Mark Ralston is a seasoned baseball scout with nearly 30 years of experience in Major League Baseball. He spent time with the Braves, Mets, Phillies and Orioles. In this episode we discuss Mark's journey into scouting, the importance of building relationships, the intricacies of evaluating players, and the evolving landscape of baseball scouting. Mark shares insights on mentorship, the scouting process, and the challenges of identifying talent in a competitive environment.

"You have to rely on a gut feel."

Topics:

00:00 Introduction to Baseball Scouting

02:45 Mark Ralston's Journey into Scouting

05:50 The Evolution of Scouting Techniques

08:36 Building Relationships in Scouting

11:17 Transitioning Between Teams

14:23 Evaluating Players: Hitting, Pitching, and Fielding

17:00 Understanding the Draft Process

19:57 The Role of Cross-Checkers

22:31 Experiences with the Orioles

25:45 The Scouting Community and Relationships

28:56 Navigating Scouting Challenges

34:25 Transitioning from the Orioles

37:10 Rejoining the Mets: A New Opportunity

40:14 The Evolution of Scouting in the Digital Age

46:30 Evaluating Talent: The Importance of Mental Makeup

53:36 Memorable Prospects: A Look Back at Legends

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