You're right about the length of the preseason, but you don't get to see your marginal players vs. MLB caliber opposition, you see them vs. other marginal players, many of whom will end up in waived or in AA, not even AAA. It's a real bad management mistake to overvalue preseason performance. What the coaches see first-hand in ST games should be about #4 on the list of evaluation criteria; a tie-breaker at best. Previous performance in AA/AAA/MLB should be #1, then previous scouting, then spring practice performance, followed by spring games. They are playing mostly to manage the ramp-up of the 24 or 25 guys you know are making the roster, not to showcase themselves. Or at least they should be. Evaluation of the 25th and 26th guys on the roster is ongoing, and mostly AAA performance subsequent to ST. ST is a small, unrepresentative sample size. Some previous Phillies examples:
Jason Grilli (2008): In 2008, Grilliâs spring training numbers caught eyes, but once the season began, he settled into a role more characteristic of a journeyman reliever.
Lance Nix (2012): Nix impressed during the 2012 spring training, showing flashes of potential that, unfortunately, didnât carry over into long-term success in the majors.
Tyler Cloyd (2010): Cloydâs 2010 rookie spring training suggested he might be a solid bullpen option; however, his regular season contributions ultimately proved inconsistent.
Kevin Munson (2013): Munson arrived in 2013 with strong spring training credentials, yet his overall production during the regular season didnât live up to that early promise.
Jerad Eickhoff (2011): Eickhoffâs 2011 rookie spring training was eye-catching, but the full season revealed limitations that kept him near replacement level.
