PBR and Area Code Games

I would say it is 99% a money grab.  The Area Code Games is really upper echelon.  MLB Scouts don’t miss completely (as in having no idea they exist!) on 99.9% of top prospects.

There are far better ways to get on the radar for the Area Code Games.  First and foremost is to be really phenomenal.  Do you run a 6.6 60?  Throw 95+?  Hit Bombs off of pitchers that throw 90+?  Do you have the Top Travel Teams competing with each other to have you on their team?  Are you getting invites to Perfect Game National?

I know players from our area who check all those boxes, and are P5 commits, ranked in the Top 10 by PBR in our state, who STILL did not get an Area Codes invite.

So yeah.  Huge money grab.

It looks like what AC/PBR are offering is a multi-step process where you first have to go to the AC ID Series (for $299-499 a pop) and THEN you possibly "earn" an invitation to an AC try out which I assume also costs money (but that's not clear). But then if you read the fine print, it says this is an: "additional layer to Area Code Games prospect visibility" which means that Area Code maintains its integrity by not requiring you to go the PBR route or any other route--if a scout wants to see you at the AC games, they will make that desire clear and you will get invited to a try-out with or without this PBR route. IMHO it looks like there is definitely an element of a PBR money grab that is using the draw of the Area Code games to get more kids in their system. Especially since the first set of try-outs or evaluations or whatever you want to call them happen in the dead of winter (Dec - Feb) where some pitchers may be shut down and other players are feasibly playing other sports or enjoy a couple of weeks away from baseball. Not necessarily the best or healthiest time to showcase.  It doesn't mean that it might not be a great opportunity for some talented players but something about it makes me a little sad. There was something really nice about ECP and ACG being completely separate from the big showcase/travel ball scene. 

LOL...or what @3and2Fastball said without mincing words.

PT;

when I sold the AC games, I placed the "protection" clause that no fee for the tryouts and AC games. This was my promise to the scouts, since 1987 our 1st year at Zupo Field in Lodi, CA

Bob

Bob, I knew in my bones that had to be the case! That small print is your legacy. Thank you so much for what you have done to protect youth baseball.

I’m not even going to attempt to sugarcoat this. Area Code tryouts are by invitation only. Players that receive that invitation are established players that are already well known and don’t need to be “identified” by PBR -  or anyone else for that matter. Very good players get left off the Area Code teams every year. IMO this “partnership” is just a money grab by PBR.

My 2023 son got invited to the AC tryout this year for the Underclass games. It was a great experience for him even though he didn't make it. Great exposure to the talent that is out there and what he needs to do to continue to compete against the best.  When I saw the announcement about the PBR process now, it kind of felt like the mystique and uniqueness behind getting the invite lost some of it's luster. Interesting though, they don't have a tryout listed for the state of Texas. Hoping like others have said above, that there is still the old route of getting an invite without having to go through this preliminary round.

A lot of people have good experiences with PBR. I'm indifferent.

I will say that they really dominated the potential college prospect social media market and as a result I think they get a little more credibility than they deserve. Pairing with an organization like AC helps add to that, but anybody in the know understands that a lot of what they do are money grabs. This included

Does this mean that the local PBR scouts are picking area code teams? 

@KennieProton posted:

Does this mean that the local PBR scouts are picking area code teams?

No. It means that PBR has figured out a way to profit off of the Area Code games by holding preliminary “tryouts” before the actual AC tryouts. A substantial portion of AC are selected by reputation before the tryouts actually take place. The PBR events may identify an occasional outlier that isn’t well known but he would still have to perform well at AC tryouts to make the team. PBR deal is straight up money grab designed to attract hopefuls.

I hope you are right.  Some of our state's  Futures Games picks have been real head scratchers over the years,  and as you know that's a huge opportunity for prospect s and can make or break their recruiting path.  The idea of our local PBR Staff picking area code teams too would make me sad.

