Why is it?

[Backtobanks]

Why is it that so many teams have their top prospects at AA ball? A lot of AAA teams seem to be stocked with long-time minor leaguers and over-the-hill major leaguers while the future stars seem to be at AA. It seems to me that there used to be a natural progression from A to AA to AAA to the majors, but now many AAA teams seem to be a holding spot for major league bench-warmers. Am I right in my observation or is it just me?

[Magnetic Curses]

AAA ball is used as an extended bench.

[Derwood]

Why is it that so many teams have their top prospects at AA ball? A lot of AAA teams seem to be stocked with long-time minor leaguers and over-the-hill major leaguers while the future stars seem to be at AA. It seems to me that there used to be a natural progression from A to AA to AAA to the majors, but now many AAA teams seem to be a holding spot for major league bench-warmers. Am I right in my observation or is it just me?

 

Exactly right. The best prosepcts play at AA, whereas the AAA roster is usually tired vets, lifetime minor leaguers, or players who have been called up and didnt' do well.

[EricG]

it also depends on what the big club needs. if a CF is needed then a player is rushed to the majors to fill that need. or if they want to have an extra year before arbitration then they can put him in AAA for the first month of the season.