I am curious on some insights to swing mechanics, and common problems scouts mention on why they don’t like certain players swings, barring their front arm, loading, leaking etc… I know the basics but would appreciate some insights. Thanks John

I would love to hear what you think about guys drafted say after the 10th round who become stars. Particularly pitchers, what are things that might make a guy drop that low despite serious talent or what are things that can get a guy to stardom or just very solid status in the majors without having eye popping velocity, great stuff or great scouting reports/results at the time of the draft.

We, minorleague prospect fans, always know about the studs and fast-comers but every now and then, we run into a player who is a late-bloomer or just didn’t come up the ranks with much recognition, and somehow they prove everyone wrong and succeed in the majors. They happen just enough to confound experts and keep fans hanging on hope. I’ve always wondered if their success rate approaches the rate of supposed “Sure Things,” which we all know isn’t as sure as it might seem. I think their existence impacts the integrity of general scouting and analysis as being a crap shoot, so to speak.

Also, I think it might be just fun to see if there is some kind of pattern, or not.

about things that major league managers/execs/players tend to hold as gospel. i.e. lefties can’t hit lefties, bring in your closer for the ninth, take your starter out after 100 pitches, don’t jump a prospects innings more than X% each year. That would be really interesting to get your take on all of those kind of baseball “laws”.

What is he doing this minute right now?
What kind of cereal does he eat in the morning?
Hanes or Fruit of the Loom?
Does he wear that crazy eye black even when he is hanging out with his boys?
How much can he bench press?

OK, sorry. Got carried away.

What if you did a smack down review of the playoff managers careers?
Ron Washington vs. Joe Girardi
Bruce Bochy vs. Bobby Cox
Dusty Baker vs. Charlie Manuel
Gardenhire vs. Maddon

Did Joe Maddon play in majors?
Without looking, I am gonna guess that Dusty Baker had the best playing career?

Guyer, Brett Jackson or Tony Campana a vs of the three.

I know you had your Q and A. But I just had a quick question. Do you think 3rd could be possible position for Montero?

Ideas:
Tim Lincecum, Pablo Sandoval, Derek Lowe, Jayson Werth, Roy Oswalt, Bronson Arroyo, Joey Votto.

prospect retro

We looked at Borchering vs. Davidson
What about so-called mashers Goldschmidt, Wheeler, and Krauss?

It might be fun to rank a top 10 or 20 in the minors based on each skill/tool.

How do organizations teach catchers and pitchers how to call a game? Which ones are good at it? Which kinds of players are more likely to get good at it? How can you tell when they’ve gotten good at it?

John, I’ve really enjoyed these and your take. A couple to throw out to you:

Kipnis v. Ackley

Kimbrel v. Walden

M. Perez v. M. Banuelos

How about a review of Cain/Garza/Billingsley? They all turned out pretty well (and surprisingly similarly) and were all similarly ranked on prospect lists a few years ago.