Posted by John Dewan on Dec 16th 2015
March 31, 2010
This is our sixth annual list of possible breakout players based on Spring Training statistics. We researched the value of Spring Training stats a few years back and it was quite revealing. For the most part, we agree with the common perception that they don't have value. A bad spring training means nothing. An average spring training tells us nothing. Nevertheless, we did find that when a player has an exceptional spring, it does suggest a better than 60% chance they will take their game up a notch. It applies to teams as well.
We define "exceptional spring" as a positive difference between a hitter's spring training slugging percentage and their lifetime slugging percentage of 200 points or more.
We analyzed hitters with both a minimum of 200 career regular season at bats and with a minimum of 40 spring training at bats (through spring training games of Tuesday, March 30) and found the following 18 players.
Possible Breakout Players | |||
Slugging Percentage 200+ points better in Spring Training | |||
Hitter, Team | Difference | Spring | Career |
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays | .484 | .884 | .400 |
Mitch Maier, Royals | .436 | .760 | .324 |
Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals | .345 | .824 | .478 |
Colby Rasmus, Cardinals | .316 | .723 | .407 |
Jerry Hairston, Padres | .302 | .675 | .373 |
Delwyn Young, Pirates | .288 | .673 | .385 |
Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks | .283 | .714 | .431 |
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies | .282 | .756 | .474 |
Hunter Pence, Astros | .272 | .760 | .488 |
Gregg Zaun, Brewers | .262 | .650 | .388 |
Aaron Rowand, Giants | .260 | .708 | .448 |
Nelson Cruz, Rangers | .259 | .732 | .473 |
Justin Upton, Diamondbacks | .254 | .739 | .485 |
Will Venable, Padres | .252 | .679 | .427 |
Alberto Callaspo, Royals | .242 | .646 | .404 |
John Bowker, Giants | .229 | .631 | .402 |
Mike Aviles, Royals | .223 | .651 | .429 |
Mark Kotsay, White Sox | .204 | .617 | .413 |