CPU Fantasy Draft Strategies in historical leagues

jasonditz · 04-03-2007, 01:30 AM

I've just been fiddling with the Mac demo of OOTP2007, and I set up a historical league (with fictional teams) based in 1969 (using Lahman), and tried to run a fantasy draft with it.

Anyhow, the new options are all great, and I love the interface and everything (this is the first OOTP I've really touched since 5 came out). But the draft strategies of the computer players seem a little sketchy. They seem to be way over-emphasizing starting pitchers (I'm guessing it's because the ERAs seem gaudy compared to those of today) and not even necessarily doing a great job of picking them. Only Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers get taken in the first round besides SPs, and they're way at the end.

Anyhow, I don't recall this being an issue when I last ran a draft like this (and admittedly, that was several years and several versions ago). Is there some setting I need to adjust to fix this?

I mean, it's not totally absurd to see a lot of pitchers being taken high in the late 60's (obviously there are tons of future HOFers there), but I can't help but think the CPU team that got the top draft pick is going to regret drafting Bob Moose with that #1 pick.

jasonditz · 04-05-2007, 12:10 PM

Actually looking back, I think the CPU strategies may have been spot-on. I drafted Willie McCovey instead of a SP in the first round and for those first few seasons I was genuinely miserable with my lack of a true ace.

In the older versions it seemed like there was a bigger spread of position players taken in the first round (especially the future HOFers), but the way the game is now those SPs are absolutely indispensible. Despite throwing enormous amounts of money at free agent SPs as they became available it was only once I was able to score a top 5 draft pick in June that I really managed to land some pitching and get my team out of the cellar of my division.

Radsmats · 04-05-2007, 02:07 PM

I did an expansion draft after the 1960 season (with only 12 players reserved, so the talent available was pretty deep) and it did a good job mixing it up. The 1961 mid-season rookie draft went a little starter-heavy, but it's also a good year for pitchers. I got Dick Radatz seventh overall after five starters and a hitter (I forget who) and eventually traded for a 23-year-old RH starter with a control problem ... Bob Gibson (1.01:1 K/BB ratio).

I'm still evaluating whether the default is a good enough trader or if I'm just too swayed by big names, but in a series of deals I picked up Gibson, Ron Santo and Vada Pinson for C Tom Haller, CF Ken Hunt (25HR in 1961, 33 HR career), SP Dick Hall and some prospects and spare parts. I'd be more convinced, except Haller, just 24, who was hitting under .250 for me with 2HR, 5 RBI in six weeks has been AL Rookie of the Month three straight months since I traded him and is leading catchers in the majors with 20+ HR and a .350 BA. His replacement from my minor league system, Tim McCarver, is hitting .218.

Radsmats · 04-05-2007, 02:08 PM

Oops. Double post.

04-05-2007, 02:07 PM	#3
Radsmats Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wellville Posts: 183	Expansion draft OK I did an expansion draft after the 1960 season (with only 12 players reserved, so the talent available was pretty deep) and it did a good job mixing it up. The 1961 mid-season rookie draft went a little starter-heavy, but it's also a good year for pitchers. I got Dick Radatz seventh overall after five starters and a hitter (I forget who) and eventually traded for a 23-year-old RH starter with a control problem ... Bob Gibson (1.01:1 K/BB ratio). I'm still evaluating whether the default is a good enough trader or if I'm just too swayed by big names, but in a series of deals I picked up Gibson, Ron Santo and Vada Pinson for C Tom Haller, CF Ken Hunt (25HR in 1961, 33 HR career), SP Dick Hall and some prospects and spare parts. I'd be more convinced, except Haller, just 24, who was hitting under .250 for me with 2HR, 5 RBI in six weeks has been AL Rookie of the Month three straight months since I traded him and is leading catchers in the majors with 20+ HR and a .350 BA. His replacement from my minor league system, Tim McCarver, is hitting .218.

04-05-2007, 02:08 PM	#4
Radsmats Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wellville Posts: 183	Expansion draft OK Oops. Double post. Last edited by Radsmats; 04-05-2007 at 02:09 PM. Reason: double post

04-03-2007, 01:30 AM	#1
jasonditz Minors (Double A) Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 121	CPU Fantasy Draft Strategies in historical leagues I've just been fiddling with the Mac demo of OOTP2007, and I set up a historical league (with fictional teams) based in 1969 (using Lahman), and tried to run a fantasy draft with it. Anyhow, the new options are all great, and I love the interface and everything (this is the first OOTP I've really touched since 5 came out). But the draft strategies of the computer players seem a little sketchy. They seem to be way over-emphasizing starting pitchers (I'm guessing it's because the ERAs seem gaudy compared to those of today) and not even necessarily doing a great job of picking them. Only Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers get taken in the first round besides SPs, and they're way at the end. Anyhow, I don't recall this being an issue when I last ran a draft like this (and admittedly, that was several years and several versions ago). Is there some setting I need to adjust to fix this? I mean, it's not totally absurd to see a lot of pitchers being taken high in the late 60's (obviously there are tons of future HOFers there), but I can't help but think the CPU team that got the top draft pick is going to regret drafting Bob Moose with that #1 pick.

04-05-2007, 12:10 PM	#2
jasonditz Minors (Double A) Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 121	Actually looking back, I think the CPU strategies may have been spot-on. I drafted Willie McCovey instead of a SP in the first round and for those first few seasons I was genuinely miserable with my lack of a true ace. In the older versions it seemed like there was a bigger spread of position players taken in the first round (especially the future HOFers), but the way the game is now those SPs are absolutely indispensible. Despite throwing enormous amounts of money at free agent SPs as they became available it was only once I was able to score a top 5 draft pick in June that I really managed to land some pitching and get my team out of the cellar of my division.