Question regarding MLB Pre-Draft Workouts

This is just my opinion, but I think the pre draft workouts are based on a team's needs, that's why not all of them have them. They will invite players of all different positions to figure out which one may or may not get the call on draft day, or just to see if they have what the  area scout claimed they have (stuff). Keep in  mind it is better to see 20 at one time up against each other rather than have to go to 20 different places.

Regardless, its a great experience.

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it. This kid is not going to be a top 3 or 4 round pick most likely but has a chance to be selected in the latter parts of the top 10 rounds. One other question for you based on your experience, is it pretty common for kids to get drafted by teams that did not invite you to pre-draft workouts or have in-home visits with you?

It would be more than 10-15 clubs.  Difference is that some clubs will bring in 3-5 players, while others might bring in 20-30 players.  The best ones are usually held at the organizations ML Stadium.

That said there are other PreDrafts that are attended by most all MLB scouting departments. We have been doing a National PreDraft held in Iowa for close to 20 years.  Many excellent players (draft picks) have participated over the years. That includes players like Brian McCann, Jackie Bradley, Jeremy Hellickson, Yasmani Grandal, Tyler Clippard, Ryan Sweeney, Joel Hanrahan, Carl Crawford, Tony Watson, and many others that have played in the Major Leagues.

It has helped many raise their position in the draft.  It also has helped many unknown types get drafted.  This year we had several college seniors that stood out and they should get drafted. But it is mostly for draft eligible high school players.

It is great when your invited to a private club workout, especially in a Big league Park.  Unfortunately if you're a pitcher it can be very difficult.  Impossible to throw in every PreDraft workout. That is where the other independent workouts become more valuable.  In one day in a fairly short period of time, a pitcher can throw in front of every MLB club.

Out of college son got drafted from a team he never talked to, he didnt even know who the scout was. He was a 2nd round pick.  

As far as the predraft, not too many that I know that went to group tryouts got drafted, but the ones I know who went to private tryouts did.  I think group predraft tryouts are like any MLB tryouts, they are looking for fill ins, that is my opinion. If the player will be a very high pick, he knows it by the contacts, visits, money discussions that have occurred, not by a predraft tryout. Where does the player fall in the rankings?

The only thing that matters is when your name is called.

TPM,

Maybe you don't know of many, but I do.

If you ever get a chance to talk to Dan Jennings, ask him about the Carl Crawford story involving the predraft in Iowa. There is nothing for certain three weeks before the draft unless there is a predraft deal in place.  Typically the sure first round types don't have to attend any PreDraft.  Most others can benefit greatly.  In some cases it has worked against the player with a bad showing.

For the record our PreDraft is small.  Going into this years draft there have been 233 players who participated and were drafted.