Scouts questions?

Usually they are gaging your son's "signability." Some kids sign with a college but are quite open minded about signing if drafted no matter what round. Some kids say no way on pro ball right now unless they get X amount of money. The scout probably just wants to get a feel for where your family is at this point. No scout wants to submit names to be drafted and then learn the kid isn't interested AFTER the draft. He looks bad if that occurs. Just be yourself. No need to be worried. Answer honestly based on what you know at this time. They understand things change. Also, don't try to read the mind of the scout. There are so many variables that go into whether a kid is drafted, many of which are out of your hands, your son's hands, and even the scouts hands. Just be courteous like you would any other guest. Good luck!

www.baseballbytheyard.blogspot.com

Hardball1,
If you move your cursor over to the far left of your screen to the little green strip, it will pop out and there are some topics that might help.
Here is one http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/p...ting/open_letter.htm

You will probably get lots of good advice from many who have had this experience.

Remember, there is nothing to be nervous about.
The scout is just trying to get to know your family. Most scouts are very personable and have probably been in your shoes at one time.

Relax and be honest, then tell us how it went!

Thanks guys! Very helpful info.

A 90+ lefty can expect to have several scouts ask to come by to meet with him. You may also get the area MLB Bureau guy coming by.

Each MLB team does it differently. Some just want to feel you out, or learn what kind of personality goes with the talent. Others have a sales pitch to make, even a video to show.

A big part of it is feeling out how much it might take to get you to sign. To me, it always felt like I was buying a car and they were trying to get the most out of me that they could, except in my son's case it was them trying to see how low he would go.

If you're a highly educated family, where money is not a big concern and where you've always targeted your son towards college, to a scout that is discouraging. If you're lower income, parents didn't go to college, and $50,000 seems like a lot of money to you, then your son might just get picked on draft day.

The key thing is, you have an excellent opportunity already lined up. You don't have to give that up unless the immediate pro opportunity (as opposed to a later pro opportunity, i.e., after college ball) is really, really enticing.

On the other hand, if your son couldn't care less about education but is going to college primarily as a way to continue developing his talent, then the pro option may well be of great interest to you.

One thing to remember: Never say anything negative about another player, a coach, anyone. No good can come of it and in all likelihood you'll make a very negative impression yourself.

Also, a footnote. In the article in the link above, it mentions that you need to be honest with the scout, and this is true.

But don't conclude from that that he'll be honest to you in return. Some are honest, some are interested in manipulating you and will readily lie to do so. It's OK to be warm and friendly when welcoming them into your home, but stay on your toes and keep your antennae up.

Yes and make sure to hold out for 10% over slot.

Is it wrong to portray high signability to a scout when it is your full intention to go to school (outside of a top 3 round big bonus money slot) and use that late round draft position out of high school in order to increase your chance of draft at a higher slot after 3 years of college?

What makes you think that being a late round draft pick sets you up for a higher slot later? Still have to produce, no matter what.

There are multiple late round draftees that do not get a second chance - injury, poor preparation, drop outs, competition is better than they realized in high school, etc.

I believe it all comes down to your personal ethics. Some individuals on here do not like discussions about personal ethics. FWIW, I recommend being honest, but that's just me.

Of course I am not stupid enough to think that a late round draft in high school guarantees a higher slot after college. I was assuming of course the production being there during the college years. I would think that if a player skips a 29th round after HS to go to college, and does well enough to get drafted, he would be on the radar of more teams and can attract a higher slot than if he had not been drafted out of HS at all. He would command more bonus money after 3 years since he only has one more year to complete a degree than say a player who has completed 4 years of eligibility and is out of amateur options.

Let me add that if one is not clever enough to outwit the scout whose job it is to recognize trickery and posturing, it would be entirely in one's best interest to be completely honest.

quote:

Originally posted by 90+change-up:
Of course I am not stupid enough...

Now how would I have known that?

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by 90+change-up:
Is it wrong to portray high signability to a scout when it is your full intention to go to school (outside of a top 3 round big bonus money slot) and use that late round draft position out of high school in order to increase your chance of draft at a higher slot after 3 years of college?

If it is a players full intention to go to school, regardless, he should be open and honest. If it is a players intention to consider after the draft what he will do, he should convey that as well.

Being open and honest in HS will help later on in your next draft, so I understand what you are asking, I do believe my player being honest (really perfering to go to college first) helped him the second time around.

I am not sure I agree with a player holding out for 10% above slot. If one really wants to go play pro ball, the money really should be secondary. If it's about more money, go to school. JMO.