Coslow switches to pro coverage; Ericson new national cross-checker
The departure of Kasey McKeon to the Washington Nationals earlier in the offseason triggered a series of changes in the Rockies scouting department. McKeon, who was a special assistant to general manager Dan O’Dowd, will be replaced to some degree by Ty Coslow.
Coslow, who has been the Rockies national cross-checker, becomes a professional scout, an area he wanted to move into, scouting director Bill Schmidt said, but Coslow will not assume any of the special assistant duties, which among other things include scouting players being considered for acquisition in possible trades.
Area scout Mike Ericson, who pitched in the Rockies organization in 1993 and 1994, the final two of his five professional seasons, was promoted to national cross-checker. His territory included Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Las Vegas and southern Nevada and El Paso and western Texas. Schmidt said Zach Wilson, who is the manager of scouting and Schmidt’s assistant, additionally will scout Colorado and Wyoming.
Chris Forbes will assume the rest of what was Ericson’s territory, and Schmidt said a scout will be hired to cover the Forbes’ old area primarily in the Northwest _ Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and western Canada.
So what does a cross-checker do?
Hey Jack…
Why wouldn’t Jerry Hairston Jr. be a fit for the Rox? He can play all the IF positions and is a decent bat.
Just a thought. Love the site…keep up the good work.
Ryan,
A cross-checker evaluates players recommended by an area scout, in particular players with a chance to be taken high in the draft. Area scouts observe the players in their territories. A cross-checker goes into numerous territories, which, among other things, gives him an idea of how a well-regarded player from one area stacks up against one from another area.
I think I know a lot about baseball, and I just learned something new! Thanks Jack!