If you operate every spring with the broad assumption that spring training stats don’t matter, you will both be mostly correct and prevent yourself from stressing out over roster decisions too much. There are some exceptions to that axiom, though. For example, if you pitch 15 shutout innings over five appearances (four starts), scatter ten hits, walk five hitters, and strike out 24 batters (!), you might earn yourself an unexpected rotation spot. This is what Juan Nicasio did this spring. There are arguments to be made, I think, about his past results and his value in the bullpen vs.
Juan Nicasio makes the rotation (also: why Jeff Locke is the fifth starter)