I know the local boys by me who went were bonafide studs. They were known commodities so there was no need for a pre-lim tryout. I think it is a money grab.

Same as futures.  Related showcases are a money grab.  They take who they take.

@KennieProton, I agree but I think the marketing is very deceptive and it bothers me for all those parents/kids who are going to misinterpret it.

Has anyone's son received an Area Code invite yet?  (AC posted on Twitter a couple of days ago that invites were being sent out.)  If you did receive an invite, had your son attended a PBR Area Code ID Series?

Our region is one of the first Area Code tryouts, but PBR did not host an ID Series in the area.  I have yet to hear of anyone receiving a tryout invitation.

@IKETBD posted:

Has anyone's son received an Area Code invite yet?  (AC posted on Twitter a couple of days ago that invites were being sent out.)  If you did receive an invite, had your son attended a PBR Area Code ID Series?

Our region is one of the first Area Code tryouts, but PBR did not host an ID Series in the area.  I have yet to hear of anyone receiving a tryout invitation.

I believe your son is a 2024 - which means he would qualify for Underclass Area Code Games. However, the underclass rosters for this year would typically be heavy on 2022s with a few of the best 2023s included. I know it varies by region but I think you are a bit premature. I would be very surprised to see many 2024s get an invite. It used to be a requirement of an invitation that the player had to be recommended by a local MLB scout and invitations were pretty exclusive. That may have relaxed somewhat with involvement of PBR.

My son went the ID Series basically just for fun, something to do, a chance to see some of his buddies from other teams, and, of course, to add to his t-shirt collection. He didn't embarrass himself, posted his usual good numbers, etc.

That being said, one of the AC coaches/scouts told the players straight up before the workout even started "We already have our roster set and there's probably nothing anyone of you could possibly do today that is going to change anything."

My guess is that this is the case at most of these. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for any invites, etc.

For me, we were fine. My son got exactly what he wanted out of it.

Me? Maybe a bit pricey for a work out, some verified metrics, a nice short video, a t-shirt and a chance for my son to chew the fat with some of his other buddy baseball players from the state.  But, I've wasted money on stupider things. It was a day out with the kid. Just another shared experience that we will remember (hopefully?) when we are much older.

I may be off by a year and U/C rosters would be heavy on 2023s

And I will also echo what Francis said about rosters being formed beforehand. Rosters are predetermined based on a players reputation and past performance. It literally takes an act of God for whatever happens at the tryout to mean anything.

where does a kid make his reputation, though?  around here, it seems like its through PBR and NCTB (the local tournament association who has formed a showcase org with teams made of hand picked players from the area. if you're a stud who doesn't play in those events (my son doesn't but i dont think he's that level anyway...it's a hypothetical question), how do you get an invite?

@mattys posted:

where does a kid make his reputation, though?  around here, it seems like its through PBR and NCTB (the local tournament association who has formed a showcase org with teams made of hand picked players from the area. if you're a stud who doesn't play in those events (my son doesn't but i dont think he's that level anyway...it's a hypothetical question), how do you get an invite?

IMO a player makes his reputation by in game performance - both in HS games and in travel ball tournaments. Players that excel in game situations are talked about in coaching and scouting circles on a regular basis. What a player does in game situations means much more than whatever measurables were posted at a showcase.

@IKETBD posted:

Has anyone's son received an Area Code invite yet?  (AC posted on Twitter a couple of days ago that invites were being sent out.)  If you did receive an invite, had your son attended a PBR Area Code ID Series?

Our region is one of the first Area Code tryouts, but PBR did not host an ID Series in the area.  I have yet to hear of anyone receiving a tryout invitation.

My son (2023) received an invite email about 2 weeks ago. His good buddy and summer teammate received one around the same time. I don't think they have the PBR ID series in our area. Both were invited last year also, and his buddy actually made the underclass last year.

Area Codes and PBR Future Games are legit opportunities that open a ton of doors.  

