okay, but what's the context for a future major league starter with a low-90's fastball, pro-level slider, and no obvious control issues putting up a so-so ERA and poor strikeout numbers at a mid-level college baseball program? i'm sure the opposite scenario is pretty common-- a guy puts up huge numbers in college and high school but doesn't have what it takes to succeed against higher level competition-- but the norris scenario would seem to be pretty rare without an obvious explanation like poor control, mechanics, or injury. certainly the astros scouts had an explanation, or they wouldn't have spent a 6th round pick on him.
You'd have to talk to a real pro scout, but here are some things to consider:
1. Body Build
2. Mechanics
3. Tools (in terms of fluid use thereof)
4. Judgement
5. Composure
You can probably add more, but it's not numbers that will make or break a pro player until they are actually in the pros. There was a kid in the Houston organization that looked for all the world to be a potential pro player star. The problem became injury and then work ethic to overcome said injury and also work ethic to improve. I won't name the player because it's not really important at this point. What I remember saying to self and friends at the Dell Diamond about this kid was "what a waste". See he had all the potential in the world, so he had the first hurdle jumped... so the next thing that makes a pro out of a player is on the player himself, not the scout.
Work ethic and desire must take over (it's called player development in some circles, so the best organizations are judged not only by scouting but by player development as well). That is why you need to have some sort of mitigation in scouting a player that will tell you if they possess the personal traits that tell you this kid will work hard and apply himself if we provide the framework for him to do so.
Houston does evaluate players on personal levels as a standard for scouting.
