Is the transition from A to A+ truly significant in terms of development?

danilomf · 03-29-2026, 09:57 AM

Does pushing a prospect from A to A+ actually count as a new development stage?

Curve Ball Dave · 03-29-2026, 10:39 AM

In my experience guys who dominate in Low A get a wake up call in High A and there is a period of adjustment. It's by no means as big a step from High A to AA, but it is a stage in development.

jksander · 03-29-2026, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curve Ball Dave

In my experience guys who dominate in Low A get a wake up call in High A and there is a period of adjustment. It's by no means as big a step from High A to AA, but it is a stage in development.

I think it matters more with younger guys ... if you've got an 18 or 19 year old doing well at A, you don't want to skip A+ for AA ...
But a lot of college guys are already 21, 22 or even 23 ... for those guys I tend to start them in A+ with an eye to move to AA as soon as they're exceeding expectations.

Curve Ball Dave · 03-29-2026, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksander

I think it matters more with younger guys ... if you've got an 18 or 19 year old doing well at A, you don't want to skip A+ for AA ...
But a lot of college guys are already 21, 22 or even 23 ... for those guys I tend to start them in A+ with an eye to move to AA as soon as they're exceeding expectations.

Agreed.

03-29-2026, 09:57 AM	#1
danilomf Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2026 Posts: 1	Is the transition from A to A+ truly significant in terms of development? Does pushing a prospect from A to A+ actually count as a new development stage?

03-29-2026, 10:39 AM	#2
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,402	In my experience guys who dominate in Low A get a wake up call in High A and there is a period of adjustment. It's by no means as big a step from High A to AA, but it is a stage in development. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.