Don't know how many of you guys have read "Moneyball" or keep up with the debates that've ensued, but this is one of the more interesting (and entertaining) discussions I've read between the scouting and performance-analysis camps. It features Alan Schwarz as the moderator; two pro scouts, Gary Hughes and Eddie Bane; and two performance analysts, Gary Huckabay and Voros McCracken.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/050107debate.html

Here's one exchange I particularly liked:
(Discussing what assets of a minor league prospect should be evaluated)

ALAN SCHWARZ: But what would you have to see to be encouraged?

GARY HUGHES: The swing, the approach at the plate, the show of fear.

EDDIE BANE: If you show fear, you're gone.

VOROS McCRACKEN: How would someone show fear?

GARY HUGHES: There would be a little give at the plate.

EDDIE BANE: You give on a pitcher with a decent slider . . .

VOROS McCRACKEN: That happens to everyone--everyone gets their knees buckled every once in a while. So if you rule a guy out that gets his knees buckled, that seems extreme. You'd need to see him show fear a bit more consistently. I'm not sure . . .

EDDIE BANE: I am sure. Because if I see fear in a hitter, I'm not ever coming back. I don't see fear in good big league hitters. I know that they get fooled and they'll bail on balls. But for me, that's a different term than fear.