Scout David Jennings on BA podcast

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Scout Spotlight Podcast: Orioles Scout David Jennings (baseballamerica.com)

A short interview with David Jennings.  He scouted Wieters years ago, but also was the primary scout for Gunnar and Westburg (among others).  The first 7 minutes were basically singing their praises.

Then the host asked a question about the industry changes since Wieters was drafted.  Video, analytical parts, staying on top of the guys developing, and keeping up with the technology of the game to give a complete picture.  The top line stats (HR, BA, RBI...) vs. the additional details.

Jennings seems to really like the draft team preparing for and in the draft room.

Jackson Holliday - "unbelievable make-up, the power, ability to play SS, the knowledge he had on the game..."

[LookinUp]

O's have this nerdy reputation, but this guy is a good old southern dude, who's also probably a nerd in disguise. It's awesome.

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42 minutes ago, LookinUp said:

O's have this nerdy reputation, but this guy is a good old southern dude, who's also probably a nerd in disguise. It's awesome.

Agreed.  David Laurila had Sig on FG Audio recently and he had a very high view of scouts and the need for eyes on prospects.  There's a "what else is he gonna say" bit to it, but it sounded genuine.

[Stotle]

On 2/17/2023 at 10:08 AM, LookinUp said:

O's have this nerdy reputation, but this guy is a good old southern dude, who's also probably a nerd in disguise. It's awesome.

The coolest scouts today are in their 40s-to-early-50s and are exactly that -- down to earth baseball guys that have experience under the "old ways" but are really sharp and have learned the data side of things. At least on the amateur side, a lot of the younger scouts have the "too cool for school" way of looking at things and a lot of the older guys (fewer and fewer as they get let go or move on themselves) are bitter about not being able to do things the way they have for the past 30 years.

 

EDIT -- I think Jennings is a bit older but still fits this bill from what I have heard about him.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Stotle