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What scouts really look for?

CC CoCo = Clutch10+ posts
Nobody really knows me but i am a scout for the Montgomery Biscuits, a AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. I am going to let you amatuers in on a little secret about what us and the devil rays are looking for.
1. I want someone who will compete out there.
2. Were looking for someone who can hit a 420 foot bomb with a woody.
3. Pitchers who can bring the heat, if your not at 90 you should consider outfield.
4. Multiple pitches: 5 pitches is a must
Knuckleballs, cutters, sinkers, palmballs, screwballs are hot comodities and revolutionizing the game as we know it.
5. The look is as important, if you look like a ballplayer you are a ballplayer.
6. Understand the game, a home run is better than a sac bunt ANY DAY. The longball puts people in the seats.
7. Speed is an overated tool, instead of worrying about stealing bases, players just need to be on base so the hitters behind them can hit homeruns. For instance how do you think eckstein made the cardinals lineup. So pujols can hit a homerun behind him. Same with Johnny Gomes and Carl Crawford.

Thats all the time i have for now if you need more enlightenment comment back.
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FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
quote:
I am going to let you amatuers in on a little secret about what us and the devil rays are looking for.

Since I qualify as one of those amatuers I'll take you up on some of that enlightment you so graciously offered. Explain the different MILB and MLB scouting jobs. I don't understand what a Montgomery Biscuit scout's job is. Do you scout and sign players for the Montgomery Biscuits?
O OldDallas10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by CoCo = Clutch:
.... Tampa Bay Devil Rays.....
3. Pitchers who can bring the heat, if your not at 90 you should consider outfield.
4. Multiple pitches: 5 pitches is a must
Knuckleballs, cutters, sinkers, palmballs, screwballs are hot comodities...


Thanks for starting the topic. This is a good one. I did find a couple of items odd on your list. You talk about pitcher's velocity, but also about more exotic pitch types. Frequently at the H.S. age, the guys with the real arms haven't developed those exotic pitches yet. They haven't had to. My experience from scouts is they look for a pitcher with the right body type who throws hard with some deception, but throws with an "easy" motion. Someone with potential to develop. A good curve and sinker, etc. are good, but in reality I think lot of pro teams think they take a H.S. kid and help him develop some of tha other stuff. On the other hand, the kids body type, muscle fiber/quickness, etc. are what they are.
O OldDallas10+ posts
quote:

...7. Speed is an overated tool....

I agree that a pro team places a premium on power hitters. A truly great hitter doesn't need much else in the way of tools. However, few hitters are great everyday. Great pitching can always dominate so having speed is still a very good thing to help on defense or on the bases in a low scoring game when you are not hitting HR's. I heard one college coach (and ex-professional) say "speed never had a slump."
TrainTrain100+ posts
Here is what scouts have told me they want from a HS player to get drafted:

Pitchers: 90 plus FB, well developed slider/CB, change (important but they can teach that).

Hitters: POWER, front leg lock, swing and POWER. Switch hitting is always a plus.

I agree with other posts on SPEED. You cannot teach speed though you can work at it. SPEED can make you some extra $$ and make the difference between you and the other athletes being looked at.

Finally , ATTITUDE and MAKEUP, is so under rated. Teams are spending millions on draft choices some(most) never making it. Looking deep into a kids profile and looking into his size (parents size is looked at)and projecting where a scout visualizes this athelete will develop are all key factors. Concerning attitude, the love of the game. You can tell who is working at it and who is not. If you dont't think scouts are calling your summer teams, hitting coaches, watching you in pregame warm-up then your thought process may not be right for the game. Its the athlete that does the extra little things that get noticed but go unnoticed by many. Some scouts drive by your house to see if your doing any work at home on your own or seeing what your up to on your own time. Its a business and many dollars are being spent to select the right athlete.

One more thing, if injury was a past or current issue prepare your HS trainers for such phone calls cause it can cost your son $$$ on draft day.
Panther DadPanther Dad5,000+ posts
Cheapseats stole my thunder --- CoCo is describing a kid in his organization (if this thread is legit) --- Plano East's Wes Bankston. Wes was a HS outfielder, converted to 1B at AA last year, ready to spend 2006 in Durham (AAA) before being asked to learn 3B (back in Montgomery). A great kid with a bright future, possessing many of the attributes mentioned by CoCo. I can't wait to see him in the show.

Ok cheapseats -- I have a feeling I know you --- 'fess up in a private message. Smile
Last edited by Panther Dad
Old PitcherOld Pitcher1,000+ posts
quote:
Since I qualify as one of those amatuers I'll take you up on some of that enlightment you so graciously offered. Explain the different MILB and MLB scouting jobs. I don't understand what a Montgomery Biscuit scout's job is. Do you scout and sign players for the Montgomery Biscuits?


Fungo,

I think the no response thing from CoCo tells us a lot here. Looks to me like another one of those young IM'ers to me.
F FormerObserver1,000+ posts
I have known some reck mantalities. I have observed some reck mantalities. And, you sir, are a number 1 recked mantality, you must run an 8.3 sixty, be locked up in a car between the choo choo and the caboose, and have been voted off the island at least two or three times.

I was wrong about PantherDad and OP. They really don't approach this level of reck mantality.

Could you have possibly played for Coach ManTalley formerly (git it?) of Reckwall?

You know, OP, you are just one P short of being OPP?, somewhat of a reck mantality, himself.

