Welcome To Scout School
Long time MLB Scout and current CEO of PROGRAM 15 Jeremy Booth leads this course that breaks down the foundations to scouting in today’s game. Students will read, watch video, evaluate players, fill out MLB reports on their own, conduct Zoom conferences, and evaluate players on video to complete certification.
Scout School has been critically reviewed by front office personnel at the Major League level to vet the program. Whether you seek a career in scouting, analytics, recruiting, or player development – a scouting background is a tremendous way to bring value to any player or organization.
Scout School is composed of 5 levels. Certification is awarded after the successful completion of each level. In total, a student could finish all five levels within a 6 month time period.
Scout School Certification Levels
Level I – Foundations of Scouting
Level I Certifications are awarded to individuals that show mastery of the foundations of scouting. This is the “book smart” phase. The student will show a mastery of all written concepts including: 20-80 scale, the 5 tools, terminology, phraseology, abbreviations, OFP, athletic markers, identifying projection, current/future grading systems, positive and negative comments, best practices, introduction to data’s role in the scouting process and more.
Level II – Application to Amateur Scouting
In this course, the student will apply all of the scouting principles that they learned in Level I. A Level I student will be proficient in understanding scouting and it’s foundation.
The Level II student will do far less reading, and will watch much more video on prospects. The student will be constantly evaluating amateur players, filling out reports, and having in depth discussions on these specific prospects and case studies.
Level III – Application to International Scouting
In this course, the student will apply all of the scouting principles that they learned in Levels I and II.
The Level III student will do far less reading and will watch much more video on international prospects. The student will be constantly evaluating amateur players, filling out reports, and having in-depth discussions on these specific international prospects and case studies. International prospects are many times younger, have different cultural considerations, and have a different signing and eligibility period than U.S. amateurs.
Level IV – Application to Pro Scouting
In this course, the student will apply all of the scouting principles that they learned in Levels I, II, and III.
The Level IV student will do far less reading, and will watch much more video and in-person scouting on prospects. The student will be constantly evaluating professional players, filling out reports, and having in depth discussions on these specific prospects, players and case studies. The student will fully understand when to recognize when a player has hit his ceiling, and how to evaluate your own organization.
Level V – Application to the Draft and Player Development
In this course, the student will apply all of the scouting principles that they learned in previous levels.
The Level V student will do far less reading, and will watch much more video and in-person scouting on prospects. The student will be constantly evaluating amateur players, filling out reports, and having in depth discussions on these specific prospects, players and case studies. The student will fully understand when to recognize when a player has hit his ceiling, and how to evaluate U.S. amateurs.
