MLB Scouting Bureau. Two teams have had private meetings with him wanting to know what he wants to be doing next year and given him info on their clubs, etc. Just last night one scout asked for his cell ph so they could talk next week. Just like inteviewing for the dream job, you hope your kid gets the job he wants...and that it's not too far away to be able to visit (ie. catch a few games).

As for the scouts, for the most part they have been a super group of guys. Since there are quite a few regulars at our games, you kinda get to know them. Some are local guys(mostly associate scouts) and some come in from out of state, so you don't see them quite as often. A couple of the guys I like so we joke and talk baseball. For the most part I don't see them talking to a lot of the kids, much less their parents. I guess I look at it like my son is interviewing for a job and with the corporate recruiter, I really don't want to put my nose where it doesn't belong. I'll let my son do his own interview. For the high school kids, I suspect the scouts have a lot more interaction with the parents since those kids are minors...well at least pretty young and mom and dad have a tremendous amount of infuence on the signability of the player.

Cpkebaseballdad,

Kind of curious… Is your son a big 1B/RHP who is having a great year?

I checked out many of your previous posts (call it the old scout in me) and have determined that you pass the parents test with flying colors. It’s always good to see humble, but proud parents who have roots! It’s great to see parents who always seem to have something positive to say about kids other than their own son.

I’m glad your son’s ability is getting some serious attention. Chances are that scouts who get to know you, will like him even more. Apple falling from the tree thing!
Best of luck!

quote:

I would be surprised if most scouts have anything to say to your son or you at a game. My experience has been that most will attend a game, see what they need to see, and leave without talking to anyone most of the time.

Last year, one of my summer players was drafted out of high school. He didn't even know the club that drafted him had any interest in him at all until they called on draft day to tell him they'd just picked him. A couple of other players had workouts with clubs, filled out questionaires, had in-home visits and one was even told to keep his cell phone handy on draft day because he'd be getting a call from the scout. None of those players were drafted at all. One of them is playing in Jr. College and the other has since turned professional through an independent minor league.

[quote]I would be surprised if most scouts have anything to say to your son or you at a game. My experience has been that most will attend a game, see what they need to see, and leave without talking to anyone most of the time.


Here's my two cents worth on this subject......Paris, Texas, April, 1981. I'm pitching in front of probably 40 MLB scouts, cross-checkers, at least one general manager and several college coaches in a district game that had another stud pitcher starting for Paris, that ended up signing with Texas A&M.

Anyway, it was a dreary day, overcast, misty, umps were 45 minutes late to the game. So, how did I pitch? Probably my worst game of my high school career. Gave up the only HR I ever gave up in high school, got beat.

The buzz in the stands was that most if not all the scouts loved what they saw and I was eventually drafted by the Orioles as their first pick that year. I never talked to a single scout that year after a game. There was always at least 20 MLB scouts at every game I pitched down the stretch of my senior season. Never communicated with them once before I was drafted. That's the way it was 25 years ago. Things may have changed since then!

I find myself thinking about this stuff now and then - and every time I am tempted to think about this scouting stuff - I remember what my dad always told me - every day.

Whether the scouts or college coaches or whomever come - or dont come - you still need to do the same thing.

Hit it hard - catch it all - get em out - get dirty - run like a wild dog - and never ever say die.

Every game - every practice - every day.

That is all that matters IMO.

OldPitcher,

That's great stuff from someone who certainly knows the process and my hat's off to you brother for being who you are and giving back like you are there in Dallas/Ft.Worth area with Frozen-Ropes Academy and baseball. Look forward to watching that sophomore HS prospect who I believe may have some of that 1st round OFP himself. OP, you are inspirational and your story should be told and we are grateful you chose to share it with us here at HSBBW because it is a great story and long-time TX scout Ray Crone was definitely on top of things then and now, 25 years later

Scouts like this are the type I was raised around here on East Coast and abroad that made such a great impact on me personally and lives in my mind of thoughts and memories and will never be forgotten.

