When could you tell he was a prospect?

MNMom - This is an interesting question. I have known several kids who have been drafted. While I think most of those were standouts when they were younger - there are many other standouts who were not ever drafted.

I've seen a lot of kids that were great when they were young, but other kids "catch up" to them. As well as just the opposite. For the most part though, the mental make up of the kids are what has set them apart. "Mental tools" as you called them. I think you can see this somewhat in kids that make it to the college level, but those kids that eventually get drafted have a work ethic and drive that's just different. Some kids loose this as they grow older, but for some the fire just burns even more deeply. That is probably what your husband saw in RHPmom's son.

Only one I ever saw at a young age (12-15) that I knew was special was Andrew McCutcheon.

Best young player I ever saw in my life.

He was a first round draft pick (I think #11 in the first round) in this year's draft.

And a wonderful young man with a great family - as well.

After Baseball America referred to him as one ...

FutureBack.Mom,

I LOVE your new Avatar! Congratulations to AJ . . .
We're movin' on up . . . to the west side . . .

I first felt he was a pro prospect when he was 3 years old in 1987. I was teaching him how to bat and he whizzed a whiffle ball past my ear and drove it 42 feet over the fence in the back yard....my feeling was confirmed seventeen years later on June 7, 2005 when he was taken in the pro draft.

One kid amont the others run faster, when throwing the ball he has more strengh, he is one of the smarters, and follow instructions from the coach without hessitation. There you have a future prospect, a piece of rock that with time and pulishment will become a diammond.

I have seen several young ball players that have made it to Top tier DI programs and above. What I think seperates them from the "pack" has nothing to do with physical ability, it is all between the ears.

When you look at 12-14 year old boys, the ones that have matured faster are usually among the best players, but that says very little about their future whenever the rest of the boys catch up to them.

But look for the kids that take the game very seriously, yet still have a love for the game. I saw a 12yo kid 2 years ago, one of the best hitters that I have seen at that age. After every single pitch, no matter the situation, he would take one step back, turn, and do absolutely nothing until he was given the go ahead from the coach. I later talked to his coach, and he said in the 2 years that he had coached him, he had NEVER told him to do anything but swing away, but this same coach told me he had never seen such respect for the game.

That is what makes someone strive to be a winner

This is our list of Alumni for the America/Japan Goodwill Series since 1983. 40% of the players who played in this Goodwill Series, have reach the Major Leagues including Delmon Young at age 13 in the Area Code Games. Brother Dimitri at age 15 in Korea.

Rob Ritchie, Tigers 1983
Brad Brink, Phillies 1983
Alex Sanchez, Blue Jays 1983-84
Matt Williams, Giants 1983
Greg Jefferies, Phillies 1984
John Wetteland, Rangers 1984
Paul McCellan, Giants 1984
Brian Keyser, White Sox 1984
Fernando Vina, Brewers 1987
Greg Pirkl, Mariners 1987 Mike Kelly, Mets 1987
Marty Cordova, Blue Jays 1987
Donnie Osborne, Cardinals 1987
James Mouton, Padres 1987
Jim Edmonds, Cardinals 1987
Tim Laker, Pirates 1987
Ed Giovanola, Padres 1987
Erik Plankenberg, Devil Rays 1987
Tyler Houston, Indians 1988
Jim Converse, Royals 1988
Todd Steverson, Padres 1988
David McCarthy, Red Sox 1988
Bo Dodson, Red Sox 1988
Chris Prichett, Phillies 1988
Mike Lieberthal, Phillies 1989
Dimitri Young, Tigers 1989-90
Kurt Miller, Cubs 1989
Micah Franklin, Cubs 1989
Nick Johnson, Nationals 1989
Ryan McGuire, Mets 1989-90
Adam Melhouse. A’s 1990
Antonne Williamson, Brewers 1990
Tim Kubinski, A’s 1990
Jacob Cruz, Rockies 1990
Benji Gill, Angels 1990
Dante Powell, Cardinals 1991
Jason Kendall, A’s 1991
Nomar Garciaparra, Cubs 1991
H. Matsui, Yankees 1991
Chan Ho Park, Rangers 1991
Geoff Jenkins, Brewers 1991
Derrek Lee, Cubs 1992
Torii Hunter, Twins 1992
Mark Redman, Pirates 1992
Mickey Callaway, Angels 1992
Buddy Carlyle, Padres 1992
Jeff D’Amico, A’s 1992
David Lamb, Mets 1992
Chad Hermansen, Pirates 1994
Randy Knoor, Phillies 1994
Eric Valent, Mets 1994
Ryan Mills, Twins 1994
Steve Colyer, Dodgers 1994
Dave Coggin, Phillies 1994
Nick Johnson, Expos 1994
Charles Alley, Orioles 1994
Eric Chavez, A’s 1994
Jason Marquis, Cards 1995
Joey Dillon, Marlins 1996
Jayson Werth, Dodgers 1996
Matt Wise, Brewers 1996
Jason Young , Rockies 1996
Nick Bierbrodt, Diamondbacks 1996
Aaron Miles, Rockies 1996
Bud Smith, Cards 1996
Nick Garcia, Mets 1996
Jeff Phelps, Nationals, 1996
Cesar Crespo, Padres 1996
Aaron Hill, Blue Jays 1998
Shane Costa, Royals 1998
Connor Jackson, Diamondbacks 1998
Sergio Santos, Diamondbacks 1999
David Espinosa, Reds 1999
Corey Smith, Indians 1999
Jason Kubal, Twins 1999
Abe Alvarez, Red Sox 1999
Adrian Gonzalez, Rangers 1999
Adam LaRoche, Braves 1996-97-98
Jermey Bonderman, Tigers 1999
Carlos Quenton, Diamondbacks 1999
Delmon Young, Tampa Bay 1998-2002
Jason Vargas, Marlins 2000
Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay 2000

Yes, we could predict on 90%, but not everyone. Too many variables, including the decisions and philosophy of the ML teams.
One of my favorite is H. Matsui [Yankees[ 1991-92 for the Japan National Team. He played in the 1992 Goodwill Series against Torri Hunter and Derek Lee.

Bob Williams

I'm starting to think my oldest might be now that he's almost finished Rookie Ball.