The First Impression: Daily Newsletter 12/100
What Coaches and Scouts Look For
Every time you step on the mound with a college coach or pro scout watching, everything you do is under scrutiny. Some aspects carry more weight than others, but every coach has a mental framework for evaluating players. While some are more output-oriented and others more input-focused, the key evaluation points remain largely the same. Understanding these key areas and how to refine them can be the difference between standing out or blending into the crowd.
Velocity:
Velocity is the first thing that catches a scout's eye. It isn’t just about your peak velocity—it’s about your velocity floor, how long you can sustain your velocity, and whether you maintain it deep into outings. If your fastball plays at the next level, it’s the first box checked. Consistency is key; it’s not just about hitting a high number on the radar gun but being able to maintain that level deep into games. A pitcher who throws 95 mph but loses significant velocity by the fourth inning may not be as appealing as a pitcher who sits at 92-94 mph throughout an entire outing. Durability and endurance factor heavily into this evaluation.
Overall Control:
Command matters. Can you consistently fill up the zone? Where are your misses? Do you leave the ball over the heart of the plate, or are your misses just off the black? Your ability to land offspeed pitches for strikes or keep them just outside the zone is another key factor. Having velocity with no command is a major red flag. Scouts also look at how you adapt during a game. Do you make adjustments after missing your spots, or do you continue to struggle? Control is more than just throwing strikes—it’s about executing quality pitches in the right situations.
Bodily Build & Projection:
Physicality plays a huge role in projection. Scouts assess your height, muscularity, and whether there’s room for further development. Are you maxed out physically, or is there more in the tank? If you’re out of shape, it raises questions about work ethic—an immediate red flag. Some pitchers are late bloomers, and scouts will try to gauge whether you have the potential to add muscle mass, improve athleticism, or refine your movement patterns. It’s not just about being big; it’s about having an athletic frame that translates into performance and longevity.
Mechanics:
How do you generate velocity? Are your mechanics smooth or clunky? If your delivery is clean and repeatable, it bodes well for command and longevity. If it’s rigid or inefficient, scouts will wonder whether it’s limiting your potential or leading to durability concerns. Good mechanics also play into deception—do hitters pick up the ball easily out of your hand, or do you create late movement that makes your pitches tougher to track? Repeated, efficient movement patterns allow for better consistency in release point and pitch execution.
Fastball Shape:
Velocity matters, but fastball shape can make or break you. A 95-mph fastball with no life is a very different pitch than one with ride or sink. How do hitters react to your fastball? If they swing under it consistently, that’s a great sign. If they square it up despite velocity, there’s work to be done. Vertical movement, horizontal movement, and how the ball plays relative to your arm slot are all crucial. Some pitchers naturally generate ride due to arm angle, while others create natural arm-side run. Understanding your own fastball characteristics and optimizing them is key.
Offspeed Shapes:
Can you manipulate the baseball? Do you have a hard breaking ball with minimal movement, or can you create different shapes with your offspeed? The ability to generate distinct movement profiles between pitches is what separates elite arms. Spin efficiency and how you create movement are key factors in long-term success. Some pitchers rely on big-breaking sliders, while others use sharper cutters or deep-diving curve-balls. The best pitchers not only have quality off speed pitches but know when and how to use them effectively.
Advanced Command:
Beyond basic control, advanced command means setting up hitters effectively. Can you expand the zone when ahead? Do you simply aim middle and hope for the best, or are you strategically working east-west and north-south? Pitcha-bility is often the separator at higher levels. The ability to read swings, adjust sequences, and disrupt timing makes a pitcher more valuable than just raw stuff. Pitchers who can mix speeds, attack weaknesses, and keep hitters off balance have much higher ceilings.
Mental Makeup and Competitiveness:
Scouts don’t just evaluate physical tools—they assess how you handle adversity. Do you crumble after giving up a home run, or do you battle back? The best pitchers have an edge, a level of competitiveness that sets them apart. Body language, demeanor, and ability to maintain focus are key indicators of mental toughness. Coaches and scouts want players who can handle pressure, lead a staff, and stay composed in big moments.
Scouts are looking for pitchers who can check multiple boxes, but first impressions matter. If you have elite velocity but no command, there’s intrigue but also hesitation. If you have pitch-ability but no velocity, there’s a ceiling. The best prospects combine multiple elements, showing not just present ability but future projection. The ability to refine and develop is what ultimately determines who rises through the ranks and who stalls out. Those who embrace growth, adjust, and consistently improve will be the ones making an impact at the next level.
Conclusion:
It is important to know a few things: Different scouts and evaluators will take this list and have it in different priority levels, and some will or won't care entirely about certain things on this list. You can also entirely reorganize this list based solely on how good you are at a certain facet of the game. However, as an athlete is it important to know what you are being judged by, as not knowing is going to lead to frustration and poor results.
John
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