Fungo, you should be careful about posting in unknown forums, reck mantality is extremely contagious, and can be contracted by posting on dirty keyboards covered with Cheetos, coffee, and other delicacies.

There is no prophylactic that can prevent you from being exposed to this kind of reck mantality.

The only solution is a reck mantality support group.

Maybe we should start a recked mantality support group.

Been at work all day and feel recked mantality, so I think I'm gonna go home and reck my mantality.

Have you recked your mantality today?

I can tell you that scouts do look for this type of reck mantality.

The reasons i left are accurate and true.
Last edited by FormerObserver
Old PitcherOld Pitcher1,000+ posts
quote:
4. Multiple pitches: 5 pitches is a must
Knuckleballs, cutters, sinkers, palmballs, screwballs are hot comodities and revolutionizing the game as we know it.


Hey CooCoo.....maybe you need to apply for a pitching spot.....I'm sure the D'Rays have some employment apps at the front office there in Mexico City........Did you work last Monday?
V Vance34100+ posts
COCO, ISN'T A SCOUT. Just in case you didn't already know that. But you guys played along very well.

Now you all know, maybe you don't, that there is NO such thing as a Double A scout.

There is however something called a pro scout who scouts only minor league games from AAA down to A ball. They scout for trades and rule 5 picks but do not scout HS and college players.

This was fun to read.
penjapenja10+ posts
Yeah, Area Code has studs. I think the true grit or the "nails in the clutch" needs to be viewed in big games or witnessed in the playoffs. IF you can throw 95-96 and put on a good show in Area Codes you will be watched. If I was a scout, I would want to see what the kid does during a crunch time. Does he handle the pressure? Can he throw strikes? 95-96 is truly amazing but if not thrown for stikes its worthless.
Last edited by penja
FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
Knowing my son, if he lasted 6 years in the Milb it would definitely be worth it. The $500K would be icing on the cake.

I have a hard time believing someone could last 6 years without throwing strikes, no matter how hard they threw.

Don't mean to argue but right or wrong, IMHO, velocity is the first tie-breaker, lol.
DC Diablo con Huevos500+ posts
If anyone thinks there are scouts out there that scout for a particular farm club... you are drinking too much or do not know enough about the scouting process...

and not many pitchers pitch at 95... and you don't need to... Maddux hasn't touched 90 in a game in 5 years (but in his bullpens he will hit 92-93) and he says he doesn't need to hit 93 in a game. The key is change of speeds.

Every 5mph is equal to a reaction time distance of 3 feet in the balls path - huge.

Besides everyone in the bigs can hit a ball that is traveling 95.
penjapenja10+ posts
quote:
have a hard time believing someone could last 6 years without throwing strikes, no matter how hard they threw


Ok maybe I need to clarify better. When I mean no strikes, I mean not consistent with strikes. Not being able to get the big strikes to control the game. Now the next question, if you spend 500k on a kid how long do you let him play? IMO, I drop 500k he can go years before I quit on him or maybe see if I can transform him into relief or a closer.

I agree with the above posts. This pitcher will half to learn to pitch. His veloicty may have gotten him the signing bonus but he will have to develop. 96-97 wont help him without a 2nd pitch to mix speeds. Any .150 major leaguer can hit a fastball if thats all he is seeing :P
penjapenja10+ posts
quote:
Maddux hasn't touched 90 in a game in 5 years (but in his bullpens he will hit 92-93) and he says he doesn't need to hit 93 in a game. The key is change of speeds.



That guy is just a master of the game. He is very precise and he moves the strike zone. lol We hated him here in Houston. Just made Stros look silly.
D Dtiger1,000+ posts
So here's the big question. Which would you rather have/be? The guy who throws 95+ but struggles with accuracy and can't develop another pitch or two, or the guy who throws 85-maybe 90 but has 4-5 pitches he can throw whenever, wherever? I guess it's the difference between potential, and ability at that time.

note: both pitchers have the same build and any other "x-factor"
FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
quote:
So here's the big question. Which would you rather have/be? The guy who throws 95+ but struggles with accuracy and can't develop another pitch or two, or the guy who throws 85-maybe 90 but has 4-5 pitches he can throw whenever, wherever? I guess it's the difference between potential, and ability at that time.

note: both pitchers have the same build and any other "x-factor"


I'm not a scout (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express in CA) but the first pitcher is going to get every opportunity to succeed and will be a top 5 round draft pick. The second pitcher may or may not even get drafted. BTW, my son is in the second pitcher category. Wink
D Dtiger1,000+ posts
FrankF-
I'd sadly have to agree with you. Will there ever be a day when results matter more than potential? I'm not saying the 6ft 6in 94mph pitcher who can throw it in the ocean shouldn't get looked at---he should, but a proven winner with solid stuff should get a chance. I definately fall into the second category (I don't even throw that hard), and all I'm asking for is a chance. We (non-overdominating pitchers) need to prove it if/when we get the chance.
Bighit15Bighit155,000+ posts
quote:
So here's the big question. Which would you rather have/be? The guy who throws 95+ but struggles with accuracy and can't develop another pitch or two, or the guy who throws 85-maybe 90 but has 4-5 pitches he can throw whenever, wherever? I guess it's the difference between potential, and ability at that time.

note: both pitchers have the same build and any other "x-factor"


I would rather be the 6'5" guy that throws 93, throws strikes, has a good change and nice breaking ball.

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