redbuck
04-27-2006, 08:33 PM
Minor league vs. major league
How different is the actual talent level between minor and major leagues? I am starting a study on this subject but I wanted to get some input.
Minor leagues are cheaper, closer to the action and teams are more approachable and more prevalent. Games are more fun too and the ballparks are great.
So my ultimate quesiton is whether the difference in talent between the majors and minors makes up for the prices, etc. where the minors clearly have the edge. I don't think so. I prefer the minors.
What do you think?
trosmok
04-28-2006, 07:55 AM
I see over fifty minor league games per season, and have since the MLB lockout in '94. The difference in talent between the players in AAA ball, and the show is minimal at best. The biggest difference is being consistent in performance. They all have the skills to make the routine plays, make the tough plays look routine, and have seen some unbelievable flashes of brilliance in almost every game. However, players make it too the bigs by not making the mental errors, not trying to do things beyond their ability, and perhaps most importantly being in the right place at the right time, and being noticed by the right people. Case in point is former Pirate Ty Wiggington. He played 57 games last season, primarily as the starting 3B for Pittsbugh before he was sent down. He worked hard on his defense and even harder on his plate discipline while in AAA ball, and was one of the anchors of the team. Pittsburgh declined to place him on their 40 man roster, Tampa Bay picked him up, and he has been tearing up the AL for the Devil Rays so far this season. In '05 he had 7HR, 25RBI, .258BA, .465SLG%, with OPS.788. In '06 as of his 19th game, he had 8HR, 22RBI, and .297BA while his SLG% has balooned to .654 with his OPS up 200 points to .987. He is just the first player that came to mind when I read the start of the thread, and is a prime example of what a tour in the minors can do for a player, not to mention the enjoyment of the fans.
lollar
04-06-2007, 08:47 PM
I agree and disagree....
All pro ballplayers are exceptionally talented physically. As are most major Division I schools. But consistency isn't a minimal difference. It's enormous. And Major Leaguers are in the Bigs because of their mental toughness, which helps their consistency.
You could see some great games in Rookie Ball (Sparkling plays, talent, whatever), but all things considered, comparing major leaguers to minor leaguers isn't even comparable.