One thing I've seen is Rosenthal saying the Angels landed him because Eppler started scouting him back in HS, and before he signed the teams reportedly in the lead (Ms and Pads) were in such a position because they had been scouting and building the relationship since HS also. From the little we have heard from Otani's camp, this came down to the bond he felt, which would corroborate with what Ken said. I have to believe Thoyer had been doing the same, but I haven't heard it, FWIW. That would surprise me. There's no way we were behind in scouting and courting this dude from the beginning, right?