geauxBo

Perspective from an MLB Scout - Not Me
I'm an older passionate LSU fan but mostly read TD for the entertainment value, so I rarely post.

That being said, I happen to sit next to an MLB scout at a LSU baseball home game a few weeks ago and thought his comments were worth sharing on this topic. I only talked to him a few times and for a few minutes since he was obviously working, but he was nice and answered our questions. Here are some of his relevant comments. Keep in mind, that though I have watched a lot of baseball and my son played the sport, I never played as a kid, so I don't claim to be a baseball expert. Though I love the game of baseball for the way it emulates life.

The MLB scout said several interesting things including:

1. MLB is a data driven business and they have stats to analyze everything about a player's performance... and AI is increasing the amount of data they can collect and analyze efficiently.
2. Size of players is a very high predictor of success in majors (height, arm span, etc.)
3. Bat speed and speed of ball off bat are both very high predictors of success in majors and they must be a high avg. when using an aluminum bat, since swinging and hitting with a wooden bat in the majors is obviously much different.
4. Significantly more players in MLB that are considered successful or major contributors, went straight into majors from high school vs. detouring by participating in college baseball.
5. He elaborated further that using the data above, MLB has a high success rate of tempting/luring the top 20% of truly skilled and right sized baseball playing youth directly from high school into the majors system (minors+majors) despite the recent changes of NIL and revenue share being available to college players.
6. Statistically speaking, the college baseball playing ranks are not the must have future MLB talent shopping source that most fans think it is.

Again, these are things the scout said, I am just sharing for perspective. We also discussed several current LSU baseball starters specifically. I am not going to mention player names here, but bottom line is that he was thinking only 2-3 had a real shot at eventually succeeding in the majors and they were not who I guessed.

As far as my perspective, I appreciate guys like Milam who put in the effort, ball out and represent the university so well, both on and off the field and hope they have great success in whatever their next chapters may be.

Geaux Tigers!

Done, happy to pay it forward.

Thanks, we purchased the Orlando LSU Alumni event parking pass.

We did and got inconsistent advice about which reserved lot made sense and whether or not we would need a handicap permit for special treatment. So was looking for any additional input that experienced Tiger fans could offer.

Yes you can. We have done so many times with my son. If they see them in your wife's purse just explain that they are used for serious life threatening allergies.

Hope he enjoys the game day experience enough to be a lifelong Tiger fan!