General Managers are the ones who make trades and decide whether to sign free agents.  But the lifeline of every organization is its scouting department.  The evaluations a general manager makes and the information he gets from his most-trusted talent evaluators help guide the personnel decisions for an organization.  

Player evaluations are based on a 20-80 scale where 50 is a major league-average player, 20 is a poor player and 80 is an excellent player.  You can see the scale below.  

Some part of every evaluation is subjective while other parts are objective.  For example, an average major league arm for a position player is more of a feel for the velocity of the throw and the carry on the ball than any sort of actual reading.  While an average fastball for a pitcher is based upon actual velocity (average is 91-93).  

Average speed for a player is based upon time from home plate to first base; average for RHH is 4.3 seconds and for LHH it’s 4.2 seconds.  A base running grade is more subjective, based upon watching the decisions a player makes while running the bases considering his instincts and speed. It’s an evaluation of the kind of decisions a player make in time and space on the field. 

Raw Power is a grade based upon how far someone can hit the baseball.  Not by measurement but by what the eyes tell you.  Power frequency is based upon literally how many homers someone will hit.  The average grade of 50 for power frequency is for 18-23 homers.  

For the established major league players, I chose to only give present grades.  For the young players who have room to further develop I gave present and future grades to show where they are today and the ceiling that I believe they can still reach.  

Remember, 50 is the grade for an average major league player, anything above that indicates an above-average level in a specific tool.  Anything below that indicates a below-average level for that tool.
 

Toronto Blue Jays Position Player Scouting Report

Date of Report: 2/14/17
Name: JOSE BAUTISTA
Born: 10/19/80 (Age: 36)
Bats: Right  Throws: Right
Height: 6'0  Weight: 215
Primary Position: RF/DH
Contract Status: Signed for 2017; vesting option 2018-19

 

Grading Scale

80  Excellent
70  Well Above Average
60  Above Average
50  Average
40  Below Average
30  Well below average
20  Poor

Physical/Health/Body Type: Lean muscular athletic build. Takes care of himself. Had turf toe injury in 2016. Also strained his knee. Throwing arm has caused problems over last couple years as well. Getting older and doesn’t have same electricity in body that he once did, but better than most 36-year-olds.

 

Player Grades

Tool Present Comments
Hitting Ability 60 Enhanced by great eye at the plate; flair for dramatic
Raw Power 70 Light tower power; needs more to generate same power
Power Frequency 70 Cut field in half in 2016; needs to use RCF; healthy legs key
Running Speed 30 Slowing down…lacks acceleration; lumbers at times
Baserunning 40 Not very aggressive...base-to-base…a base clogger…
Arm Strength 50 Arm declining; still adequate though...shoulder health?
Arm Accuracy 50 Tries to generate velocity, but affects his accuracy
Fielding 35 Struggled going to the gap…drops balls while on the move
Range 35 Lacks speed and first step quickness now...play deeper
Intangibles 50 Tenacious but can be moody...needs chip on shoulder

Overall Grade: 60
                        
Comments: Bautista declined a bit in 2016; he spun off the ball and was vulnerable on the outer half of the plate...He still grinds out at bats and makes the pitcher work...never an easy out. He can still make the pitcher pay for a mistake. Defensively, he regressed; had trouble going back and to the right centrefield gap...injured his toe and knee and limited his mobility...became a bit of a base clogger...batted leadoff, which isn't the best use of his skills...he is an aging star but can still be an elite offensive player.

Expected Impact in 2017: A disappointing result in free agency has created a high level of motivation...Jose thrives when he has a chip on his shoulder...all the focus on what he didn’t do well will boost him in 2017...looking for a .265/.380/500 slash line with 30-35 homers. Needs rest to keep him healthy, but his entire game should be better this year.

TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips brings a decade of front office experience to his analysis of MLB players and prospects. He directed the New York Mets’ minor-league operations from 1991-1997, at which point he was promoted to general manager, where he led the team to the 2000 World Series and remained in his position until 2003.