Reusse: Evolution of Scouting

[Seth Stohs]

Reusse: Evolution of scouting is not lost on the Twins | StarTribune.com

 

Interesting column by Mr. Reusse on scouting. Interesting story about the Twins first round pick in 1979, during the Calvin Griffith era, and how that compares to now.

[Riverbrian]

If I were the owner...

 

I would make sure that the scouting department had the best scouts in the country period.

 

I would pay them ridiculous money to attract the best and retain the best.

 

If Team X has the biggest scouting budget in baseball. I would double that figure and still not make a dent in payroll because of player salaries.

 

I would use metrics to determine success rate.

 

If teams started to spend more on scouting in response... I'd continue to spend more.

 

17 scouts averaging (what) $30,000 a year. You could increase the crap out of this and it won't cost you a MLB bullpen arm. $30,000 in average salary and they are finding the players who are paid multi millions.

 

Scouting would certainly become a top priority for me as owner.

[Seth Stohs]

17 scouts averaging (what) $30,000 a year. You could increase the crap out of this and it won't cost you a MLB bullpen arm. $30,000 in average salary and they are finding the players who are paid multi millions.

 

Scouting would certainly become a top priority for me as owner.

 

I agree with most of your thoughts... The metrics would be hard because it's easy to evaluate the guys they sign, but it's equally important to point out which players a scout said the Twins shouldn't go after, or the guys that they really pushed for but didn't get.

 

Also, if those 17 are only making $30,000, that would be the saddest thing I've ever heard. If they aren't making at least 150% more than that, I would be disappointed.

[Riverbrian]

I agree with most of your thoughts... The metrics would be hard because it's easy to evaluate the guys they sign, but it's equally important to point out which players a scout said the Twins shouldn't go after, or the guys that they really pushed for but didn't get.

 

Also, if those 17 are only making $30,000, that would be the saddest thing I've ever heard. If they aren't making at least 150% more than that, I would be disappointed.

 

I agree... Metrics are always hard but an organization needs a way to identify and reward the best of the ilk.

 

I admit I don't know the average salary of scouts. 30 grand is a number that has stuck with me because I remember that figure from something I read maybe 5 years ago.

 

Things may have improved since then but I think they are still underpaid and the quality of scouts is something that should be competed for.

[Kobs]

Not really anything of substance to take from this. The only thing that could have been is the amount of influence the regional scout has on the 4th overall pick.

[Seth Stohs]

As he should, since he's the one that has seen him the most. He's the one that gets the national cross-checkers to come see them, and finally the GM and the scouting director.