2015 Spring Training Stat Lines That Actually Mean Something
Spring training statistics don't count, but in some cases, they do matter.
What follows are some numbers compiled by players and teams this exhibition season that indicate developments that very well could be a sign of things to come—good or bad—in the regular season, which starts in a week.
That's when the stats really start to matter—and to count.
Mookie Betts' .487 Batting Average
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No, Mookie Betts' .487 average doesn't mean he is going to be the next .400 hitter. It is, however, an indication that the 22-year-old is not only ready for the majors but too good not to be a starter, even in the Boston Red Sox's overcrowded outfield.
One of the top prospects in the sport a year ago, Betts began his big league breakout in the second half of 2014. He makes all kinds of hard contact—with 11 extra-base hits against just three strikeouts in 41 plate appearances this spring—and possesses plus speed, a combination that should allow Betts to post a robust average and score tons of runs as Boston's likely leadoff hitter atop what should be an explosive offense.
Matt Harvey's 17-1 Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio
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In case there were any questions about Matt Harvey returning to his dominant form after missing all of 2014 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he's pretty much answered them already.
While pitchers coming back from that procedure often battle through control and command problems as they adjust to the new ligament in their elbow, Harvey is proving that's not always the case. The New York Mets right-hander, who just turned 26, sports a nearly immaculate 17-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18.2 innings.
Taijuan Walker's 0.00 ERA
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If you're talking about a pitcher who has been more impressive this spring than Harvey has, then you must be talking about Taijuan Walker of the Seattle Mariners.
The athletic righty was one of baseball's best pitching prospects for years and has flashed his stuff at times over his 53 career major league innings so far. But what he's doing this March—allowing just 11 baserunners and striking out 19 in 18 innings, not to mention that 0.00 ERA—is further evidence that Walker is about to break out in a big way.
As Richard Justice of MLB.com writes:
"At 22, his time has arrived. Rather than give him anything, Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said he wanted to see something on the mound before making a decision. Walker hasn't allowed a run this spring and it would be a stunner to see the Mariners -- a team with very high hopes -- not give him the fifth spot in the rotation.
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The Tampa Bay Rays' .225 Team Batting Average
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The Tampa Bay Rays have the lowest team batting average among all clubs in March with a .225 mark. On top of that, they have the second-worst on-base percentage at .291, and their 90 runs scored is third-worst.
Hitters typically are behind pitchers in spring training as they work to get their timing and rhythm down, but all it takes is a quick peek at Tampa Bay's projected starting lineup to see that, other than Evan Longoria, there just aren't many (any?) proven impact bats.
The Rays finished last season with the fourth-fewest runs scored in baseball and the fewest in the AL. Now without Ben Zobrist, Matt Joyce and Wil Myers, each of whom the Rays traded away this winter, the club is going to struggle even more to hit and score in 2015.
Joc Pederson's 1.153 OPS
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For all the talk of Kris Bryant as the prospect most ready to burst onto the scene on the heels of a red-hot spring, Joc Pederson deserves some recognition too. He entered camp with a shot to win the center field job after the Los Angeles Dodgers traded away Matt Kemp this offseason.
Pederson actually has faced some stiff competition from veteran Andre Ethier (.304/.373/.457), but the rookie more or less has seized the situation by playing solid defense and, oh yeah, hitting .373/.407/.745—that's a 1.153 OPS—with 12 runs, five homers and 11 RBI in 21 games.
"There's always stuff I need to work on," Pederson said after homering Saturday, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, "and I need to continue to impress."
Alex Rodriguez's 7-6 Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio
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Don't look now, but Alex Rodriguez is showing he just might be a factor for the New York Yankees in 2015.
At age 39 and coming off a season-long suspension due to the Biogenesis investigation, Rodriguez faced criticism and doubts like never before as spring training started. In the face of all that, he has proved that he still knows what he's doing at the dish, with an impressive six walks against just seven strikeouts in 42 plate appearances.
He's gone 11-for-36 with three home runs, including one Saturday, all of which adds up to a .306/.405/.583 line that indicates the righty-hitting Rodriguez actually might be able to help the Yankees' lefty-heavy lineup this season.
Statistics are accurate through Saturday, March 28 and courtesy of MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11
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