Pleskoff: How scouts use formulas to evaluate tools

A player’s attitude or “makeup” is a crucial component of the evaluation process. Scouts try to determine if a player will bring energy, commitment, willingness to be a team player, a history of good citizenship and a love of the game to the team. Negative aspects of a player’s history can often deter the team from either signing or trading for the player. Attitude and energy for the game often separate winning organizations from those that go through the motions.

When attending a Major League or Minor League game, look behind home plate and there will be a scout with a radar gun, stopwatch and clipboard learning everything possible about a player. Without question, the player will become the subject of a written report for review and scrutiny by the scout’s front office. In reality, there’s much more than meets the eye. The player’s “tool box” will be evaluated and then evaluated again and again.

Articulating one’s true feelings in writing and/or verbally in an honest and concise manner is crucial to the player, the scout and the team. That’s the ultimate challenge for the scout. It isn’t easy.

Thanks to Edgar.