Advanced Scouting on Display vs. Brewers

by mrcubsfan on Sep 16, 2008 8:39 AM CDT Comment 11 comments

During this three game series against the Brewers we are likely to get a preview of our advance scouting team. In previous years, the Cubs budget was woefully weak in scouting. This came to a head in the NLDS last year when we were totally overmatched.

Since September 1 (or earlier) I think everyone pointed to this series as possibly for the division title. While today it may look like a formality, you can bet for the past two or three weeks our advance scouts have been focusing on the Brewers and the potential ramifications. While the front office may say all series are important, for the past few weeks this series was the most important (and the last Brewers series at the end of the month). I think it’s safe to say that the last six Brewers games have been circled in red by everyone in the Cubs organization for a long time.

What we should be able to witness is our hitters approach at the plate vs. particular pitchers, our pitchers and catchers pitch choice/location and who we may be willing to take an extra base on and test the arm of some outfielders. These will be the most obvious but there will be others. There are two variables though. The firing of Yost and what that does to the Brewers psyche and also the losing that has plagued their team.

I am going to watch this series as a preview of our ability to take our scouting departments reports and implement them into the game. I think it will give us an idea of what to expect during the NLDS and beyond. If we are to get to the promised land, advanced scouting and the implementation of the approach will be crucial.

I’m curious to read your thoughts on the series, scouting and our preparation for the Brewers and beyond. Sweep and it’s over. Go Cubs Go!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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A little off topic

But how much does it help us in the playoffs that we have played or will have played 4 potential playoff teams in the last month of the season (Phillies/Mets/Brewers/Astros).

by walsh2317 on Sep 16, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably as much as it helps the others.

We see them, they see us. We get to see their hitters, fielders, and pitchers’ stuff and moves, and they get to see ours.

The one area where it will be useful, I think, is that we’re staying sharp rather than coasting.

by MN exile on Sep 16, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With all the money...

…the Cubs have spent on players the last 4-5 years, I can’t understand how Hendry could not convince the powers at be to let him hire more scouts. These guys are paid peanuts and I would think Hendry’s philosophy fits very well with relying heavily on scouts.

Anyway, as the season gets deep (and especially in the playoffs) quality scouting reports can be the difference between winning a losing a series, no doubt.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 16, 2008 8:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That has to be a top priority of new ownership...

… hiring more scouts, and increasing the baseball staff in general.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 16, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thing that occurs to me

is yes, scouting is critical and important, but bottom line, it all rests on if the batters and pitchers can follow through on the scouting reports. Can they lay off certain pitches from certain pitchers in certain situations? Up until recently, I’d say yes, they can. But in the last couple of weeks, they’ve seemed much less patient at the plate.

Also, can our pitchers execute their pitches in those situations? I hope so.

Scouting is important to help you create a game plan for the series. But, the players have to execute that game plan for them to be successful.

I hope they can, and I hope they will. We’ll know how well that all worked out by Thursday.

by DWChaney on Sep 16, 2008 9:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree....

…that no matter what the plan, the players still need to execute on the field. This is really very similar to preparing an offensive and defensive game plan for a football game, you can put the players in a good position to exploit the other team’s weaknesses, but the still need to do it on the field.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 16, 2008 9:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good points.

Those advance scouting reports can be vital come playoff time. Remember in the WS lst year when Papelbon picked off Holliday? It happened because of the advanced scouting report said Holliday liked to run on the first pitch.

But ultimately, those reports have to be executed by the players. It would appear that Derrek Lee is one of the players who has adjusted to the scouting report on him, beginning to drive the ball the other way again, thankfully.

I think this team has done a pretty good job with the reports this year – the ‘Jeff Karstens Game’ being a notable exception.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Sep 16, 2008 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it the money...

… or the personnel? IIRC the Cubs had a scout who followed the Diamondbacks and saw every Dbacks home game last year. His name is Ed Lynch.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 16, 2008 2:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What is the purpose of "Advanced Scouting?

I’m no expert on anything, I’m only trying to gain some insight on this as an uninformed observer. Can someone explain to me the purpose of having on-site Advanced Scouting? Every game in MLB is televised by someone, somewhere and every statistic imaginable is availabe online.

Do we really need people on the ground to determine if Justin Upton can’t lay off a 2-2 changeup? Again, you may want to file this under the “what does he know” category, but that Advanced Scouting seems so 1998.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 16, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs