3 replies to this topic

[FFP]

While hunting for prospects during that recent "everbody is on the trading block" re-re-iteration, it occurred to me that the meaning of the phrase "high baseball IQ" is a little fuzzy to me.

As this from Mike Andrews (ESPN) on Red Sox' prospect Xandar Bogaerts:

(Bogaerts has) an athletic and lean-but-powerful frame. He has shown a high baseball IQ with impressive maturity during his first two seasons in the Sox system, dominating the Dominican Summer League in 2010 and posting impressive power numbers for an 18-year-old in Low-A in 2011

I can imagine what this means, but is that what the guy who said it means? What facets of baseball-between-the-ears do they really mean? Tactical knowledge about the game? In-game focus? Kinesthetic intelligence?

What are some objective ways to measure baseball IQ? Or is this one of those old school terms that may mean something depending on which scout says it?

[ced landrum]

It's old school. Usually it covers things like taking an extra base. Going the other way in certain situations and counts. Always knowing where the play is on defense.

I don't think there is any way of measuring it. Really all it means is he is a sound fundamental player who has good instinct.

[Fishin Phil]

Would it include how many outs are left in the inning?

Sorry Starlin, I just couldn't resist.

[FFP]

I admit Castro's recent play had me wondering about his baseball IQ, too. At least one of those mistakes was wandering focus.

I think of Nomar when I think of focus. He had ways of keeping himself into games when lesser men were drifting. His ticks were part of that, I think. I once saw him in a 13 inning, two rain delay game. He did those toe taps every pitch on defense until after 2 AM.

Focus has to be part of my measure of baseball IQ. Baseball is a long season (hopefully very long) full of long games.