If you know a little about scouting already, you’ve heard the 20-80 scale used to describe and evaluate players.
The 20-80 scale is designed to project a player’s role on a Major-League team. A role refers to the specific ways a particular player can add the most, or various levels, of value.
Examples of roles could be: “Every day SS”, “Defensive Replacement”, or “Middle Reliever.” These are all examples of roles that the 20-80 scale helps classify players into based on their observed abilities.
Here’s an overview at how the scale may be looked at:
80 – An 80 player is the best of the best. These are your perennial MVP or Cy Young candidates and players who will be enshrined in Cooperstown at the end of their careers. Recent examples include Mike Trout, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw.
70/75 – These are excellent players who will turn in multiple All-Star appearances throughout their career and may put up MVP-level production for a season or two. For pitchers, they are at the front of the rotation for most clubs. On the whole, they are a step below the elite players in the game.
60/65 – Players graded as 60/65 maintain above average level production consistently throughout their careers. For pitchers, these represent your number 2-3 starters, middle to late relievers, and position players who can be relied on to contribute offensively and defensively at a high level. Great teams have multiple players at this level throughout their roster.
55 – These are above average everyday players on big league rosters. These players will occasionally have 60 seasons, but they do not sustain them over a full career. They are middle- to-back end starters in the rotation.
50 – 50 grade players are your average everyday big leaguers. They possess different skillsets, but they don’t stand out, apart from their ability to contribute every day at the big-league level. These are still important players to have and every championship team still has some of these players.
45 – This grade is largely comprised of role players, those who are good utility players or platoon bats. For pitchers, these are back-of-the-rotation starters who will eat innings.
40 – A 40 role are bench players and pitchers who are back-end starters in weaker rotations or pure swingman types.
30/35 – These are your emergency up-and-down type players. These players will usually see a cup of coffee in the big leagues, or a little more in dire circumstances. These players tend to come up due to a Major League injury or an extra player needed during a double-header.
20 – Lastly, 20 grades are non-prospect (NPs) types. These players do not have standout skills or are held back by a lot of tools at the bottom of the scale.
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