Rajsich interview

[Frobby]

I didn't see any links to Steve Melewski's article quoting Gary Rajsich yesterday. http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2011/11/some-thoughts-from-the-new-orioles-scouting-director.html


"This is something I always wanted to do. The last nine years I've been looking at pro players that belong to someone else. Here's a chance to go out and evaluate and draft and acquire players we can actually get. In that sense it's very exciting. To me scouting is scouting, no matter what level."

I hadn't focused on the fact that Rajsich has been doing pro scouting, not amateur scouting, for the last 9 years. I wonder if he will also be overseeing the pro scouts, which could explain why it has been reported that there may not be a new Director of Pro Scouting to replace Lee MacPhail.

While I don't doubt Rajsich's scouting skills, I'm a little worried that he may not have experience in actually signing the players who get drafted. Jordan really seemed to have a knack for judging how to negotiate, and by his account, Klentack was also very helpful in that regard.

[grimed1]

I didn't see any links to Steve Melewski's article quoting Gary Rajsich yesterday. http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2011/11/some-thoughts-from-the-new-orioles-scouting-director.html



I hadn't focused on the fact that Rajsich has been doing pro scouting, not amateur scouting, for the last 9 years. I wonder if he will also be overseeing the pro scouts, which could explain why it has been reported that there may not be a new Director of Pro Scouting to replace Lee MacPhail.

While I don't doubt Rajsich's scouting skills, I'm a little worried that he may not have experience in actually signing the players who get drafted. Jordan really seemed to have a knack for judging how to negotiate, and by his account, Klentack was also very helpful in that regard.

No worries more help is on the way to handle the signing side.

[Lucky Jim]

I didn't see any links to Steve Melewski's article quoting Gary Rajsich yesterday. http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2011/11/some-thoughts-from-the-new-orioles-scouting-director.html



I hadn't focused on the fact that Rajsich has been doing pro scouting, not amateur scouting, for the last 9 years. I wonder if he will also be overseeing the pro scouts, which could explain why it has been reported that there may not be a new Director of Pro Scouting to replace Lee MacPhail.

While I don't doubt Rajsich's scouting skills, I'm a little worried that he may not have experience in actually signing the players who get drafted. Jordan really seemed to have a knack for judging how to negotiate, and by his account, Klentack was also very helpful in that regard.

I don't doubt his scouting skills, but I also don't think that "scouting is" necessarily "scouting." There are significant distinctions between "now" ability and projections, and I've got to think there are real distinction between assessing the two.

[TGO]

No worries more help is on the way to handle the signing side.

I don't doubt we're going to get more people to help with negotiations and drafting contracts, but a lot of that is after-the-fact stuff. I think Frobby is right that it's nice to have a scouting director who has a good feel for who will sign and for how much before you even pick the player.

[eb45]

I don't doubt his scouting skills, but I also don't think that "scouting is" necessarily "scouting." There are significant distinctions between "now" ability and projections, and I've got to think there are real distinction between assessing the two.

I would hope that scouts don't only assess pro players based on their "now" ability.

[Stotle]

I think Frobby is right that it's nice to have a scouting director who has a good feel for who will sign and for how much before you even pick the player.

Primarily an area scout issue.

[Lucky Jim]

I would hope that scouts don't only assess pro players based on their "now" ability.

Only? I doubt it. The developmental curve between 16 and pro debut is probably steeper than it is after. I don't want to overstate - just that that from my remote perspective that pre-pro developmental period appears both critical and difficult.

[Frobby]

I don't doubt his scouting skills, but I also don't think that "scouting is" necessarily "scouting." There are significant distinctions between "now" ability and projections, and I've got to think there are real distinction between assessing the two.

I agree here, but it is not as if Rajsich has never done amateur scouting -- he was responsible for scouting Jon Lester and others. He just hasn't done it recently.

[Stotle]

I don't doubt his scouting skills, but I also don't think that "scouting is" necessarily "scouting." There are significant distinctions between "now" ability and projections, and I've got to think there are real distinction between assessing the two.

My org doubles-up in the off-season with certain area scouts covering instructional leagues through September/October. I don't think it's uncommon to have bleeding between the pro and amateur side. Also, keep in mind the age group for amateurs can run from 17-22, while pro scouts are generally 18 and up (maybe 19 and up depending on how the org handles complex leagues and short-season A ball). Of course, all of this varies from org to org, and how they break down responsibilities. Someone up top should be comfortable evaluating players of any age, I think.

[Lucky Jim]

My org doubles-up in the off-season with certain area scouts covering instructional leagues through September/October. I don't think it's uncommon to have bleeding between the pro and amateur side. Also, keep in mind the age group for amateurs can run from 17-22, while pro scouts are generally 18 and up (maybe 19 and up depending on how the org handles complex leagues and short-season A ball). Of course, all of this varies from org to org, and how they break down responsibilities. Someone up top should be comfortable evaluating players of any age, I think.

Agree with all of this. And my "overstate" qualification was really an meager attempt at a mea culpa. I think I read to much into the divide at first. My concerns are tempered somewhat on further reflection. [Though not completely.]

[Stotle]

Agree with all of this. And my "overstate" qualification was really an meager attempt at a mea culpa. I think I read to much into the divide at first. My concerns are tempered somewhat on further reflection. [Though not completely.]

Oh, I was just sharing some info I thought might be interesting to some. I think you are right that there are differences to consider, including the idea of heading a draft effort, which is a big part of the SD job outside of evaluation. Choosing your scouts, evaluating them, etc., not to mention learning the strengths of your org and the preferences of your GM, also big issues.

