what has happened to MiLB preparation?

[Carp4Cy]

35+ years ago we got Sept callups of:
Ray Lankford: 39 games, 3 HR, 12 RBI .805 OPS
Bernard Gilkey: 18 games, .297 BA, 6 SB, 11 runs, .859 OPS
and even Todd Zeile: 28 games, respectable .256 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBIs.

You expect there to be an adjustment period between AAA and MLB, but back then that amounted to maybe 30 or 40 BA points, which could correct over time with experience. And not a prospect going from putting up AAA MVP numbers - .900 OPS (Luken Baker and several others) to not hitting the Mendoza line at MLB. Why does the learning curve seem so much steeper now?

Are we not preparing them as well at AAA anymore?

[carl racki]

I think the more important question is why don't other organization's prospects sink like the Cardinals do?

[Talkin' Baseball]

35+ years ago we got Sept callups of:
Ray Lankford: 39 games, 3 HR, 12 RBI .805 OPS
Bernard Gilkey: 18 games, .297 BA, 6 SB, 11 runs, .859 OPS
and even Todd Zeile: 28 games, respectable .256 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBIs.

You expect there to be an adjustment period between AAA and MLB, but back then that amounted to maybe 30 or 40 BA points, which could correct over time with experience. And not a prospect going from putting up AAA MVP numbers - .900 OPS (Luken Baker and several others) to not hitting the Mendoza line at MLB. Why does the learning curve seem so much steeper now?

Are we not preparing them as well at AAA anymore?

Imho, the gap between AAA pitching and the majors has never been wider.

[Clubmaker2]

Imho, the gap between AAA pitching and the majors has never been wider.

The gap between cardinal AAA players and the majors has never been wider.....

[Carp4Cy]

Imho, the gap between AAA pitching and the majors has never been wider.

The gap between cardinal AAA players and the majors has never been wider.....

This is why trying to develop with prospects instead of proven MLB talent (or at least a more favorable mix) concerns me.