Help for a newbie from Across the Pond

[Shug25]

Hey guys!

I'm from Britain and I've never played Baseball in my life, apart from the annual purchase of MLB the show.

I do however try and keep up with the Oakland A's as often as I can after I first heard of them through Moneyball (The movie, currently working on finishing the book!)

I picked up OOTP because it was suggested since I've played a lot of Football Manager (Over 600 hours). In that Sports Managment Simulation game there are certain 'tricks of the trade' that you need to know, such as star potential is basically irrelevant, when to bring in youth players, how to develop them, how to sign the best free agents etc

I was just wondering if anyone could give me a sort of detailed 101 if you will of what I need to know to start off in OOTP.

Thanks in advance!

[DJP53916]

Originally Posted by Shug25

Hey guys!

I'm from Britain and I've never played Baseball in my life, apart from the annual purchase of MLB the show.

I do however try and keep up with the Oakland A's as often as I can after I first heard of them through Moneyball (The movie, currently working on finishing the book!)

I picked up OOTP because it was suggested since I've played a lot of Football Manager (Over 600 hours). In that Sports Managment Simulation game there are certain 'tricks of the trade' that you need to know, such as star potential is basically irrelevant, when to bring in youth players, how to develop them, how to sign the best free agents etc

I was just wondering if anyone could give me a sort of detailed 101 if you will of what I need to know to start off in OOTP.

Thanks in advance!

The one thing that I think is really great about this game is the enormous amount of different ways you can play this game and the enormous amount of different things a person can do with a game like this.

Now, that said, to go into a full-on "101" on the what and how would take forever, and it may turn out that what you really want to know is only a handful of things to get you going. Too much information that you're not looking for could lead to you feeling overwhelmed, really.

So, instead of me writing and you reading an encyclopedia of information that may or may not be relevant to what YOU want and need, let's focus more specifically on each thing you mention, and go from there.

So, where do you want to begin?

[joefromchicago]

DJP is right: there's so much to cover that it would be better if you let us know what areas are of particular interest to you.

In the meantime, you might want to take a look at some of the links in this thread:

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ge-thread.html

[Shug25]

I think the best place to begin would be what are the key elements to look for in a good lineup. For example, what makes an outfielder better than another outfielder or a 1st baseman better than the other. I have a loose grasp on batting statistics, OBP, Runs, RBI'S, Bombs etc but I don't really have a good handle on what a good stats are in player attributes.

Also what about versatility? Can basemen paly any base or should I only be assigning them to what position they are quotes as being.

Is there a way to get better backroom staff? My scout, Kipp Fagg, keeps popping up with garbage players from Australia and a bunch of Southern American countries. I know that in the previous Sports Management games I've played youth is a huge part of having a sustainable club.

Finally, what makes a good pitcher? Should I be looking at their ERA and IP's and drawing comparisons? What about playing relief or starter is that solely base on stamina? The best pitcher I have in star ratings is 4 (Currently at the Texas Rangers)

Thanks again in advance. Great to see so much help!

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by Shug25

I think the best place to begin would be what are the key elements to look for in a good lineup. For example, what makes an outfielder better than another outfielder or a 1st baseman better than the other. I have a loose grasp on batting statistics, OBP, Runs, RBI'S, Bombs etc but I don't really have a good handle on what a good stats are in player attributes.

Probably the easiest way to get your best lineup is to have the AI set it for you. You can debate some of its choices (I usually do), but, in general, the AI does a decent job of picking the best eight (or nine) guys to fill your lineup.

The traditional approach to building a team is to be "solid up the middle." That means having good fielders at catcher, shortstop, second base, and center field. In particular, it's worthwhile to have a good-fielding shortstop in your lineup, even if he's not a particularly good hitter. That's because right-handed batters tend to hit to the left side of the infield, so shortstops usually handle more groundballs than any other infielder.

As for deciding which player goes in which slot in the lineup, I'll give you my thoughts, although I expect that others will disagree. Just keep in mind that: (1) these are the sorts of things that can create endless disagreements; and (2) if anyone doesn't agree with me, they're wrong.