[NCRaven]

Remember reading that DD wanted Rajsich in place so that he could accompany him to the winter meetings. Couldn't figure out why he wanted his amateur scouting director at those meetings since you're really dealing with pro personnel. Then when I saw his recent assignments, it made sense. DD doesn't want his amateur scouting director there - he wants the guy with 9 years of pro scouting and cross checking experience there. Rajsich would be a good guy to have by his side when talking trades.

[playbaltimorecom]

No worries more help is on the way to handle the signing side.


Thanks for posting this. Good news.

[Bradysburns]

Remember reading that DD wanted Rajsich in place so that he could accompany him to the winter meetings. Couldn't figure out why he wanted his amateur scouting director at those meetings since you're really dealing with pro personnel. Then when I saw his recent assignments, it made sense. DD doesn't want his amateur scouting director there - he wants the guy with 9 years of pro scouting and cross checking experience there. Rajsich would be a good guy to have by his side when talking trades.

Great insights here. Sometimes, I like to take certain people into meetings with me not because they are experts in a particular meeting topic, but because I trust them as general advisors. Perhaps DD trusts Rajsich as a general advisor - an inner circle guy. And why not? His track record is pretty stellar. I have to say... regardless of all the talk about Fielder, or trading for Smoak, or other "wow" situations with premium FA's... I actually get most excited by this kind of news - the building brain trust. That's what this organization needs, for starters. You get those guys all in place, then you get your battle plan together... then stuff starts happening on the FA and trade front, for real. I'd rather have them concentrate on getting guys like Rajsich in place, than guys like Fielder, right now.

[section18]

Great comments. DD is running things the way a leader and winner should. I feel much better about the team since he's taken over. Talk about refreshing. I cannot wait to see who he adds to the roster next week in Dallas. Adding Rajsich was an excellent move and the two of them teaming up and planning their strategy should make for some interesting rumors and news next week and beyond. I agree that building a new organization with new coaches and scouts is really interesting and great to see. How will the new eyes see our organization and it's players? We will soon find out.

[Frobby]

Great insights here. Sometimes, I like to take certain people into meetings with me not because they are experts in a particular meeting topic, but because I trust them as general advisors. Perhaps DD trusts Rajsich as a general advisor - an inner circle guy. And why not? His track record is pretty stellar. I have to say... regardless of all the talk about Fielder, or trading for Smoak, or other "wow" situations with premium FA's... I actually get most excited by this kind of news - the building brain trust. That's what this organization needs, for starters. You get those guys all in place, then you get your battle plan together... then stuff starts happening on the FA and trade front, for real. I'd rather have them concentrate on getting guys like Rajsich in place, than guys like Fielder, right now.

Go get five great scouts, and five great MiL coaches, and put together a player development regimen, and that will be a good winter.

[MrOrange82]

Go get five great scouts, and five great MiL coaches, and put together a player development regimen, and that will be a good winter.

Duquette believes Orioles staffing levels are sufficient (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/2011/11/duquette_believes_orioles_staf.html)

I don't know if that's been discussed elsewhere, but suffice it to say I'm not as optimistic about "changing winds" and such.

Until something happens that gives me reason to really, truly believe otherwise, and given snippets like the one Connolly provided above, I can't help but look at the current iteration of the O's FO as anything more than a dinged up used car with a fresh set of paint.

Show me the Carfax.

[Frobby]

Duquette believes Orioles staffing levels are sufficient (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/2011/11/duquette_believes_orioles_staf.html)

I don't know if that's been discussed elsewhere, but suffice it to say I'm not as optimistic about "changing winds" and such.

Until something happens that gives me reason to really, truly believe otherwise, and given snippets like the one Connolly provided above, I can't help but look at the current iteration of the O's FO as anything more than a dinged up used car with a fresh set of paint.

Show me the Carfax.

I'm not talking about the number of people, I'm talking about quality of people. The O's have had some attrition among their scouts and they have moved several coaches around already. I am quite sure Duquette is not done hiring.

So much time is spent on the board fussing over whether the Orioles spend enough money on this or that, and whether they have enough people doing this or that. But sometimes the issue of quality is overlooked. Some scouts are better than others. Some coaches are better than others. You get a Cal Ripken, Sr. or an Earl Weaver or a Jim Russo into your organization, and it has a huge impact.

Can Duqette identify the right people and bring them here? I don't know. I am just saying that it is very important, in fact, the most important thing he can do, IMO.

[MrOrange82]

I'm not talking about the number of people, I'm talking about quality of people. The O's have had some attrition among their scouts and they have moved several coaches around already. I am quite sure Duquette is not done hiring.

So much time is spent on the board fussing over whether the Orioles spend enough money on this or that, and whether they have enough people doing this or that. But sometimes the issue of quality is overlooked. Some scouts are better than others. Some coaches are better than others. You get a Cal Ripken, Sr. or an Earl Weaver or a Jim Russo into your organization, and it has a huge impact.

Can Duqette identify the right people and bring them here? I don't know. I am just saying that it is very important, in fact, the most important thing he can do, IMO.

Of course some scouts are better than others, the same amounts of money can be spent more or less effectively, etc.

I'm just wary when I hear that the payroll is likely to stay flat, and the number of scouting/development people is likely to stay the same. Sure, the organization can be better by hiring better people, but that idea's not exactly revolutionary...I think many people apart from myself felt going into this winter that the O's didn't need a facelift, they need an overhaul. I'm just getting the sense that DD's authority to "overhaul" might be limited, and that undercuts my optimism.