What do college coaches look for as well as scouts? What’s the difference?

When evaluating players, all scouts and coaches look for ‘future potential’. We try to determine if a player has reached his full potential or if there is more he is capable of. First and foremost we see body types, athleticism and raw tools that we feel can be developed into better skills that will perform at the next level. For instance, an outfielder may have a very strong arm yet take a long time to release the ball. In college or the pros, the speed of the runner forces that player to unload quicker. Another example is the hitter who shows power but has a long swing. The faster pitching forces a change in the swing and a demand for an increased skill level. The tool is there but, the skill to perform consistently must be developed.

The difference between college and pros is that colleges need players to perform on the field quicker. They need players who can come in and contribute to the program right away or within a year. The pros are looking further down the road and trying to determine what a player will be capable of when he is 23-25 years old. It all starts with a quick assessment of the tools a player has now, how much that player will grow stronger and faster, and the current skill level that will help that player compete right away.

Back