As a result, many executives feel like it\u2019s impossible to build roster depth. One AL player development exec described the nightly struggle to piece together a Triple-A pitching plan as \u201cconstantly playing with our backs against the wall.\u201d A former manager said that at least twice a week he\u2019d start a Triple-A game with no clue how to get through it.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid we have too many players before? Probably,\u201d said one American League executive. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ve overcorrected now.\u201d<\/p>\n
In complex leagues \u2014 rookie-level leagues held at team training complexes in Arizona or Florida \u2014 teams often don\u2019t have enough pitching, which leads to pregame haggling over whether games are played to nine or seven innings. Certain organizations, like the Baltimore Orioles, are notorious for never having enough arms, which can lead to grumbling from teams that do, like the Tampa Bay Rays. As one executive put it, teams have to pick their roster battles and try to stay covered at the higher affiliates. As a result, \u201cthe bottom often falls out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Three executives said the elimination of short-season A-ball teams has forced organizations to put players in full-season leagues who aren\u2019t ready for it. According to Baseball Reference, the average age for Low-A hitters fell below 21 years old last year \u2014 a new low \u2014 and as of June 2026, it has stayed there. Walks are up, so are runs allowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a slow removal of spots, and I think we are feeling it now more than ever,\u201d said a National League player development executive. \u201cThe quality of High A is what Low-A ball used to be, and it goes up the chain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some players also get promoted based on factors that don\u2019t involve development or production. Many teams start their top college draftees in Double A now because the average age of a hitter there is 23, and they don\u2019t want to discourage prospects by starting them lower than their peers. Narv\u00e1ez started his pro career as a 16-year-old international signing with the Rays and said they were the only organization where he saw players earn their promotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome teams will promote based on future value,\u201d explained a veteran scout, \u201c\u2018Oh, he\u2019s young for the league,\u2019 so that increases a guy\u2019s value in prospect rankings or a potential trade.\u201d<\/p>\n
Very few teams have the space to take fliers on players released by other organizations and instead feel rushed to make decisions to ensure they aren\u2019t cutting into playing time for top prospects. \u201cThe reduction in evaluation time it creates puts organizations in a bind,\u201d said one AL executive. \u201cWe are constantly having to make decisions quicker than we want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players who don\u2019t perform right away are often left out. Triple-A teams used to be stocked with \u201c4-A\u201d players, guys who excelled in the minors but struggled to make the leap to the big-league level. With fewer teams, fewer roster spots and more competition for playing time, there\u2019s been an uptick in players leaving the U.S. to extend their careers, from Mexico to the Korean Baseball Organization to Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.<\/p>\n
Mexico represents an easier potential path back to affiliated baseball than Independent ball, whose organizations require MLB teams to pay an initial fee to sign a player and an additional one if that player reaches the big leagues. Mexico currently has no fees, though many in the industry believe that will soon change. At least two MLB organizations have been recently told no when trying to acquire a veteran player from the LBM.<\/p>\n
As Triple A gets younger, the quality of raw talent has surged, while the focus on fundamentals has been de-emphasized in many organizations\u2019 predictive models<\/a>. The primary goal of the minor leagues has never been winning, but without a certain level of competition, many people believe the gap between the highest affiliate and the big leagues has become a chasm.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have as many learning moments in Triple A because those guys who have six, seven, eight years (of MLB experience) fighting to get back are not there,\u201d said Orioles slugger Pete Alonso. \u201cYou want to have the best talent playing against each other at all times, but there is the level of gamesmanship in a level of higher play. I feel like that is missing for sure, and that\u2019s just the system.<\/p>\n \u201cNow guys have to learn at the highest level, which is really, really damn hard.\u201d<\/p>\n After being promoted to Triple A in May, a well-regarded Double-A prospect was prepared to face a significant jump in the level of play. Instead, he saw four position players pitch in a span of three weeks, including two on his own team. According to MiLB.com<\/a>\u2019s stats page, 51 different Triple-A position players have taken the mound through Monday, a record-breaking pace. Iowa (Cubs) catcher Casey Opitz has already pitched six times. Scranton\/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) catcher Edinson Duran and Norfolk (Rays) third baseman Willy Vasquez have pitched five times apiece. Omaha (Royals) first baseman Abraham Toro and Gwinnett (Braves) infielder Luke Williams are among position players with three or more pitching appearances before the All-Star break.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s basically like High A,\u201d one big-league reliever told teammates upon returning from a rehab stint in Triple A. Another veteran MLB starter said he was shocked to see how many pitchers were pulled mid-inning due to workload constraints. \u201cI\u2019ve played in extended spring (games) with a more competitive feel.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jes\u00fas Made, 19, is years younger than many of his peers in Double A this season. (William Glasheen \/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images)<\/p>\n As the sport skews younger, the churn through young players has never been higher. Astros right fielder Cam Smith made his debut on Opening Day 2025 after being drafted with the 14th pick in 2024. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage, the No. 20 pick in the same 2024 draft, was a pivotal part of the Jays\u2019 World Series run the following year. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, the fourth overall selection in 2024, won AL Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe quality of play (in Triple A) is bad, and they are pushing guys through quicker, but what\u2019s the alternative?\u201d asked former MLB reliever Richard Bleier. \u201cTo sign guys who were never good enough to play in the big leagues and have them clog up a roster? Or take up a spot with someone whose career is at the tail end?\u201d<\/p>\n Bleier spent nine seasons in the minors, including six straight at Double A, before he made his big-league debut for the Yankees at 29 years old. If he played now, he knows most organizations wouldn\u2019t have waited on him.<\/p>\n \u201cI probably would have been released,\u201d said Bleier, who played for eight big-league seasons. \u201cThe way it\u2019s set up now, there are guys who are going to miss opportunities. How many guys are one pitch or swing adjustment away from drastic outcomes that never have the time to find it? Organizations don\u2019t care. If they hit enough on their prospects, that\u2019s all they care about.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USATSI_28670471-scaled.jpg\")
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