Player development - to play or bench

[Riverdome]

From the manual

Minor league players who get little playing time might not develop as quickly as others. However, major league players and players on a reserve roster develop normally even without playing time.

So which is better to play at AAA or to sit the bench at the major league level?

[PSUColonel]

a good question indeed.

[satchel]

According to the wording of the manual, they seem to be equal.

However, my perception is that there are two main phases to a player's development: up-to-being-major-league-ready, and post-major-league ready. I don't think you can stick a newly-drafted player on your ML roster and have him develop well. The minors are the proper place for a player until he is major-league-ready. After he's arrived a major-league-readiness, he can ride the bench at the ML level and still develop towards his full potential (theoretically as a result of the exposure to the best coaches, the psychology of big-league in-game situations, such as being a possible pinch-hitter, etc.).