High School Stars to Professional Prospects – The Journey and the Hurdles

My memo-

" I have never told a young player you will not get drafted, I have told many to head to college and play and improve your skills"

When it comes to the world of baseball scouting, the perception often swings wildly between admiration for the talent spotters and criticism of their judgment. Although every player who goes unsigned might feel overlooked, there are usually legitimate reasons why they weren’t offered a contract. While scouts do make mistakes, clear-cut reasons typically exist when a player is not considered a prospect. My memo will delve into the intricacies of baseball scouting, the evaluation process, the famous 20/80 scale, and why sometimes, even great high school or college players don’t make the cut.

The Role of Baseball Scouts

Baseball scouts play a crucial role in identifying and evaluating talent at various levels of the sport. Their responsibilities include:

Talent Identification: Scouts travel extensively to observe amateur players in high school, college, and international leagues.

Performance Evaluation: They assess players' abilities based on various metrics and tools, including batting, pitching, fielding, and base running.

Projection: Scouts must project how a player's skills will develop over time and how they will translate to the professional level.

Despite their expertise, the job of a scout is fraught with uncertainties and subjectivity. Scouts must balance statistical data with intangible qualities such as a player's mental makeup, work ethic, and potential for growth.

The 20/80 Scale

A key tool in a scout's arsenal is the 20/80 scale, a standardized method for evaluating players' skills. Each aspect of a player's abilities is rated on this scale, where:

20-30: Well below average

40: Below average

50: Average

60: Above average

70-80: Well above average

Scouts rate players on various tools, including hitting, power, running, arm strength, and fielding. To be considered a top prospect, a player generally needs to score above average in multiple categories. For example, a player with a 60-grade power and a 70-grade arm is likely to draw significant attention.

Why Good Players Go Unnoticed

Despite the rigorous evaluation process, some talented high school and college players go unsigned. Several factors can contribute to this:

Physical Limitations: Professional baseball requires a certain level of physicality. Players who do not meet the height, weight, or speed benchmarks might be overlooked despite their performance at lower levels.

Tools and Skillset: Players might excel in certain areas but lack the well-rounded skills necessary for professional play. For example, a great hitter who cannot field or run might not be considered a viable prospect.

Projection and Potential: Scouts must project a player's future performance. A player dominating in high school might not have the same impact against tougher competition. Scouts look for players with growth potential.

Injury History: A player with a history of injuries might be considered a risk, affecting their chances of being signed.

Competition Level: Players performing in weaker leagues or against subpar competition might not be evaluated as highly as those competing at higher levels.

Scouting Misjudgments

Scouts are not infallible, and there are numerous examples of players who were overlooked but later succeeded. Famous cases include:

Mike Piazza: Drafted in the 62nd round, Piazza went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Scouts missed his potential due to his initial lack of standout skills.

Albert Pujols: Drafted in the 13th round, Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of his generation. Scouts questioned his athleticism and defensive capabilities.

The Complexity of Scouting

Scouting is as much an art as it is a science. While tools like the 20/80 scale provide a framework, the human element of scouting introduces variability. A scout’s intuition, experience, and even biases can influence their evaluations. Additionally, external factors such as organizational needs, draft strategies, and financial considerations also play a role.

Tidbits on Scouting

Having worked with baseball teams and been involved in the scouting process, here are some insights:

Intangibles Matter: Mental toughness, leadership, and the ability to handle failure are crucial. Scouts often spend time talking to coaches, teammates, and even family members to gauge a player's character.

Adapting to Trends: Scouting evolves with the game. The emphasis on analytics has changed how scouts evaluate players. Tools like exit velocity, spin rate, and launch angle are now integral to player assessment. Personally not a fan of Analytics.

The Grind: Scouting is a demanding job. Scouts spend countless hours traveling, watching games, and writing reports. The life of a scout involves significant sacrifice and dedication.

Biases and Blind Spots: Despite their best efforts, scouts can be influenced by biases. Favoring certain schools, regions, or player types can lead to overlooking talent.

My Bottom Line-

Baseball scouting is a complex and challenging profession. While scouts are experts in their field, they are not immune to errors. Many factors influence whether a player is signed, and not all of them are within the scout's control. The 20/80 scale provides a structured approach to evaluation, but the human element ensures that scouting remains as unpredictable as the game itself. For unsigned players, it’s important to understand that the journey to professional baseball is filled with hurdles, and even the best scouts don’t always have all the answers.

The answer I always give to the high school player is the best answer, go on to college and play for a good division one program, and work on your degree. When you’re a junior then you will know if you will sign or not, but you gave it your best, and now you have a college degree.

Remember these three words- GO TO COLLEGE!!!!