Back In The Area

Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington

(sorry, I couldn't resist )

 

Granted, NCBBallfan, that is where very strong baseball programs are(might I add the Greenville area), but there just might be a few "sleepers" in some smaller towns.

 

mlb--I know you did this for us when we began this board, but we have grown quite a bit and have a lot of new posters.

Can you take us through in general terms what your work is like during the seasons...winter, spring, summer etc...How long have you been a scout? What is your position with the Devil Rays (perhaps break down regional, crosschecker etc...)
What other organizations have you been with? Who has been your most successful signee to date?

Just a few questions

 

ok NCBBF, i left it wide open........i'm talking schools, high schools, colleges, jucos, etc.......i'm gonna take in a lot of games this spring (western nc high schools, uncc, app, wcu, etc.....) and i would like to know who the sleepers are.........talk to us mlb

 

Braves....I'll give it a shot.

Winter....this is the time I usually try to talk with coaches and get schedules for the coming spring. It is also a time to attend clinics and coaches association meetings. And....it's the time of year to catch up on personal stuff.

Spring is go, go,go. Travel, games, reports, adjusting schedules......this is the most hectic part of the year. This is the time when you firm up your decisions on the players you want, and get ready to submit your final prospect list.

Summer....the draft is over, hopefully you get all your players signed, and you start your professional coverage ( scouting other clubs minor league teams). Also, this is the time to attend showcases, hold tryouts, see legion and AAU games, and watch some summer college wood bat leagues.

Fall in the Carolinas is filled with college scout days. This gives us an opportunity to get an early look at next springs college players. Also, there is usually always a fall HS tournament to see on the weekends.

I've been scouting since 1997. I started as an Associate Scout with the Reds, moved on to the Tigers in 1999 in the same capacity, was hired by Tampa Bay as a Part Time Scout in 2001, and was made a full time Scouting Supervisor in 2003. Prior to scouting, I had coached for 22 years.

My first "official" signees were this past year. A 7th rounder ( Fernando Perez of Columbia U in NY....CF who runs a 6.24 60 ), a 22nd round RHP ( Ryan Bitter of Siena College in NY....had a good 1st season with 28.1 IP, 17H, 3 BB, 37K, and an ERA of 0.95), and a 39th round LHP ( Drew Bigda of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.....has an 89-92FB and limited pitching experience...did well in Princeton, WV and was moved up at the end of season to Hudson Valley). They all had good first years and I wouldn't want to say one was better than the others.

 

Whoah......now that's fast

sounds like you had a great year. Tampa has received a lot of respect for their young players ( gotta move Steinbrenner out of Tampa ), but surprisingly the Tigers have done a great job with their young players.

What have you found to be the differences in the organizations that you have been with?

 

MLBScout... please check your pm's

I can't tell if one I just sent went out.
Please let me know if you received it and if there are 2 duplicates I apologize.
And if you didn't get it, I'll try again.
Thanks

 

Ted...I don't have much of a feel for the college/JUCO ranks yet, been concentrating on HS. Personally (for what little it's worth), I've got 7 guys in the state coming out of HS that I believe could be a draft pick. Once you get down into the late rounds where isn't any appreciable bonus, you may get some surprises, but I'm talking about guys who, legitimately, could have their name called on Day #1. Being on any list, at this point doesn't take into consideration any "signability". If a player lets it be known that he's going to the college of his dreams and his commitment to his future education is very strong, he may be considered unsignable and not drafted (i.e. ... Daniel Bard back in 2003) even though the Yankees did use a 20th round pick on him. Daniel wasn't a finished product coming out of HS and could have serious bouts of wildness (I saw him hit 4 batters in one game) but he projected so well and he sure has a lively arm.

A lot of this is based on hunch-work. Unless he is exceptional (93+ with movement and the makings of some other plus pitch), you can pretty much rule out any 5'11-6'0 RHP. Quality Lefties can be a bit smaller. Some of the guys on my list are there based on future potential above their current performance. I have 5 pitchers and 2 position players with Maybin being a "given" as the top in the state.

Remember, nothing changes more during the last year of HS than RHP's. They seem to come out of the wood-work. Jumps in velocity are common as they mature and fill out. The current "draft board" for HS RHP's has to be pretty cloudy right about now.

My SWAG (Scientific Wild A**ed Guesses)
Cameron Maybin: Maybe the top guy in the nation.
Dexter Carter: 6'6" RHP. Slender. Projects well. Mid-upper 80's usually.
TJ Worrell: 6'5" RHP. Coming off an injury, Lively arm. 90+ as a soph.
Zack Rosenbaum: 6'5" RHP. Just beginning to fill out. Can pop 93. Good movement
Jeremy Synan: Pro-build in a LHH. Looks very promising in the IF
Drew Taylor: LHP. High 80's FB with flashes of other pitches. 6'1"
Nic Conaway: 6'1" RHP. Velocity is a bit up/down and his outings can range from mid-80's to lower-90's. Want more consistency or he may slip to day #2
Garrett Gore: The hitter you want, pro body, great arm.

Guys who may catch some eyes this spring:
Josh Dowdy, Bradley Holt, Garrett Sherrill, Greg Miclat, Wes Williams, Kyle Mussleman, Tyler Leech, Matt Holt, Adam Warren, Jonathan Ratledge, Garrett Bullock. I have another 16 guys on my "dreaming" list who have a chance.

Tyler Leech & Garrett Bullock may break into the top list as RHP if they continue to progress with their size (both are 6'3")

Position players are so difficult, because it's really hard to tell if they will hit once they make the jump from HS ball. You can look at speed & arm objectively, but the projectability about being able to hit Pro pitching is very subjective. It's much easier to project a position player coming out of college. If you do find a hitter, it's nice if they have a position at the next level too, making them a more attractive package.

Now ... with all that being said, I see (maybe) 4 guys actually having their name called on Day #1 from NC.

 

Maybe 4 is about correct NCBBall, I guess we all have long wish lists....i know i sure do..
Now there might be a couple of eligible college kids drafted i'm sure of....

 

There will be a lot more coming out of the college ranks in NC, but Day #1 from HS won't be a big day. From alot of people around the country, I keep hearing the same thing ... it's a very good year for College-type players coming out of NC ... Pro-type is much more limited (unless some of those RHP's jump up and surprise someone)....