• 1st: The traditional view of the first batter (or lead-off batter) is that he should be the fastest guy in your lineup (in OOTP terms, look at your players' speed and stealing ratings). That view has come under a lot of criticism from those who argue that on-base percentage (OBP) is far more important in a lead-off hitter than speed (look at eye/discipline ratings). Ideally, your lead-off man should have both speed and a good OBP percentage, but those kinds of players are extremely rare these days.
• 2nd: The second batter should be a good contact man (look at the "avoid K's" ratings). The idea here is that you want your second man to be able to move the runner over if your lead-off hitter gets on base. There's also an advantage to having a left-handed batter in your second spot, because you want your batter to hit "behind the runner" on first base and also because having a lefty at bat makes it somewhat harder for the catcher to throw to first base.
• 3rd: The third batter in the lineup is often your best overall hitter. Usually, that means the guy with the best combination of batting average (look at the contact and gap power ratings) and power (home run power ratings). Babe Ruth, for instance, was a number-three hitter for most of his career with the Yankees - he could hit for power and also for average. Bryce Harper of the Nationals, last year's NL MVP, is a classic number-three hitter.
• 4th: This is your "clean-up" hitter. That usually means the guy on your team who hits the most home runs (unless he's already in the number three slot). For example, Chris Davis, who led the major leagues last year with 47 home runs but who strikes out a lot and doesn't hit for a high average, bats clean-up for the Orioles.
• 5th: This is a spot where you can hide a guy who has power but who doesn't hit for a high average. He's sort of like your second clean-up hitter, only worse - in other words, the guy who may have a high rating for home run power but a low rating for contact.
• 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th: Once you've filled your top five spots, there's usually not much to distinguish between the spots in the bottom half of the order. If you don't use the DH in your league, then traditionally you'll put your pitcher in the last spot, although some managers today will put the pitcher in the eighth spot. Often, you'll want to put your catcher in one of these slots unless he's a particularly good hitter. In general, you don't want to put yourself in the situation where you have to pinch-hit for your catcher, because most teams only carry two catchers, so using both of them in a game means you're betting that you won't need a third (and you definitely don't want to be on the losing end of that bet)

Originally Posted by Shug25

Also what about versatility? Can basemen paly any base or should I only be assigning them to what position they are quotes as being.

You really shouldn't play someone out of position. If a player is put in a position that is not listed on his profile, he'll automatically get the worst ratings at that position, which can be brutal. You might want to do that with a player in the minors if you want him to learn a new position, but avoid doing that in the majors (except during spring training).

Originally Posted by Shug25

Is there a way to get better backroom staff? My scout, Kipp Fagg, keeps popping up with garbage players from Australia and a bunch of Southern American countries. I know that in the previous Sports Management games I've played youth is a huge part of having a sustainable club.

Well, you can always fire him and hire someone to take his place. Go to the Available Personnel tab in the Transactions screen.

Originally Posted by Shug25

Finally, what makes a good pitcher? Should I be looking at their ERA and IP's and drawing comparisons? What about playing relief or starter is that solely base on stamina? The best pitcher I have in star ratings is 4 (Currently at the Texas Rangers)

A good pitcher is one who gets batters out. That could mean a pitcher who strikes out a lot of batters, or one that gets them to hit groundballs or flyballs to his fielders. "Stuff" is based primarily on a pitcher's best two pitches. A pitcher with good stuff will usually strike out more batters than one who doesn't. "Movement" is related to how many home runs a pitcher will give up (better movement means fewer home runs). "Control" is related to how many walks a pitcher gives up (better control = fewer walks). A really good pitcher, of course, will have high ratings in all three categories (look at some five-star pitchers, like Jake Arrieta or Clayton Kershaw). Stamina is really only important for starting pitchers - that rating determines how long he can pitch before getting tired and losing effectiveness. In OOTP, a starting pitcher needs at least three pitches (unless one of his pitches is a knuckleball). Relievers can get by with just two pitches. Relievers also get a small boost to their "stuff" ratings, so if you try to convert a reliever into a starter, you should expect to see his "stuff" rating decrease.

[DJP53916]

I'll put examples of my team's lineup in each spot where Joe's suggestions are, and you can look up each player on the team I mention to see the ratings of the player I mention. My comments will be in bold.

I'll be referencing the 2016 Milwaukee Brewers roster. I use a 20/80 scale myself for my settings.

