Scouting Director? Also a feature on East Coast Crosschecker Doug Reynolds

[TheCrew07]

This has been bothering me since yesterday but in the draft recap they mentioned Reid Nichols was the Scouting Director. This shocked me as I, like everyone else, thought Ray Montgomery was going to run with that role.

 

Under the direction of first-year scouting director Reid Nichols, the Brewers targeted high-upside players in the draft.

So did Teddy just get that part wrong and no one at BA has caught the error, or has everyone else had it wrong all along? I was never a fan of Nichols in the player development role and I don't care to beat that drum again in this post, but the Brewers had a decent enough draft that I was very surprised to read that.

 

The Brewers are not officially listing a SD on their Front Office Page, everyone has fancy titles and I assumed that had more to do with Montgomery not being able to make a lateral move while under contract, but maybe I was wrong?

[Mass Haas]

It's an error by Baseball America, I considered tossing them a note when I first read it but didn't. Feel free to fill them in...

[Raw Biz]

I'm glad I'm not the only who noticed that. I was a little scared as well. Although, as I've mentioned in previous posts, I wouldn't mind Ray moving up to GM and having him hand-pick his successor (preferably someone outside the organization or who thinks differently than those under previous regimes).

[jerichoholicninja]

Wasn't Ray given some fancy new title so he could technically get a promotion to leave Arizona even though he is essentially doing the same job?

 

Edit:

Just checked out the Brewers website. Montgomery is listed as the Vice-President of Amateur Scouting. Nichols is listed as the Director of Player Development.

[Mass Haas]

Reynolds at home scouting baseball talent

Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat

 

Doug Reynolds' latest home project is a meticulous renovation.

 

One-third of the backyard patio deck has been refitted with new wooden boards and screws. Reynolds, the versatile handyman, was on the clock, too. And now he's out of time.

 

His bags are packed.

 

Again.

 

"There's give and take in anything you do," Reynolds said Tuesday.

 

"If you want to live the baseball life, it involves travel, whether you are a player, coach or scout."

 

Reynolds, 47, is a trusted, respected and familiar face in the Milwaukee Brewers organization – and in Tallahassee.

 

The former North Florida Christian catcher has been in the Brewers' scouting department since 1992, one year removed from selling real estate and coaching in his hometown.

 

Discovering and projecting potential major-league players appealed to Reynolds' eye and personality.

 

He has been Milwaukee's East Coast crosschecker since 2008.

 

"I think he has a lot of patience," veteran NFC baseball coach Mike Posey said of his former player.

 

"There's a lot to be said for someone who has been with the same organization for a long period of time."

 

Reynolds has watched thousands and thousands of players and logged thousands and thousands of car and air miles over the past two-plus decades.

 

Baseball scouting is a fascinating industry.

 

Other professional sports utilize video or combines to analyze prospective talent.

 

Baseball embraces high-tech tools but also sends its army of scouts out in the field, all over the country, much more extensively.

 

"Tools, talent and performance, that will never change," Reynolds said of a scout's checklist.

 

Reynolds was responsible for signing current big-league outfielder Lorenzo Cain, the former Madsion County High player now with the Kansas City Royals.

 

Cain, among the leading vote-getters for this year's MLB All-Star game, hit a two-run home run against his former team in Milwaukee Monday night.

 

Reynolds' signing list also features third baseman Mat Gamel, pitcher Tim Dillard, outfielder Caleb Gindl and many other prospects.

 

Forecasting the future is never easy.

 

Reynolds' first territory was North Florida, and over the years he has earned promotions that could land him in the front office if that's a goal.

 

He was also part of the organization's draft process last week in Milwaukee.

 

More than 1,200 amateur players were selected over the three-day process, shaping the future successes – or failures – of organizations.

 

"It's surprisingly calm," Reynolds said of the inner workings of the Brewers' draft operation.

 

"You've already done all of your work. The draft kind of tells you who you are taking."

 

Reynolds had dreams to play in the major leagues, too. But those ended in 1991 after three minor-league seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

 

However, he eventually discovered a different path in professional baseball, a journey that works with the help and support of his wife and three children.

 

Home for a few days following the MLB draft, Reynolds returns to the road Wednesday.

 

Stops in Fort Myers, North Carolina and Cape Cod are circled on his itinerary during the next few weeks before he circles back to Tallahassee.

 

The unfinished backyard deck will be waiting.

 

The search for the best pitchers, hitters and catchers in amateur baseball is a meticulous job, too.

 

It's a perfect fit for Reynolds.