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Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 15:38 pm
by ggnoobs
The Springfield cardinals are having a great season, almost 40 games over .500. Very good chance to win the AA Championship.
My question - Does winning minor league championships help players to be better in their career? Does it make them hungrier for winning a championship at the Major league level. Does the high pressure of playoff baseball at the lower level help them for playing in the majors?
I actually think there is something to it.
The Memphis redbirds won the Championship in 2009. That team had on it - Allen Craig, David Freese, Jon Jay, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia - guys that had an impact in 2011 to help the Cardinals win a world series. Did their playoff guts get forged in the AAA championship fires?
Should teams move prospects around based on winning at each level, or stick to individual development goals?
Does winning in the minors help a player in their career, or no?
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 15:46 pm
by scoutyjones2
No
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 15:55 pm
by craviduce
I think it's one of those "it doesn't hurt" situations.
You have balance "winning" with "player development".
your example of the Memphis Mafia is the perfect example, it didn't hurt...those young kids in 2011 knew how to win...that helped in October in the post season.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 16:03 pm
by BrummerStealsHome
Absolutely. No question about it.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 16:18 pm
by Talkin' Baseball
I don't know if it matters, but it is entertaining.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 16:49 pm
by 60 year Cardinal fan
I certainly can’t prove anything, but I believe it helps. Give me two teams with very equal talent and I believe the one who has a group who expect to win will usually win.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 16:51 pm
by 3dender
Objectively speaking it is lived experience succeeding in high-pressure situations... so intangible stuff you can't really measure the output on, but logically it seems that past experience would be helpful for future situations.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 18:24 pm
by Red7
Learning how to win at the professional level is part of development. It's probably more important at AA than anywhere else. AA is where most of your best minor league talent is these days. AAA has a lot of AAAA players who are done developing and generally older. Winning at AAA is nice, but probably not a reflection on your MiLB talent or hope for the future.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 19:20 pm
by ScotchMIrish
craviduce wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 15:55 pm
I think it's one of those "it doesn't hurt" situations.
You have balance "winning" with "player development".
your example of the Memphis Mafia is the perfect example, it didn't hurt...those young kids in 2011 knew how to win...that helped in October in the post season.
I agree but one factor is the age of the players. Win a championship in the minors with players who are young for the level = future major league playoff team.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 19:35 pm
by cardstatman
For the record, Springfield has the 2nd youngest pitching staff and tied for 3rd youngest hitters in their league.
They have allowed by far the fewest runs per game (only Midland is anywhere close).
They have scored the third most runs per game.
.636 Springfield (best record)
.545 Wichita (2nd best record)
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 19:41 pm
by Cranny
Seems to me that it might be a pretty good thing since there is apparently some decent talent on that team.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 19:41 pm
by Dazepster
The Cards, and not so long ago, sold that Concept Big Time.
Stressed that the Winning Pedigree could be found throughout the Organization from St Pete to Memphis to St Louis and beyond. Memphis Mafia anyone.
They did have a run of success in the Minors and were having WS contender success in the Majors. Be a fool not to market it or acknowledge it when or if others broached it. As with all good things, eventually it came to an end.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 20:35 pm
by Cusecards
Regardless of the level...I would think that succeeding is better than failing??
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 20:48 pm
by Hoosier59
Ask Jon Jay, DeScalso, Craig, any of those guys!
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 20:54 pm
by Stlcardsblues
ggnoobs wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 15:38 pm
The Springfield cardinals are having a great season, almost 40 games over .500. Very good chance to win the AA Championship.
My question - Does winning minor league championships help players to be better in their career? Does it make them hungrier for winning a championship at the Major league level. Does the high pressure of playoff baseball at the lower level help them for playing in the majors?
I actually think there is something to it.
The Memphis redbirds won the Championship in 2009. That team had on it - Allen Craig, David Freese, Jon Jay, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia - guys that had an impact in 2011 to help the Cardinals win a world series. Did their playoff guts get forged in the AAA championship fires?
Should teams move prospects around based on winning at each level, or stick to individual development goals?
Does winning in the minors help a player in their career, or no?
Competitive baseball will always help a players development. It’s not a huge needle mover, but will help the players on the team.
Re: Does Winning Minor League Championships Matter?
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 21:10 pm
by scoutyjones2
Hoosier59 wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 20:48 pm
Ask Jon Jay, DeScalso, Craig, any of those guys!
They asked CT.