Originally Posted by joefromchicago

Probably the easiest way to get your best lineup is to have the AI set it for you. You can debate some of its choices (I usually do), but, in general, the AI does a decent job of picking the best eight (or nine) guys to fill your lineup.

The traditional approach to building a team is to be "solid up the middle." That means having good fielders at catcher, shortstop, second base, and center field. In particular, it's worthwhile to have a good-fielding shortstop in your lineup, even if he's not a particularly good hitter. That's because right-handed batters tend to hit to the left side of the infield, so shortstops usually handle more groundballs than any other infielder.

As for deciding which player goes in which slot in the lineup, I'll give you my thoughts, although I expect that others will disagree. Just keep in mind that: (1) these are the sorts of things that can create endless disagreements; and (2) if anyone doesn't agree with me, they're wrong.

• 1st: The traditional view of the first batter (or lead-off batter) is that he should be the fastest guy in your lineup (in OOTP terms, look at your players' speed and stealing ratings). That view has come under a lot of criticism from those who argue that on-base percentage (OBP) is far more important in a lead-off hitter than speed (look at eye/discipline ratings). Ideally, your lead-off man should have both speed and a good OBP percentage, but those kinds of players are extremely rare these days.
  
  I prefer speed guys at the top with at least a decent OBP, but if I have a player who just has an amazing OBP, and can run better than a statue, I'll at least consider an alternative.
  
  My team has SS Jonathan Villar leading off. Excellent speed, ok OBP. Would like better defense, but I have a very, very good SS prospect on my AAA squad who hits good, and plays fantastic defense, and may be ready for a promotion to the Majors later this year, or next season at worst.
  
• 2nd: The second batter should be a good contact man (look at the "avoid K's" ratings). The idea here is that you want your second man to be able to move the runner over if your lead-off hitter gets on base. There's also an advantage to having a left-handed batter in your second spot, because you want your batter to hit "behind the runner" on first base and also because having a lefty at bat makes it somewhat harder for the catcher to throw to first base.
  
  My 2nd hitter is 2B Scooter Gennett. Lefty hitter, good contact hitter, a little bit of pop for the position, ok speed, don't strike out or walk much. Generally weak against left handed pitchers, so I switch in Colin Walsh (who has shown excellent on base skills in the minors) when the Brewers play a lefty.
  
• 3rd: The third batter in the lineup is often your best overall hitter. Usually, that means the guy with the best combination of batting average (look at the contact and gap power ratings) and power (home run power ratings). Babe Ruth, for instance, was a number-three hitter for most of his career with the Yankees - he could hit for power and also for average. Bryce Harper of the Nationals, last year's NL MVP, is a classic number-three hitter.
  
  LF Ryan Braun is my #3 hitter, and is pretty much an accurate description of this here (although he runs a little bit better than your typical slugging, #3 hitting left fielder).
  
• 4th: This is your "clean-up" hitter. That usually means the guy on your team who hits the most home runs (unless he's already in the number three slot). For example, Chris Davis, who led the major leagues last year with 47 home runs but who strikes out a lot and doesn't hit for a high average, bats clean-up for the Orioles.
  
  1B Chris Carter for me. A "Three True Outcomes" type slugger (Three true outcomes meaning the hitter is almost always going to walk, strike out, or hit a home run). Trogdor tends to walk a lot, he will strike out an enormous amount, and has exceptional power.
  
• 5th: This is a spot where you can hide a guy who has power but who doesn't hit for a high average. He's sort of like your second clean-up hitter, only worse - in other words, the guy who may have a high rating for home run power but a low rating for contact.
  
  DH Ramon Flores. Decent power, decent eye, kind of an upside play for me. I could easily flip flop him with my #6 hitter, and probably be about the same either way.
  
• 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th: Once you've filled your top five spots, there's usually not much to distinguish between the spots in the bottom half of the order. If you don't use the DH in your league, then traditionally you'll put your pitcher in the last spot, although some managers today will put the pitcher in the eighth spot. Often, you'll want to put your catcher in one of these slots unless he's a particularly good hitter. In general, you don't want to put yourself in the situation where you have to pinch-hit for your catcher, because most teams only carry two catchers, so using both of them in a game means you're betting that you won't need a third (and you definitely don't want to be on the losing end of that bet)

#6 RF Domingo Santana. Sunday is another player with a good eye, patient, and lots of power. In real life, he has been Milwaukee's lead off hitter this year, because he is very patient at the plate, and sees lots of pitches.

