When it comes to evaluating players’ scouting tools grades, an 80 is the holy grail.
An 80-grade tool represents the best of the best on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Some evaluators consider only one player’s tool to be an 80 at a given time, simply because only one can be the best.
When you think of 80 tools, think of Tony Gwynn’s hitting ability, Mark McGwire’s power, Rickey Henderson’s speed, Ozzie Smith’s defense, Randy Johnson’s fastball and Mariano Rivera’s cutter.
Those are the tools that stand among the greatest individual attributes of all time and are remembered long after the players’ careers are over. Five of the six historical cases cited above culminated with the player’s election to the Hall of Fame. McGwire would have a strong case if not for admitted steroid use.
While 80 tools are rare, they are not contained solely to the past. As players have gotten bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive with advances in nutrition, technology and player development, myriad players with 80-grade tools have emerged in MLB in recent years.
We asked MLB all-stars for their thoughts on which players possess 80-grade tools in the game today. All statistics are accurate through mid August.
SPEED
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds
The game is filled with athletic flyers, including Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll and Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, but De La Cruz is the fastest of them of all.
The Reds rookie has the fastest sprint speed in the majors this year at 30.4 feet per second, just ahead of both Witt and Turner. Beyond just his pure speed, he effectively uses it to change games and is a true 80 runner.
The 6-foot-5 Dominican shortstop closes ground remarkably quicklyinstincts to achieve jaw-dropping feats on the basepaths. His signature moment came July 8 against the Brewers when he stole second base, third base and home in a span of two pitches.
