As blogged in the "Scout" Topic
southpaw_dad
Posted September 10, 2009 12:40 PM
What suggestions can you offer to parents (and players) of Apptitude guys?
Posted September 10, 2009 5:16 PM
... and what types of trade-off's you will make when assessing a player (ex: a corner infielder who does not run well, but rakes the ball).
--------------------
A Baseball Player/Pitcher
Attributes and Characteristics
Of course the baseball player, as a prospect,
is observed from the following categories:
-Pre-HS+ (& Fr & Soph)
-High School (Jr/Sr)
-College
...2 year school
...4 year school
-Independent
-MiLB
-Big Leagues
the attributes and characteristics looked
at and the projection of the players talent and skills will be different....... (i.e. plus arm strength (85 mph) at 16 y/o will project more so than a MiLB Pitcher at 85 mph)
CATCHERS:
Arm strength,
agility
quickness (with feet),
soft hands,
aggressiveness plus leadership plus MAKE-UP.
INFIELDERS:
Arm Strength,
foot speed,
instincts,
aggressiveness plus MAKE-UP.
soft hands,
Athleticism
hitting ability (especially power from
the corners).
HITTERS:
Strength,
bat speed,
plane of swing,
absence of fear,
aggressiveness plus MAKE-UP.
top-hand extension, and follow-though.
Contact
Power
Hit to All Fields
Hit with Wood
PITCHERS:
Arm strength,
velocity,
movement,
a curveball with tight rotation,
free arm action
proper delivery,
a complete extension on follow-though
(basically a live, quick arm)
aggressiveness, plus MAKE-UP.
Misses bats
Command
Changes Speeds, sucessfully
the ability to concentrate
Pitchability
Overcome's adversity
Mound Presence
Gets Hitters Outs
Ground Ball Out vs Fly Ball Outs
Most 6'0+ LHP.
Baseball MAKEUP:
Strong desire to succeed,
coachability,
maturity,
temperament,
improvement,
drive,
hunger,
consistency,
knowledge of the game,
competitiveness,
(how badly does the player want to reach
the major leagues)
How well he will work at.
Does the kid want to play pro baseball?
PHYSICAL CHANGES:
Has he reached his full height yet?
Can he gain or lose weight?
Will he become faster or slower?
Has he filled out yet?
Does he a have history of being hurt?
How much has his skills improved from last year.
Does the player have the physical tools?
Does the player have a strong make up to play
in the major leagues.
About 10% of the HS players who play D1 College baseball.
About 10% of the players who play D1 College baseball will sign a MiLB contract.
About 10% of the players who sign a MiLB contract will play in the big leagues!
It may also help discussing the MLB Scouting 20-80 scale, and what that means. Many web sources available for that info. So will save that for another rainy day in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast.
cheers
Bear
postscript: And I am especially sensitive to soft throwing lefties, and who have the desire and make-up to get it done in the classroom, and on and off the field.
Original Post
