Quote:
Originally Posted by StyxNCa
From my understanding, ability = what they are doing now while tools = the opinion of what they will do down the road.
I may be wrong, but you hear it all the time in sports, Joe Blow has the tools to become great.
Doesn't mean he will for whatever reason.
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How I look at tools vs. ability would be:
tools=having it somewhere in him to do something, while ability is something that is already showing. OR tools=athleticism, ability=baseball playing acumen.
A guy may have great speed (tool) but he's not a good base-stealer (ability)...and he may never grasp the concept. Likewise, a guy may have really good bat-speed (tool) but may never develop the strength to hit for power (ability).
I think of it as having a box with different tools in it...so what if you have the nicest and newest drill, hammer, nails, screws and wood, that doesn't necessarily you'll have the mental or physical acumen to build a shed at all, let alone a great shed. Meanwhile, there's some people out there who can build the shed without any of the tools...it might not be the sturdiest or nicest, but it'll stand and function.
What would you rather have? A guaranteed standing crappy shed or the possibilty for a glorious one (or none at all)?
I would say that each team favors ability but likes to sprinkle in guys with tools. Teams want to win, but scouts are the ones who favor one over the other. Some scouts like "players" while others like athleticism.
When I think tools, I think Matt Kemp...a guy who could be a pro basketball player or football player, he's just so gifted with his speed and strength. He's not a great player yet though, but he's improving. He could be a .290/35 HR/35 SB guy, or he could just be another so-so OF.
Dustin Pedroia on the other hand...really good player, but not a ton of tools. What you see is what you get, he's never going to become a huge power guy or improve dramatically in any one area.
You win with guys like Dustin Pedroia...you draw fans, and sometimes win, with guys like Matt Kemp. And when you combine the two, you get a hall-of-famers like Pujols and A-Rod.