What Can I Assume about My Scout?

[Juggernt]

First, I understand that nothing is 100% when it comes to scouting, and that I have to trust my own evaluations. The question still stands. My scouting director is rated "Good" and "Highly Favors Tools." Can I expect that he's better at predicting things than the baseline OSA ratings? If so, to what degree (slightly, a lot, etc.).

[Juggernt]

Looking a little deeper, he's rated:

Scout Majors Excellent
Scout Minors Outstanding
Scout International Excellent
Scout Amateurs Outstanding

[NoOne]

mostly depends, but if you have a decent scout and good budget, most definitely assume your scout has a higher % of being accurate than the OSA.

if you spend ~baseline with a very average scout, figure they are about equal.

which portion you favor more depends on how you play. mlb scouting is easier to get right, but don't skimp either (ability of scout nor budget). no int'l leagues turned on or not? don't need that ability if off. i rely more on trading for mil prospect than drafting, how about yourself? let context dictate.

the favor tools vs ability etc influences the draft, mostly. it will make younger prospects a bit sexier in some cases -- e.g. the unseen potential from velocity improvements. not due to that specifically, but similar reasons... so an 18yo "60/80pot" draftee may look higher potential than a 22 "60/80pot" (60=60 on neutral) -- it'll inflate one or the other based on setting...older age because it's less risky (more developed) or younger age because of much elevated chance of increases to potential. pretty sure Ability = older for the most part

if you are a coach-only player, i'd care about choosing one side or the other based on current state of organization. if i am manually drafting the players, i'd prefer neutral and i will decide when to take a flyer on a younger draftee with lower potential than an older draftee worthy of the same round/pick. personal preference. one doesn't add an extra layer of translation to cloud the picture htough -- not opinion.

your budget will be a major factor. ~baseline(total scout budget divided by 4) or better is a good target when possible... overspend if you can.

@normal with 24M budget split between 3 things, it gets very accurate.

max budget suggestion:
6M/6M/6M base -- 6M swing depending on that year's likely behaviour.. dump more into MiL in years where you draft late and intend to trade for mil prospects. dump more into draft if #1-10 etc.

penny pincher:
~at least baseline +/- for need for all 3 or 4 if int'l leagues exist, spend more when you can. prioritize based on what you will do that year. mlb scouting is still important for your manager to make good in-game decisions -- like AI's break-even analysis of when to use hold runner, pitch around or anythign else. (you too, not just AI)

don't spend on int'l if you have no int'l league enabled. fictionally created IFA and IAFA players are not int'l scouting. don't worry about this portion of the scout's ability either when hiring.

most of that is relative to best-case scenario with scout.