How do you grade HS teams?

When you are comparing different teams at the HS level, what do you (personally) look for? What are the most important factors in team success?

• Two good pitchers?
• Three good pitchers?
• Team speed?
• Solid Outfield?
• Hitting for percentage?
• Hitting for power?
• Solid defense up the middle?
• Solid catcher?
• Combination of factors?
• Senior Leadership?
• Coaching experience?

Can we come up with a list to grade teams? Does prior success on the field last year play an important role?

Whether or not you have an official list and grade teams, everyone has their own ideas of what makes a good HS team. What are they?

 

I'd say the most important factors are.....wins!!!!

But what do I look for in a HS team? The same thing I look for in a player. All of the things you mentioned NC are important, but I have always kept it simple. I look for "gamers". They don't always have to be the most talented player on the team, but they are probably leaders of their respective team. They are competitiors....plain and simple. You give me a team of players that will compete day in and day out and I'll show you a team that will win the big games. These are players that when the pressure rises....so does their performance. I'll name just a few that come to mind....

Mike Cavasinni
Drew Martin
Wes McCall
Logan Smith
Kyle Shelton
JJ Rollins
Kevin Dietrich
....these are just a few of the players in the Charlotte area that have proven time and time again that they will battle you. That's what I look for

It's not always the most talented, although the players named above certainly display a lot of talent, but it is the inner desire...not to lose...those are the guys that can will a team to win.

The best I have seen in the past few years was Robert Woodard...his sheer desire not to lose, cast his personality on to his teammates.

So, in summary, what I look for is a team that displays that they will compete.

 

You're right on Braves. I talked with a coach who has been in player development in the major leagues and also coached DI teams. His observation was, the player that makes it from the minor leagues to the majors is the player who "has the desire to compete"! All the players who make it to the minors have talent or they wouldn't be there. It's the desire to compete that sets the winners from the losers.

 

That's great stuff for grading players .... but ... how do you grade teams?

 

In response to NCBBF's original question her's my opinion.

1. Pitching - three if you've got 'em! Good pitching can help get a shaky defense out of trouble.

2. Closer - if you've got one. Someone who can throw strikes when called upon.

3. Catcher - the field general who must be good defensively. Doesn't have to have a great arm, but must stop the balls in the dirt!

4. Middle infielders - have to keep the lead runner from getting into scoring position!

5. Outfielders - who can get a ball back into the infield quickly. They don't need rocket arms, but they can't wind up to throw the ball.

6. Team Players - they don't get down on another player who makes an error, or strikesout, or hits into a DP. They must be willing to sac bunt, hit behind the runner and keep the bench in the ballgame.

7. Good bench players! - Those who know their roles, pinch hitting, running, etc. Who do so with a passion and who don't complain that they aren't starting. It takes a special person to be a good bench player and an evn more special parent!

 

My son's fall ball coach said that with 2 great players you could contend for a conference championship and with 4 great players you could contend for a state championship. I don't know his definition of "great", but say it is "potential college players". My observation of teams around here (5 County Conference, PAC 6, some Raleigh area schools) would indicate that it is indeed a pretty good predictor and rather elegant in its simplicity.

Beyond that, I don't think you have to get much more complicated: it's pitching and hitting. You must have a great pitcher and a very good pitcher. Teams typically play just two conference games a week (barring bad weather) so any pitching beyond that is a luxury, particularly below 4A. And you've got to have four or five guys that can hit reasonably well so you can put together enough quality at bats in an inning to score a few runs. Finally, your 8th and 9th guys have got to at least be competent - you can't have a gaping hole in your lineup.

-jda

 

jda - - -

That's a nice observation and method. Nothing too complex.