I think when you look at studies and then temper it with your own experience with snakes and the qualitative experiences and anecdotes of those breeders who have put themselves out there in regards to sharing their knowledge... then yeah, I think you said it wonderfully.... It seems to me, the hatchling that you most want to eat and get to breeding size is the one least likely to cooperate... and just because they reach breeding size does not mean that they will actually breed and produce viable sperm/eggs. Murphy's ball python laws.
I need to spread more reputation around before giving it back to FrankyKeno...(or I would have).
Bruce