Rebuilding the Scouting Department: Emphasizing Experience and Traditional Evaluation Over Analytics

"Rebuilding Baseball Scouting a Return to Gut Instincts and Field Expertise"

My memo-

The Good:

Traditional scouts with a proven eye for talent are the backbone of successful teams. These “good” scouts blend their experience, intuition, and knowledge of the game to find players with potential beyond the numbers. They evaluate everything from a player’s mechanics to their mental toughness.

The Bad:

“Bad” scouts lack the depth of baseball knowledge needed to properly assess talent. They over-rely on analytics, obsessing over stats like exit velocity or spin rate, often missing a player’s intangibles. Some may even push young players into signing minor league contracts for just a few hundred dollars instead of encouraging them to go to college, where they could better develop.

The Ugly:

The “ugly” scouts are those who shouldn’t be in the game at all. They consistently misjudge talent, offering low-ball contracts and leading players down dead-end paths. Instead of guiding athletes toward better opportunities, like college ball, they prioritize quantity over quality, harming both the players and the organization. These scouts are out of touch, and many should be let go to make room for those who can contribute meaningfully.

• I have seen firsthand the garbage in Scouting, and I am not adding numbers, the Director of Scouting knows who are the good, the bad, and ugly in its organization.
• HOW MANY REALLY GOOD BASEBALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN MISSED BY BAD< UGLY< AND ASSOCIATE SCOUTS THAT COULD HAVE MADE IT? WERE YOU THE ONE!

Baseball, a game deeply rooted in tradition, has undergone significant changes over the past few decades. The rise of analytics has transformed the way players are evaluated, with statistics like exit velocity, spin rate, and launch angle dominating scouting reports. While these data points provide useful insights, they have overshadowed the importance of experience, intuition, and traditional scouting methods that have built the Hall of Fame legends we admire today. As the baseball world leans more on computers and algorithms, it’s time to rethink how scouting departments operate and reintroduce the human element that has always been the backbone of the game.

?

For generations, scouts traveled to small towns and sandlots across the country, watching players who would go on to become baseball legends. These scouts didn’t have spreadsheets or algorithms. They had experience, knowledge, and an eye for talent honed by years of watching games, playing the sport, and living through the ups and downs of baseball. Today, that eye for talent is being drowned out by the flood of data. But when we look at the Hall of Famers—the players who defined baseball—none of them were evaluated using modern analytics. They were discovered by scouts who knew how to evaluate raw talent, potential, and character.

?

Bill James may have revolutionized baseball analytics with the introduction of Sabermetrics in 1980, but since then, only one team wins the World Series each year. If analytics were the magic formula, wouldn’t more teams find themselves on top year after year? Instead, it’s the teams with strong scouting departments, led by experienced baseball minds, that consistently build winning rosters. It’s time to rebuild the scouting department by refocusing on what matters: scouts who have played the game, understand its intricacies, and can see beyond the numbers.

?

The Role of the Scout: Experience Matters

The essence of scouting lies in the ability to assess a player's potential, not just their present performance. This involves watching countless hours of games, understanding mechanics, evaluating body language, and projecting how a player’s skills will translate at higher levels. Scouts with decades of experience have an instinct for these things, something no algorithm can replicate.

?

Scouting departments need to prioritize keeping experienced scouts and getting rid of the "dead wood"—those who show up to games but don't have the ability or knowledge to evaluate players effectively. These scouts need to be replaced by individuals who know the game inside and out, with high baseball IQs and the ability to see beyond the immediate numbers.

?

Encouraging College Over Early Signings

One of the troubling trends in modern scouting is offering small contracts, often between $500 and $1,000, to young players with raw talent. These signings do little to set players up for long-term success. Instead of encouraging these kids to sign early and enter professional baseball too soon, scouts should be guiding them toward college.

?

Going to college not only allows players to mature physically and mentally, but it also gives them a chance to play in high-level competition and receive an education, which can be invaluable for life after baseball. For many young players, college offers the best opportunity to develop their skills and build a foundation for success, both on and off the field. A good scout recognizes this and encourages the player to take that path, rather than pushing them into the pro ranks prematurely for a minimal signing bonus.

?

