What scouts look for in high school and college pitchers

It's summer, which means pro tryout camps are just getting underway. But not all pitchers are evaluated the same way. Baseball scouts will be looking for different things if they are observing a high school pitcher verses a college pitcher.

That's because a high school pitcher does not need to be as polished as a college pitcher.  The scout is looking for "potential," meaning, what he may have to offer 6 or 7 years down the road. A college pitcher does not have this luxury. His time is running out and he needs to be more polished.

If a scout is scouting a high school pitcher he is looking for some key things: desire, size, injury free, and, probably most of all, a live arm that can produce a 90 mph fastball for a right hander or 87 mph for a left-hander.

Desire is important because he will be away from his family and friends, most likely for the first time. Organizations do not want to spend a lot of time and money on a player who will not have the mental toughness to make it to the next level. Size matters because bigger pitchers usually have more stamina, more power, and is less injury prone -- according to the decisionmakers in most baseball organizations. Injury free, because this will be a high risk pick. Moreover, a live explosive arm, it is harder to teach a good fastball than it is for breaking balls.

A college pitcher needs to be more polished for a scout to consider.  A college pitcher must have all what the high school pitcher has plus a few other intangibles.  Like control in and out, not just for strikes.  Also, movement on the fastball and a good out pitch.  Meaning a pitch that can be devastating.  A change, splitter, slider, whatever.  A pitch that is especially hard to hit on 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

What scouts look for:

High school pitching

1. Desire    
2. 6'2" or better                   
3. 90 mph fastball (87 mph for a lefty)
4. Smooth delivery
5. Injury free
6. Ability to throw strikes 

College pitching

1. All what a high school pitcher possess plus...
2. Mental toughness
3. Movement on fastball
4. Good 2 strike breaking ball or change
5. Better control, ability to move the ball in and out
6. Ability to throw breaking balls for strikes behind in the count

Do you have what it takes to go pro?

Comments

[bewildered]

Why you think scouts think height matters so much with pitchers. I mean take a look at the japenese pitchers and if I remember right I think they took the whole thing this year. Can you please explain how they win with such small pitchers in their pitching lineup. MLB
scouts should take a look at this and wake up.