The third iteration of MLB’s Northeast Scouts Clinic featured an authority on the subject.
In addition to four Major League scouts giving instruction to rising teenage players, the abbreviated winter version of the event welcomed four Northeastern University pitchers — Angel Cruz, Luc Rising, Matthew Sapienza and Andrew Wertz — and big league veteran Rich Hill. The event took place Monday at 5 Tool Performance in Westwood, Mass.
“I think the biggest thing that has stood out is the enthusiasm of the players and the energy,” said Matt Hyde, the Northeast area scout for the Yankees. “We want the game to continue to grow here in New England, and the energy and enthusiasm of the players gives you that hope that these guys are going to keep working, keep getting better.”
Originally postponed in October due to weather, the session had a smaller group than past years (about 50 participants), enabling Hyde and the other scouts to give more personalized guidance. The morning started with the group splitting between position players and pitchers. Northeast area scouts Drew Dominguez (Angels), Pete Flaherty (Nationals) and Pete Holmes (Blue Jays) ran the fielders through fundamentals while Hill held court with the pitchers.
“The scouts have all this experience, and they tell you exactly what they’re looking for, what it takes to reach the next level,” said Alex Jacoby, a senior right-handed pitcher at Beaver Country Day in Newton, Massachusetts. “But then bringing in [Hill] and all the collegiate athletes, they are the ones who tell you the work that goes into it. They kind of give you the how-to, so you’re getting the blueprint, but also the steps to fill it in.”
One of the points of emphasis for Hill concerned thinking about the game at a high level. While physical gifts are key, he noted that being able to process it is what separates big leaguers from the rest.
“One of the questions I was asking them was how many guys love playing the game, and everybody’s hand went up,” said Hill, who pitched in his 21st big league season last year. “I think that’s something that goes without saying, but I always like to ask the question because it just takes so much work to continue to stay with any sport in particular, but specifically baseball, because it is so difficult to master.”
Following the Q&A, the groups transitioned into fielding drills on the turf before stepping into the cages for batting practice. As the scouts oversaw each station, Hill worked individually with pitchers on their mechanics and how to attack hitters.
“I’m sure he gave them at least five or 10 things that they can use in their toolbox to be better,” Hyde said. “But the fact that he didn’t just talk to them, he interacted. He was out on the field with them. He was giving them tips while they were doing things. That’s so big because you know that impact is going to last with them and it’s going to make them better players.”
The attendees spanned from ages 14-18. Many from that group are a part of Next Level Boston, a nonprofit travel baseball organization focused on helping Boston’s inner-city youth. Christian Ortiz, the director and head coach, has teamed up with Hyde and MLB Develops each year to help drum up interest for the clinic. Thanks to its success over the past two years, MLB hosted another scouts-run workout in Brooklyn in September.
“We’ve seen a number of them become prospects and come to our Area Code [Baseball Games] tryouts, and players who have gotten opportunities to go to college,” Hyde said. “Some guys have popped up on our radar as potential Draft picks, and I think that shows you how valuable these events are and how important it is for us as scouts to be here with them and get to know them as players.”
