FWIW, this gets said every year and I always 100% disagree with this.

 

You're completely right about position players - they could be ready to go by mid-March, probably earlier if they had to given modern training techniques.

 

However, the trick with baseball is the pitching staff. You're just not going to convince me that for most guys shortening ST is a good idea. There is a big difference between working out in the offseason and having an arm conditioned to throw 100 pitches as a starter or to come out and throw as hard as possible for 20 pitches out of the bullpen, and you're not going to get to that point unless you're facing live batters and build up 30-60-100 pitches over a couple starts. Heck, we see enough pitchers who don't get their full velocity until May as starters that I could see some guys benefiting from an even longer throwing program in the preseason. And no, simulated games aren't going to work for most guys, they're not putting the same effort in no matter how they do it.

 

So, pitchers need game action, and they need to be facing live hitters actually trying to hit off them. Rodon had his "dead arm" start last time out, better in late March than on April 10.

 

 

Yea I'm not exactly sure how best to do it you do have to have your starters firing "live bullets" to real MLB hitters and with the usual 5-7 rotation candidates for each team that means you need 25 or "official" games and then the other 10 or so intrasquad and MiLB games to get everyone enough work.

 

It's probably about right where they have it now. It's not broke so don't fix it. Now, the NFL and NBA however could easily cut down their pre-season by 1/3 or more.

Saladino with a no doubter

Garcia with a 3 pitch K.

 

Glad things are right where they need to be for opening day.

Garcia with a 3 pitch K.

 

Glad things are right where they need to be for opening day.

My first time seeing him this spring...he looks the same to me.

Saladino' facial hair is beyond weak.

Saladino' facial hair is beyond weak.

He must think he's Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat

Edited March 30, 201610 yr by SouthSideSale

What do you mean by this?

 

Only actual starter not getting the day off. Just joking

FWIW, this gets said every year and I always 100% disagree with this.

 

You're completely right about position players - they could be ready to go by mid-March, probably earlier if they had to given modern training techniques.

 

However, the trick with baseball is the pitching staff. You're just not going to convince me that for most guys shortening ST is a good idea. There is a big difference between working out in the offseason and having an arm conditioned to throw 100 pitches as a starter or to come out and throw as hard as possible for 20 pitches out of the bullpen, and you're not going to get to that point unless you're facing live batters and build up 30-60-100 pitches over a couple starts. Heck, we see enough pitchers who don't get their full velocity until May as starters that I could see some guys benefiting from an even longer throwing program in the preseason. And no, simulated games aren't going to work for most guys, they're not putting the same effort in no matter how they do it.

 

So, pitchers need game action, and they need to be facing live hitters actually trying to hit off them. Rodon had his "dead arm" start last time out, better in late March than on April 10.

Agreed about the pitching staff. I guess they could have alot of B games but the owners wouldn't make money on those. So as long as the pitchers need to pitch they may as well sell tivkets.

Agreed about the pitching staff. I guess they could have alot of B games but the owners wouldn't make money on those. So as long as the pitchers need to pitch they may as well sell tivkets.

 

and that is the sensible answer which is all true.

Saladino' facial hair is beyond weak.

It would not play in Miami this year.