Spring Training Roster Projection

Some of you may wonder how a Spring Training roster is constructed. The template generally looks like this: 30-36 pitchers 6 catchers 3 1B 3 2B 3 3B 3 SS 3 LF 3 CF 3 RF PITCHERS: During the first couple of weeks at Fitch Park (prior to the move to HoHoKam Park and the start of the Cactus League season), the pitchers are broken up into three groups of 10-12 pitchers each. There is a status to the three groups, where Group 1 is mostly the big league guys, Group 2 is mostly the guys battling for spots, and Group 3 is everybody else. When a top draft pick guy like Andrew Cashner gets a courtesy-invitation to big league camp to "get a look," he might be assigned to Group 1 just so he can see how the big leaguers prepare for the season. (This happened with Jeff Samardzija). CATCHERS: Six catchers are needed at big league camp at Fitch Park because the 10-12 pitchers in each of the three groups are further divided into groups of 5-6, a...