Invite received and followed upon when we had not responded in a week (we were waiting to make sure that he'd be healthy by then).

And yes we know that the rosters are pretty much set before we go.  He killed it last year at the UC tryout (top 10 60 time for OF, top 10 velo from OF, and a great round of BP........unfortunately none went over the fence), and didn't even get invited to play in the evening game.  It is what it is, but this year w/ recruiting being just opened up a couple of weeks earlier, I would expect that there will be a few people of interest in the stands.  Plus he gets to hang out w/ a lot of talent, have fun with some of his buddies, and get a cool T-shirt that most kids don't get a chance to earn. 

@adbono posted:

IMO a player makes his reputation by in game performance - both in HS games and in travel ball tournaments. Players that excel in game situations are talked about in coaching and scouting circles on a regular basis. What a player does in game situations means much more than whatever measurables were posted at a showcase.

This is true, to a degree.  But it’s difficult for position players to get scouted at games and travel ball tournaments, without already being on the radar.   That comes through a push from a travel program’s director and also putting up great measureables..  

@3and2Fastball posted:

This is true, to a degree.  But it’s difficult for position players to get scouted at games and travel ball tournaments, without already being on the radar.   That comes through a push from a travel program’s director and also putting up great measureables..  

Position players get on the radar (of scouts and coaches) by doing something in games that catches the eye of a baseball guy. Then the talk begins and other people that hear the talk show up to watch. Position players do not get on any radar by posting measurables at a showcase. Pitchers can get on the radar by posting a good FB velo. But it doesn’t work that way for position players.

@adbono posted:

Position players get on the radar (of scouts and coaches) by doing something in games that catches the eye of a baseball guy. Then the talk begins and other people that hear the talk show up to watch. Position players do not get on any radar by posting measurables at a showcase. Pitchers can get on the radar by posting a good FB velo. But it doesn’t work that way for position players.

It simply doesn’t work that way for a vast majority of position players, certainly not in the Midwest, and most definitely not for the players that end up at D3’s and D2’s in the Midwest.

You could play a thousand travel ball and high school games and never have a college scout or “Baseball guy” pay the slightest bit of attention to you.  There are too many games, too many travel teams, too many tournaments.  And too many athletic players that all fit that criteria of doing things in games that would normally “stand out”.

I get that you coming from a perspective of a college coach and scout.  I’m coming from the perspective of a former high school and travel coach that has watched the recruitment and development of a 100+ players from our area.  None of those kids, literally zero, got recruited or drafted based on doing something in games and then the talk started.

Your experience is different than mine. What I’m describing are how D1,D2 & JuCo position players get noticed (and subsequently recruited) in my part of the country (TX, OK, KS, AK, LA). I would argue that it’s similar across the country for players at that level. It usually involves a personal recommendation, video, and watching in game performance. D3 is another animal and D3s may place more emphasis on showcase results since they typically don’t have a big budget for recruiting. I don’t interact with D3 coaches near as much as I do coaches at other levels. But I can assure that when D1, D2, & JuCo coaches talk to me about a position player there is hardly ever a mention of showcase performance or measurables. It’s all about what they can do to help win a game.

@adbono posted:

Your experience is different than mine. What I’m describing are how D1,D2 & JuCo position players get noticed (and subsequently recruited) in my part of the country (TX, OK, KS, AK, LA). I would argue that it’s similar across the country for players at that level. It usually involves a personal recommendation, video, and watching in game performance. D3 is another animal and D3s may place more emphasis on showcase results since they typically don’t have a big budget for recruiting. I don’t interact with D3 coaches near as much as I do coaches at other levels. But I can assure that when D1, D2, & JuCo coaches talk to me about a position player there is hardly ever a mention of showcase performance or measurables. It’s all about what they can do to help win a game.

