All Episodes

December 17, 2024 59 mins

What separates a good prospect from a great one? In this episode, I am joined by Mike Wagner, the National Crosschecker for the New York Yankees, to share ways your son can stand out in the scouting process. He breaks down the role of technology and analytics, the difference between on-field and off-field makeup, and tips on choosing the right coaches and programs for youth players. He also shares the challenges of transitioning into professional play. Get ready to know what scouts are really looking for!

 

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet Mike Wagner, National Crosschecker for the New York Yankees.

06:30 When do scouts start evaluating young players?

10:30 What is on-field vs off-field makeup in scouting?

16:15 How scouts and directors collaborate to find the next MLB stars.

25:15 How teams evaluate player performance.

31:30 Should young players specialize in one sport?

35:30 The difference between a player's skills vs top-end potential.

44:00 What is the 20-80 player grading scale?

54:30 Advice for youth players on choosing the right team and coach.

 

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

 

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Mike Wagner: @michaelwagner

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Therapy Gecko

Therapy Gecko

An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.