Editor’s Note: This is the seventh installment of “College Recruiting 101 Powered by 1 More Rep Athletics & Fitness” in which we delve into the world of college baseball recruiting. In the last edition, we spoke with SUNY Maritime HC Charlie Barbieri on what he looks for in a college athlete and how he goes about his recruiting process. And in this edition, we speak with Phillies scout Dan Palumbo on his experience with scouting and how it pertains to the northeast athletes.)
Can you tell our audience how you initially got into scouting?
I got into scouting after a 26-year career as a head coach, hitting coach, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Div-I, Div-II and Div-III. It was the logical transition and I was very connected in the metro area college and high school teams.
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
The most rewarding part by far to me is having some kind of impact on these young men’s lives. Being able to have the opportunity to possibly guide them in situations that relate not only to baseball but to real life. Any time you are contacted by or meet up with a former player you coached or scouted is so great.
Players from the northeast tend to get under appreciated but yet year-after-year, someone breaks through into the big leagues. In your estimation, what is the common denominator with players that make it?
Players from the northeast may get a bad rap but I see the positives. Sure they are behind sometimes because of the weather and therefore actual on field time, but having to deal with those kind of adverse situations actually show a sort of relentlessness that can only be driven by sincere passion. And without a doubt a degree of toughness that comes with finding ways to do what you have to do. That’s a special love for the game.
For the high level high school player that is also a great student, how difficult is that to navigate with parents and what do you think is their best course of action if they want to play pro ball but are Ivy League type of student?
The discussions and decisions with high academic student athletes really comes down to logic over emotion. And logically includes family situations, future goals and physical/emotional maturity. Rather than being a salesman, if you show a sincere concern for what’s best and be an open-minded listener, therefore, responding with that same sincerity, most times in my experiences the answer is easier than it sounds.
We constantly hear about how scouts are being phased out of the game. In my opinion, there will always be a need for them. Can you tell our audience why it is so important for good scouts to be in the game of baseball?
This one is easy to me. Metrics and stats, although an important part of scouting and recruiting, do not and can not show or reveal character. The “eye test” that is comprised by so many things – body language, hustle, focus, intensity and interacting with teammates, coaches, opponents and umpires show so much of what is ultimately needed to succeed. That, in my opinion, can never be replaced.
