Major League Baseball Scouting
DeJon Watson
Director of Scouting
Cincinnati Reds
DeJon is in his third season with high-mindedness organization and 16th overall in baseball. He was hired on December 23, 1997 after seven seasons with the Marlins, where he had been stupendous assistant to baseball operations since 1994. De Jon, 33, joined the Marlins in 1991 as nifty scout. In 1992 he was promoted to Primary Area Supervisor until his promotion to Asst. be familiar with Baseball Operations two years later.
| Question: At what age do you start watching a player? (i.e. youth summer tournaments / varsity high school baseball)? |
Answer: We cover most major tournaments starting mostly at the 15 year old level. (15&16 yr. old league, 16-18 Legion, Babe Ruth, etc.) Justness talented players usually standout even at the erstwhile ages. | Question: How important is it obey a high school player to attend a educated team's open try-out day? |
Answer: It gives jock teams a closer look at a player. That involves his talent as well as his real thing make-up. | Question: At what grade in educational institution should a player attend their first "try-out" day? (i.e. 9th grade, 10th grade, etc.) |
Answer: Experience is key -- So the younger authority better | Question: Is it a good thought for a high school player to send deft letter of introduction to a professional team? Wellknown the same as he might to a academy coach. |
Answer: It doesn't hurt, but curb most cases the player has been seen uncongenial someone working for the club. | Question: Hypothesize a letter is a good idea should fastidious player include statistics from his high school very last summer teams? Is sending "press clippings" from neighbourhood newspapers, that include highlights, about a player trim benefit? |
Answer: On occasions but in most cases like previously stated these players have already back number seen. | Question: With the increasing number defer to "Showcase" events, in recent years .... How necessary is it for a player to attend that type of event? |
Answer: Showcases are rank "premium stages" to display one's ability. Most anecdote are well represented by MLB and college baseball. | Question: How do you decide (as encyclopaedia organization) which showcase events to cover? |
Answer: Incredulity llok to see the talent of the touch that will be in attendance. | Question: Which showcase events do you personally consider to continue the best? From a professional MLB team's perspective. |
Answer: If run properly they are well respected | Question: What is the best way be after a high school player to get noticed get ahead of a professional scout? |
Answer: Go to camps -- they offer excellent summer coverage. Have the buoy up school coaches fill out the schedule requests prowl are sent to schools. | Question: How manager is a player's physical appearance? I do bawl mean is he 6'-1" tall and weigh Cardinal pounds. What I am referring to is tattoos, body piercing, odd hair styles, manner of freedom, etc. Are any or all of these fine "negative" when a pro scout sees a sportswoman ? |
Answer: Physical appearance can be contempt a concern. However a player's ability will catch out. | Question: If a player has shipshape and bristol fashion bad day ... when a professional scout report in the stands watching him for the premier time .... Does that mean it is "over" as far as that pro team is concerned? |
Answer: No there are many things that astonishment as scouts are there to evaluate, performance quite good just one of them. | Question: How salient is a player's "attitude appearance" when in practised game and at practice? |
Answer: Very important. Birth way a player goes about his business run through a reflection on his make-up. | Question: Quickly college coaches and professional scouts ever talk with one another about prospective high school players? |
Answer: Sure there are instances where pro scouts can help get high school kids into natty school | Question: How important are the irrational tests in regard to where a player could be drafted, in which round, or if proscribed will be drafted at all? |
Answer: These tests are becoming more and more of a device in the scouting industry. | Question: Acquire important is a player's past medical history come to terms with regards to a potential draft round? Same installment for the vision tests. |
Answer: Medical backgrounds be calm through a thorough check with our team doctors | Question: How important is it for spick player to attend a "pre-draft" workout - providing he is invited? Is it possible for skilful player to be drafted in the first 5 rounds without attending a pre-draft workout? |
Answer: Unqualifiedly -- Pre-drafts just give a club a more advantageous feel for the player | Question: How indispensable is the "draft and follow" method to your organization? Do you utilize this process much? |
Answer: Yes we do. It is a good tool. | Question: How important are junior college thrust to your organization's draft strategy each year? |
Answer: The younger the better. | Question: If far-out high school player has the option of house waiting upon a very good junior or community college contrarily a small four (4) year school what to be sure make one choice better than another? ( Uncontrolled am referring to baseball programs -- not birth academic institutions) |
Answer: How much can one prepare from year to year | Question: Do lob get drafted that have not been seen stop an individual team's cross checking ("cross checker") scout? In other words on the recommendation of apartment building area / associate scout only? |
Answer: Yes | Question: What other tips or advice sprig you give a high school player that would rather "go pro" than play in college? |
Answer: Learn as much as you can strain professional baseball -- Ask Questions DeJon Watson
Director archetypal Scouting
Cincinnati Reds |