Gotcha.  Around here, the Kids that go D1 or D2 get a recommendation from a travel ball director to a school.  Inevitably there is an expectation from the schools that the Kid hits certain 60 time and throwing velocities.  Nobody really cares about Exit Velo.

Then, after a kid gets that push, they get looked at in games.  

I work the press box for our HS.  Recently had an umpire asking about a freshman that started for our varsity team.   Baseball is a small world and people talk.   Word travels about players who stand out.

We knew all the top kids from invitation showcases.  We saw the same kids at the showcases, USA tryouts and at the Area Code tryouts.  The same kids who have the top velo, top exit velo, top 60 times at the invites are the guys you see everywhere.  By sophomore/junior year the circle gets smaller and smaller and most of the guys have either played on a showcase team together or know of each other.

Thanks all.  I understand these rosters are seemingly pre-determined.  Our area didn't even have a tryout last year (due to Covid), but they definitely sent teams to the games with kids from the area.

Travel coach says the kid should get an invite, and we have now seen posts from other regions of guys getting invited.  I guess he'll just have to keep checking email and spam folders daily to wait and see if the coveted invite shows up.

And those t-shirts are definitely a high commodity.  There's a story of a kid rooming with some guys at a PG event.  Gets home and his Area Code t-shirt is "missing".  6 months later he sees his buddy from across the country wearing it in a SnapChat picture.

@IKETBD posted:

Thanks all.  I understand these rosters are seemingly pre-determined.  Our area didn't even have a tryout last year (due to Covid), but they definitely sent teams to the games with kids from the area.

Travel coach says the kid should get an invite, and we have now seen posts from other regions of guys getting invited.  I guess he'll just have to keep checking email and spam folders daily to wait and see if the coveted invite shows up.

And those t-shirts are definitely a high commodity.  There's a story of a kid rooming with some guys at a PG event.  Gets home and his Area Code t-shirt is "missing".  6 months later he sees his buddy from across the country wearing it in a SnapChat picture.

That is funny because my son's AC shirt from last year's try out is also missing. We also think one of his teammates picked it up after pre game BP when they were changing into their uniforms.

@ARCEKU21 posted:

That is funny because my son's AC shirt from last year's try out is also missing. We also think one of his teammates picked it up after pre game BP when they were changing into their uniforms.

To add to the shirt theory : my middle son (who never got an AC tryout invitation) has taken my youngest son’s AC t shirt and run off with it.

@adbono posted:

To add to the shirt theory : my middle son (who never got an AC tryout invitation) has taken my youngest son’s AC t shirt and run off with it.

How does the shirt look? Anyone have a photo of it?

Here you go.

@adbono posted:

To add to the shirt theory : my middle son (who never got an AC tryout invitation) has taken my youngest son’s AC t shirt and run off with it.

Oldest has done the same here............but youngest wears all his college gear that he traded summer teammates for during summer ball. 

I'm sorry but...Teddy Cashman the son of Brian Cashman makes the Yankees Area Code team?

He's an old (reclassified) 2022 whose primary position is 2B, runs a 7.2, throws 72 and his top exit velo is 83.

Com'on Area Code...SMH

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 3, 2021, at 4:38 PM, HS Baseball Web <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:
>
> 

IN 1987, created the AC games and there was NO showcases existing. I sold the games in 2004. Many "copy cats" and "showcase gypsy's.

The new method of evaluating players is debatable.To rely on "metrics" is open to failure of the team.

For 17 years the scouts made the selections. I trusted their decisions.
There were Several players which I added - Albert Pujols, Adam LaRoche, Adam Greenberg, Sam Fuld because of their successful tryouts.

Bob

@Consultant posted:

IN 1987, created the AC games and there was NO showcases existing. I sold the games in 2004. Many "copy cats" and "showcase gypsy's.

The new method of evaluating players is debatable.To rely on "metrics" is open to failure of the team.

