Anytime you start referencing some of the greatest players in a particular sports’ history, it’s always interesting to look back and see how exactly the player rose to prominence. Did teams pass on him in the draft? What were the concerns about the player? And in this case, what was the scouting report on a future Hall of Famer like Ken Griffey Jr.?
Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Seattle Mariner’s Hall of Fame this past Saturday, after totaling 417 Hrs, 1216 RBIs, and a .292 batting average in his 1,685 games with the franchise. Seattle scout Steve Vrablik was the one who signed off on Seattle taking the talented prospect #1 in the ’87 Amateur Draft, and some of his key points in the initial scouting point are listed below.
• Not fully matured. Will get stronger.
• Quick stroke ball jumps off bat.
• Over swings at times.
• Will drop his hands with a slight hitch and a tendecy (sic) to uppercut.
• Very good instincts in the OF
• Top prospect for me with outstanding skills.
Via Busted Coverage, we actually have the real report.
Looks like at least one baseball scout knew what he was doing.