The Truth About Draft Day: What Parents and Players Get Wrong

The dream isn’t just to be seen—it’s to be ready.

In this can’t-miss episode, agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Kris Gross, Scouting Director for the New York Mets, to reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of the MLB Draft.

You’ll get an unfiltered look at how scouts evaluate talent, why some prospects never make it, and what separates the good from the great. From coachability and curiosity to signability and character, this episode uncovers the critical traits that matter most—and why they’re often overlooked.
Whether you're a travel baseball parent, college athlete, or high school hopeful, this conversation will change how you think about exposure, development, and what it truly takes to make it in pro ball.

What You’ll Learn:
• The truth about exposure vs. readiness
• What scouts really look for beyond talent
• Why most prospects fail (and how to avoid it)
• What parents do that unintentionally hurt their kid’s path
• The emotional rollercoaster of Draft Day decisions
• How to evaluate transfer portal choices and NIL deals
• What makes a player stand out: character, patience, grit

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & The Goals for This Conversation
1:27 - Kris Gross’s Journey to MLB Scouting Director
5:19 - The Year-Round Scouting Calendar Explained
8:25 - Draft Day Uncertainty & the Signability Puzzle
12:42 - College vs. High School: Scouting Philosophies
16:16 - The Impact of Transfer Portal & Development Paths
19:29 - Combine Insights & Interview Dynamics
22:59 - The Role of Character, Grit & Growth Mindset
32:28 - Parents: How to Support Without Overstepping
46:16 - Draft Strategy, Data, and Identifying “Wants It” Factor
51:03 - Post-Draft Development and Cross-Department Handoffs

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