The process of being selected in draft really hasn't changed that much as Old Pitcher/JL points out to us. The information a scout needs is usually already in Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau office and this is all the MLB team needs at draft-time. I Can give you examples of players that were drafted and never contacted or had a clue until draft-day. That is the beauty about it which brings me to the seugue(transition) of ITSINTHEGAME's post>

ITS,

Scouts love the attitude mentioned attitude displayed by prospect above in your last post here in this thread and it sounds like you also have good bloodlines and wise mentor to bring you to the pinnacle and bargaining table and whoever is the lucky team to get your youngen will be getting a legitimate MIF prospect who could possibly sail through minor leagues on fast-track once in the system. Will pray that will happen and I have great faith that it will.

PGJerry,

The prospect in TX who is showing a great deal of OFP and only sophomore is Old Pitcher's son and he is having a great deal of success this year on varsity squad and I would like to recommend this player to Perfect Game for the "Big Showcase Events" because he is worthy and has the tools to pitch with proven results.
Professional folks that have seen him say he is an excellent pitcher with command of several pitches which includes 12-6 breaking pitch with tight spin that falls quick at plate in hitter's face. Lackie also throws Changeup to go along with his FB which is close to 90MPH now. Pitches all have movement and hits spots. This pitcher will throw much harder as he matures and gets stronger and only a sophomore. He is a "new pitcher" and a "true pitcher" with 1st round bloodlines.

Would also like to submit Coach May's son Jeff May in Stem, NC who is ripping the cover off the ball as a HS sophomore this year. He is at South Granville HS and catcher. peace, Shep

quote:

He is a "new pitcher" and a "true pitcher" with 1st round bloodlines.

Shepster,

I appreciate what you have said about ML here on this post. Thank you for recommending him to Perfect Game. That is an honor and it is not taken lightly. It is much appreciated and humbling. His future is definitely bright if he stays healthy and continues to work very hard.

That being said...I have to clarify one thing though and I don't mean this as a slap to what you wrote, just a clarification. I was the first pick for the Orioles in 81, but they did not have a first or second round pick that year. I was the 76th player drafted and it was in the 3rd round. I didn't want anyone thinking I was going around saying I was a first round pick. I have always over the years said to people I was a first pick, but it is a little deceiving. It really sounds better than it actually is! Just wanted to clear things up about that.

As I said, thank you very much and it will be fun seeing what my son does over the next couple of years.

OP

I hope I'm not boring everybody about this draft stuff, but I had another story that I thought might give you an idea about how things have changed over the last 25 years regarding the draft.

Like I said in my earlier post, I never talked to a scout before I got drafted other than just when one was standing around and just the small talk kind of stuff. There was never an in-depth discussion about anything as far as I can remember. Now I'm not saying they didn't talk to my parents about me, I'm saying I, personally didn't have an in-depth conversation with them.

Anyway, I never really thought I could have been drafted to be honest. Back then, there had only ever been 1 player drafted from my HS and it was 14 years earlier and he only lasted like 3 months before he quit and came back home. I had never, ever talked to anyone that had played pro baseball other than when I was a little kid asking Jim Sundberg or some Texas Rangers player for their autograph at the old Arlington Stadium. I say all of this to get you to understand where I am coming from as far as really not having a clue about all this pro baseball stuff at that time. All I know is, since I was a little kid, I dreamed of playing in the major leagues. To me it was only a dream, though.

Now to get to the story I wanted to tell. The night I was drafted, which, if you can believe this, I didn't even know it was draft day, I was at my girlfriend's house that night. By the way, my girlfriend then is now my wife and we just celebrated our 22nd anniversary in February Anyway, I was at her house that night and her mom brought me the phone, remember, this was before cell phones, and it was my mom. I took the phone and my mom told me she had something to tell me to get home as fast as I could. She wouldn't tell me what it was, so as any young 18 year old would, I thought someone had died probably and she didn't want to tell me over the phone. So, I went home and my mom and dad told me that I had been drafted that day and that I was the Baltimore Orioles first pick in the draft. The only thing I can remember saying at that moment was "man, that means a lot of money"!! Now don't laugh when you read this, but a lot of money back then was $26,000.00, which we negotiated ourselves. Not a single agent ever contacted us about being my agent. I never had an agent during my entire career, didn't need one. Really couldn't say now that I even knew what an agent was back then. And I was called a bonus baby my entire pro career!! Can you believe that?! The first pick in the draft that year, Mike Moore got a whopping $100,000.00.

