Question about appraisals

So since the update I've been doing some research on the new appraisal aspect of the game. Before this update I was just doing evolves based on CP and transferring my low CP pokemon back to the professor. Now I see with the appraisals that if my group leader (red team) says the pokemon's stats "amaze" her then it is a stronger pokemon seemingly regardless of CP. For example, I have a 131CP squrtle where the leader says it amazes her, has strong attack and she's blown away by the stats. I also have a 488CP squirtle where she says it may not be great in battle. Does this mean I'm better off evolving the lower CP squirtle and then spending my stardust to up its CP? Also when going to gyms should I use the pokemon with the highest CP or the highest appraisal values? Also the pokemon she says are strong and you should be proud (one notch down from amazing), are they worth evolving or should I wait it out until I get one where the appraisal says it amazes her? Thanks for the help everybody.