Ever wondered what separates a recruited player from one who gets overlooked?
This exclusive post dives into the hidden world of minor league scouting.
“Inside the Mind of a Minor League Scout: 7 Secrets Revealed” uncovers what scouts truly look for,
how they think, and how YOU can stand out—even if you’re from a small town. 💡 Packed with stats, real quotes, and a true scouting success story.
📚 Table of Contents
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🎯 Why This Interview Matters in 2025
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🧢 Meet the Scout: Experience & Street Cred
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🕵️♂️ 7 Secrets Revealed by a Minor League Scout
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🎓 Case Study: The Hidden Gem in Iowa
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📊 Tools & Metrics That Scouts Actually Use
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❓ FAQs from Players, Parents & Coaches
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🔚 Final Takeaways + Must-Use Resources
1. 🎯 Why This Interview Matters in 2025
We live in a time where AI scouting tools, analytics dashboards, and highlight reels dominate the recruiting space. But guess what?
👉 Human judgment still matters—a lot.
🧠 Key Stats:
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Less than 0.5% of high school players make it to pro baseball (NCAA)
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600+ minor league scouts were active in 2024 (Baseball America)
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70% of scouts still prioritize in-person evaluation
If you’re serious about going pro, you need to understand how scouts think and what they truly value beyond just numbers.
2. 🧢 Meet the Scout: Experience & Street Cred
We sat down with Jason Corbin, a veteran minor league scout with 18+ years of experience and 40+ signed players under his belt. Currently working for an NL organization, Jason is a trusted name across the Midwest and Southeast.
🗣️ “I’m not just looking for talent. I’m looking for grit, adaptability, and kids who understand how to work through failure.” — Jason Corbin, exclusive to InformedEra
He’s known for finding value picks and turning them into future AA standouts.
3. 🕵️♂️ Inside the Mind of a Minor League Scout: 7 Secrets Revealed
🧠 1. Body Language Speaks Louder Than Stats
Scouts watch warmups, reactions to failure, and teammate interaction.
“How you behave after a strikeout tells me more than your batting average.”
⚾ 2. Tools Matter, But Projection Wins
Raw tools are great, but scouts look ahead 2–3 years. Think: frame, growth potential, and athleticism.
📽️ 3. Video Isn’t Enough
Highlight tapes? Meh. Scouts want:
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Unedited, in-game footage
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Practice habits
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Live evaluation whenever possible
🧠 4. Baseball IQ Sets You Apart
“A player who can anticipate plays, make mid-game adjustments, and talk the game? That’s gold.”
Jason checks this by talking to your coaches—and yes, they’ll tell the truth.
🧪 5. Coachability = Draftability
Talent without humility? 🚫 Hard pass.
Scouts often test coachability through drills or even pre-game convos.
🔁 6. Consistency Beats One-Time Hype
Be the same player every week. A steady performer > one-game wonder.
📱 7. Off-Field Habits Are Always Watched
“We google every name. We check Twitter. We ask around.”
Your social media, school behavior, and daily habits could make or break your draft stock.
4. 🎓 Case Study: The Scout Who Found a Gem in Iowa
Real Scene:
In Fall 2022, Jason Corbin was attending a small Midwest showcase. Most scouts watched the ranked outfielders. But Jason zeroed in on Leo Mendez, a lean, switch-hitting shortstop from Cedar Rapids.
Leo stood out by:
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Fielding with smooth hands
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Showing clean footwork and range
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Being humble, consistent, and laser-focused
“He’s the first to arrive and the last to leave,” Leo’s coach told Baseball Midwest Weekly.
Jason followed up, advocated hard, and Leo was picked in the 17th round in 2023. Fast forward to 2025—Leo is now starting at shortstop for a High-A affiliate.
🔗 Source: Baseball Midwest Weekly, March 2024
5. 📊 Top Tools & Metrics Scouts Use in 2025
Scouts blend the eye test with real data. Here’s what matters:
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💥 Exit velocity (90+ mph preferred)
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🏃♂️ 60-yard dash (6.6–6.9 sec ideal for outfielders)
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💪 Arm strength (INF: 85+ mph, OF: 90+ mph)
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🧠 Game IQ & decision making
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🎥 In-game, raw footage > fancy highlights
🔧 Tech Tools Scouts Use:
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TrackMan for pitch/hit metrics
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Blast Motion for swing analysis
Still, intangibles—like effort, attitude, and leadership—can outweigh numbers.
6. ❓ FAQs from Players, Parents & Coaches
🤔 Q1: Do I need to attend every showcase?
Nope. Focus on 1–2 high-quality events where actual scouts attend.
📩 Q2: Should I email scouts directly?
Yes. Be respectful. Include:
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Your GPA & grad year
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Position(s) played
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Coach contact info
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Clean video links (no music)
🧠 Q3: Mindset or metrics—what’s more important?
Both. But when talent is equal, mindset always wins.
🌎 Q4: I’m from a small town. How do I get noticed?
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Share raw game film on Twitter
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Tag scouting services like @FlatgroundApp
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Play summer ball and travel teams
7. 🔚 Final Takeaways + Must-Use Resources
Let’s wrap it up 👇
To stand out in today’s scouting landscape, you must be more than just athletic.
🧠 “Be consistent. Be coachable. Be ready. Someone is always watching.” – Jason Corbin
🔗 Resources That Give You an Edge:
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Prep Baseball Report (showcase info & rankings)
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FlatgroundApp (post your videos)
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Showball Camps (high-visibility events)
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