Outfielders Kirk Gibson, Fred Lynn and Jim Edmonds are examples of how players rank on such a scale. Different positions lead to a different order of priority on skills. A shortstop will be graded first on fielding, then on arm strength and speed. Hitting and power are the fourth and fifth concerns. A catcher is graded first on receiving skills, then arm strength and hitting.
Speed is vital at virtually every position except catcher, and often is a tiebreaker at draft time.
Each player had world-class speed. Gibson's time in the 40-yard dash was clocked by NFL scouts as low as 4.28 seconds. LeFlore, similarly, is regarded by scouts as having been the modern era's fastest right-hand batter running to first base. LeFlore's numbers were colossal. In a standard 60-yard dash that most prospects are obliged to run, the average speed is 6.8 or 6.9 seconds, and 7.0 is acceptable.