Scouting

There are many different things that play a factor in scouting players for the pros. Each scout or organization is different in what they are looking for. Some things that all scouts and organizations are looking for are strength, speed, agility, attitude, size, and character.

Some organizations use a scale called the 20/80 scale. I don't know why they don't just have a 100 scale. That makes more sense to me but they don't do it that way. Anyway, in the twenty - eighty scale, the twenty is the low end of the scale and 80 is the high end. The scouts will rate the player on the 20/80 as they are now and how they project in the future. Therefore, there will be two numbers. For example if a scout thinks you have a 60 out of 80 arm strength but you are young and projects you to be a 70 out of 80 in the future, then you would have a 60/70 out of 80 for arm strength. The second number shows what you are projected to rate on the scale.

There are 5 tools that scouts tend to grade using this scale. The 5 tools are:

1) Hitting for Power
2) Hitting for Average
3) Arm Strength
4) Speed
5) Fielding

You may have heard someone say "oh, he's a 5 tool player". That means he rates high, if not highest, in all 5 areas. Five tool players are not always the hall of famers though. Why? Well, because there is a lot more to baseball than the physical aspect.

Consistency plays a part, as well as, the mental game, attitude, composure, and character. These are not physical tools so they are a little harder for a scout to grade or judge. Don't be fooled though. Scouts do their homework and will find out what kind of guy you are before they even think about signing you. They will ask your coaches or people in the stands. A lot of teams now-a-days have phsycology tests that they give to the players just to see what kind of person they are. Scouts also talk to current coaches, friends, family, oher scouts, agents, or pretty much anybody who will tell them a little bit about you as a person. They can tell some of this by just watching you on the field too, by the way you carry yourself and interact with teammates. There is always someone watching so be your best. You don't want to blow any opportunities that could present itself.