11-19-2009, 06:27 PM
"baseball players" vs. "athletes" is part of the fantasy created by Moneball. Makes sense as you read it, but does not really stand up to deeper thought.
1. The conclusion that baseball skill is seperate from athletisism because many 5 tool prospects don't make it, and the occasional short fat guy is a star. What makes baseball skills unique, is practicing them, but in general, it is atributes: agility, quickness, strength, speed, vision, coordination. Most people do not put in the time to develope major leauge skills, if the do not have basic athletic ability. In college, Adam Dunn was a quarterback, fast, and considered a great athlete.
2. Scouts like good athletes that can't hit. It is not like Corey Patterson had a .300 OBP in high school. If you are being scouted, you are probably a great hitter. Out of all these great hitters, the scouts pick who they think can make the majors. All things being equal, you are going to pick a guy with the ability to play up the middle. Most guys do not make the majors, but if you are a DH on your high school team, it is even less likely.
First you throw out tools, then you can throw out scouts, then a kid at home with a computer knows as much about baseball as the GM of his favorite team. Bingo. Best seller. Just because the book is about a 5 tool player that did not make it, tools are the basics of baseball skill. Tools should always be considered when scouting and drafting.
1. The conclusion that baseball skill is seperate from athletisism because many 5 tool prospects don't make it, and the occasional short fat guy is a star. What makes baseball skills unique, is practicing them, but in general, it is atributes: agility, quickness, strength, speed, vision, coordination. Most people do not put in the time to develope major leauge skills, if the do not have basic athletic ability. In college, Adam Dunn was a quarterback, fast, and considered a great athlete.
2. Scouts like good athletes that can't hit. It is not like Corey Patterson had a .300 OBP in high school. If you are being scouted, you are probably a great hitter. Out of all these great hitters, the scouts pick who they think can make the majors. All things being equal, you are going to pick a guy with the ability to play up the middle. Most guys do not make the majors, but if you are a DH on your high school team, it is even less likely.
First you throw out tools, then you can throw out scouts, then a kid at home with a computer knows as much about baseball as the GM of his favorite team. Bingo. Best seller. Just because the book is about a 5 tool player that did not make it, tools are the basics of baseball skill. Tools should always be considered when scouting and drafting.
I like you guys a lot.