MUST SEE: The Scouting Game

[Parker Hageman]

The Chicago Cubs put together a wonderful Facebook video that visits their amateur scouting process -- starting from the backfields at high schools and showcases across the country. Per the description on the Cubs' Facebook page: 

 

"Years before a major leaguer steps into The Show, somewhere a scout visited him in a small town not many have heard of and started a relationship that goes beyond his stat lines. Get an in-depth look at that process from start to finish."

 

 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

 

It is a refreshingly open look behind the curtain. A few years ago, I pitched the Twins on a story that involved spending a day with a scout, just to detail what the day-to-day entails. I was told the front office at that time was not interested in the potential distraction*. Several years later, the Cubs managed to produce a wonderful piece on the unheralded members of the organization.

 

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/877276299026464773

 

The Twins have done a good job building their PR department to include people like Brace Hemmelgarn who captures a lot of what goes on on the inside of the game (and posts them at @TwinsPics), but it would be interesting to see some stuff on some of the minor league side of things, much like the Cubs produced. As teams more and more become masters of controlling the content, it would be nice to see more pieces like this. 

 

*I think Jeremy Nygaard can pretty much write that story now.