Learn to talk like a scout with Keith Law

While spring training is a time to welcome back familiar players, it is also a time to learn about the new guys. This has been a prominent feature in Yankees camp this spring. We’ve heard far more about guys such as Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, and Jesus Montero than we have Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. That brings about plenty of prospect talk, which involves scouting language. Some of it you might know. Other parts you might pick up from context clues. Still others might remain a big mystery. Thankfully, we have a translator around to help us out.

At ESPN, Keith Law breaks down some of the more common terms. There are terms that you’re probably familiar with, such as “org player.” Mike uses that one frequently enough. There’s also a definition of “fringy,” another good one. You probably can figure out what people mean, but Law puts a solid definition to it.

He saves the toughest ones for the last two. If you’re looking for an exact delineation between command and control, you won’t find it there. But Law tries to ask questions that get to the heart of what scouts mean when they say command. The last section, makeup and intangibles, is tough because, as Law says, “they’re almost entirely subjective and unverifiable.” Yet they’re quite an important part of player development.