Baseball is an amazing game played by many people across the world. Little League is something truly special and there is nothing like a baseball game on a warm summer day. Many find enjoyment and entertainment either from playing or sitting back and watching the pitcher battle the hitters and see what type of defensive experts are on the field.
Many young kids and all the way through high school aged students are always looking to get better. At some point, high school aged students can potentially start to get recruited by scouts from different MLB organization or colleges.
These scouts assess the baseball players on the number of tools that a player has. It is truly something special if a baseball has all 5 tools in baseball. There aren’t many!
In baseball there are plenty of measurables such as batting average, home runs, extra base hits, etc. There are also measurables such as 40 time, miles per hour pitching speed, and ball exit velocity.
These more recent measurements such as ball exit velocity is an additional tool that scouts can use. Analytics has taken over baseball. Some might argue that it is ruining the game, while other organizations heavily rely on analytics.
What Are the 5 Tools in Baseball?
The 5 tools in baseball are speed, hitting for power, hitting for average, fielding and arm strength. These 5 tools cover the essential skills that someone must have to play the game. The more complete tools a player has the better chances he has at excelling at the game of baseball. If a player develops all 5 tools at a high level, he is considered a “5 tool player.” The scouts will come from everywhere to check out the future star.
Below we will break down each of the 5 tools in baseball and then provide drills to help you improve in each area. We want to see each player reach his full potential in the game of baseball and there are many great resources available to help.
Baseball is definitely a game of skill, but athleticism can go a long way to help make those skills special. However, at the end of the day, the athlete must work hard to develop the hand eye coordination, the awareness and the mental toughness it takes to excel at baseball.
1 – Speed
Speed is an amazing separator for the game. If you take two players that hit similar, but one has blazing speed and the other has average speed, the player with the faster speed will hit for a higher average and have more extra base hits.
The high end baseball player must be able to beat out certain ground balls in the infield and strength singles into doubles, doubles into triples and be able to go first to third or second base to home on a base hit.
Speed can put extra pressure on a defense and if a player can steal a base in a game that single now just became a double. Speed can also help prevent double plays and can force errors by fielders when they know a batter or base runner has elite speed.
Natural speed is important, but also the skill on how to run bases and when to take chances is essential. For stealing bases, the runner must be able to read the pitchers move to the plate and their pick off move.
Being a great base runner is more than just having elite speed, although it helps, but the true separator is being a student of the game and being able to read the situation and have the proper awareness.
For example, when a blooper is hit just over the shortstops head with less than 2 hours, if the runner on 2nd base is able to read where the ball is going to fall, he can take off and use the speed to his advantage and score an extra run for the team.
Overall, base running and taking good angles, getting good jumps and watching your coaches will help someone maximize their speed.
Speed also comes into play on defense, especially for outfielders. Being able to close a gap on a shot and make an out on a ball hit to the gap can truly help a pitcher and the team out.
Or even simply getting to a base hit in the gap and stopping it from getting to the wall can help reduce the extra bases that runners are able to take. Over the course of a long season, these types of plays add up and speed is a tool that coaches want for in their players.
Excellent video on running faster:
2 – Hitting for Power
The power game in major league baseball is becoming more and more important. Recently, we are setting a significant rise in home runs in addition to strike outs. Players are no monitoring launch angles and spin rates to maximize their carry distances on balls hit in the air.
Sometimes more important than the total number of home runs is the total number of extra base hits from balls into the gaps. When you can combine a hitter with enough power to drive gaps and has speed, you have one awesome combination for a hitter.
Traditionally, many of the big homerun hitters were big guys that truly looked like power hitters. With the advancement of the data now that players have access to and better strength programs that produce strong athletes, baseball players can more easily develop the power side of their game.
Players like a Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians is the new style player that has many of the tools including the ability to hit 30 plus home runs in a season, while running and playing awesome defense. The energy that a multi tooled player can bring to a team and the game is impressive.
More and more players have the ability to hit for some power and you see less singles hitters in the game now than ever. Even the smaller guys have some pop in their bat and scouts love when the ball sounds differently coming off a players bat.
They know they can help people with contact later on, but when you have power and speed combo at a young age, you have something special.
Excellent video on maximizing you power:
3 – Hitting for Average
The old approach was to choke up with two strikes and make sure that contact was made to maximize your batting average and to put pressure on the defense. While power has become more and more important, the ability to hit for a high average is still vital.
There are now measurements for ball exit velocity and other factors that have a direct correlation with your batting average. If you are unable to produce certain exit speeds off the bat, the chances of hitting for a higher average are reduced.