For 17 years the scouts made the selections. I trusted their decisions.
There were Several players which I added - Albert Pujols, Adam LaRoche, Adam Greenberg, Sam Fuld because of their successful tryouts.

Bob

There is more substance to this post than most people realize I suspect. I encourage everyone to read it again and let it sink in.

Adbono;

During the 17 years, I received many phone calls regarding placing players. At a Rockies tryout at Regis College in Denver, I spoke from the pitchers mound to the 400 parents, players, College Coaches and Pro Scouts.

My message was "only the pro scouts can select players to the AC games"!! My cell phone rang and it was Tommy {Dodgers]. He wanted to place Fred Claire's {GM} grandson in the games. "I said Tommy you have your Dodgers AC team and you can do what you want to".

He said OK!!!    "True Story!!!

Bob

Anybody else have a "friends and family" draft pick or free agent signing in the shortened draft era story.... my favorite 2021 version so far...

Dad helps hitting coach with a couple of business opportunities...Hitting coach was college roomies with "guy in an organization"...kid who had  one mediocre Juco season during covid shortened year sandwiched between 2 D1 seasons  of watching from the dugout....signs as a free agent...also left a juco in the fall prior to covid spring juco season because he was not gonna play much...somewhere a "ballplayer" was denied a shot.....never gonna stop it but it doesn't mean ya gotta like it....

Saw another kid on the AC underclassmen team where the reaction was "How and why?" Then found out the dad has a connection in the scouting community. I guess daddyball never stops?

Francis;

did you attend the tryout? what is the background of your committee?

In the end result the pro scouts and College Coaches make their final selections based on personal experience. The Ocean is "full" of talent, now is the time to reduce the talent to a swimming pool.

Bob

PS: it would have been enjoyable to have you at the AC tryouts and have you explain what your eyes see.

I doubt the credibility of the AC will take a hit. Anyway these "token selection" discussions will be a much needed break from the usual banter from the backstop dads and moms.

@Consultant posted:

Francis;

did you attend the tryout? what is the background of your committee?

In the end result the pro scouts and College Coaches make their final selections based on personal experience. The Ocean is "full" of talent, now is the time to reduce the talent to a swimming pool.

Bob

PS: it would have been enjoyable to have you at the AC tryouts and have you explain what your eyes see.

My kid went to a trial.  I wasn’t there “to see” because of COVID - it was players only.  But, I saw the measurables afterwards and the kid did well.  Also saw the measurables of the other attendees.  No one at his position was tremendously better than him.

Kids were told at the very beginning “great that you are here, but, be advised that our rosters are 99% done already and the odds of something coming out of this for you are not good, no matter what you do here.”

Now, I am a realist and objective.  My kid is very good – and not great.  He’s got some incredible skills.  But, he also has some holes – as do many players.  He’s not Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.  But, that said, I know he’s better skilled and more talented than the two kids I have mentioned.  HOWEVER, there’s also MANY, MANY, kids better than my kid too, and they also were passed on in favor of the daddy influenced selections.

Just Cashman alone.  We know a kid in NJ – also a middle infielder, but, he’s a SS and not a 2B (like Cashman).  This kid is BIG and FAST.  He’s also got an incredible hit tool – average and power.  Throws extremely well too.  He’s a very good SS.  But, even if that doesn’t work out, his bat profiles to 3B or the OF.  I could easily see him being a standout in CF.  Like Cashman, he’s a 2022.  But, he’s not reclassed like Cashman.  He’s not old at all for his grade.  Oh, and, by the way, just so you know it’s not just me on the eval, he’s been a P5 commit since he was a sophomore in H.S.  He’s the real deal.  He was also at the trial with my son.  But, his dad is just a school teacher and not the GM of the Yankees.  So, the roster spot goes to Cashman.

This is just one SS from NJ.  I am sure there’s a lot more like him in the North East just as good who could have gotten that spot.

