•  Scouting is not a science. Scouting is subjective & individual scouting opinions will vary of each athlete.
•  Scouts always target athletes because they typically develop into better baseball players than non athletes.
•  Position players require minimum standard of position-specific physical ability (Tools) to play professional baseball.
•  Players that grade “above average” for all tools are referred to as "5-tool players."

Arm-Strength

•  Athlete must demonstrate proper throwing mechanics, with fluid throwing motion.
•  Average professional baseball player has “5-arm" that allows throw to have carry.
•  Arm strength evaluated during pre-game infield & outfield practice.
•  Arm strength grades important for determining where players will fit defensively in professional baseball. 
•  Professional baseball players with below average arms compensate with quick release. 

Speed

•  Speed is the tool that never slumps.
•  Speed differentiates players & is required for success in professional baseball. 
•  Speed provides defensive & offensive advantage on field.
•  Players lacking power must score runs or take away runs with speed.
•  All baseball players, whether born with or without speed, can improve speed.

    Timed 60-Yard

•  Scouts evaluate speed by timing the 60-yard dash.
•  Goal is 7.0 seconds or less, based on position-specific tools emphasis.
•  
•     8:    6.4 seconds
•     7:    6.5 to 6.6 seconds
•     6:    6.7 to 6.8 seconds
•     5:    6.9 to 7.0 seconds
•     4:    7.1 to 7.2 seconds
•     3:    7.3 to 7.4 seconds
•     2:    7.5 seconds +
•  
•  Above-Average:     Less than 6.7 seconds
•  Average:               6.7 to 7.0 seconds.
•  Below-Average:      More than 7.0 seconds.                               

    Timed Home to 1st Base

•  Timing hitters from home to 1st Base is a reliable speed indicator, but running times out of batter's box are affected by hitters swing.
•  Start watch on contact & stop when hitter's foot hits 1st Base. 
•  Left handed hitters are step closer to 1st base & times are graded 1/10th second quicker. 

    Grading Right Handed Hitters:

•     8:    4.0 seconds
•     7:    4.1 seconds
•     6:    4.2 seconds
•     5:    4.3 seconds
•     4:    4.4 seconds
•     3:    4.5 seconds
•     2:    4.6 seconds
•  
•  Above-Average:     3.81 to 4.1sec.                                       
•  Average:              4.2 to 4.3 sec.                        
•  Below-Average:    4.4 seconds to 4.5 sec.                                       

    Grading Left Handed Hitters:

•     8:    3.9 seconds
•     7:    4.0 seconds
•     6:    4.1 seconds
•     5:    4.2 seconds
•     4:    4.3 seconds
•     3:    4.4 seconds
•     2:    4.5 seconds
•  
•  Above-Average:     3.71 to 4.0 sec.
•  Average:              4.1 to 4.2 sec.
•  Below-Average:    4.3 to 4.4 sec.

    Timing Base-Steaers (Average Times)

•  Pitcher Release to Home                           1.3 sec.
•  Catcher Release to 2nd Base                     1.8 to 2.0 sec.
•  Pitcher / Catcher Release                          3.3 sec.
•  50 / 50 Chance Baserunner                        3.2 to 3.3 sec.
•  Carl Crawford Avg. 1st to 2nd Base            3.0 to 3.1 sec.

Bat  (Hitting Ability)

•  The outcome of at-bats does not determine prospect status.
•  Scouts watch hands during stride.  Don’t drop or raise hands, hands should go back during stride.  Minimize unnecessary movement.
•  Scouts watch stride.  Don’t lunge forward, weight should remain centered & slightly back with stride.
•  Projecting hitting ability at professional level is difficult due to amateur pitching & aluminum bats.
•  Scouts don’t know if you will hit at major-league level until you get there.

    Professional Baseball Hitting Requirements:

•  Lack of fear.
•  Bat Speed (velocity at which bat travels through hitting zone) is required to generate quick & powerful swing.
•  Hand / Eye Coordination.
•  Ability to handle pressure.
•  Relaxed & Balanced Stance.          
•  Knowledge of strike zone.
•  Aggressive, but controlled approach (not swinging at everything).
•  Ability to consistently hit ball hard.
•  Ability to turn on fastball on inside part of plate.
•  Ability to hit breaking pitches & off-speed pitches.             
•  Ability to hit to all fields.
•  Ability to make adjustments in batters box.

    Grading Hitting / Projecting Batting Average:

•     8:    .330
•     7:    .300 to .329
•     6:    .285 to .289
•     5:    .270 to .284
•     4:    .240 to .269
•     3:    .220 to .239
•     2:    .000 to .219

Power  (Hitting for Power)

•  Bat speed (velocity at which bat travels through hitting zone) is required to generate power.
•  Projecting future power at professional level difficult due to aluminum bats, which increase bat speed & power.
•  Most high school home run hitters with aluminum bats become warning track hitters with wood bats.
•  You should take batting practice with wood bat whenever possible.

     Grading Power / Projecting Home Runs:

•     8:    45 Plus
•     7:    35 to 44
•     6:    26 to 34    
•     5:    15 to 25
•     4:    10 to 14
•     3:    5 to 9
•     2:    0 to 4

Fielding-Ability

•  Fielding is “tool” that can improve the most with practice.  If you have stiff hands, you can relax your hands and arms & change glove angle.
•  Smooth & Coordinated Actions.
•  Quick Feet for multi-directional movements allow you to get into fielding position & adjust body for bad hops.
•  Quick Hands allow you to field bad hops.
•  Soft Hands allow you to field ball smoothly & in center of glove.
•  Range (amount of ground covered).
•  Body in front of ball & backside down.
•  Arms & hands out in front of your body.
•  Catch baseball with both hands.
•  Instincts for positioning, anticipation & reaction to balls off bat.