The 20/80 Scale: A Tried-and-True System

One of the key tools in traditional scouting is the 20/80 scale, a simple yet powerful way to evaluate a player’s abilities. On this scale, 50 represents an average major league player, while anything above or below reflects how much better or worse a player is in a specific area. Scouts use this scale to evaluate essential tools like hitting, power, running, fielding, and arm strength for position players, and fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, and command for pitchers.

?

For all the new metrics in today’s game, the 20/80 scale remains a reliable and effective method for assessing talent. It forces scouts to focus on the key elements of a player's game, allowing for a more holistic evaluation rather than being swayed by flashy numbers like exit velocity or spin rate.

?

Building a Better Scouting Department: The Right People in the Right Roles

To rebuild a successful scouting department, it’s essential to structure the team properly, ensuring that experienced individuals are in key roles.

?

1. Regional Supervisors

Regional Supervisors oversee scouting operations within a specific geographic region. These are veteran scouts with at least 15 years of experience, capable of evaluating talent across various levels. They serve as the liaison between the front office and the local scouts, ensuring that scouting reports align with the organization’s philosophies. They also maintain relationships with local coaches, players, and their families, gathering crucial information about a player's work ethic and character.

?

2. Cross-Checkers

Cross-Checkers play a crucial role in ensuring consistency across the scouting department. They act as the final layer of evaluation before a player is drafted or signed. With at least 10 years of advanced scouting experience, Cross-Checkers have mastered the 20/80 scale and can identify the intangibles that make a player special. They need to have strong instincts, the ability to project future talent, and the accountability to stand by their evaluations, even in the face of differing opinions.

?

3. Full-Time Scouts

Full-Time Scouts are the backbone of any scouting department. They’re on the road year-round, evaluating players in high schools, colleges, and international leagues. These scouts must have deep baseball knowledge, preferably as former players or coaches, and must be able to accurately assess a player’s potential using the 20/80 scale. Dedication is critical, as they spend long hours on the road, often in challenging conditions, gathering the information necessary to make informed decisions.

?

4. Part-Time Scouts

Part-Time Scouts are essential for covering more expansive areas or key events like tournaments. While they may not work full-time, their knowledge and ability to evaluate players quickly and effectively are crucial. Many part-time scouts are former players or coaches who bring a wealth of experience and connections to the table. They support the full-time scouts, ensuring that no player slips through the cracks.

?

5. High School and College Reporters

An often-overlooked resource, high school and college sports reporters can provide valuable insights into players who might not yet be on scouts’ radars. These reporters are on the front lines, watching games and reporting on standout performances. By maintaining strong relationships with these reporters, scouts can gather early information on players who could be future stars. Example Long Island Newsday covers all High School and College games on Long Island and do a geat job.

?

Moving Away from Buzzwords

In today’s baseball world, terms like “exit velocity” and “spin rate” dominate discussions. While these metrics have their place, they should not be the primary factors in evaluating a player’s talent. Many Hall of Famers—players like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax—were scouted without the help of analytics. They were identified by scouts who had a deep understanding of the game, not by numbers spit out by a computer.

?

Of the 378 players in the Hall of Fame, nearly all were evaluated using traditional scouting methods. These scouts didn’t care about spin rates or exit velocities. They cared about whether a player had the skills, instincts, and work ethic to succeed at the highest level. It’s time to return to that mindset, focusing on what truly makes a great baseball player.

?

Commissioner Rob Manfred: Time for Change

Baseball’s current commissioner, Rob Manfred, has introduced numerous changes to the game, many of which have been met with criticism from players, fans, and scouts alike. From the introduction of the automated strike zone to changes in the pace of play, these decisions have diluted the traditional aspects of baseball. What the game needs is leadership from someone who understands its history, its nuances, and the importance of preserving the sport’s integrity. The future of baseball depends on leaders who value the human element of the game and are committed to protecting its heritage.

?

My Bottom Line: Time for a Change

Rebuilding a scouting department that prioritizes experience and traditional evaluation over analytics is not just about finding better players—it’s about preserving the soul of baseball. The human element is what makes baseball great, and it’s what will keep the game alive for generations to come. By investing in experienced scouts who know how to evaluate talent, encouraging young players to go to college, and focusing on the key elements of player evaluation, baseball can return to its roots. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the game needs a change—a change driven by the people who know and love baseball the most.