The point I'm really trying to make is, back then, the media was nothing like it is now with all the baseball publications in print and on the web, etc., etc., etc.

I was a high draft pick and didn't even know if I would ever be drafted. I know some of you younger folks out there may be saying, how is that possible. That is why I wrote the story above, to give you an idea of where I am coming from when I say that. I really didn't know it would happen.

I would have been happy at the time to just go to A&M, where I had signed to play in college.

That same week, our HS team traveled to Austin to play in the state tournament, which we lost in the semi-finals. I actually had a no-hitter going in the 5th inning, winning 2-1, gave up a hit and a walk and our coach pulled me and the other team got 8 straight hits and beat us 10-2. Quite a bummer if you ask me.

I then was the starting pitcher for the North in the TSHBCA All-Star game on June 20th, 1981, in Houston, Tx. We met the scout for the Orioles that afternoon after the game at a Houston hotel and started the negotiations for my contract. We told him we wanted $65,000.00. They got back with us a couple of days later and told us they would pay $26,000.00, and we said, OK, where do I sign?

On June 28th, I left McKinney for Bluefield, WV. and the rest, they say, is history.

My how things have changed, but really stayed the same. These kids today have the same dream I had, to play in the big leagues. I hope they get to, even if it's just the minor's. I loved every minute of it.

Thank you for your time!!

A couple things…

Shep, while I respect your opinions very much, I must ask you a question… Have you personally seen these players you’re talking about? Surely you must know it doesn’t work this way. I don’t understand why you would use a message board to communicate. If I were your scouting director, this would scare the hell out of me.

Never will we ever make any decisions on anything written on ANY message board. We know about “OP’s” son and we have already seen Coach May’s son. Please, if anyone ever wants to recommend a player, email, phone, mail, anything except message board recommendations! That said, we do read what people have to say. We do understand that OP has a talented young son. We understand that young May is absolutely tearing it up. We hear about and follow many websters successes. We are happy for all of them.

I must admit, with all due respect to “It’s”, when I hear scouting comparisons to “Ryne Sandberg except maybe even better”, I have to wonder. All of those better than Ryne Sandberg will be selected very early in the first round. Now I sincerely hope for the very best for everyone’s kids, but let’s keep it at least somewhat real! Let’s just be happy for “It’s” son for fighting back from an adverse situation. Let’s hope he gets the chance to get drafted and play pro ball after college and that he’s successful. We do not need to compare him to first ballet hall-of-famers quite yet! Sorry Its, absolutely no disrespect intended. In fact, we’re pulling very hard for your son.

Old Pitcher, Yes things have changed a lot over the years. First of all, scouting has become much more scientific (at least in the front offices). The amount of information that matters has more than doubled over just the last 10-20 years. Back in my days, and even later in your day, “make up” was not near the issue it is now. Picking the most talented is fairly easy, it’s the rest of the package that has become much more important. This is due to the many early picks who have been expensive mistakes, lacking the necessary ingredients to succeed in professional baseball. Now days, it’s virtually impossible for someone to be drafted in the early rounds without thorough investigation. Home visits are very common place these days. Most important is signability issues. No one wants to waste an early pick on an unsignable player unless that is part of the club’s plan. (get compensation).

Truth is, these days it would be highly unlikely that a player will be drafted in the early rounds without having ever talked to anyone before hand. Best of luck to your young son, hope we get to see him soon.

Hey Jerry,

Agree with you sir 100percent and would probably never be here typing at this keyboard ever if I had a full-time scouting job and a scouting director to answer to as boss....Your absolutely right, however,
I have received numerous reports from scouts and contacts regarding both of these players and even though I see 99% of players I promote either on WEBTV or videoclips if not in person, I still believe you gotta see em Shepster, That's my LOGO at your site and has been for almost 3 years so your preaching to the choir.. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out these two players can play this game and you know from my past track record with PG, I would not dare recommend player that would jeopardize my relationship with you. Just the same, I will email or call next time. Peace,Shep

Thanks Shep, One thing I do know is that you know a good player when you see one!

