Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 7/10/2007

Question
HI, My name is Ethan Stetson and I am a 19yr old student at University Of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am working on a research project for IT class and my question for you is: "What is the set of criteria a scout uses to asess prospects for the outfield positions?"
As the research project is focussing on revealing the usefullness of e-mail as a research tool it would be ideal if you could send a reply directly to my address. Thanks for your help.
Regards, Ethan Stetson.

Answer
Ethan,

Sorry - I can't send you a direct email.  I don't have your address; All-Experts shields that information to protect your address.

Major league scouts rate all prospects on five 'tools.'  They are:

Foot speed and baserunning ability
Hitting for power
Hitting for contact
Arm strength
Fielding ability

The score given for anyone is in a range from 20 to 80, with 80 being the best anyone could be.

Each scout also has other criteria they use that are kind of hard to explain.  Basically, they know what a good player 'looks like.'  Sounds crazy, but that's the thing.

Finally, players are judged by their statistics.  However, these are highly dependent on the level of competition they face.  So they have to be filtered with that in mind.

Outfielders are no different from anyone else, it is just that foot speed and arm strength are more critical for their positions then some other positions on the field.

Hope this helps!

Brian