@Francis7 posted:

My kid went to a trial.  I wasn’t there “to see” because of COVID - it was players only.  But, I saw the measurables afterwards and the kid did well.  Also saw the measurables of the other attendees.  No one at his position was tremendously better than him.

Kids were told at the very beginning “great that you are here, but, be advised that our rosters are 99% done already and the odds of something coming out of this for you are not good, no matter what you do here.”

Now, I am a realist and objective.  My kid is very good – and not great.  He’s got some incredible skills.  But, he also has some holes – as do many players.  He’s not Mike Trout or Bryce Harper.  But, that said, I know he’s better skilled and more talented than the two kids I have mentioned.  HOWEVER, there’s also MANY, MANY, kids better than my kid too, and they also were passed on in favor of the daddy influenced selections.

Just Cashman alone.  We know a kid in NJ – also a middle infielder, but, he’s a SS and not a 2B (like Cashman).  This kid is BIG and FAST.  He’s also got an incredible hit tool – average and power.  Throws extremely well too.  He’s a very good SS.  But, even if that doesn’t work out, his bat profiles to 3B or the OF.  I could easily see him being a standout in CF.  Like Cashman, he’s a 2022.  But, he’s not reclassed like Cashman.  He’s not old at all for his grade.  Oh, and, by the way, just so you know it’s not just me on the eval, he’s been a P5 commit since he was a sophomore in H.S.  He’s the real deal.  He was also at the trial with my son.  But, his dad is just a school teacher and not the GM of the Yankees.  So, the roster spot goes to Cashman.

This is just one SS from NJ.  I am sure there’s a lot more like him in the North East just as good who could have gotten that spot.

This should not be a surprise to anyone. Many times it who you know; happens all the time in sports, business and politics. Unless you are a bonified pro-prospect the real value for anyone trying out for an Area Code team are the many many college scouts in the stands during the tryouts.... and all of it is FREE. This was one of the two best events my son participated in during his recruitment, and again it did not cost a cent. (other than gas) Thanks @Consultant (Bob!)

I hope the kid who got skipped uses that experience as fuel to take his game to a point where he is a "no doubter" in the eyes of the evaluators.

During 17 years [1987-2004], I attended each tryout and evaluated players who were missed at the tryouts and placed them on our 900 team.

BOF is correct, each tryout attracted the College Coaches, many flew on the same plane West to East. There was NO cost to tryout and the coaches paid $40.00 for the roster.

It was later that  the "showcase gypsy's" and the "copycats" showcases all charging $$$ and adding words like "metrics". The 6 tools and "body language" are the objectives of the Coaches and Scouts. That will never change.

Bob

@2022NYC posted:

I hope the kid who got skipped uses that experience as fuel to take his game to a point where he is a "no doubter" in the eyes of the evaluators.

I can't speak for the kid. But, I wouldn't blame a kid for taking a different stance and saying "This thing is a joke if that's how people get picked and that's who is going."

The Yankees scouts operate the AC team. They expend $$ and time to coordinate the players to the West Coast into the Hotels and to the field. The Yankee scouts are responsible for the players.

The young man has ability or he would not expose himself to the 300 pro scouts, who know the father and the College Coaches. The "pressure" is great!!!!

During my years, we had sons of Fernando Valenzuela, Dave LaRoche, Fred Claire and a Movie actor.

Bob

@Consultant posted:

The Yankees scouts operate the AC team. They expend $$ and time to coordinate the players to the West Coast into the Hotels and to the field. The Yankee scouts are responsible for the players.

The young man has ability or he would not expose himself to the 300 pro scouts, who know the father and the College Coaches. The "pressure" is great!!!!

During my years, we had sons of Fernando Valenzuela, Dave LaRoche, Fred Claire and a Movie actor.

Bob

Teddy Cashman is a very good kid.  Loves the game.  Plays hard.  Puts in the work.  Francis is correct.  He is a good player but he's not AC good.  I root for everyone around here and I hope he finds a great D1 to attend and I hope he crushes it.