#7 CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis / Alex Presley. Neither of these players are great hitters, or have enormous speed or power to offer, but serviceable for how I deploy them. Not completely useless at the plate, so the #7 spot is fine.

#8 3B Aaron Hill. Ok player for how he is used, and ok hitter for this spot in the lineup. I probably could slot him #7, and be alright as well.

#9 C Martin Maldonado. Not a particularly good hitter, really, but his defense keeps him in my starting lineup after I traded Jonathan Lucroy away. He has a little bit of pop, and that's nice to have at the bottom of the order. Had I kept Lucroy, he would have been my #2 hitter, Scooter and Walsh my #7, and slide everyone else down.

I play DH for both leagues (I cannot stand the idea of DH in one league, and not the other. lol) If I played without the DH for the National League (or at all), I'd have my starting pitcher bat #8 when Wily Peralta or Taylor Jungmann are on the mound (both are decent hitting pitchers), and go with my other starters in the #9 slot.

You really shouldn't play someone out of position. If a player is put in a position that is not listed on his profile, he'll automatically get the worst ratings at that position, which can be brutal. You might want to do that with a player in the minors if you want him to learn a new position, but avoid doing that in the majors (except during spring training).

This cannot be said enough. You can get away with some changes if you absolutely had to. A SS can play 2B, or maybe even 3B easier than trying to play a 2B or 3B at SS. A 3B or LF/CF/RF can more easily play 1B than a 1B could play any of the above. You generally use LF to hide your weakest defensive outfielder, especially if he has a weak arm. You generally have your fastest outfielder in CF, and your strongest armed outfielder in RF.

A Catcher might be able to play a little first base for you (like Buster Posey, Jonathan Lucroy, Martin Maldonado, for example), but beyond those three, and maybe a few more catchers, only do that if you absolutely have no other option (like an in game injury replacement).


Well, you can always fire him and hire someone to take his place. Go to the Available Personnel tab in the Transactions screen.


A good pitcher is one who gets batters out. That could mean a pitcher who strikes out a lot of batters, or one that gets them to hit groundballs or flyballs to his fielders. "Stuff" is based primarily on a pitcher's best two pitches. A pitcher with good stuff will usually strike out more batters than one who doesn't. "Movement" is related to how many home runs a pitcher will give up (better movement means fewer home runs). "Control" is related to how many walks a pitcher gives up (better control = fewer walks). A really good pitcher, of course, will have high ratings in all three categories (look at some five-star pitchers, like Jake Arrieta or Clayton Kershaw). Stamina is really only important for starting pitchers - that rating determines how long he can pitch before getting tired and losing effectiveness. In OOTP, a starting pitcher needs at least three pitches (unless one of his pitches is a knuckleball). Relievers can get by with just two pitches. Relievers also get a small boost to their "stuff" ratings, so if you try to convert a reliever into a starter, you should expect to see his "stuff" rating decrease.

For my starting pitchers, I want guys who have either 3 or more decent( or better), or at least 2 really, really good pitches in his arsenal (and a third pitch to throw now and again). Innings pitched is a statistic I personally feel is very important. Pitchers with lots of innings pitched tend to likely have two redeeming qualities I value. They generally are durable enough to make their scheduled starts (injuries to your pitching staff can be brutal if you don't have depth), and if the manager is letting him pitch a lot of innings, he's probably at least a decent pitcher.

Another thing I take into consideration is my infield and outfield defense. If I have poor defenders all over my infield, but a collection of gold glove defenders in the outfield, I'll roll the dice with flyball pitchers, and risk the spike in home runs allowed, because that's where I'm more likely to generate outs. If my infield defense is awesome, ground ball pitchers become much more intriguing to me. I tend to value defense up the middle very highly, so I'm not as locked in to one type or another for my starting pitchers.

For relievers, I want my bullpen to have at least one lefty relief pitcher, one guy capable of long relief and/or spot starts, and I want the rest of my pen to mostly have hard throwers with great stuff, and I'll live with less control. I don't necessarily need strikeouts out of my bullpen, but all things being equal, I'll lean towards strikeout pitchers over pitch to contact types for at least my closer and two set up men.