Interview w/John Schuerholz

[UK1679666180]

I know this isn't related to the Cubs, but I think there is some interesting info in this 3 part interview. Especially, considering Schuerholz has been the most effective GM dating back to the O's (Dalton) of the late 60s-70s.

 

 

Part I:

 

http://www.talkingchop.com/story/2005/12/4/215940/326

 

Part II:

 

http://www.talkingchop.com/story/2005/12/11/222434/05

 

Part III:

 

http://www.talkingchop.com/story/2005/12/29/133254/47

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Thanks for posting, UK. I'm of the opinion that JS is the best GM in baseball. I've heard he has a book on the way. I am eagerly awaiting it.

[UK1679666180]

You'd enjoy Scout's honor, then.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

[CubinNY]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

 

I was speaking in terms of drafting HS pitchers, some advocate staying away from HS pitchers especially early on in the draft, it's a thought process I've always frowned upon. I consider Beane to be part of it still, but he mentions the value he could get from drafting them, which is showing a trend towards more and more collegiate players.

[anemic offense]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

 

Unfortunatley, I think a lot of our failure is in the instruction. When several publications (noteably BA) consistently rate your drafts well over a five year period, it gives a good indication you're getting the talent. The problem is, these players (maybe its attitude, or their work ethic) remain SO inept at the fundamentals of the game, like strike zone judement, base running, situational contact, etc. that they have little chance to succeed. It would be different if it was a few players here and there, but most every one of our touted prospects (positional) have proven inadequate.

 

That's not to say some of the blame shouldn't fall on the scouting deparment. It's obvious they've made some mistakes. But I think a lot of is our lower level instruction. It'd be hard to name an organization who fails to get players (hitters) to improve as much as this one does. Whatever the case, it definately has to be fixed.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/12/21835/5246

 

 

Part II of the Beane interview that talks about Loaiza, Bradley, current state of their roster, etc.

[UK1679666180]

Part III and final installment of the interview...

 

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/16/125218/977

[stitchface]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

 

I was speaking in terms of drafting HS pitchers, some advocate staying away from HS pitchers especially early on in the draft, it's a thought process I've always frowned upon. I consider Beane to be part of it still, but he mentions the value he could get from drafting them, which is showing a trend towards more and more collegiate players.

 

why do you frown upon risk management? This is simply a numbers game. High school pitchers have a huge risk associated with them. You can frown on it if you want, but the numbers are there and they don't lie.

[stitchface]

part III is the most interesting by far - except for the idea of mcdowell as a pitching coach. he used to sit in the bleachers with us after he pitched (well he did it once at least).

[stitchface]

Question: was the beane interview much more interesting or is that just because I'm an A's fan. JS has better initials though. Thanks for the post UK.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

 

I was speaking in terms of drafting HS pitchers, some advocate staying away from HS pitchers especially early on in the draft, it's a thought process I've always frowned upon. I consider Beane to be part of it still, but he mentions the value he could get from drafting them, which is showing a trend towards more and more collegiate players.

 

why do you frown upon risk management? This is simply a numbers game. High school pitchers have a huge risk associated with them. You can frown on it if you want, but the numbers are there and they don't lie.

 

It's not risk management when you eliminate an entire sector. The concept of drawing a line in the sand, isn't a correct one.

 

You can't say we'll never draft a HS pitcher, it's stupid to eliminate the best player based on the increased potential of lack of faith in your development program.

[UK1679666180]

More interesting b/c Schuerholz has more of a bland personality during interviews compared to Beane. I think he expanded more than general GM speak compared to Schuerholz as well.

[stitchface]

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/1/10/162134/646

 

I figured I'd switch it up a bit and post an interview with Billy Beane.

 

Value in HS pitchers? Yes there is.

 

Have faith in player development and draft the best player available.

 

To me the bolded part is where the Cubs have to invest more in. I don't know if it is dollars or people or both.

 

I was speaking in terms of drafting HS pitchers, some advocate staying away from HS pitchers especially early on in the draft, it's a thought process I've always frowned upon. I consider Beane to be part of it still, but he mentions the value he could get from drafting them, which is showing a trend towards more and more collegiate players.

 

why do you frown upon risk management? This is simply a numbers game. High school pitchers have a huge risk associated with them. You can frown on it if you want, but the numbers are there and they don't lie.

 

It's not risk management when you eliminate an entire sector. The concept of drawing a line in the sand, isn't a correct one.

 

You can't say we'll never draft a HS pitcher, it's stupid to eliminate the best player based on the increased potential of lack of faith in your development program.

 

maybe I don't get what you are saying, its not elimination, its selective distribution of resources to help the major league team.

[UK1679666180]

There are teams that have basically implied they will not draft a HS pitcher or C b/c of the higher risk.

 

So, when there's a C like Salty in ATL's minor league system or a high school pitcher like Beckett, they would pass them up?

 

There will always be successful HS pitchers and catchers & under that premise any elimination based on risk while overlooking their OFP is bad baseball.

 

I'd like to see a team have faith in their scouting and player development, watching teams never draft a HS pitcher or C, gives me a signal that a team doesn't have the same faith as a team like the Braves do.

[stitchface]

I think the injury risk is a bigger factor than the scouting or development. What team doesn't draft any high schoolers?

[UK1679666180]

All the teams draft HS players that ones that are afraid draft OF'ers instead of pitchers/catchers. Despite Bonderman (debate the merits of whether or not that was a mistake or not of drafting him) Oakland, Toronto, STL (recently '04), Cleveland, etc. It would be a strange occurance for them to draft a HS pitcher early. Drafting a C would be even more unheard of.

 

I think the injury risk is a bigger factor than the scouting or development.

 

Either the GM or the scouts/instuctors should be fired, if that's the case.

[stitchface]

All the teams draft HS players that ones that are afraid draft OF'ers instead of pitchers/catchers. Despite Bonderman (debate the merits of whether or not that was a mistake or not of drafting him) Oakland, Toronto, STL (recently '04), Cleveland, etc. It would be a strange occurance for them to draft a HS pitcher early. Drafting a C would be even more unheard of.

 

I think the injury risk is a bigger factor than the scouting or development.

 

Either the GM or the scouts/instuctors should be fired, if that's the case.

 

huh? Why? High school pitchers are far more likely to get injured than reach the majors. I don't follow your argument.

[UK1679666180]

huh? Why? High school pitchers are far more likely to get injured than reach the majors. I don't follow your argument.

 

That falls on the program itself. If they were more careful at monitoring fatigue as well as mechanics.

 

A pitcher whether he goes into college or signs a contract will have been abused in HS.

 

I'd rather see a player goes thru 3 years in the minors than 3 years in college if I was a GM or scouting director, that way you have the control as far as his workload and mechanics, etc.

 

The higher injury ratio of HS pitchers compared to college pitchers, tells me not to draft HS pitchers, but teams are not doing a good enough job of monitoring fatigue, using biomechanics, prehab work, nutritional work, and recovery time.

 

Teams have to look in the mirror when a pitcher gets injured, instead of ignoring it.