Gunner;

the 11 ways to score a run.

sac fly, balk, catcher's interference, wild pitch, pass ball, squeeze play, steal, fielder's choice, hit, walk w/ bases loaded, error.

Bob

@Consultant posted:

During 17 years [1987-2004], I attended each tryout and evaluated players who were missed at the tryouts and placed them on our 900 team.

BOF is correct, each tryout attracted the College Coaches, many flew on the same plane West to East. There was NO cost to tryout and the coaches paid $40.00 for the roster.

It was later that  the "showcase gypsy's" and the "copycats" showcases all charging $$$ and adding words like "metrics". The 6 tools and "body language" are the objectives of the Coaches and Scouts. That will never change.

Bob

Bob,

My son is from your time with AC.  The area code team scout submitted your name and you were in, no questions asked you went to CA for tryouts, no cost.

However my son was in the middle of regional Connie Mack championships so he declined.

USA baseball ran things differently back then as well. You attended team games in  either FL or AZ and you were chosen at the end of competition. Son made the cut to Houston for tryouts, but he was a year younger so he essentially missed the team.

That experience alone is what helped him in being recruited to great programs.

Things have changed, not sure that it's for the best.

Thank you for all that you have done for youth baseball.

Keep those stories coming.

Barbara; I remember the call. I believe I offered to hold a "roster" spot for your son and when he was completed in Farmington then he could pitch 2 innings in Long Beach.

Bob

Pretty good Bob, I don't remember what I had for breakfast this morning!

I remember our Pirate Team tryout at the U of Miami. My efficiency in the tryout "backfired"! I organized the infield practice to appear at the same time as the OF throw from RF. The scouts complained. They were a different group than the NE, Texas & Calif.

I told them they had two eyes, watch RF with one eye and SS throws with the other eye. "Cooler" heads prevailed and we ran a normal tryout. All infielder throw from SS and OF all throw from RF.

Bob

@Francis7 posted:

I can't speak for the kid. But, I wouldn't blame a kid for taking a different stance and saying "This thing is a joke if that's how people get picked and that's who is going."

He could but in every level there is some form of favoritism. The only real solution is to stand out.

Old ERA Dad here.

My son attended an MLB Scouting Bureau Showcase in 2012 as a 16 year old (minimum age).

I afforded and opportunity to be seen and heard hitting with wood against INDY, JUCO, D1-D3, and a few baseball fans.

With no metrics and scouts eyes (+ stop watch for throws/60yds), he was identified for further follow. Alas, the SCOUTING BUREAU has been scuttled.

This lead to an AC tryout in PA which was attended by 30+ college coaches from primarily NE schools and Phillies Scouts/Minor League Staffs.

He didn't make the cut, but impressed the group. He received multiple invites to Colleges and was followed during his Jr HS season by multiple area scouts in the New England Area.

He was drafted out of HS, but was not ready for the Minors: He attended an SEC powerhouse and was drafted in 2nd round in 2016.

He now resides in a West Coast AAA as an switch/OF.

If the metrics were in effect in 2012, he would have missed the cut by a long shot.

Moral of the tale: In today's metrics climate, the Player MUST show prowess in game play, because the metrics are fluid.

Bring back the SCOUTS EYES!!!!

the only real difference between then and now is today he probably wouldn't get the chance to prove he can play but some kid who lit the boards will get several chances to prove he can't....wait i guess it has changed. Hope the sarcasm is clear enough!

Truth is bring back the scouts eyes sounds as good as hitting the other way, bunting to beat the shift, hitting over .300 etc...and you see how that is going.

why is it always an either or proposition?  metrics should enhance what scouts do, not replace them.

Full Disclosure Time:

Who picks up a hard copy of the news paper in the morning? That's so 1980's . Right?

Yep, I said "hard copy."

As Brad Pitt said in Money ball, " adapt of die."