[Biggio509]

Potential is the scouts idea of the best the player will become. Not all players will meet their potential rates but most will. The overall potential rating is based on where the player is ranked for that position. So if a star switches from SS to 3B and becomes the best first 3B then it has trickle down effects since overall potential and current overall are ranked based on position. You can turn that off and have it based on all players.

So as noted overall potential rating changes due to the pool or players but the contact, stuff, etc. potential ratings are absolute I think they don't seem to change when you change positions like current and potential do. If you suddenly see potential drop when you the player's position this is why. The position you switched them to have a deeper fool of players. Corner outfield and IB have less skill so you often see good hitters who are often less athletic there. While SS, C, etc. have a real specific set of skills fewer have.

Things that change the potential ability ratings (contact, power, etc.) and overall potential.

1. Random talent change: There is a possibility a player can get better or worse than expected. It is random. This can be affected by settings.

2. Aging: As player get past around 27 the player is pretty much what he is going to be there is usually just maintaining or decline after that. You can affect how fast players age and develop in settings too. Around 27 a player is the best he is going to be usually even if potential is > greater than current. As players hit their 30's most will begin to decline. I notice fielding declining first. You do have some guys who can DH because they still have a bat but you don't want them in the field. Sometimes the drop off is almost imperceptible and sometimes it seems drastic one year to the next.

3. As noted earlier injuries. I can't really predict what an injury will do. I think from what I have seen is it doesn't affect potential as much when a player is young. I have had some prospects injured for a long period who recover and develop. Older players tend to take current and potential hits after an injury, I have even seen starters become listed as bullpen only after an injury in their 30's. Again not sure this is a hard fast rule but what I have seen. Prospects tend to bounce back, veterans usually don't. Something to think about if you want a player who is fragile or wrecked not only do you have a higher probability that he will miss time there is also a bigger probability he won't come back as good after an injury if he is older. So the 35 year old wrecked guy who still pitches well is a huge risk especially with the contract he is likely to have.

I haven't seen it lately but it was a feature of older versions that potential would drop below current to show you your scout thought the player was on the decline. Not sure if it is still like that.

Like has been stated all ratings are your scouts opinion a scout leaving and a new one coming can make a change. A scout's better knowledge of the player might change the scouting reporting so you never know did the player change or did the scout just see more and change his mind about the player. So always look at the stats too, your scouts can be right on sometimes and dead wrong others.