Handbook Preview: Scout Interview

One of my favorite things to do in regards to this website - whether in conjunction with the Prospect Handbook or not - is have an ongoing dialogue with scouts in the organization. My favorite article I've ever posted still remains the interview I did with West Coast Scouting Supervisor Sean Johnson.

In the 2013 edition of the handbook, I had an interview with Jack Powell, who is the scout responsible for signing Byron Buxton. The full interview was available in the book, with a brief preview here.

In an effort to make keep the tradition of featuring a scout in each year's handbook, I reached out to one of the newest members of the Twins scouting fraternity: Freddie Thon.

This picture of Freddie was during his minor-league All-Star days of 2006, but you get the point - he's a former baseballer and now his job is to locate the next generation of Twins prospects. Located primarily in southern Florida and Puerto Rico, Thon's job is especially important, given the success the Twins have had in that area.

I'd love for you to read the whole interview, but that's only going to be available in the Handbook (which is available in both paperback and eBook versions).

Some excerpts here:

After deciding that I would not be playing anymore, I spent several months contacting teams about possible scouting positions and preparing myself for the time when an opportunity arose. Before I began the interview process with the Twins, I spent plenty of time with my brother (Frankie Thon, Jr.; area scout with the Arizona Diamondbacks) and my father (Frankie Thon; area scout with the Texas Rangers) to gain a perspective of how scouting works and what a scout’s responsibilities are. Once I started working officially with the Twins, the amount of information and advice given to me by the Twins scouting staff, (particularly my supervisor Billy Corrigan and National Crosschecker Tim O’Neil) made the transition a lot smoother.

Freddie talks about his background, which is very baseball heavy, and also his path from high school through college and into the minor leagues.

Of course, I had to ask him about next year's draft class:

I’m very excited about the draft crop in the South Florida/Puerto Rico area: there’s premium talent on the mound, at shortstop, and behind the plate. There are also players with particular tools that have a chance to be in the 7-8 range, which is extremely exciting to look forward to. It’s going to be a fun year watching these players perform and develop as well as putting together complete evaluations of them.

Freddie spoke at length about many other things as well. Pick up the Handbook, you won't be disappointed.