Spring Training is that special time when baseball players shake off the offseason rust and gear up for the grueling 162-game regular season. For hitters, it's about adjusting to major league velocity and breaking balls, as well as getting live fielding reps.
Pitchers, on the other hand, are busy experimenting with new pitches and fine-tuning their existing arsenal. While most fans know that Spring Training stats aren't the be-all and end-all, it's easy to get anxious when a player struggles, especially with Opening Day looming.
Take Dylan Crews, for instance. Nationals fans are a bit on edge as Crews went 0-2 with two strikeouts and an error in last night's game, bringing him to 1-7 for the spring.
Some say there's no need to worry; he's likely working on aspects of his game that could lead to a few hiccups now. Others, however, see this as a continuation of his ongoing struggles against big league pitching.
So, which Spring Training numbers should fans focus on, and which should they ignore? First, it's crucial to remember that early spring, especially with a new coaching staff like the Nationals have, can be a time of adjustment and experimentation.
Stars like James Wood and CJ Abrams might not be hitting their usual stride for a few weeks. They’re likely being challenged by the coaching staff to try new things, like Abrams refining his plate approach or Wood focusing on pulling more fly balls. Generally, Spring Training stats aren't a reliable predictor of regular season success, especially this year when players are tweaking aspects of their game.
What should capture fans' attention are improvements in areas like exit velocity or other measurable metrics, which can signal positive changes that might carry into the season. Take Ben Rice of the Yankees, for example.
Last Spring Training, he surpassed his previous career high exit velocity multiple times, catching the Yankees' eye. Whether it was through added strength or a mechanical tweak, this boost earned him the Opening Day first baseman spot, and he’s been a standout ever since.
On the pitching side, keep an eye out for pitchers adding new pitches or making velocity and movement improvements, as these are more likely to translate into regular season success than Spring Training ERA. Watch for Cade Cavalli and his new sweeper, or another Nationals pitcher adding a few extra MPH to their fastball.
The best advice? Don’t stress too much about player performance over the next month.
A handful of games where hitters take a couple of at-bats or starters pitch just two innings isn’t enough to draw solid conclusions, especially when players are experimenting with new techniques they hope to integrate by April. Save the overreactions for Opening Day, and simply enjoy the return of baseball in the meantime.