ProbarGOLD- Free

80 PROOF: BEST TOOLS
Baseball America|September 2023
THE STANDARD-BEARER FOR EACH SCOUTING TOOL IN MLB TODAY
- KYLE GLASER
80 PROOF: BEST TOOLS

When it comes to evaluating players' scouting tools grades, an 80 is the holy grail.

An 80-grade tool represents the best of the best on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Some evaluators consider only one player's tool to be an 80 at a given time, simply because only one can be the best.

When you think of 80 tools, think of Tony Gwynn's hitting ability, Mark McGwire's power, Rickey Henderson's speed, Ozzie Smith's defense, Randy Johnson's fastball and Mariano Rivera's cutter.

Those are the tools that stand among the greatest individual attributes of all time and are remembered long after the players' careers are over. Five of the six historical cases cited above culminated with the player's election to the Hall of Fame. McGwire would have a strong case if not for admitted steroid use.

While 80 tools are rare, they are not contained solely to the past. As players have gotten bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive with advances in nutrition, technology and player development, myriad players with 80-grade tools have emerged in MLB in recent years.

We asked MLB all-stars for their thoughts on which players possess 80-grade tools in the game today. All statistics are accurate through mid-August.

SPEED

Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds

The game is filled with athletic flyers, including Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll and Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, but De La Cruz is the fastest of them of all.

The Reds rookie has the fastest sprint speed in the majors this year at 30.4 feet per second, just ahead of both Witt and Turner. Beyond just his pure speed, he effectively uses it to change games and is a true 80 runner.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Baseball America.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Baseball America.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BASEBALL AMERICAVer todo
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Baseball America

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Following the dissolution of the Pac-12, Oregon State embraces the uncertainty-and challenge of playing with no conference affiliation and remaining a national power

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 2025
MLB FEELS THE LOSS OF MR. BASEBALL, BOB UECKER
Baseball America

MLB FEELS THE LOSS OF MR. BASEBALL, BOB UECKER

Bob Uecker was never afraid to laugh at himself. His sense of humor endeared him to millions and earned him a place of reverence in the game, making his Mr. Baseball moniker entirely fitting.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2025
BASEBALL LOSES RICKEY HENDERSON, ITS MAN OF STEAL
Baseball America

BASEBALL LOSES RICKEY HENDERSON, ITS MAN OF STEAL

From roaming the hallways at Oakland Technical High to breaking records down the road at the Oakland Coliseum, left fielder Rickey Henderson personified the heart and grit of his home city.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2025
A WINNING COMBINATION
Baseball America

A WINNING COMBINATION

More talent and better training methods have made college baseball a more attractive precursor to pro ball. Preseason No. 1 Texas A&M typifies this talent-rich new reality.

time-read
5 minutos  |
February 2025
IT'S NOT HOW YOU START
Baseball America

IT'S NOT HOW YOU START

Evidence mounts that baseball players, especially pitchers, should aim to peak around age 20

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 2025
WHY COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHES ARE PURSUING OLDER ROSTERS
Baseball America

WHY COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHES ARE PURSUING OLDER ROSTERS

Nick Mingione was certain about two things heading into the 2023 season, his seventh at the helm of Kentucky's baseball program.

time-read
5 minutos  |
February 2025
TWINSPIRATION
Baseball America

TWINSPIRATION

Witherspoon twins Kyson and Malachi draw inspiration from their determined single mother and each other as their baseball journey leads them to the front of Oklahoma's rotation

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 2025
SURVIVE AND ADAPT
Baseball America

SURVIVE AND ADAPT

To be a college baseball coach is to be at the whim of the money-making sports, football and basketball. Success in such an environment is dependent on resiliency and malleability.

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 2025
INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS
Baseball America

INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS

Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS
Baseball America

MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS

Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025

Usamos cookies para proporcionar y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al usan nuestro sitio aceptas el uso de cookies. Learn more