The 5 Tools of Baseball

How do you measure yourself as a baseball player? Is it the number of wins you have? Your batting average? While these certainly aren't bad criteria, there is one standard that has stood the test of time among baseball circles. This is to compare a player's tools or skills in relation to each important aspect of the game. It may benefit you to understand these tools so that you can give yourself more honest evaluations. Here is a breakdown of the 5 tools of baseball.

Hitting for average: When you step up to the plate, what are the chances that you're going to make solid contact with the baseball? We don't consider high fly balls solid contact. High fly balls equal long and easy outs. Line drives and hard ground balls equal a chance to get on first base. The "hitting for average" tool represents how consistently you put the ball in play. This tool makes you a trustworthy hitter, and coaches love trustworthy hitters.

Hitting for Power: This tool doesn't necessarily mean you're the next Aaron Judge, but it does mean that you are able to drive the baseball well. There's a lot of value in being able to bring in 4 runs instead of 1 with a single hit. It's important to consider that having this tool means that hitting the baseball hard comes naturally to you. If hitting for power does not come naturally to you, it's something you can work on with practice and weight training, NOT by swinging for the fences at every pitch you swing at.

Arm Power: This is easily the most sought-after tool. It simply represents how hard you can throw the ball. Regardless of your position, the power in your arm can mean the difference between making the out or making your coach have a meltdown. Did your throw make it in time, or did the runner beat it out and give his team all the momentum they needed? A proper warning: arm power should come naturally to you. This tool means that you generally throw the baseball very hard, not that you overexert yourself, losing control and leading to injury. There are hundreds of velocity programs out there, commit to one and watch your power increase NATURALLY.

Fielding: The player with this tool is often known for their fielding skills. Making the diving stop, quickly getting up and throwing the runner out is simply an expectation for this player. Everyone can field a ground ball, but can a coach trust you to make the play every single time it comes your way? If you don't take pride in your fielding skills, and you're not hyper-alert about the game situations, you most likely don't have this tool. Like the others, it's something you can improve with lots of reps and reflection.

Speed: Quite simply, how fast you are. One of the most underrated tools, being fast can be beneficial in more ways than any other tool. Beating out a throw, stealing a base, reaching a ground ball in the hole, catching up to a long fly ball. Speed is the only tool that counts for both offense and defense. If you have this tool, it's likely that your coach will find a way to put you in the game. Like the others, speed is something you can improve with practice. If you're from the Del Rio area, you might consider working with the folks from Code Blue Sports Performance, who specialize in this very tool.

IMPORTANT: the purpose of this article is to help you evaluate yourself more accurately and more honestly. With that being said, it's important to remember a few things about the 5 tools of baseball. We wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea. 1. Having any one of these tools means that you're exceptional in that area. Not just above average. 2. It's okay if you don't have all 5 tools. Most high school players don't possess any of these tools, with the good players possessing one or two. Even the pros seldom possess all five tools, although it's common for them to have three or four. 3. Every position prioritizes the tools in a different order. Arm strength might not be as important for a 1st baseman as it is for the catcher.

At Beeps Baseball, we are the bridge between high school and college baseball. Our articles contain free, yet valuable, information for you to learn and improve your chances of making it to the next level. Learn more about our other services by browsing our website or liking us on Facebook.