The switch hitting average hitter with enough power to drive gaps is every coach’s dream. Hitting for average takes a consistent approach at the plate and being disciplined. Ultimately, the hitter must find the pitch that he can make solid contact with and produce the exit velocity needed to hit for a high average.
Something often overlooked is the ability to pick your pitch out and hit the ball the direction of the pitch. Too many players get pull happy and don’t go with the pitch. Two of the best at going with the pitch were Derek Jeter and Ichiro.
These guys were amazing at staying on the ball and hitting it where it was pitched. This means if the ball is outside, hitting it to the opposite field. Derek Jeter could hit to all fields and with two strikes he could push everything to right center. These types of batters are a great deal of fun to watch because they are difficult outs.
Over the course of a nine inning game if every batter stays disciplined and makes the pitcher work, the pitcher can wear down due to a high pitch count and extra pressure is put on the bullpen.
Excellent video on hitting for average:
4 – Fielding
Keep in mind that there is only one DH and the DH is only used in the American League. This makes it vital that someone can play at a high level on the defensive side of the game.
The positions vary greatly in baseball and even the shortstops and 2nd basement are able to be complete hitters these days. The better you can play defense the more you can separate yourself from the group and give yourself an extra advantage.
There are many people that can hit the fastball, but it often comes down to how you play defense and if you can hit the off speed pitches.
A quality middle infielder and a fast center fielder that can track down balls in the gap are vital to the long term success of a team. When teams are weak up the middle, more stress is put on a pitcher, less extra outs are found and the team can struggle.
The corner spots can traditionally be a little bit weaker, but not too weak. If you have enough power and hit for a high enough average, you can be a below average left field, but to truly set yourself apart develop the skills it takes to play defense at a high level.
Don’t forget to take the time to develop soft hands, the ability to read the ball off the bat and don’t be afraid to show some effort and get dirty diving for the ball.
Check out our post on the 9 positions in baseball and drills to help you improve, here.
Excellent video on playing quality defense:
5 – Arm Strength
For corner outfields, and the left side of the infield a high level of arm strength can be a separator. Arm strength is an excellent tool to have as it can reduce runners taking the extra base if you are an outfielder and it allows you to play a bit deeper if you are an infielder.
It is really fun to watch an outfield with sensational arm strength and the stress that it puts on the 3rd base coach. Even the routine sacrifice fly becomes an exciting play because of the possible bang, bang play at the plate.
For middle infielders the ability to have a high level arm strength helps with doubles plays and when diving stops are made. The ability to throw from one knee or quickly pop up and fire the ball across the diamond can help you quickly get the attention of a scout or your own coach.
Excellent video on increasing arm strength:
All 5 Tools
Not many players have all 5 tools. These players are few and far between, but they are truly something to watch. Overall, the ability to combine all 5 tools is something special and can be accomplished with the right combination of genetics, hard work and smart work.
There are many options to develop as a players now. One additional area that is so important is the mental side to the game. You can have all 5 tools, but if you get frustrated or down at yourself and lose confidence, then you quickly become someone that performs below your ability level.
Work on embracing the mental challenges of the game and staying positive. Be a positive leader on your team and pick guys up when they are down. Francisco Lindor is the perfect example of a 5 tool player with the right mindset that is an incredible leader.
5 Tool Players in Major League Baseball:
- Mike Trout
- Francisco Lindor
- Jose Rameriz
- Mike Trout
- Javier Baez
- Bryce Harper
5 Tool Players from the Past in MLB:
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Alex Rodriguez
- Roberto Alomar
- Larry Walker
- Barry Bonds
- Dave Windfield
Related Questions…
Which of the 5 tools is most important?
This is difficult to say, but let’s look at speed for a second. Speed will not only help you run bases, but it can increase your fielding ability and your ability to hit for a higher average, but has little impact on your power and your arm strength. Depending on what a team values, you could make the argument that one is more important than the other.
What is the new 6th tool in baseball?
Recently, there has been more conversation about the mental side of baseball. The ability to make quick decisions, be prepared for the at bat and then handle situations with the right composure can impact the 5 different areas. One can be a 5 tool player, but if he lacks the mental strength to maximize those tools there could be limitations to reaching the full potential.
Take Action…
If you are looking to become a 5 tool player someday, make sure you work hard and study the game. It is one thing to practice, but learn the game and be a student of the game. Coaches and scouts will notice and it will benefit you in the long run.
Keep in mind that you never know who is watching you play or even practice. Always conduct yourself as a professional and have the right demeanor. Team chemistry is vital and coaches and scouts want to know that you have what it takes to be successful, not only with the tools of the game, but as a leader and teammate as well.
Create a plan that helps you get better in your areas of weakness. There are plenty of options to get better, but one must commit and follow a plan to improve. It can be done, it just takes time, dedication and the right plan.
