Spring Stats Matter...

[Lip Man 1]

According to Robin:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,5313539.story

Big change from Ozzie who could care less (his teams took the same attitude which I think is why they usually had problems when the bell rang...)

Lip

[Tragg]

The key is to have the team prepared for the season, while also getting a good look at young players. Neither, imo, is related to spring wins and losses.

[floridafan]

Team wins and losses are not the same as individual stats.

I think that individual stats do provide insight into how a player will perform throughout the season. The small sample size needs to be weighed, but if a hitter consistently is hitting in spring training, I would think that would be an indicator of future performance.

[TDog]

You are taking the quote out of context. Ventura also said after a bad outing by a pitcher this year that he didn't have to worry about making the team.

Obviously, if you have two players who aren't proven at the major-league level and looking to make the team, you are going to judge them by how well they perform. In the case of Gillaspie and Morel, you also will have to factor in that Morel has options left. Gillaspie could prove to be a steal for the Sox as someone they got cheaply from a championship team where he didn't have a place with no options left. If Gillaspie shows enough, not just with stats, but with ability, it might not matter how good Morel's stats are.

I'm not comparing Gillaspie to Denny McLain (you've recalled his failure to make the Sox a few times), but there ware considerations much more important than spring training stats.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by TDog

You are taking the quote out of context. Ventura also said after a bad outing by a pitcher this year that he didn't have to worry about making the team.

Obviously, if you have two players who aren't proven at the major-league level and looking to make the team, you are going to judge them by how well they perform. In the case of Gillaspie and Morel, you also will have to factor in that Morel has options left. Gillaspie could prove to be a steal for the Sox as someone they got cheaply from a championship team where he didn't have a place with no options left. If Gillaspie shows enough, not just with stats, but with ability, it might not matter how good Morel's stats are.

I'm not comparing Gillaspie to Denny McLain (you've recalled his failure to make the Sox a few times), but there ware considerations much more important than spring training stats.

Especially the young players, you have to watch them carefully. The varied abilities of the players they face in spring training make "good" stats ridiculously unreliable.

[CoopaLoop]

I am going to completely disagree with Mr Ventura.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by Tragg

Especially the young players, you have to watch them carefully. The varied abilities of the players they face in spring training make "good" stats ridiculously unreliable.

At baseball-reference.com they've introduced spring stats this year and they have a rudimentary little tool that shows the level of competition the player has been facing. Not perfect, but it helps balance out the bias a little.

As for stats themselves, they don't matter much for guys who are assured a spot on the Opening Day roster, as this is a time to get ready for the season, work on some stuff, etc. I think Peavy said yesterday in his start against San Diego when he allowed 3 runs in 3 innings, he was working on his fastball so he threw that pitch almost exclusively. But for guys fighting for the last roster spot, I think there is some minor importance to them, but like a lot of baseball, a lot depends on the eye test, as well.