ECU SKILLS CAMP

Hey redbird, I was wondering from what you saw from d-man do you think he has the potential to play at the college level he is only a junior and is working hard on his footwook and arm strength and he does have a good bat?

 

Although scouts watch all players they seem to have a specific interest in a particular position. I suspect it's because they played that position. I sat with a pro guy at a pro style workout. I knew he was a "catcher" scout because he seemed to pay closer attention and would make specific comments during their workouts. I noticed he never used his stopwatch for POP times. I thought it was strange and asked him about it. He shared some of the same thoughts that gkg did. He said he didn't need a time to see if a player had a strong arm or a quick release. He was concentrating on their footwork and receiving abilities.

That's not to say the pop times are not a good tool to measure. However, in his mind, he didn't need it and didn't place much importance to it.

 

Braves,

I agree. But most want times to quantify what they have seen. I understand you can watch a kid and know he can play. I guess Coach Godwin and Coach Stevens wanted the times to distinguish between prospects.

 

Absolutely agree here. When I am scouting one of the first things I am looking at are feet and arm strength. I don't need a watch to do that for any other position. It is like having size or speed. If you don't have it, we can work to improve what you have, but even with the best worker, you are coming in with limitations. If you do have the raw talents, then the possibility exists to teach you how to better use those talents.

I know this is leading us off your topic of catcher evaluation, but what is far more important in the game than pop times with the catcher is the total time from beginning of delivery to second base. If we face a catcher that is excellent (sub 2.0 with a strong/accurate arm) and the pitcher takes 1.5+ to the plate=Green light. Conversely 1.1 to the plate and 2.1 pop maybe only our top runners go. The difference in .2 is 4-6 feet, which goes a long way between safe and out.

 

I understand..I really do. It's like pitcher's velo. They need something to separate from the rest.

 

I do the same when I am looking at IFs.