Spring Training Stats Especially Meaningless for Pitchers?

[acsguitar]

Just an opinion from me but does it seem that Spring Training stats are especially meaningless for pitchers. Or at least compared to hitters.

I look and see a lot of good pitchers getting lit up for 10 runs and then I see alot of no names pitching really well.

Pitchers seem to do a lot more testing/playing at 50% normal during ST.

Don't alot of pitchers spend entire ST games working on a certain technique or pitch?

Anyways I guess I'm just saying don't put too much into ST stats especially when its pitchers we are talking about.

[josebach]

Just an opinion from me but does it seem that Spring Training stats are especially meaningless for pitchers. Or at least compared to hitters.

I look and see a lot of good pitchers getting lit up for 10 runs and then I see alot of no names pitching really well.

Pitchers seem to do a lot more testing/playing at 50% normal during ST.

Don't alot of pitchers spend entire ST games working on a certain technique or pitch?

Anyways I guess I'm just saying don't put too much into ST stats especially when its pitchers we are talking about.

Bad stretches in the Spring I usually take with a grain of salt, but good stretches often carry right over into April. Even still, I usually only weigh a pitcher's Spring stats when deciding between two pitchers of equal value.

Unless of course the 10 runs you're talking about is Benitez last night and I must admit, I cut bait and ran. Dumped him for Foulke. It might be a huge mistake, but I'm prepared to live with it if I'm wrong.

[KolbSaves]

If a pitcher is doing poorly you have to look into it to see if it matters.

When it doesn't matter:
If he's trying out a new pitch
If he had one or two bad outings
If he was working through rehabbing an injury and now he's better

When it does:
If he's lost his control all of a sudden
If he gets shelled every time out
If his injury isn't getting better (or, if it's getting worse)

[acsguitar]

If a pitcher is doing poorly you have to look into it to see if it matters.

When it doesn't matter:
If he's trying out a new pitch
If he had one or two bad outings
If he was working through rehabbing an injury and now he's better

When it does:
If he's lost his control all of a sudden
If he gets shelled every time out
If his injury isn't getting better (or, if it's getting worse)

Good point...I'm sure also pitching coaches are asking pitchers to go out there and work on arm angle or something and tell them its ok if they get rocked and to keep working on it

[chadlincoln]

If a pitcher is doing poorly you have to look into it to see if it matters.

When it doesn't matter:
If he's trying out a new pitch
If he had one or two bad outings
If he was working through rehabbing an injury and now he's better

When it does:
If he's lost his control all of a sudden
If he gets shelled every time out
If his injury isn't getting better (or, if it's getting worse)

Good post. ST for pitchers is for them to build their endurance up and try out those new pitches they worked on in the off-season that they're not comfortable trying out during the regular season. I don't read too much into pitching too because they're not pitching against the other team's top lineup usually.

[Tavish]

Those same reasons apply to hitters. They are facing pitchers who are testing out new pitches, rebuilding stamina, or facing no names. There is some truth in ST stats for hitters and pitchers alike, but it is hidden by so many layers of junk that it is next to impossible to sort out.

[Surfs up]

Stats may not apply to some but for guys like Orvella it does. Looks like he has lost the closers job to a 35 year , So pleas guys when referring to players as being old. Better start with guys that are 45 and older because it looks like the guys in their mid 30's and up can keep up with the younger guys. Maybe 10 or more years ago that may not have been the case but [layers are in better shape and play longer. So looks like spring stats do matter.

[NZF]

I mostly ignore ST stats for hitters with the exception of a guy that has made swing adjustments ie. Andruw Jones in 2005. I took him in every league I played last season

With pitchers I take little notice of early ST starts but by now if a pitcher is still getting lit up I'd be concerned. The last 2 starts before the regular season is not the time for a pitcher to be trying out new stuff.

This time last season Jason Schmidt was getting bombed and I warned people off him but was rubbished for suggesting ST meant anything.

http://www.fantasybaseballcafe.com/foru ... c&&start=0


In late March, pitcher stats in ST are very relevant.