The Hidden Grind Behind Baseball's Exhibition Games: A Scout's Spring Training Odyssey!
While fans see spring training as a casual warm-up, for Mike Borzello, an advance scout, it's a crucial evaluation season packed with intense analysis. Long before the first pitch, Borzello is meticulously dissecting every aspect of the game, from player positioning to emerging trends that often escape the notice of the casual observer or even the dugout.
Think of it this way: while the manager and players are focused on the immediate action on the field, scouts like Borzello are looking at the bigger picture, with a perspective that's entirely their own. As Padres manager Craig Stammen puts it, scouts offer a viewpoint "not your own," a vital asset when making critical team decisions. They aren't caught up in the emotional ebb and flow of a game; instead, they're analytically tracking everything from pitch sequences to defensive setups and the split-second decisions players make.
"I think they’re probably specific in what they’re looking for," Stammen explains. "Their eyes and ears are open for something that they may not have seen that piques their eyes and their ears, that could give the team an advantage to win a ball game or win a series."
This analytical lens is particularly sharp in March. Why? Because roster spots are still up for grabs, and for many players, the difference between making the Opening Day roster and being sent to Triple-A can hinge on these very evaluations. Borzello’s early work involves a deep dive into his own team’s players. He’s assessing readiness, identifying who’s ready for the big leagues, and determining who might fill specific roles. He's watching how players handle the pressure of game situations speeding up, paying close attention to pitch selection and defensive positioning.
"For what I’m doing now is we’re trying and evaluating; we already know the tools that each guy has for the most part," Borzello shares. "We’re watching to see if the young guys that are in camp are ready."
While the core of the Opening Day roster is usually set, spring training is where the margins are decided. It's the scout's hope to witness unexpected breakouts from young talent, allowing the team to solidify its roster without the panic of needing to fill gaps mid-season due to injuries to star players. Borzello emphasizes, "I think it’s a ‘You got to see it a couple times to believe it,’ especially if it’s someone that’s kind of a dark horse."
Scouts are on the hunt for consistency. Can a pitcher repeatedly hit the strike zone? Does a bench player consistently come through in clutch situations? Do a defender's instincts hold up over time? These are the questions they're answering.
But here's where it gets tricky... Padres General Manager A.J. Preller wisely cautions, "I think we’ve all seen over the years, you can get fooled in spring training pretty easily. You’ve got to put it all in context." Spring statistics can be deceiving. The level of competition varies, pitchers might be experimenting with new pitches or focusing on building arm strength, and hitters may prioritize timing over immediate results. The games themselves feel different, with lower stakes. Yet, the information gathered remains invaluable.
As spring training progresses, Borzello's focus shifts. With Opening Day on the horizon, he begins to prepare for the opposition. "So we open the MLB season with the Detroit Tigers, and then we play the Giants," he notes. "So I’ll go watch the Giants play a lot of games and make my notes and see how their roster is shaping up."
This meticulous preparation forms the basis of advanced reports – detailed analyses of opponent tendencies, bullpen strategies, defensive alignments, and lineup constructions. These reports are the secret weapon coaches use to strategize for the initial series of the regular season.
And this is the part most people miss... After the games conclude, Borzello heads into the clubhouse, seeking clarification on pitch selections or defensive plays. Later, at home, the video review begins anew. "By the time I get home, they’ll usually have the video uploaded, and I can re-watch the game pitch by pitch to see if what I saw matches," he says. He scrutinizes pitch sequencing, defensive setups, and the execution of cutoff and relay plays – the small details that can often decide close games over a grueling 162-game season.
The scout's day doesn't end with the final out. During the regular season, the schedule adapts to night games. Borzello might arrive at the ballpark around 3 p.m. to observe batting practice and jot down notes before heading to the press box.
The true reward for these early mornings and late-night video sessions? It comes months later, perhaps in a critical September series, when a lineup tweak or defensive shift he identified weeks earlier in spring training makes a tangible difference. "Make the postseason," Borzello states. "When you win a big series, and you feel a part of it, or something happened in a game that you put in a report that made a difference."
Ultimately, for Borzello and his fellow scouts, it all boils down to one thing: Winning. "Just winning and more winning, the better you feel about the job you’re doing."
Before the first pitch of Opening Day, the reports are finalized, the videos are reviewed, and the last roster spots are confirmed. And the next morning? It's a familiar cycle: "It’s rinse and repeat."
What do you think about the intense, often unseen, work that goes into scouting? Do you believe spring training stats should carry more weight, or are they truly just for exhibition? Share your thoughts below!
