What Scouts Look for in a First Baseman

For the most part, whether a scout is observing a high school or a college first baseman, they are looking for an offensive type player. Generally speaking a player whose bat will allow him to hit in the middle of the order and have power potential.

As you look throughout baseball history, most championship clubs have had an above average hitting first baseman that brings pop to the lineup. Recent examples of World Champion first sackers with 40 or more home runs include Albert Pujols for the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals and Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox in 2005.

Defensively, a first baseman needs to show sure hands and good footwork around the bag. While arm strength is not a requirement, throwing accuracy is important.

I remember watching Todd Helton of the Rockies as both a high school and college player. After scouting Todd for five years, I can not remember him making an errant throw in a game or even during infield practice. Being a good fielding first baseman will help make the other infielders better and increases the value of the player.

As I have said in the past---if you hit, then you will play. Players who swing a big bat at other positions may also find themselves being moved to first base.

Back in the 1980s,  I remember seeing former Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell play in the minor leagues as a third baseman and present-day White Sox Designated Hitter Jim Thome as a junior college shortstop. The days of the big lumbering first baseman at the amateur levels are diminishing. Nowadays, scouts are looking for the athletic and strong kids; who can really swing the bat.

Play Hard,
Brad

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With 17 years of scouting experience; Brad Del Barba presently works for the Milwaukee Brewers on their professional scouting staff, after having served 10 years as the area scout in the Midwest for the Florida Marlins and three years as the Cincinnati Reds Assistant Director of Minor Leagues and Scouting. Del Barba also served as Reds traveling secretary and has been worked for two World Championship organizations— the 1990 Cincinnati Reds and the 1997 Florida Marlins. Prior to working at the major-league level, the 46-year-old toiled in several minor league front offices after completing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Wichita State University.