Professional scout?

Yes, all are professional scouts as they get paid by an organization to do their job. Keep in mind most likely you have an area scout for MLB.

Keep in mind that many associate scouts (not paid a salary) are coaches as well as managers, and can make recommendations as well.

Most often they are looking for a scout that is on the payroll of a MLB club or the MLB Scouting Bureau.

Understand that there are many more associate scouts (bird dogs) than all the rest combined. Some might carry a lot of weight while others are unknown to Those in charge of scouting departments.

It's always revealing when someone mentions they are a scout for a certain club. Then when we ask that club's Scouting Director or Crosscheckers, they have no idea who that person is.

That said, there are many very good associates. They report (make recommendations) to the clubs area scout. It's not unusual that those above area supervisors would not know them. They are not on the clubs payroll. Some do have a (associate) contract with the MLB club, some do not.

Regarding associate scouts.... Beware of anyone who brags about representing a certain club. Often this is simply an ego thing or associated with some baseball related business. Some can be very helpful, others can't help at all. Some associates go about their work in secrecy, others are very vocal about their importance. The vocal types are not among the most respected. If you have any questions or concerns contact the MLB scouting departments.

There are names you can use for a reference that can mean a lot. And there are names that can't help you at all!

TPM and PG, thanks.

Would you suggest listing associate scouts and just let the entity asking the question do what they want with the information? Or is it safer to not list someone unless you know how they are perceived?

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
Most often they are looking for a scout that is on the payroll of a MLB club or the MLB Scouting Bureau.

Understand that there are many more associate scouts (bird dogs) than all the rest combined. Some might carry a lot of weight while others are unknown to Those in charge of scouting departments.

I agree with the above.
However, one of my sons coaches in HS was an associate scout and very well known among college coaches. Now that I remember he would tell son to use his area scout as a reference.
That's where the difference between associate scouts comes down to I suppose.

twotex,

If the associate scout is all you're sure of that has seen the player... I would go ahead and list him. Make sure you include contact information for the associate scout, because they might not be able to find that any other way. No matter how he is perceived it shouldn't hurt the player. At least it is someone who has seen your son play.

BTW, did you know there are associate scouts that actually work for recruiting services? That always seeemed like a conflict of interest to me.

Thanks, PG, I will include the information and let the colleges decide what to do with it. I just hope they are looking - this would be a good sign.

I didn't know that about the recruiting services. Odd.

1- Why do college recruiters care about this?
Just for the herd factor?

2- If a MLB team scout saw your kid play, but he didn't give you his name, do you put this team on the list?

quote:

Originally posted by SultanofSwat:
1- Why do college recruiters care about this?
Just for the herd factor?

Because baseball is a relatively small world. Anybody can write anything down on a piece of paper, but if you've been seen by a scout then that college coach may have some type of relationship with that scout (especially if you're talking about schools without a national recruiting pedigree). That college coach can talk to the scout and say "hey, this kid Jimmy John says this, this, and this about his measureables...what have you seen". With limited recruiting budgets and time constraints, that coach can't afford to waste his time going to see some kid who has embellished his numbers. A ten minute call to a scout may save that coach a day of work and time wasted. It's all about gathering info

quote:

Originally posted by SultanofSwat:
1- Why do college recruiters care about this?
Just for the herd factor?

2- If a MLB team scout saw your kid play, but he didn't give you his name, do you put this team on the list?

#1. If you live in the north and a coach who lives in the south has interest, he might want to contact that scout for opinions.

#2. If I did know who was watching, I would definetly put down the scout as a reference.

Sometimes its helpful to ask your coachs or managers of your son's team as to who has seen the team play, as you might not know who is watching.

JMO.

But, this might be a dumb question, how does one get 'seen' by a scout? I assume they are at, for example, a PG showcase. But they are not exactly handing out business cards.

When I was in high school I was an undersized LHP that was a non-prospect in professional terms. The summer organization I played for played in several high level tournaments, and I was exposed to an environment that had professional scouts in my surroundings. One scout in particular, who lived in my area, took a liking to me for some reason. He was a regional supervisor for a Major League team, and began inviting me to private showcases and events that I normally would not have been able to attend otherwise, exposing me further to some of the best competition available to me.

Our friendship grew to the point where he'd bring me into a facility on a Sunday morning to work with me while throwing bullpens, and paid me to run lessons for children he would bring in as well. We'd grab dinner together on occasion. During the summer between my junior and senior year, I attended a TPX Top 96 event. I got a few phone calls off of that showcase, and every coach asked for further references. When I provided the name of this scout, they all called him.

Within 24 hours of the initial phone call, they called me back and said they'd spoken to the scout and would like to bring me onto campus for an official visit and to discuss my future. The tone instantly changed from "this kid is a maybe" to "I want this kid." I got offers from every single school that spoke to him.

quote:

Originally posted by BaseballmomandCEP:
But, this might be a dumb question, how does one get 'seen' by a scout? I assume they are at, for example, a PG showcase. But they are not exactly handing out business cards.

Yes, at PG events, and camps, high school, travel and summer games etc....sometimes to see a certain player, and along the way they see someone new, that sparks their interest. Also, some associate scouts also are associated with area travel teams, own baseball facilities etc...
In actuality, if you are going to use a scout as a reference, you/your son will have spoken with them and yes, you will have a business card.

Since 1983, Goodwill Series International events have received cooperation and coaching from pro scouts. When we play the National teams from Australia, Korea and Japan, it is important to select the high school talent which can compete.

The players in Area Code games and tryouts are selected by pro scouts and during the games coached by pro scouts.

College coaches depend on the evaluations from the scout. Last weekend in Southern California during the Yankees/Rays scout game I visited with 20 pro scouts and college coaches who were watching the 18 inning game. The talent was outstanding.

The opportunity is available for everyone to be evaluated. Attend a MLSB tryout and introduce yourself to the scout.

Last year traveling with our 4 teams to Australia were 10 pro scouts and one minor league manager and one former ML player.

Each scout has over 30 college coaches, who will listen to his recommendations. Scouts realize that not everyone is "ready" to play professional baseball today, maybe in 3 years.

Bob