I was talking to a former ml player last hs season before one of my games. We were talking about players and the whole process of making it to the "show". He said this "Some guys are not sure if they belong in the show or not. The ones that make it know they belong."

Just thought I would throw that out here in this discussion. Ive seen guys that were tremendously talented. But when they were on a big stage they never really performed at the level they were capable of performing at. Then I have seen kids that were talented but not as talented as some other kids. But everytime they were put in a big situation or on a big stage they played their best. Is Pedroia that good? Or is he the kind of guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder and the big stage is where he will shine? I know he is good. But is he even better on the big stage? Just like some guys are day in and day out very good players. But on the big stage do live up to expectations.

Is that also known as the "it Factor"? Some just have what it takes to be successful. I was listening to the XM Rob Dibble show and they were speaking of the "it" factor. I guess we also call it "makeup",a "gamer", the player who always seems to do better in a game then he does during practice. I think cheeseattheknees called it "controled adreneline". But the tools have to be there first as everyone has already said. But once you get the opportunity, the "it factor", the "makeup" or the "gamer" within the player get you to the next level. Joe Dimaggio I believe said: "some people are just born to play baseball".

At some level, they are all talented. Some more than others. But, the 25th player on the MLB roster, his worst day (skillwise) is better than the best day for which some of us could hope.

What sets them apart from the rest of us, is the consistency with which they accomplish their task. Watch them practice. The 25th guy's BP is amazingly consistent. He may not stroke like, say, Bonds. But, within his toolset, it is consistent.

What sets them apart from each other are the level of physical tools and, then, within guys of similar tool sets, the mental makeup. Those with the calm, confident explosiveness (again, comparing within same toolset) will succeed.

The ability to slow the game down, while the other guy's world is swirling around him. To me, that's what separates guys within the same toolset. That's the difference between moving up and be left behind.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
Here's another old scouting saying...

"Tools get you drafted, but makeup gets you to the Big Leagues"

On the series The Show** the D'backs GM said with how hard it is to get to the majors, the biggest disappointment are the kids with the tools who blow it with lack of mental makeup.

Casey Daigle has been up and down with the D'backs in 2004 & 2006. Daigle said he wasn't emotionally and mentally mature enough to stick. Anyone who has seen his tools knows he has tools.

** Chronicled six D'backs prospects in 2006 ... Chris Young (D'backs 2007 CF), Casey Daigle (not called up in 2007 ... life isn't all bad: married a decent pitcher), Carlos Quinten (Stanford/had D'backs RF job and lost it), Bill Murphy (CSUN/called up in September 2007), Dustin Nippert (WVU/up and down in 2006 & 2007) and Brian Barden (Oregon State/called up as injury replacement in 2007, sent back and released/finished season at Memphis).

While I realize he had to know he was being filmed, the stunned look on Carlos Quinten's face after being told he was called up was priceless. He thought he was going to get chewed out for getting down on himself again.

The Show was on Mojo Network last showed this past spring and summer. It's a six part series. If it repeats again people might find it interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach May:
Is Pedroia that good? Or is he the kind of guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder and the big stage is where he will shine? I know he is good.

Pedroia has talent, a chip on his shoulder and a tremendous amount of confidence he fits in. How many rookies would do a midseason pregame lineup announcing himself as Dustin "I own Mike Lowell in cribbage" Pedroia. He dissed (in fun) an accomplished veteran on national television. He's believes in himself and made himself fit in early. Lowell responded by saying he loves having a 4'8" second baseman for low throws.

I recommend that anyone interested in playing pro ball for a living and their parents to watch that series.

For young players who are goint through the system, they quickly realize how hard it is to even get to where those players are. You will find most milb players goal is to make the 40 man roster, then the 25. Then getting to the Show and sticking there is a whole different animal.

Anyone know if that is able to be purchased anywhere? I just did a search on Amazon and nothing urned up.

The Mojo Network is on extended cable, I saw it through comcast.

Fascinating thread to me.

My observations, so far, include the talent, tools, work ethic too. But I have also noticed that there is some intangibles there, hard to quantify and put into words, but they are there.

I have also learned that talent, tools, work ethic, and even the intangibles are not enough.

The sun, moon, and the stars also have to be in alignment and you have to have some luck.

Part of Coach May's quote jumped out at me.

"The ones that make it know they belong."

I remember when my son was young that it was hard to accept that he was headed on a path to play baseball. It was hard to let yourself think that it might be a possibility. That he might have the talent to make it. It still is.

