The Grading Scale

As most of you are probably unfamiliar with the scouting scale I'll be applying, here's a brief introduction.

Baseball scouts rate prospects in five different categories on a scale ranging from 20-80. A score of 50 represents average ability, while a score of 20 is poor and 80 is elite. The five grades taken together give a reasonable assessment of how well-rounded a player is. For my purposes here, I'm bumping it up to six categories. The goal is to assess which singers are good at a couple things, which ones are good at a lot of things, and which ones are just great.

With 50 established as average, ratings can then increase or decrease in 5-point steps. The further above 50 the more exceptional the skill, and likewise in the opposite direction.

The categories I'll be rating contestants in are as follows:

• Vocals - Pure, raw talent
  
• Consistency - Singing to peak ability in-week and week-to-week
  
• Appearance - Self-explanatory
• Versatility - Ability to succeed with varying styles of music
  
• Star power - Natural ability as a performer; stage presence; likeability
• Song choice - A highly underrated skill

Early on in the competition the ratings will be somewhat conservative in most instances as the contestants begin to separate themselves; the ratings will also be influenced by each person's performance in the Round of 36.

Additionally, I'll post weekly power rankings after the results show has aired and a contestant has been eliminated.

With that, let's get on with it.