Cubs Area Scout Gives Sports Mockery Inside Access To Team's Scouting Department

Lontayo inherited Bryant's name on a prospect list from the previous area scout in 2012-2013 when Bryant was a junior at University of San Diego. When Lontayo watched Bryant take batting practice, about 37 out of 40 swings left the yard.

Lontayo covers Southern California from the San Diego border to Long Beach, plus everything east to Arizona and Nevada. He splits this territory with another scout, and the area is considered a hotbed for baseball talent.

Former Padres executives Jason McLeod and Jed Hoyer joined the Cubs and needed to open up Southern California territory. Lontayo's former teammate Josh Emmerick recommended him, leading to interviews and ultimately a job offer from Cubs scouting director Jaron Madison.

Lontayo was a four-year starter at Castle Park High School and played at Tulane University from 1995-1998 with a 19-14 record and 3.87 ERA. He then played seven years in the minor leagues, reaching AAA but never making the majors before retiring in 2005.

Several recent #1 overall picks have come from Lontayo's Southern California territory, including Brady Aiken, Mickey Moniak, and Royce Lewis. The area is considered a hotbed for baseball talent.