10-02-2009, 03:40 PM
No one hates stats. That is silly.
Stats can be used as a predictor to project what a player may become...granted. Scouts can look at a persons athletic ability and make judgments as to what type of player and what ability a player might have...granted. To be able <i>to</i> scout one must develop a sense of connoisseurship that only develops over many, many years and much time spent watching baseball and watching players perform. So to say that anyone can simply become a scout by knowing how to analyze stats is silly. We can develop a greater understanding of the game, but not just anyone can be qualified as a scout that is actually worth a damn without any actual baseball related experience. That doesn't mean you have to have played or coached, but you sure as hell have to invest more time than just looking at stats in your spare time.
As for being a better baseball analyst, that is completely different. Most of those guys don't know what the fuck they're talking about.
Stats can be used as a predictor to project what a player may become...granted. Scouts can look at a persons athletic ability and make judgments as to what type of player and what ability a player might have...granted. To be able <i>to</i> scout one must develop a sense of connoisseurship that only develops over many, many years and much time spent watching baseball and watching players perform. So to say that anyone can simply become a scout by knowing how to analyze stats is silly. We can develop a greater understanding of the game, but not just anyone can be qualified as a scout that is actually worth a damn without any actual baseball related experience. That doesn't mean you have to have played or coached, but you sure as hell have to invest more time than just looking at stats in your spare time.
As for being a better baseball analyst, that is completely different. Most of those guys don't know what the fuck they're talking about.
If Angelo had picked McClellin, I would have been expecting to hear by training camp that kid has stage 4 cancer, is actually 5'2" 142 lbs, is a chick who played in a 7 - 0 defensive scheme who only rotated in on downs which were 3 and 34 yds + so is not expecting to play a down in the NFL until the sex change is complete and she puts on another 100 lbs. + but this is Emery's first pick so he'll get a pass with a bit of questioning. - 1060Ivy