Most important skill in baseball - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Ltlabner · 11-06-2006, 03:28 PM

What is the singlemost important skill a baseball player needs to be successfull in the MLB?

My first response was hitting but there are plenty of solid D, light hitting players who make a living.

I also thought raw altheticism but that's pretty vague and plenty of prospects have had top shelf althetic skills but couldn't get it all together.

I settled on timing. The timing to hit the ball, catch the ball, throw the ball (including pitching) and run around the bases has to be spot on to rise to the top in MLB.

Tornon · 11-06-2006, 03:37 PM

Scrappy?

Honestly though, I would say control..

Control of your bat & hitting where you want it to go
Control of your throws in the field
Control of your pitches if your a pitcher
In a way though, I guess having control is similar to having good timing

savafan · 11-06-2006, 03:54 PM

I think it all comes down to knowing how to play the game the right way.

BRM · 11-06-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savafan

I think it all comes down to knowing how to play the game the right way.

RANDY IN INDY · 11-06-2006, 04:03 PM

God given ability, and a head to use it.

Tom Servo · 11-06-2006, 04:03 PM

socking dingers

lollipopcurve · 11-06-2006, 04:07 PM

I think it's the ability to will the pitcher to walk you. Scouts need to realize this and start tracking Little Leaguers who steadfastly anchor the bat to their shoulders, quaking at the knees and whimpering in order to divert the pitcher's attention from the plate.

Nah -- it's squaring the baseball on the barrel of the bat.

vaticanplum · 11-06-2006, 04:17 PM

I don't think it's THE most important, but adaptability is a great quality to have as a ball-player. An ability to make good split-second decisions and adjustments.

FutureRedsGM · 11-06-2006, 04:34 PM

Hiring Scott Boras as your agent?

dougflynn23 · 11-06-2006, 05:30 PM

From a pitcher's point of view, it's making the sweet spot of the hitter's bat miss the ball.

MWM · 11-06-2006, 07:51 PM

That's easy. THe ability to get on base is easily the most important skill a baseball player can have.

Team Clark · 11-06-2006, 07:55 PM

Strength and Flexibility

goreds2 · 11-06-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY IN CHAR NC

God given ability, and a head to use it.

I think the MENTAL approach is VERY IMPORTANT.

MrCinatit · 11-06-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goreds2

I think the MENTAL approach is VERY IMPORTANT.

Very much so, yes.
Great eyesight is very helpful, too - but then again, that really is not a skill.

OSUmed2010 · 11-06-2006, 10:24 PM

veteran presence

11-06-2006, 03:28 PM	#1
Ltlabner 2009: Fail Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 7,441	Most important skill in baseball What is the singlemost important skill a baseball player needs to be successfull in the MLB? My first response was hitting but there are plenty of solid D, light hitting players who make a living. I also thought raw altheticism but that's pretty vague and plenty of prospects have had top shelf althetic skills but couldn't get it all together. I settled on timing. The timing to hit the ball, catch the ball, throw the ball (including pitching) and run around the bases has to be spot on to rise to the top in MLB. __________________ a super volcano of ridonkulous suckitude. I simply don't have access to a "cares about RBI" place in my psyche. There is a "mildly curious about OBI%" alcove just before the acid filled lake guarded by robot snipers with lasers which leads to the "cares about RBI" antechamber though. - Nate

11-06-2006, 03:37 PM	#2
Tornon Who, What, Where, When? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,531	Re: Most important skill in baseball Scrappy? Honestly though, I would say control.. Control of your bat & hitting where you want it to go Control of your throws in the field Control of your pitches if your a pitcher In a way though, I guess having control is similar to having good timing

11-06-2006, 03:54 PM	#3
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,485	Re: Most important skill in baseball I think it all comes down to knowing how to play the game the right way. __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

11-06-2006, 04:03 PM	#5
RANDY IN INDY Matt's Dad Join Date: May 2000 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 14,503	Re: Most important skill in baseball God given ability, and a head to use it. __________________ Talent is God Given: be humble. Fame is man given: be thankful. Conceit is self given: be careful. John Wooden

11-06-2006, 04:03 PM	#6
Tom Servo thirsty and miserable Join Date: May 2006 Location: NJ/NY Posts: 5,409	Re: Most important skill in baseball socking dingers

11-06-2006, 04:07 PM	#7
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,482	Re: Most important skill in baseball I think it's the ability to will the pitcher to walk you. Scouts need to realize this and start tracking Little Leaguers who steadfastly anchor the bat to their shoulders, quaking at the knees and whimpering in order to divert the pitcher's attention from the plate. Nah -- it's squaring the baseball on the barrel of the bat. __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

11-06-2006, 04:17 PM	#8
vaticanplum Has big taste Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 6,704	Re: Most important skill in baseball I don't think it's THE most important, but adaptability is a great quality to have as a ball-player. An ability to make good split-second decisions and adjustments. __________________ There is no such thing as a pitching prospect.

11-06-2006, 04:34 PM	#9
FutureRedsGM I'm toolsy. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Just South of Louisville Posts: 334	Re: Most important skill in baseball Hiring Scott Boras as your agent?

11-06-2006, 05:30 PM	#10
dougflynn23 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 725	Re: Most important skill in baseball From a pitcher's point of view, it's making the sweet spot of the hitter's bat miss the ball.

11-06-2006, 07:51 PM	#11
MWM Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 12,171	Re: Most important skill in baseball That's easy. THe ability to get on base is easily the most important skill a baseball player can have. __________________ Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

11-06-2006, 10:24 PM	#15
OSUmed2010 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 128	Re: Most important skill in baseball veteran presence

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