I'm completely on board with stretching Junis out between now and the beginning of the season to take the fifth spot in the rotation. There's just way too much volatility with McKenzie to be giving him a start every five days.The "battle" for the 5th starter job has been a pathetic one.
McKenzie, Cecconi and Cantillo have all been varying degrees of bad to god awful.
Allen's had the best spring, but he has the worst stuff of the four and sticking him out there feels like an absolute recipe for disaster. IMO he's the same guy who got absolutely torched all year last year.
It hasn't been an inspiring start across the board. I wish Junis was stretched out
None of this matters except health for real. Nice to see Manzardo hit early but he could still start out 0-20 when the season starts and there's no statistics that show a spring to opening day correlation either way.
Agree spring stats are not the be all, end all. But to dismiss them entirely saying they have zero correlation to the regular season is not rooted in reality. Tell Brito back in Columbus next month that spring stats are meaningless. Tell TMac when he’s stuck in a long relief role next month that spring stats were meaningless. And tell Jose he’s back to hitting 3rd in the lineup because spring games are just, well, meaningless.
Interesting stats from spring 2024 but the Gaddis and Smith stats seem to run counter to your point.
Brito was always at AAA if he didn't remove all doubt, so I guess you have a point there but TMac will get 4 real starts before that move is made....batting position just makes sense and I don't believe spring has anything to do with it outside of not wanting to make that move in the middle of the season.
Agree that Brito’s small chance was predicated on him having a tremendous spring. TMac will be extra painful to watch in those four starts, if true. Given our need to have a runner on base for Jose ABs, I’m glad they seem to be making the change now so he can adapt, and equally important, find the right three hole batter so he doesn’t get pitched around every AB.
I think ST stats compared to regular season performance is about as random as it gets. I just don't associate one with the other.
With the current circumstances I don't think Brito was really considered for the opening day roster. That is mostly due to his glove and not his bat. If Kwan were to become injured I think Brito is the first guy called. His bat likely plays even with poor ST numbers. He's a proven hitter at all levels other than MLB.
Yeah I was speaking for 2b with no injuries.
And Herrin and Allard/Mushinski are pitching well this year. Laws of small numbers and focus matters too. Gaddis and Smith May have worked out earlier to come to camp prepared last year, trying to win a spot. This year they were told to hold back and rest longer as ST is meaningless to them.