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Jalal Leach

Professional vs. Amateur Scout

Professional vs. Amateur Scout

Recently I was hired as a Professional scout for the World Champions New York Yankees. Some of you may be asking what is the difference between the Professional scout and the more visible Amateur scout.

To explain it the Professional scout primarily observes current professional players in organizations from their Big League Club to their Single “A” Club. For example, if I’m given the San Francisco Giants to cover I will have to spend time in San Francisco, Fresno, Richmond (Va.), San Jose and Augusta (Ga.). I will be responsible to write reports on every player on each of these clubs. The reports will be used if the Yankees are looking to make a trade and/or sign a free agent (from the prospective club).

To the counterpart the Amateur scout job is to scout High School and College players to be recommended for the Annual June Draft.

With that said these are the 5-tools that position players are graded as an Amateurs and Professional players:

*Run *Throw *Hit *Field *Power

And to be more specific here are the tools by importance at each position:

C: Field, Throw, Hit, Power, Run
1B: Hit, Power, Field, Throw, Run
2B: Field, Hit, Power, Run, Throw
SS: Field, Throw, Hit, Run, Power
3B: Hit, Power, Field, Throw, Run
LF: Hit, Power, Field, Run, Throw
CF: Field, Run, Hit, Throw, Power
RF: Hit, Power, Field, Throw, Run

I believe once a position player reaches HS and beyond he really needs to start focusing on the “tools” he has and really hone-in on playing the proper position(s). Thus the better “tools score” a player receives will make him more attractive to Clubs. (Hence a high draft-pick)

Also players need to be aware of few other grading tools done by Scouts, typically baseball measures foot-speed with the 60 yd. dash and a good time is sub 7.0 seconds. In addition a good Catcher’s POP time is sub 2.0 seconds. (POP time is from when the catcher receives the ball and throws it to the middle infielder covering 2B.)

Over the next few months I will explain “intangibles” all players need as well as what scouts look for in pitching prospects.

Until next time.

“Leachy”

Jalal Leach
CEO Baseball Mentoring Program
Professional Scout New York Yankees

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Josh Tyler Comment by Josh Tyler on February 9, 2010 at 3:52pm
Congrats Leachy
pw Comment by pw on January 4, 2010 at 4:22pm
What Scouts Are Looking For

http://www.angelfire.com/vt/prospectwatch/index3.html
Michael Comment by Michael on January 4, 2010 at 12:47pm
Remember that sometimes a organization will tailor to its own needs as well. Things that you should consider as most important are as follows:
Hit (if you can hit they will find you a place at any level)
Run (speed can only be built up so much, this is always the first thing done in a pro camp)
Fielding (this is infield specific)
Power (this can developed over time)
Throw
Warren Fishback Comment by Warren Fishback on January 3, 2010 at 10:45pm
How does a player know a amateur scout is checking them out? I've received an invite to join a (Jan.games)scout team from NorCal and I'm in SoCal...how could I possibly do that with school workouts? But, can't help but get that feeling I'm missing out.
Ruben--Love the Yankees--any advice for high school players? I'm a Sr./thirdbaseman and my little bro. is a Freshman/catcher(1.95 pop)
MLPO.ORG Comment by MLPO.ORG on January 2, 2010 at 9:01pm
Congratulations! Let me know if you find some great ones! www.mlpo.org
cancunbaseball@hotmail.com Comment by cancunbaseball@hotmail.com on January 2, 2010 at 6:27pm
Thanks for the info Leachy!

I recall that coaches and scouts would talk about my instincts and work ethic before the Yankees drafted me.
Would that fall into the "intangible" category? By the way, I was drafted as a 3B with projection to be a catcher.

Happy 2010 and grettings from Cancun, Mexico!,

Ruben Mancilla
Henry Cepeda Comment by Henry Cepeda on January 2, 2010 at 2:17pm
Jalal my height is 5'7 I play second base with my height what a scout would look for for my height??
ANDREW SPARKS Comment by ANDREW SPARKS on January 2, 2010 at 9:48am
I want to stay involved with baseball even if I don't make it .Baseball is my life. What is the average yearly pay a scout would make?

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