Eric Longenhagen & Kiley McDaniel talk scouting and player development

On this episode of the SIS Baseball Podcast, senior research analyst Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) talks with the authors of “Future Value: The Battle for Baseball’s Soul And How Teams Will Find The Next Superstars,” Eric Longenhagen (@longenhagen) and Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd). They discuss how much of the book is based on personal experience versus how much is from others in the business (4:26), scouting stories about Scott Olsen and J.T. Realmuto and the lessons applied to each (6:31), and the variance team-to-team when it comes to the sophistication of scouting and player evaluation (12:09). They also share the four different groupings in which MLB teams can be placed based on scouting/statistical sophistication and success (14:27) and explain the challenges in evaluating defense and what fans should look for when they watch new players (19:24). The show ends with both of them giving their tips to people who want to work in scouting and player development (languages to learn both for speaking and computer programming) (28:22) and Eric recounts his time working for our company (32:01).

Thanks for tuning in. Stay safe and be well.