How to Scout Baseball Players

Evaluating baseball players is a wide-ranging process. There are obvious qualities that scouts observe, such as fielding, hitting, running and throwing, elements that relate directly to the game. But close attention is also paid to more subtle aspects of the game as well as how a player carries himself on the field. These observations are not just exclusive to scouts. Fans of the game can gain a greater appreciation for a player's overall qualities by closely monitoring his approach at the plate, in the field and away from the action.

Things You'll Need

  • Radar gun
  • Stopwatch
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Instructions

  1. Pitching

    • 1

      Pregame warm-ups are the perfect time to take notes, particularly on a pitcher. Stand by the bullpen and observe his routine. It's a great time to analyze his delivery and make note of his overall pregame preparation.

    • 2

      When the game begins, continue to pay close attention to his delivery, but also note his sequence of pitches and the velocity on them. Scouts observe how pitchers work batters, what pitches they like to throw in certain counts and how well they locate their pitches relative to the strike zone. And they use a radar gun to track the speed of the pitches.

    • 3

      Once a batter gets on first base, this is the time to observe how comfortable a pitcher is working from the stretch, the common stance used to make a quicker delivery to the plate to deter the runner from trying to steal. Also, watch the pitcher's pickoff move, which occurs when the pitcher throws to first in an attempt to catch the runner off the bag.

    • 4

      As much as the speed on his fastball and bend on his curveball are important to note, so too is how a pitcher carries himself on the mound when times get tough. Observe how a pitcher reacts after giving up a couple of hits or a home run. Note whether he remains composed or begins to unravel. Scouts like pitchers who operate with passion but not at the expense of their performance.

    Hitting

    • 5

      When evaluating hitters, a number of key points are worth watching. See if the hitter can make good contact on any pitch he sees or whether he struggles to connect on certain pitches, such as a changeup or curveball. Enough can't be said to stress the importance of observing a hitter's overall conduct at the plate.

    • 6

      Pay close attention to the hitter's tendencies. Power hitters often tend to pull the ball, meaning right-handed batters turn on pitches and hit them to left field and left-handed hitters do the same, only to right field. Contact hitters are the players who can hit a ball to all fields and show superior bat control.

    • 7

      Once the hitter makes contact and puts a ball in play, it's time to gauge his speed. Use a stopwatch to see how quickly the runner gets to first base. Note whether the player hustles out of the batter's box on contact, no matter the result of the play. Scouts admire players who hustle and make things happen.

    • 8

      It's tough to make an assessment on a hitter based on a single at-bat. So intently monitor a player throughout the course of a game, seeing if his approach varies in different situations from one at-bat to the next.

    Defense

    • 9

      When it comes to fielding, scouts particularly take note of range. Range is the amount of distance a fielder can cover in terms of getting to a ball and making a defensive play. For infielders, it entails their ability to go left or right to field a ground ball. For outfielders, range involves how much ground they can cover and how quickly they can do it to catch a fly ball.

    • 10

      Another key defensive area that is analyzed is a fielder's arm strength. Scouts want to see if shortstops and third basemen can make the long throws from the left side and do it with pace on the throw. Catchers are judged on how fast they can receive a pitch and make a throw to second in an attempt to throw out a runner trying to steal. And outfielders are rated on how strong and accurate their throws are to second, third and home in an effort to throw out base runners.

    • 11

      Watch for the players who go the extra yard to make a defensive play. The infielder who dives to grab a ground ball and fires a throw to first to get a runner out by a couple of steps or the outfielder who races to make the diving catch tends to see his stock rise for the hustle exhibited.