[ALB123]

Originally Posted by Bluejays

I like using era+, war, and fip for pitchers and for batters ops+, war, and avg

Thanks, Bluejays!! I also asked this question on Reddit and your recommendations have also come from several different people. That tells me something. Either you're all insane or you're all telling me something I need to pay attention to. I'm pretty sure it's the latter.

Originally Posted by Miamikb2001

Thank you, brother, for a lot of helpful info More of an old school traditionalist but trying to understand and use some of the new school stuff always can learn and get better

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I remember when I first noticed these "weird stats" on Baseball-Reference. This was probably 2001'ish. I had no idea what the heck they were and I didn't want anything to do with 'em.

Originally Posted by jimmysthebestcop

Wrc+ you can also compare players of different eras. Most other stats you can't compare directly

Oh, that's really cool. I didn't know that. When I take note of recommended stats in this thread, I'm going to have to read up on most of 'em. I don't want to just know what's a good value and what's not, ya know? But, I'll get there!

Originally Posted by CBeisbol

First, awesome for having an open mind to this stuff

Second, good advice so far

<<< SNIPPED FOR SPACE >>>

Also, have to mention WAR. Use it. It's good. Take some time to understand it. Understand what it is, and what it isn't, then use it for what it is intended.

Thank you, CBeisbol. I personally believe that it will be difficult for me to build a true dynasty if I don't start learning this stuff. Frankly, the fact that I am this uneducated about Advanced Statistics in 2020 is beyond ridiculous! OOTP is one thing, but learning these Adv. Stats will probably give me a better experience when I watch real baseball on MLB.TV (except for this year! BOO!) And when arguing players with friends, of course.

Anyway... Wow. What a post! I really have to give you an Xtra Large thank you. In my short time on this website, you have helped me with many questions & problems...and the responses are often lengthy, including explanations or personal opinions to help me resolve an issue or understand a topic better. I really, truly appreciate that. Another person in this thread, jimmysthebestcop, always seems to provide me with help and guidance. So, thanks to you and to everybody in this thread...I don't mean to exclude any person, but certain usernames are easier to remember, visually, so a big thanks to all who've helped me here or anywhere with OOTP.

Okay, enough gushing... Thanks for explaining ISO. I had a feeling that would pop-up in this thread. That may end up being one of my favorite stats for the time being. My team can't hit for nuthin' and when they can, I only have a few guys with any pop. Example: Big Dave Winfield (fav player as a kid) is counted on to provide some power. 6'6" & 225lbs.. That was a monster back in that era. The last three years, '83, '84 & '85 he has given me 9, 12 & 16 HRs, respectively. In real life, over the same three seasons, he hit 32, 19 & 26! The baseball gods are playing with me... I can not wait to release him next season. Oh, how I'll miss his .217/.283/.378 slash line.

I'm glad you mentioned the Basic Batter's Ratings. I've been noticing, and I'll admit it's a small sample size, when looking at Hitter's Ratings (not power guys) for great hitters of the era like Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs, Willie Wilson, Paul Molitor these guys all have really, really good to great Contact Ratings which I expect. What I didn't expect is their Eye/Discipline Rating is going to be low. Very low in some cases. I wonder why that is. I'm not saying it's wrong, but it doesn't sound right to me.

For fielding, I had a feeling someone was going to mention Zone Rating. I gotta look it up - I have no idea what it truly is - but I see that statistic appearing in a lot of conversations about player fielding ability.

Someone on Reddit suggested UBR / BsR - mentioning it's something about base running. I thought that was pretty cool. Well, I printed out your post CBeisbol. I've written the other guy's suggestions on that printout and I'll have to start reading Fangraphs & Baseball-Reference sometime soon.

Thanks everyone!