,

Scouting Report Framework

,

Each major league club has their own unique composition of their scouting reports. Below I will detail my own unique blend of tool names, descriptions and emphases on both the hitting and pitching side. 

INTRO

The following will be universal header categories, fairly self-explanatory:

  • Player Name
  • Position(s) Seen
  • Age, Height, Weight
  • Handedness (Bats/Throws)
  • Current Org & Level

DESCRIPTIONS

The follow are categories pertaining to the context of the player's tools, but not the tools themselves. These are not graded on a 20-80 scale, but rather are used to describe the package that the player's tools are delivered in.

Universal

  • Background: Player's brief history
  • Makeup: Any personality/style/etc garnered from both network and observation of practices, games, etc. 
  • Physical: What he looks like
  • Athleticism: How the player moves, body control, strength, etc. More separated from the act of pitching/hitting.

Pitchers: 

  • Delivery: What the pitcher's body is doing. I personally like to work from the ground up, so where his feet are, what his legs/hips are doing, then shoulders then arm/hand/head at release.
  • Arm Action: Specifically what the pitcher's arm is doing to get to the release point.
  • Deception: How does the pitcher's arm action and delivery translate to the batter's comfort in facing him.

Position Players:

  • Setup/Stance: How the batter situates himself in the box and how he prepares his bat for the pitch.
  • Swing/Bat Path/Plane: How the batter manipulates the barrel into and through the zone.

TOOLS AND SKILLS

Pitchers:

  • Pitches: Fastball, Slider, Curveball, Changeup Screwball, Cutter, etc.
    • Velocity: Low, High, Average, and if it plays up or down (subjective evaluation of how deception and spin/life plays, usually on Fastballs)
    • Movement: How the pitch breaks, runs, cuts, etc.
    • Use: Factors in command and the value of the pitch itself with respect to that individual pitcher.
    • Grade: 20-80 scale. Grading the overall package of the pitch including its command. A 95 mph fastball that is straight and telegraphed and doesn't miss bats is not an above average fastball in my eyes. This is different from scouting convention. I'm factoring command/use into each individual pitch's value.
  • Pitchability/Feel: How the pitcher navigates a lineup, how he sequences his pitches to different types of batters. This is a sort of summation of the use categories from each pitch. Relates to how the pitcher approaches RH and LH hitters too.
  • Control: 20-80 Scale. How the pitcher is able to harness the package of his delivery, arm action and pitches and his ability to get his pitches into the zone and into specific locations.

Position Players

  • Hit: 20-80 Scale. Will describe the batters approach at the plate, ability to read spin, ability to adjust his swing in the moment, etc. Melds into plate discipline a bit, but will grade separately.
  • Plate Discipline: 20-80 Scale. Patience of the batter. Will describe any nuance of areas or pitches struggled with. 
  • Power Frequency: 20-80 Scale. How often the batter gets to his raw power in game situations and with each swing.
  • Raw Power: 20-80 Scale. How hard the ball comes off the bat on a perfect swing. What is the physical ceiling of the batter.
  • Fielding: 20-80 Scale. Includes both skills with the glove and footwork in the field. Factors in intuition and instinct when it comes to taking routes to the ball in the field as well.
  • Range: 20-80 Scale. How the player's speed, instincts and footwork translate to a defensible area of the field.
  • Arm: 20-80 Scale. Strength and accuracy both factored into one score. Relative to position. A good 1B arm is not the same as a good RF arm, but will be graded relative to the demands of the position.
  • Running: 20-80 Scale. Includes times to 1B, how quickly the batter gets out of the box, awareness and instincts on the base paths, skills in reads and slides.

SUMMARY

This will be an area to summarize what the player is now and what I think he will be. This includes future positions for batters or starter/reliever for pitchers. I'll then put a final Role Grade on the player.

  • Role Grades
    • 1
      • Player who should not stay in the minors. Some players are both without potential and actively hurt their team in the minors and make those around them worse. This is for players like that.
    • 2
      • Organizational player, provides depth in a minor league system but has no use at the ML level.
    • 3
      • Up/Down emergency replacement type player. Has enough of a particular skill to help a team for a period of time but would not provide enough value to stay on a healthy championship-caliber roster.
        • 2017 Example: Charlie Culberson
    • 4
      • Position Player
        • Utility/Role/Bench Player. Most platoon bats will be considered Role 4 players, but nothing is set in stone. 
        • 2017 Example: Yangervis Solarte
      • Starting Pitcher
        • #5 or #6 starter that could bounce between long relief and starting when needed. Might only have one or two of durability, swing/miss stuff, control and consistency. 
        • 2017 Example: Jason Hammel
      • Relief Pitcher
        • Bullpen arm with a specific role. Not an 8th or 9th inning caliber reliever, but has a place in a ML bullpen. 
        • 2017 Example: Joe Blanton
    • 5
      • Position Player
        • Everyday player. Provides a steady balance of production that warrants a spot on the lineup and on the field every day for a championship caliber team. Note: Outstanding Platoon bats may also apply here.
        • 2017 Example: Joe Panik
      • Relief Pitcher
        • Dominant arm capable of late inning appearances. Similar to position player, needs to be useable in most situations. Role 5 relievers are guys who could close for a team if needed, but are a slight level below. Might be dominant but slightly erratic or have excellent control but limited stuff.
        • 2017 Example: Brad Ziegler
      • Starting Pitcher
        • #3/#4 starter in a championship caliber rotation. Has some combination of durability, swing/miss stuff, control and consistency.
        • 2017 Example: Jake Odorizzi
    • 6
      • Position Player
        • Above Average everyday player at his position, occasional/frequent all-star.
        • 2017 Example: Wil Myers
      • Relief Pitcher
        • Above average closing-caliber reliever. Has dominance + control to be trusted in any situation against any batter.
        • 2017 Example: 
      • Starting Pitcher
        • #2/#3 Starter. Can work deep into games and work through a lineup multiple times through the order. Has dominance and control to both RH and LHHs but is on a slightly lower level of consistency and dominance from an ace.
        • 2017 Example: Chris Archer
    • 7
      • Position Player
        • One of the best in the majors at his position. Considered amongst elite level player.
        • 2017 Example: Nolan Arenado
      • Relief Pitcher
        • One of the best in the majors. Shutdown reliever who shows no cracks or weaknesses. 
        • 2017 Example: Kenley Jansen
      • Starting Pitcher
        • True #1 SP, Ace. Expected to go deep into every game and give up few, if any, runs. 
        • 2017 Example: Max Scherzer
    • 8
      • Position Player/Relief Pitcher/Starter
        • Generational talent. True Hall of Fame caliber level player. Best at his position and a standout player amongst the generation.
        • 2017 Example: Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw

 

Derek O'Hara