What would we learn if we could see what an MLB team’s scouts saw? For the first time, we can: A former member of the Cincinnati Reds front office provided The Ringer with a copy of the Reds’ scouting database from between 1991 and 2003, consisting of more than 73,000 reports. Throughout this week, we’ll be using this newly declassified scouting gold mine to analyze old-school scouting’s strengths and weaknesses, profile players who defied the scouts’ expectations, and examine how scouting has evolved in recent years. In Monday’s Part 1, we crunched the numbers on how well scouts projected players. In Wednesday’s Part 2, we talked to four players about how they defied the scouts’ expectations and asked the most unerring Reds scout to explain his success. In Friday’s final installment, we explore how the scouting side of the industry has changed to address the deficiencies of two decades ago.
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March 8, 2019
The Evolution of MLB Scouting Is a Threat to the Profession Itself
We wrap up our deep dive into 73,000 scouting reports with a look at technology, sabermetrics, and how to maintain a position as a scout in turbulent, tech-driven times
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March 6, 2019
MLB Scouting Is Hard. These Guys Prove It.
In Part 2 of our unprecedented look at 73,000 Cincinnati Reds scouting reports, we speak to four players—including David Ross and Travis Hafner—about why they overperformed or fell short of their big-league projections
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March 4, 2019
We Got Our Hands on 73,000 Never-Before-Seen MLB Scouting Reports. Here’s What We Learned.
All this week, The Ringer will break down its findings from the massive database handed to us by a former member of the Reds’ front office. First up, here’s how well the scouts did in projecting players’ success.