[cardcrimson]

Hope so. Black is 2-1 with a 1.01 ERA and a 0.900 WHIP in AAA. He had a 6.97 ERA in spring training and gave up three home runs and 16 hits in 10 1/3rd innings in spring training, but I am informed by a reliable source that spring training statistics don't matter. I wonder which matters more, spring training stats or AAA stats? Guess we're about to find out.

Spring training is a time to prepare for the season ahead.  Nothing more.

And AAA numbers must be taken in context.  

The PCL is known for big offensive numbers because of the altitude at many parks and the size of the league’s stadiums.

Also, the ABS is in effect in the PCL, skewing the K/BB ratio.  Kyle Harrison is a good example of a pitcher who was penalized by the ABS.  In the majors, he is getting ball/strike calls that he failed to receive in Sacramento. Thus, his results are better.

In other words, the answer is numbers at every level cannot be solely upon as the only indicator of future performance.  One must take into account the “readiness” of a player.  Is he prepared to succeed at the next level?  The emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of development are the determining factors.  

Sure, it helps to have a low ERA/WHIP or a high betting average.  However, if a player has not prepared for the grind of a big league season, he will fail regardless of his numbers in the minors or spring training.

I recall reading years ago that you should subtract 100 points from an AAA player's batting average and 150 points from their slugging average as they transitioned to MLB. Also read that the AAA pitcher's ERA should be about the same in MLB. Both phenomena due to what you just described.

A couple “interesting” Giants stats:  First, they are taking the highest percentage of middle middle strikes of any team since Statcast began tracking this in 2015. Second, the number three slot in the Giants order has seven RBIs. That’s anybody who’s hitting that slot total number. Four of those are from Soler’s solo homers.  Which means in 33 games, the Giants number three hitter has driven in a total of three other runners. That is pathetic.

Thought three was a magic number. . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJlwFvVrW50

[cardcrimson]

Hope so. Black is 2-1 with a 1.01 ERA and a 0.900 WHIP in AAA. He had a 6.97 ERA in spring training and gave up three home runs and 16 hits in 10 1/3rd innings in spring training, but I am informed by a reliable source that spring training statistics don't matter. I wonder which matters more, spring training stats or AAA stats? Guess we're about to find out.

Spring training is a time to prepare for the season ahead.  Nothing more.

And AAA numbers must be taken in context.  

The PCL is known for big offensive numbers because of the altitude at many parks and the size of the league’s stadiums.

Also, the ABS is in effect in the PCL, skewing the K/BB ratio.  Kyle Harrison is a good example of a pitcher who was penalized by the ABS.  In the majors, he is getting ball/strike calls that he failed to receive in Sacramento. Thus, his results are better.

In other words, the answer is numbers at every level cannot be solely upon as the only indicator of future performance.  One must take into account the “readiness” of a player.  Is he prepared to succeed at the next level?  The emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of development are the determining factors.  

Sure, it helps to have a low ERA/WHIP or a high betting average.  However, if a player has not prepared for the grind of a big league season, he will fail regardless of his numbers in the minors or spring training.

I recall reading years ago that you should subtract 100 points from an AAA player's batting average and 150 points from their slugging average as they transitioned to MLB. Also read that the AAA pitcher's ERA should be about the same in MLB. Both phenomena due to what you just described.

A couple “interesting” Giants stats:  First, they are taking the highest percentage of middle middle strikes of any team since Statcast began tracking this in 2015. Second, the number three slot in the Giants order has seven RBIs. That’s anybody who’s hitting that slot total number. Four of those are from Soler’s solo homers.  Which means in 33 games, the Giants number three hitter has driven in a total of three other runners. That is pathetic.

Thought three was a magic number. . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJlwFvVrW50