FORT MYERS, Fla. — We are reminded every single spring how little statistics in March mean in the grand scheme of things. For the most part, that is the case. Every once in awhile a pitcher who struggles in spring training will struggle in the regular season, but there is nothing empirical coming out of a laboratory somewhere to suggest that a strong correlation exists.
Still, baseball fans love their numbers, so let's relax a bit and make wild overreactions to the first full week of Grapefruit League play, just for fun. Maybe one of the guys who have started strong is just providing a precursor to a special season, or someone slow to get going is doomed for a down year. You never know.
Last week we examined four players among Boston's AL East opponents that could surprise some people. Here are four players who have done something notable early in Grapefruit League play.
Baltimore Orioles: Jake Fox
New York Yankees: Ivan Nova
Tampa Bay Rays: Andy Sonnanstine
Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Lawrie
Every Saturday, NESN.com Red Sox reporter Tony Lee will look at Boston's competition in the AL East.