You Could Look It Up: ... (06/18)
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June 18, 2010 BP PodcastBP Podcast Episode 5: "Projection and Dreaming"You know, maybe this thing was just meant to be two hours long, and based on the responses we've receive via email and twitter, it doesn't seem to be an issue with our wonderful listeners. This week's episode has an international feel and contains a long and downright fascinating talk with Tom Gillespie of MLB International on the progress that has been made when it comes to growing baseball in Europe, and the equally tough challenge of scouting players over there that are still relatively new to the game. It was as interesting to listen back to during the editing process as it was when we recorded it, and we think you will really enjoy it. On a lighter note, we talk to Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News about Copa Mundial, our own Tommy Bennett comes in to talk about the National League East, and before the guests show up, there's a long discussion about minor leaguers with 70+ tools. As always, we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy doing it, and thanks for listening. Note: We do alert you to the presence of the occasional adult language. Don't say we didn't warn you. Up And In Episode 5: "Projection and Dreaming"
Download Here (123.5 MB: 133:28) Contact Information
Email Us: podcast@baseballprospectus.com Table Of Contents 0:00 Intro: Agenda review; Mexico's big win 3:30 Housekeeping: We love people; Jason's handsome degree 4:30 Email: A lack of evolution; Not a hipster (a Texan); John Cusack vs. Wes Anderson; Best Texas cities 14:31 Actually talking about baseball: Stephen Strasburg's second start (we learned more) 18:54 70+ Tools in the minors: Philosophical talk; different bell curves, a pro scout chimes in 29:23 Getting away from the philosophy and naming prospects with 70+ tools 35:11 Tommy Bennett: Phillies struggles; Mets resurgence; Rickey; Beards 46:40 Special Guest Tom Gillespie of MLB International joins us from Germany
84:28 Pop Culture Moment: Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News on the World Cup and North Korean sitcoms 116:52: Wrapping up: No Not Jim, Revisiting the Big Issue by discussing Jurickson Profar Music is Kraftwerk from the album The Mix copyright 1991 - Elektra Records.
Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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What I don't understand about the tools discussion is why not base your grades such that 80 means legendary, unheard-of tool regardless of which one? There's no reason to give 10-20 guys (or more) 80 "run" tools and not give anyone an 80 fielding or hit tool.
What if you thought about it like this: if a tool is an 80, then it is so good that the player can get to the majors with the rest of his tools maxing out at 40. That's kind of how it is with 80 power, for example - the guy doesn't need to run, doesn't need to play an position well, and doesn't need to get that many hits. Shouldn't that apply to the run tool also? A guy so fast that he maintains a .350+ BABIP can be a natural .240 hitter with sub-.100 ISO and below average defense at, say, 2B or even a 4th OF and still be a useful guy (as long as he can take some walks).
I don't know, maybe even with that as the idea there would be more guys that are just that fast because it is a bell-curve, but there's a limit to where getting even faster doesn't make you better at baseball, and you have to put 80 at that spot on the curve.
I find it to be a more interesting observation on human nature more than anything else. When we have a chart and a specific point of data we can use, there's no problem using an 80, but when it's subjective, it suddenly becomes very difficult.