John Van Benschoten--2008
Scout Tales... John Van Benschoten
As a scout, we all have the stories of our meetings with players before they became
pros.
I remember sitting with a very composedTodd Helton on a dugout bench after his last
high school game to talk about the prospects of playing pro ball.
Former big league pitcher Dan Wright unexpectedly showed up at one of my tryout
camps as a high school kid to throw 94 mph. I quickly shut him down to just talk in a
dusty Knoxville Karns High School dugout about what he expected out of his baseball
career.
Then there was John Van Benschoten.
Johnny V. was affectionately nicknamed the "Tool Shed" by the Midwest scouts for his
ability to run like a deer and show off a rocket arm, while launching balls into orbit. He
also would step onto the bump and throw in the low to mid-90s for Kent State
University.
After a host of impressive fall workouts as a college junior, Van Benschoten climbed to
the top of most scouts' winter follow lists.
Living just 20 minutes from Johnny V., I called him up over his Christmas break to see
about sitting down together to talk about his thoughts on playing pro ball. Though he
was a highly touted prospect, Van Benschoten invited me over to meet with he and his
parents as they had a few questions about the whole draft process.
So on a cold December evening, I ventured over to the Van Benschoten's. He lived in
a nice neighborhood, in a big brick two-story house that was tastefully decorated for
the holiday season.
Looking forward to the meeting, little did I know that it would be a memorable first
impression for both the Tool Shed and myself.
I rang the doorbell and as John opened the door, a bird that was nesting in the
garland that adorned front door flew into the house! With his parents and sister in the
background, the surprised group suddenly found ourselves scrambling around as we
were "shooing" the bird back outside.
I remember all of us just laughing as we moved around, literal strangers united for a
cause--- to get the darn bird out of the house.
Luckily after several minutes we were able to guide the bird out the door unharmed
and the meeting proceeded.
The Tool Shed went on to be a first round draft of the Pirates, the 8th overall selection
of the 2001 Amateur Draft.
Though I didn't have the opportunity to sign Van Benschoten, I would eventually cross
paths with John during his pro career and there was a shared laugh as we recounted
"The Great Bird Meeting of 2000."
(9/1/09)
As a scout, we all have the stories of our meetings with players before they became
pros.
I remember sitting with a very composedTodd Helton on a dugout bench after his last
high school game to talk about the prospects of playing pro ball.
Former big league pitcher Dan Wright unexpectedly showed up at one of my tryout
camps as a high school kid to throw 94 mph. I quickly shut him down to just talk in a
dusty Knoxville Karns High School dugout about what he expected out of his baseball
career.
Then there was John Van Benschoten.
Johnny V. was affectionately nicknamed the "Tool Shed" by the Midwest scouts for his
ability to run like a deer and show off a rocket arm, while launching balls into orbit. He
also would step onto the bump and throw in the low to mid-90s for Kent State
University.
After a host of impressive fall workouts as a college junior, Van Benschoten climbed to
the top of most scouts' winter follow lists.
Living just 20 minutes from Johnny V., I called him up over his Christmas break to see
about sitting down together to talk about his thoughts on playing pro ball. Though he
was a highly touted prospect, Van Benschoten invited me over to meet with he and his
parents as they had a few questions about the whole draft process.
So on a cold December evening, I ventured over to the Van Benschoten's. He lived in
a nice neighborhood, in a big brick two-story house that was tastefully decorated for
the holiday season.
Looking forward to the meeting, little did I know that it would be a memorable first
impression for both the Tool Shed and myself.
I rang the doorbell and as John opened the door, a bird that was nesting in the
garland that adorned front door flew into the house! With his parents and sister in the
background, the surprised group suddenly found ourselves scrambling around as we
were "shooing" the bird back outside.
I remember all of us just laughing as we moved around, literal strangers united for a
cause--- to get the darn bird out of the house.
Luckily after several minutes we were able to guide the bird out the door unharmed
and the meeting proceeded.
The Tool Shed went on to be a first round draft of the Pirates, the 8th overall selection
of the 2001 Amateur Draft.
Though I didn't have the opportunity to sign Van Benschoten, I would eventually cross
paths with John during his pro career and there was a shared laugh as we recounted
"The Great Bird Meeting of 2000."
(9/1/09)
