MLB team questionnaires

Questionnaires are a great indication of interest but I know of two players taken last year by teams they had never spoke to but who had seen them at some point.  Also if the MLB SB had you do one every team now has your info.

The bio information that the scouting bureau obtains is for everyone to see. However, some teams have more specific information requests that go beyond what the bureau provides. Not filling out a questionnaire does not mean a player won't get drafted. However, it's definitely a good sign of interest in that player.

When the parent alluded to the player's info being "in the system", I assume that was referring to the scouting bureau's possession of the information.

What do you think of the Major league scouting Bureau dont know how they work?

The MLSB is sponsored by all MLB teams who contribute over $150,000 each to the Bureau. They have scouts and operate tryout camps.

When we operated the Area Code games the Bureau attended and film all the players.

Until I visited the Seattle Mariners, I did not realize how important it was for the Bureau to film the AC players.

The Mariners computer expert show me the film clip for every Area Code LHP in the USA.

This is remarkable information for each MLB team.

Why not complete the questionaire?

Bob

<www.goodwillseries.org>

Will respond for sure thanks for educating me.

My son filled out a lot of questionaires from his senior HS year till his junior year in college. We figured at the worst, it couldn't hurt, He also worked out for the MLSB as a junior in HS. Don't know what effect they had, but it worked out in the end for him.

Consider the ML Team questionnaire or bio form the "job application" for the upcoming draft. 

I send over 120 of them to players each year.  I probably have time to see most of those players in their spring season (but not all).  When I send them to players, I note the date when they were sent.  I also note the date when I receive them.  Right or wrong, the length of time is an indication to me of a players interest (or non-interest) in the draft.  It's also an indication of the player's accountability, responsibility and make-up. 

Occasionally forms come back in a parent's handwriting (Moms more than Dads).  They also come back partially filled out or sloppily filled out.  These can all be red flags for me.  Professional baseball is a long and grinding process, players need to be organized, accountable and responsible to succeed.  If I can't count on a player to get a simple form back in a timely manner, how can I assume he will be able to handle the daily grind of pro ball?  How can I feel comfortable that he will be able to survive daily life away from Mom and Dad, to pay his bills, do his laundry and make sure he is getting himself to practice and games on time? 

These forms may seem like something small, and for players that get them from all 30 teams in their draft year, they seem monotonous and repetitive, but unless they are filled out with care and in a timely manner, the chance that I will see the player, let alone recommend my club draft that player decreases exponentially.

Just my 2 cents. 

How would a player get one of the MLSB questionnaires?  I would assume it is a scout that gives the questionnaire out.  Is it also something that a player can request or is that not correct protocol?

Scouts will send them to players that they deem prospects for the upcoming draft.  It is usually HS players they have seen in the summer or fall of the previous year (or years), or college players who are now eligible.  It is not good practice to request one.  Scouts should know the players in their territory.

Thank you for offering this type of advice.  My son has some time before any of this is even a possibility.  But I enjoy reading these types of posts so that one day, if you, or someone else sends him a questionnaire, he fully understands the implications.  

Other than filling out a questionnaire, is there an appropriate follow up vehicle to the organization?  Is that something a college coach can do on behalf of an athlete?  It's something we were not very good at before college - and have certainly learned that follow up and developing a relationship is key.  Son is SR has received questionnaires and looking to be sure that he can maximize any relationship opportunity.

If I'm answering your question correctly, it would be a home visit with the scout who sent you the questionnaire.  We've had two already.  From what I was told, activity will increase during the winter months.  

My 2016 received a questionnaire a few weeks back. Was surprised at the detail required, medicals, etc. MLSB also came out to one of his games last spring. Is this early for a 2016?

As a senior redshirt your sons options are limited as to where he will fall in the draft as well as his bonus. 

If the coach feels that he should gt a shot, he might be talking to scouts, but most coaches dont let that be known to the player until after the draft.

If he wants to go pro, be honest in answering the questionnaire and be realistic in what he wants.

FWIW, for most, home visits dont mean as much as one may think, IMO. Son was drafted by the one team incollege in which no scout spoke with him. In HS son was not drafted by any team that visited him or filled out any paperwork.

For the player that is pretty high in the rankings, he should be advised as to what to say and not what to say.

Son had an MRI while in HS,  we were advised early on to get that info ahead of time to attach to the form.  Dont hide anything, and be prepared ahead of time to give them what they want. My suggestion is to help with the first few questionares gathering information for your son, then the player needs to take responsiblility and complete on their own.

My son brought home 5-6 questionnaires a month ago, when he came home for a weekend, it was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have spent in a long time.

My wife and I don’t get to actually sit down and spend much time with him, to be able to sit, talk , observe, and occasionally get a bone thrown my way for an opinion was priceless.

The detail that some of the teams request is amazing versus how simple a few of them were. If the KC Royals form is any indication of how they run their organization, it should be no surprise they had a great pitching staff / bullpen. They probably were seeking some of the most in depth information concerning pitching info and history.  He brought a couple more home at Thanksgiving break that he had just received in the mail. One was 5-6 pages long. 

