Scouting Thoughts By Kevin Burrell After 35 years of professional baseball scouting and 45 years in the game professionally, I’ve come away with a few thoughts and observations about evaluating baseball players and scouting. • There is no perfect scout. • Every scout has strengths and weaknesses. Lean into your strengths. • Red Sox Hall of Fame scout George Digby was famous for saying: “If you believe a player can hit, and you believe in the bat, don’t walk away from him just because his other tools don’t grade out. Player development coaches and instructors will figure out where to play him on the field.” • No one scout has all the answers. Over the years, I’ve learned: “If you think you’re the smartest scout in the room, go find another room.” • As an area scouting supervisor, it’s important to stay in your lane. You’re paid to do the best job you can in knowing your area. Know who the prospects are—and who they aren’t. That’s your responsibility, among many others. • Your opinion matters. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. • Respectfully disagree if needed. • You’re going to fail. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s inevitable. Think progress never perfection. • The reduction to 20 draft rounds has changed the landscape of scouting in many ways. That’s a much longer discussion than this thread allows. • Being organized as a scout is vital. The job is about much more than driving up and down the interstates and “winging it” every day. Be organized. Be Prepared. Plan don’t wing it. • When you’re asked about a player, keep it simple. Simple is good. * Do you like the player? * Where do you like the player? * What is his makeup? His character? * Is he a winner? A competitor? * What is his Major League role? * Is he healthy? * Will he sign? • I see more scouts today walking away from players they like because their system processes are overloaded. That’s counterproductive. • Remember the KISS principle: Keep. It. Simple. Stupid. • Here’s the reality: At the end of the day, no one is going to ask “how” you got the player. They’re just going to ask “did” you get the player. • You know you’re growing and developing as a scout when you can confidently walk away from a player another scout might consider a prospect. That’s a healthy place to be. Why? • Because saying [no] is just as valuable to your team and organization as saying [yes]. • It’s the owners money, steward it like it’s your own. • Stick to your convictions. Don’t waffle. Don’t waver. Mixed signals create uncertainty for decision-makers. • Never stop learning!