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Primer: Scouting the Fastball
In many respects, scouting a pitcher’s fastball is one of the more linear processes in this fine art. When looking at pure fastball velocity, there is a generally accepted correlation to the 20-80...
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Primer: Scouting the Breaking Ball
Good breaking balls can make for entertaining highlights. They can make hitters look silly, whether they are bailing out of the way, flailing wildly at a pitch far from the strike zone, or standing...
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Primer: Scouting the Change-up
The art of pitching is often mentioned when discussing pitchers. A big part of that art – along with location and pitch sequence – is the change-up. For all the oohs and aahs drawn from a filthy...
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Primer: Scouting Command and Control
I’ve spent a few thousand words talking about the value of a fastball or a change-up, and how to evaluate and project them to identify a prospect. That’s all well and good, but when you boil things...
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Scouting Primer: Hitting Ability
Hitting ability is the absolute foundation of a young offensive prospect. Without a projectable ability to hit a player can have all the raw power in the world or all the speed you can imagine, and...
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Scouting Primer: Power
As Greg Maddux once said in a television commercial, “Chicks dig the long ball.” Power is the sexiest of the tools in a position player’s belt. It is also one of the tools that fans dream on the most...
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Scouting Primer: Arm Strength
A little change of plans from this week’s “The Lineup” as I am pressed for time during the holiday weekend; too much eating and time spent with family. As a result, instead of a lengthy post on...
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Scouting Primer: Defense
This will be the final piece in the Scouting Primer series, so let me button up with a large piece discussing the elements of scouting defense around the diamond. Scouting defense is an elaborate...
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The Way Ahead at BPN
The Way Ahead at BPN As I am sure you have all noticed, my writing has been a bit sparse over the last few weeks. With a newborn baby girl in the house, everything has been a little crazy and writing...
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Scouting Report: Austin Meadows (OF)
BLUF: Easy first round pick and potential middle of the order batting average and power threat. The Player: Austin Meadows (OF, Grayson High School) – One of the country’s elite high school players....
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Scouting Report: Jonathan Gray (RHP)
BLUF: Raw power right-handed starter with dominating frontline potential. The Player: Jonathan Gray (RHP, University of Oklahoma) – Started his college career at Eastern Oklahoma State College before...
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Scouting Report: Clint Frazier (OF)
BLUF: Top player in the draft has elite raw power and plenty of other tools. The Player: Clint Frazier (OF, Loganville High School) – Hit .424 with 24 home runs, 55 runs scored, 58 RBI, 14 steals and...
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Scouting Report: Kohl Stewart (RHP)
BLUF: Crude pitcher with very nice raw tools and a huge risk profile. The Player: Kohl Stewart (RHP, St. Pius X High School) – One of the elite quarterback recruits in the country, Stewart has...
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Scouting Report: Kris Bryant (3B/OF)
BLUF: Best college position player in the draft with middle-of-the-order potential and good polish. The Player: Kris Bryant (3B/OF, San Diego) – Turned down the Blue Jays as an 18th round pick in 2010,...
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Scouting Report: Colin Moran (3B)
BLUF: Quality hitter but lots of questions about the power and the glove. The Player: Colin Moran (3B, North Carolina) – Hit .335 as a freshman on campus, earning multiple Freshman of the Year and...
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Scouting Report: Trey Ball (LHP)
BLUF: Strong two-way player with far more potential on the mound. The Player: Trey Ball (LHP, New Castle (IN) High School) – A known commodity on the showcase circuit for the last two years, Ball is...
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Scouting Report: Reese McGuire (C)
BLUF: Top catcher in the draft with an advanced defensive profile and some offensive promise. The Player: Reese McGuire (C, Kentwood HS) – Showcase warrior the last two years and hit .388 as a junior,...
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2013 MLB Draft Top 35 Prospects
THIS IS NOT A MOCK DRAFT. I repeat, this is not a mock draft. These rankings represent my personal draft board of the top talents in the 2013 MLB Draft. This draft board has been developed through my...
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