I really appreciate your respectful reply to my somewhat cutting remarks. Feel free to email me anytime!

PG,

I know what you mean - and appreciate the support you and your staff have given him over the years.

After having watched - very closely - the draft and college baseball for the last 5 years or so - I can honestly say that nothing can surprise me at this point. LOL

The way he sees it now - and the way we see it now as parents - is that each experience is something to remember and enjoy.

Every time a scout comes to a game and talks to him - every time he plays another season - every time he has a good game or a rough patch - every time we listen to him on the internet or see him at the stadium - is special.

I think the nonsense that D went through the early in his collegiate career has given him (and his parents) a special appreciation for the game. I can hear it in his voice when we talk after each game and see it when he is on the field.

He just plays - gets very dirty and lets the chips fall wherever they are going to fall.

I think it is great for him - and is also a great lesson for his younger brother as well.

Lots of smiling now - (unless they are hurt - LOL) and lots of anticipation for each new game - and that is about it.

Old Pitcher ...



Really enjoyed your history. Thanks for sharing.

quote:

He just plays - gets very dirty and lets the chips will fall wherever they are going to fall.

I happen to agree with this philosophy itsinthegame. My belief is to let baseball production on the field alone do the talking for you and nothing else.

Old Pitcher - I enjoyed reading your post as well

For any player/family who is being scouted or hopes to get that opportunity, PGStaff, Old Pitcher and Its bring a great deal of insight to the process with their comments in this thread. Interesting for me to contemplate that Perfect Game did not even exist when Old Pitcher got that call from the Orioles. Also interesting to consider that the process described by Old Pitcher in his negotiations may be why there are so many agents and why I have no problem with players getting paid.

PGStaff,

Thanks for the kind words. My son is a senior catcher at Old Dominion, playing for Jerry Meyers. Wow, we just got rated #15 in the last Baseball America Poll.

I enjoyed "all" posts and insights, personally.

Always good to get all opinions and experience to decision making arena and true stories from those like OP who have experienced the process through first-hand knowledge, that's great !!

Old Dominion catcherdad, didn't mean to intentionally leave your son out of loop in conversations and banter here between all of us and wish him the absolute best in upcoming months with his baseball and all other future endeavors. peace, Shep

infielddad

I go back to the days when there was no draft---you signed with whomever you wanted and money was not a point of contention--it was simply--Get me in the lineup!

TR, still remember Rick Reichardt on the cover of SI, the first draft pick to break the bank, so to speak. Interesting the draft was imposed to control costs...and failed. Now there is a desire to cut back on the draft but teams are paying huge amounts to players from Latin countries, Australia, Netherlands(??? ), and Asia. There are a lot of players who would still say "get me in the lineup" and, for the most part, MLB doesn't want them. Fascinating the way they can't measure heart but will pay $375,000 for someone who is so raw he really can't even play the game, but someone projects he "might". What an experience this is.

The draft started in 1965, and was put in place to slow down the bonus money that was going up very fast. Rick Reichardt signed for $200,000 in 1964 and then the next year when the draft started, Rick Monday was the first player drafted and he recieved $104,000 and was the only player taken that hit the $100,000 mark.

The bonus money did not move up very much at all for almost 25 years. Harold Baines was the 1st player taken in 1977 and signed for $40,000. In 1987 Ken Griffey only got $160,000 as the first overall pick, which is still less than the money Reichardt recieved 23 years before him.

1989 was the first year that things started to jump in the bonus world when John Olerud and Ben McDonald signed major league deals for over $800,000. Brien Taylor in 1991 signed a bonus deal for one point five million and from that point on, the bonus money started moving higher.

The reality is that the draft slowed down bonus money for about 25 years.

quote:

The reality is that the draft slowed down bonus money for about 25 years.

bbscout,

I can surely attest to that. A left handed high school pitcher throwing 95mph and got $26,000.00. No telling what I would have commanded in today's market.

