Major League Scout Chris Pritchett

He’s not on the field striking them out or getting the big hit, but he does impact the organization through the players he selects that help win a Championship.  Yes, this is the job of a Major League Baseball scout. It often goes unnoticed from a fan’s perspective, but it’s a job that has a direct impact of the success (or lack thereof) of the organization.  Those in the front office would not argue that the success of a club is so dependent on drafting the right players, developing them in the minor league system, and then watching them progress to the Big Leagues to hopefully have an impact on getting that organization to the big dance – the World Series.  162 games later you win your respective division, you make it through the Divisional championship series, you battle in the next round and are crowned League champions and now potentially a World Champion. Wow, what a grind. And to the victor, the bragging rights of being a World Champion.
So what’s this blog all about?  BLE instructor, Chris Pritchett, who just happens to be a Major League Scout with the Red Sox, is in Boston as we speak. And he is enjoying the success of his club, with the hope of a few more victories and a World Championship.  Not to say we’re cheering for a specific club here, but to congratulate both the Cardinals and the Red Sox on their accomplishment – getting to the World Series. We also must acknowledge the efforts and countless hours traveling the globe, finding the right guys, the work behind the scenes and off the field that makes the on-field performances so special.
Chris is a former Major league player who’s Pro Baseball career spanned 13 years, including 10 years with the Anaheim Angels organization, and a year each with the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.  He was an All American at UCLA who earned all Pac 10 honors as a Sophomore and set the UCLA Record for Hits Within a Single Season.  He was drafted in 1991 by the Angels in the second round and made a number of All Star appearances at all Minor League levels. However, this is his first chance at being part of a World Championship club and getting that ring – a ring that only a very small group of individuals own.  Once again, not that we’re cheering for either the Cards or the BoSox, but congrats Chris on this year’s success, you definitely earned the right to be with the club playing for the chance to be crowned champions.  Enjoy the upcoming excitement we know this series will bring.  We wish you the best of luck.