benefits of extended spring training ?

[Big Reed]

i often times see a player designated to extended spring training. usually that player is one of the higher draft picks on a team. and many times that player will go from extended Spring training and then skip a minor league level

 

I'd like to know the real purpose of extended spring training. is it a place where players go becausse of injuries? they didn't get enough spring training? Do they go there if they are switching positions and they'll get more attention than going straight to a class a team? do they go there so they won't count against a roster size? is it like a tryout camp for newly acquired palyers? and the coaches send them to a certain league based on their performance? Does it have anything to do with a player's options clause? can a player go to extended spring training and not use up one of his options?

 

I ask because i've seen first round picks sent to extended spring training. i've see both AA and AAA and even some major league players go to extended spring training.

 

I'm just wondering what extended spring training can provide a player that playing for a Class A or AA team can't provide?

[dadofandrew]

Rehab and guys going to rookie league teams that do not begin until mid June.

[BillScottCanRake]

I'm just wondering what extended spring training can provide a player that playing for a Class A or AA team can't provide?

 

With regard to games, you can run simulated games and do pretty much anything you want to do to get a player well or exposure to certain aspects of the game; things you might not normally be able to do in a real minor league game.

 

If you want a guy to hit live pitching but not run the bases, you can do that. Or if you want to have someone run the bases or play 9 innings of defense without hitting, you can do that.

[dadofandrew]

Unless they are injured or in rehab mode, most of the guys at extended are simply not ready for A ball, nor are there any roster spots open.

[madjeff66]

Minor league ST games and extendend spring training "games" are played under very loose sets of rules. (Looser than your lowest level of youth BB) That's why players from the ML team will come down for a minor league spring game at times. If you want someone to get 5 AB's without playing the field, he can lead off the first five innings as a PH and then leave.