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By Brad Del Barba
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Friday, May 30, 2008 |
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What Scouts Look for in a Middle Fielder 
In an age when the game is dominated by offense, most scouts still look for defensive ability when scouting for middle infielders, especially shortstops. Players in the mold of Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins do not come along very often.
It used to be that most middle infielders were smaller in stature, but nowadays size is not as important. Ever since Cal Ripken showed that a larger player can handle the middle of the infield, larger players are showing up as middle infielders at all levels.
Scouts look for those athletes who have a "live" lower body, quick feet and overall agility. Being able to make "the play coming in" during infield practice allows the scout to see a players' overall athleticism and how the feet and hands work.
 Arm strength is important, especially for the shortstop, who should be able to make the play in the hole and come up with a throw that has carry through the bag at first. While, many might think that a second baseman doesn't need a strong arm--- that is not necessarily true.
The second sacker also needs to have arm strength to be able to make the play up the middle and to put a little something on the ball when turning the double play. Proper foot positioning when fielding and getting ready to throw will assist in showing a good arm and lead to accurate throws. Having a quick release helps compensate for a lack of arm strength as long as the throw is accurate.
Players need to showcase their arm during pre-game infield practice for the scouts, since there is no guarantee that the player will be able to show their arm during the course of the game.
Those players who have the ball virtually disappear in their glove show promise as being a good defensive fielder. A player can work on having soft sure hands through drill work and just fielding many, many, many ground balls.
There is a certain level of smoothness and gracefulness which scouts like to observe in a middle infielder. Taking proper angles can be taught, while some players have a natural instinct for the ball. I scouted and drafted a player who had very poor technique, yet he had an instinct for the ball and always made the plays. The young man advanced to Double-A before injury derailed his career.
Players who show stiffness or slowness in their hands and actions or feet that drag when making plays tend not to be good defensive players. Those players need to work on their technique to maximize their talent.
Not to oversimplify matters, good fielders have a tendency to catch and throw ball; ultimately making the play. Any offense which is provided helps define the role which the player will fill for a major league organization.
Players who field well, but fall short with the bat usually end up being backup players. Players who struggle defensively tend to be part-time players, unless they swing a very big bat. In today’s game, players who swing the bat will play; however being a solid defensive player makes it easier for the scout to project playing at the professional level.
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.
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