I don't have a historic perspective on the draft & scouting that the rest of you in here have talking about the past couple of days, so I'll cut to the present.

Our son just got "discovered" by MLB a few weeks ago. I know, how does that happen? Is he legit? All I know is that he had the great luck to be in the right place at the right time having a good game and there has been a parade of scouts to our games since.

Considering we live two hours away from a metro area, the fact that these guys are driving up to see him so late in the high school year is amazing to me. I know they're making up for lost time since they hadn't heard about him before, and that's probably why there have been so many, not because we think he's some phenom or anything.

I respect the ones who keep their distance. I know they're learning from what they see and hear in the stands (and on the phone - what did they do before cell phones?!). They know how intense this period is for prospective draftees and I think it helps to keep things more low key when they steer clear of parents and the player on game days.

OTOH, those who have introduced themselves have been very courteous and we have learned an incredible amount of practical info from the ones who scheduled home visits.

These guys work so hard and must be so focused to do their job right. I really want to say thanks to all of them who have taken the time to check out my son, no matter what happens. And thanks for putting up with our well intended "tips" about other kids on our son's team... so, thanks guys.

ktcosmos

In reading PG's post it does seem it's all about information these days and getting as much of it as you can. Teams appear to be looking at the make up of player not just on the field but off the field as well.

The scouts have been in our house, talk to us at the games(they are all great about being respectful and letting us watch our son play). Our son has been given all kind of test.

It's been a great, fun ride this year for my son(and our family) in his Senior year of HS...enjoy every minute of it.

I wouldn't worry if they don't talk to you or your son at the games as scouts are like anybody else in that some are more personable than others...IMO, if they are still coming out to see your son play that would indicate they still have interest.

Good luck to you and your son.

Very nice thread. Really enjoyed reading Old Pitchers stories.

I can give you my experience with the draft if you care.

I attended a very small NAIA school. My junior year I put up some really good numbers. A few, like 4-5, scouts gave me the info. card and asked if I would be interested in playing pro ball instead of going back for my senior season. I was sure I was as good as gone. Come draft time............zippo.

So, I go into my senior year. Put up some more good numbers. Filled out a few more cards. This time I get drafted on the first day. 12th round, not that impressive really .

So now I'm excited, I might be able to buy a truck or something. This was 1997 so I would need about $15,000 right. That should be easy enough.

Scout comes to the house to sign me and makes the grand offer of $5,000. I look at my college coach and he says "Son, playing professional baseball is now your job. First lesson, work hard and try to earn a raise."

So I sign and was off to mini-camp in Chandler, Arizona. Was there for a few weeks then shipped to Ogden, Utah. That summer began my pro career.

Wow, this is bringing up memories.

My recommendation to parents and players concerning the draft..........

Go out there and play the game, have fun, work hard, and let the draft take care of itself. It is easy to get caught up in all the how to's, and who's this or that. Nothing matters until draft day when the selection is made.

Then the fun starts.

Oh, and PG.

Gage Guthrie is really tearing the cover off the ball. This 2 week old switch hitting catcher is looking forward to attending your workouts.

Ken, don’t know if you had a chance to meet Kentaro who works with us. He is Japanese and so is his wife. They had a baby a month or so ago and named him ROCKY! The ROCK! Rocky Yasutake! He has more hair than our whole family put together. Every time I see him I move his left arm in a throwing motion. Then I get him to squeeze my fingers with his left hand and try to get him to do everything lefty. Then Kentaro broke the news… He wants Rocky to be a shortstop! Be just my luck, force Rocky into being a lefty and he grows up to be 5’9” with good hands and runs a 6.2 60, but a below average arm.

Hope to see Gage swing the bat soon! In the mean time, make sure you keep the agents away from him. They’re going after younger kids every year.

quote:

Go out there and play the game, have fun, work hard, and let the draft take care of itself. It is easy to get caught up in all the how to's, and who's this or that. Nothing matters until draft day when the selection is made.

Then the fun starts.

Ken,

You said it perfectly here. Great advice! Enjoyed the story.