<DIV>“Five-Plus Tools” is a scouting term that refers to a rare and elite type of amateur baseball prospect. A player with five-plus tools grades out well above average in all five skill areas, known as tools: hitting, power, running, throwing, and fielding.<br><br>While most baseball fans critique players who are already on the professional level, a scout needs to find raw talent and figure out if they’re the “future.” In <i>Five-Plus Tools</i>, Dave Perkin, who was a professional scout and is currently the Major League Baseball Draft correspondent for <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, breaks down not only what all scouts are looking for, but also how amateur players are evaluated and recognized.<br><br>Broken up into three sections, Perkin teaches the inner details of amateur scouting, using field reports on athletes he’s scouted over the years. Once the understanding of what a scout looks for is understood, Perkin delves into the current major leaguers and gives scouting insight on their game, skills, and influence on the sport. Finally, the hot-button issues in baseball are covered, including such points as Sabermetrics, baseball analysis, and an explanation of why few of yesterday’s heroes could succeed in modern baseball.</DIV>