But there was confirmation from others along the way that said its OK. That's part of what this site is about.

I wondered if he would make it from high school to college. Then I saw an acceleration in him duing college that I did not expect or know was possible.

Near the end of fall instructional league, after they had worked the through out the time on the mental aspects of the game building confidence, etc. one of the coaches pulled my son aside, and said, "You are going to spring training. You might have the opportunity to catch some of the pitchers on the MLB roster in spring training."

"It's OK for you to be there.........."

Thank you for sharing that very touching story, FO.

It is interesting that throughout this thread the "mental aspect" of the game is noted as a key element---we spend more time on this than practicing with our Fall team--we would rather spend an extra 10 minutes on this aspect before a game than take infield/outfield---we feel all our kids have all star talent but they need to hone the mental aspect of the game---that can be the difference at the next level---and I am not sure how much of the mental aspect is taught at the HS level

You can see some guys - and they just have "IT".

Makes no difference what other factors are involved. What school they went to or didnt go to - how big they are - blah blah blah.

You cant really explain it - its very hard to accurately describe it - but you know it when you see it.

quote:

Originally posted by 55mom:
Thank you for sharing that very touching story, FO.

quote:

Originally posted by cheeseattheknees:
At some level, they are all talented. Some more than others. But, the 25th player on the MLB roster, his worst day (skillwise) is better than the best day for which some of us could hope.

What sets them apart from the rest of us, is the consistency with which they accomplish their task. Watch them practice. The 25th guy's BP is amazingly consistent. He may not stroke like, say, Bonds. But, within his toolset, it is consistent.

What sets them apart from each other are the level of physical tools and, then, within guys of similar tool sets, the mental makeup. Those with the calm, confident explosiveness (again, comparing within same toolset) will succeed.

The ability to slow the game down, while the other guy's world is swirling around him. To me, that's what separates guys within the same toolset. That's the difference between moving up and be left behind.

I think the above is very accurate.

FO,
Way to go!

Just a recap: Series called "The Show" on Mojo Network which is through extended comcast only?? Just switched to Dish Network (don't ask..huge mistake)..anybody know if Mojo is on Dish??

I found something about Mojo Network and The Show(didn't want you guys to think I don't do my own legwork)...

http://www.mojohd.com/mojoseries/theshow/

quote:

I am trying to find out what separates players who get drafted from players who do not.

Good question filsfan. I think for the most part you can condense it all into one word ---- PROJECTIABILITY! During my son’s senior year of HS he was invited to a pre-draft workout in Bush Stadium along with a few players the Cardinals were looking to draft. In my opinion my son didn’t have the necessary experience or resume to be drafted as a catcher so I asked the scouting director why they wanted to draft my son. His reply was: We want to draft your son because he has the things that cannot be taught and we feel confident we can teach him the things that he needs to learn. He probably had caught less than 100 innings TOTAL in his life when they drafted him in the 5th round as a catcher.
Fungo

quote:

Originally posted by Newcomer:
Just a recap: Series called "The Show" on Mojo Network which is through extended comcast only?? Just switched to Dish Network (don't ask..huge mistake)..anybody know if Mojo is on Dish??

I don't think it's being broadcast anymore. I'd check again in the spring. I have Mojo on Direct. It's also on our local Comcast cable.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:

quote:

I am trying to find out what separates players who get drafted from players who do not.

"We want to draft your son because he has the things that cannot be taught and we feel confident we can teach him the things that he needs to learn."
Fungo

Opposite story a catcher was drafted from Clemson as a pitcher in the 4th round, only 28 innings pitched in college.

He did touch 100mph though and you can't TEACH that!

quote:

Opposite story a catcher was drafted from Clemson as a pitcher in the 4th round, only 28 innings pitched in college.

He did touch 100mph though and you can't TEACH that!

I think the unproven pitcher w/100 mph velo is a great example of drafting on projection rather than experience.
I never felt that all the other intangibles (hustle, desire, commitment, character, yada, yada) were major factors in DRAFTING players however those are the characteristics that commonly determine a successful progression up the ranks of MILB and on into MLB. It's tough to know how a player that has had everything in the past will respond to having to ride a bus all night long and spend a week in a motel with a player that has very little in common with you (other than baseball) ----- while making less money than minimum wage. Some adjust quite well while others struggle with the lifestyle. To some it can be a dream come true while others might see it as a nightmare. I don't know anyone that can predict exactly how they will respond until you put them in that position. I'm sure there have been scout/scouting director conversations that end in: "Let's draft him and see".
Fungo