LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -

Pitchers and catchers already are on hand at spring training to get ready for the upcoming baseball season, and the auction world appears to be in spring mode, too.

Editors highlighted their latest Black Book Market Insights report showed a continuation of early spring season. Many car segments remained unchanged in their depreciation levels last week while trucks saw a larger price declines.

“Tax season demand is starting to show up at the auto auctions as lower value vehicles hold prices well,” said Anil Goyal, Black Book’s executive vice president of operations.

Volume-weighted, Black Book determined overall car segment values decreased by 0.23 percent last week, much better than the average weekly decrease of 0.47 percent in values spotted during the previous four weeks.

Editors pointed out that the compact car, subcompact car, midsize car and full-size car segments performed the best among all car segments with values holding still.

Again looking at volume-weighted information, Black Book indicated overall truck segment values — including pickups, SUVs, and vans softened by 0.43 percent last week, similar to the average weekly drop of 0.45 percent in values recorded during the previous four weeks.

Editors added the compact van, small pickup, full-size van, and compact crossover/SUV segments performed the best among all the truck segments.

Turning next to the highlights of what Black Book’s representatives stationed at more than 50 auctions heard in the lanes, perhaps dealers down in Texas are still trying to get their inventory back in order from Hurricane Harvey.

“Dealers are making more comments about the high prices at the auction but continue to pay up for the units that they need,” Black Book’s lane watcher in the Lone Star State said.

Out in California, the scene seemed to be somewhat similar with the representative sharing, “The activity in our market has been good and we’ve had some strong auctions.”

Moving to the Southeast, activity in one specific lane at a South Carolina auction attracted the attention of Black Book’s staff.

“The dealer lanes were slow as the sellers were holding their floor prices. On the other hand, the fleet companies were there to sell and were successful in doing so,” the lane watcher said.

Up in Michigan, dealers are on the hunt for bargains.

“Our market has seen a slight uptick. The strongest interest and activity has been in the vehicles under $10,000,” Black Book’s representative in Michigan said.

Finally in Pennsylvania, it appears dealers are eager for potential buyers to secure federal tax refunds.

“It’s been a difficult couple of months but more money in the consumers’ pockets will certainly be a positive influence on the market,” Black Book lane watcher in the Keystone State said.