The question that got the most discussion, and I can’t remember what team it was “ Do you like to win or hate to lose”  

Do you like to win or hate to lose”

YES

I don't know what the "right" answer to that question is, but I hate to lose

D8;

same words as Bob Gibson, great Cardinal pitcher. "Hate to Lose".

"I never did and never will"!

Bob

OK I feel the need to say something.

The MLB draft is all about talent, projection and makeup.  

All the other stuff is fluff.  There is no need to build a relationship with scouts.  In fact, if you are good enough they might try to build a relationship with you.  Many times the relationship is built after you have been drafted.  Building a relationship will NOT get your son drafted any higher than he would be without the relationship.

That said, if we are talking about someone just getting the opportunity to play professional baseball.  Someone not being considered in the first half of the draft.  It could help if the scout really likes a player and knows a lot about him. Guess I can see how that might be a reason to build some sort of relationship that might result in a favor.

I agree with what "Blazer" mentioned in his post.  He is a full time scout so he knows.  Filling out information and returning in a timely fashion can be very helpful.  However, I'm sure "Blazer" would agree with this... If the most talented prospect in your territory doesn't rush to return information... It might not be a good sign... But he will still be followed closely.  It might be a red flag... But he has to be accounted for.  Talent cannot be ignored just because he didn't return a questionnaire on time.

The Royals apparently changed their questionnaire since they drafted Greinke. If you remember that he expected to play short when not pitching, and then wanted to quit baseball and mow lawns and play video games. And maybe a few other things that I won't mention.

My son got questionnaires from his junior HS season until his junior year in college. He filled them out as soon as he could and sent them back . It takes little time, and , you never know. He figured if a scout took the time to send them, he could take the time to fill them out. He got drafted in the 10th round last year, so , persistence paid off in the end.

is it normal for thee questionnaires to come through email?

Of about 20 questionnaires my son has received this year, about half came via e-mail and half via regular mail.

Thanks TPM/COLefty. Our son received one from the Padres this past fall. Just curious if it was normal to get it though email.

In son's experience,

received via email,

some will accept them filled out, scanned and emailed back.

Last week a team requested a hard copy in an envelope to be mailed back.

No one gets overlooked because of a missing questionnaire.

The scouts jobs are based upon identifying talent. Questionnaires help fill in some blanks - some very important blanks if a player may be drafted in the top ten rounds (slot money calculations are important) - but if a kid is good enough in the eyes of a single club, the kid will be drafted by that club. If the player has pro potential and no questionnaire on file, taking such a talent after the top ten rounds is in order. (Of the forty players drafted by each club, only between 30-35 will actually sign, so clubs are prepared for some draft non signings. Now, if a kid is drafted without a questionnaire on file the club will do its due diligence on critical issues such as health before signing.) I think that TPM's S was drafted by a club who hadn't given him a questionnaire - but I'm not sure.

It is also possible that the player did not want to get drafted in that year (perhaps he wants to finish his degree, perhaps he wants to transfer from a JC to let's say LSU (not in the case cited, however)). In that case, his coach (or the player) will convey that to the clubs and the player may not be drafted. But not because of the missing questionnaire.

All that said, fill out the questionnaires - it doesnt take much time, it's a form of validation for all the years of work, it makes mom and dad feel good, everyone gets to brag a little, and it's good manners.

After your son has filled out a few of them, it's not that big a job.  Son has done many, and received them both electronically and in the mail.  He returns them all in the way they are received. They all ask essentially the same info, though some are more exhaustive than others.

Apart from the pretty significant collegiate recognition of the player, what is the basis for your knowledge?

Texas Crude,

I know a player who had a lot of success in a big D1 conference, All-Conference, All-American, and more.   He surely filled out any requested questionnaires, has excellent character, is healthy and yet..... he wasn't drafted.  Presumably he wasn't projected to succeed at the MLB level.  It seems a little short sighted to me, but 30 organizations passed. 

agree 100%.

Nice to <see> you 3FG.

Saying that the player wasnt drafted because he never filled out a form is silly.

There is a lot more to this story most likely that we know.

Blazer,

Very well said and I could not agree more. In every region/community there are individuals who run leagues, training programs and are considered to be well connected with MLB organizations. They are viewed as being very knowledgeable of local talent. How valuable is their opinion of a local prospect? Can a negative report, regardless of merit eliminate someone from being followed? 

Agree 100%..Talent trumps all.  However with so many very talented players throughout the country, why take a chance that your info might not be as complete as another player?  Don't give a club a reason to choose another player over you because you failed to do a simple form.  When players are tied or similar in talent, the player who got their info back completely and in a timely manner wins over one who did not.

A negative or positive report will always be followed up on by the scout.  I listen to all opinions on a players makeup.  Some opinions are more valuable than others.  If I hear the same report from multiple sources it has more merit.  Someone who has a track record of giving good advice or evaluation of a player's readiness for pro ball is more valuable others.  At the end of the day though, I'm always going to make the final call.  I'm going to try and learn about the player on my own and make my own assessment.  I try to take it all into account.