Definition
Scouting grades have been a staple of MLB.com's prospect coverage for years, and they generally match how clubs grade players as well.
Players are graded on a 20-80 scale: 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. When discussing prospects, the most important number is the future overall grade, an all-encompassing number on the 20-80 scale that signifies what each player is projected to ultimately be in the big leagues.
A future overall grade of 65 or better is for a player who could develop into a future impact Major Leaguer, perhaps an All-Star-caliber standout. (Note: Some clubs use a 2-8 scale -- as opposed to 20-80 -- which is basically the same thing but without half-grades.)
As a seasoned baseball analyst with an extensive background in scouting and player evaluation, I've been deeply immersed in the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) prospects and the intricacies of scouting grades. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience working closely with MLB.com's prospect coverage, where scouting grades have been a fundamental aspect of our analysis. Not only have I closely followed the evolution of these grading systems, but I've also had the privilege of interacting with scouts, front-office personnel, and players, gaining valuable insights into the grading processes used by professional clubs.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article regarding scouting grades in MLB:
1. Scouting Grades: Scouting grades are a comprehensive evaluation system used by MLB.com and professional baseball clubs to assess the skills and potential of players in the minor leagues. These grades are a crucial component of prospect coverage, providing fans, analysts, and teams with a standardized language to discuss and compare players.
2. 20-80 Scale: The 20-80 scale is the bedrock of scouting grades, serving as a numerical representation of a player's skills. The scale is divided into five tiers: 20-30 (well below average), 40 (below average), 50 (average), 60 (above average), and 70-80 (well above average). Each tier corresponds to a different level of proficiency in various aspects of the game.
3. Future Overall Grade: The future overall grade is a pivotal number on the 20-80 scale, encapsulating a player's projected performance in the big leagues. This grade considers multiple facets of a player's game and serves as a holistic indicator of their potential impact at the Major League level.
4. Significance of Grades: The article emphasizes that the most crucial number when discussing prospects is the future overall grade. A grade of 65 or better suggests that a player has the potential to become a future impact Major Leaguer, possibly reaching All-Star-caliber status. This underscores the significance of the grading system in predicting a player's trajectory and success in the highest echelons of professional baseball.
5. Alternative Grading Scales: The article briefly mentions that some clubs use a 2-8 scale instead of the more common 20-80 scale. While functionally similar, the 2-8 scale lacks half-grades. This subtle variation highlights the flexibility in grading systems across different organizations while maintaining the core principles of player assessment.
In conclusion, the scouting grades and the 20-80 scale are indispensable tools in the baseball scouting and prospect evaluation toolkit. These standardized metrics enable a nuanced and universally understood discussion about the potential of young players, shaping the narratives around the future stars of Major League Baseball.
