reports both in terms of appearance and content. Most org. have their scouts file
very brief reports on all of the players they see, only elaborating on a player that
they like. A scout will generally cover a team for a week or so in order to get a
chance to see the entire rotation as well as the bullpen as well as get a handle on
the position players. Organizations vary in their scouting scale, most use the
standard 20-80 scale while some use a standard school grades, grading the
players A-F. Some teams will use two digit grades throughout their reports (45,
55 ect) while some will use single digits when ranking a players individual tools (4,
5 ect) and only use a double digit for their Overal Future Potential grade, more on
OFP later.
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The Scouting Scale: I use the standard 20-80 scouting system to grade players.
Something important to remember though is that these are all based on the abilities
of Major Leaguers. While a player may have a good arm for the level he is at he
may only recieve a grade of 50 (there is nothing wrong with an avg. grade). The
rankings are as follows.
80 Outstanding
70 Well Above Average
60 Above Average
50 Major League Average
40 Below Average
30 Well Below Average
20 Poor
I will often refer to a player as having a "big league arm" that can also be read as
having a 50 arm. A "plus arm" refers to a arm that has recieved a grade of 60.
"Plus Plus" would be a 70. 80 grades are reserved for the likes of Vladimir
Guerrero and Jose Guillen. If I refer to a tool as being "fringe" or "soft" that could
be seen as half way between two rankings (45, 55, ect.
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In my player rankings section of my reports a player recieves a grade for both his
present and future ability in each category. Some examples....
Hitting: While it is often helpful to look at minor league stats to get an idea of
how good of a hitter a player is, stats don't judge batspeed, strength ect. So this
chart is used as a guide only. More than anything it is for my future ranking
section. What kind of avg and power do I see this player hitting for at the big
league level providing he is able to get there. Naturally the offensive expectations
are different at each position so for example a player who has avg big league
offensive tools for a catcher but may not be able to stay there defensively, will
have a hard time hitting enough at a corner IF position. His bat "plays" behind the
plate but is no where near avg at the offensive orriented corner positions.
Hitting Ability Power (HR)
.300+ 80 35+ 80
.285-.299 70 27-34 70
.270-.284 60 20-26 60
.255-269 50 15-19 50
.240-254 40 10-14 40
.220-239 30 5-9 30
.219- 20 4- 20
Running Speed: Speed is typically evaluated with times down the 1B line. A
time is only as good as the effort the players gives so times aqcuired on a bunt
base hit or a player trying to leg out an IF hit tend to be the most accurate.
Right Side Left Side
4.0- 80 3.9- 80
4.1 70 4.0 70
4.2 60 4.1 60
4.3 50 4.2 50
4.4 40 4.3 40
4.5 30 4.4 30
4.6+ 20 4.5+ 20
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Pitching: The quality of a pitch is determined by a few things, command, sink,
movement but velocity also plays a very important part.
Fastball
96+ 80
94-95 70
92-93 60
89-91 50
86-88 40
83-85 30
82- 20
Average Curveball Velocity is 75-77.
Average Slider Velocity 82-84
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In the miscelaneous section of the reports you will see some sections that may
look unfamiliar.
Hitting: I describe the hitters offensive approach. Straight, Pull, Opposite Field
ect.
Next Year: What level I think the player is capable of playing at next year.
Interest: You can look at it as a mini OFP. At a quick glance you can get a
general idea of what kind of player you are looking at. Here is a rough outline.
Notice the absence of an 8 ranking, while a player may recieve an 8ï¿¿ for one of
his tools you won't ever see me turn in a prospect as an 8.
7 Star
6 Above Avg Big Leaguer
5 Avg Big Leaguer
4 Utility Player
3 Organizational Player
2 No Prospect
Tops: The top level I see the player reaching, A, AA, AAA, or ML.
Overall Evaluation: This is the same as an OFP for amatuer players. This is
what brings the entire report together, while it is determined by averaging a
players tools out, If I have a strong feeling either way on a player I can adjust it up
and down a few places if needed.
