How Do I Steal Bases Successfully?

[NoOne]

Originally Posted by jlking

I am not sure this carries over to the game, but oddly enough high velocity pitchers are easier to steal against than the slower pitchers. The pitchers in real life with the lowest steal ration have both low SO and walk numbers. For the worst pitchers, they collectively have a SO% of almost 22%, a BB% of 8.8%, and every guy averages at least 90 mph on his fastball.

I think it might have to do with delivery time. To get that high velocity pitch you will tend to wind up for a bit longer. You don't steal against catchers, you steal against pitchers.

I am not sure any of this is true in the game, but it might be fun to find out.

power pitchers are, in general, less concerned about these situations. therefore, they don't work on it as much. the better they are, the more they can ignore the deficiency. closers are notrious for this. i don't believe this is a good strategy, but it is a trend in the MLB, nonetheless. it's like a basketball player that shoots poor FT%. they think it's too small to care about or something.

and you definitely steal on a pitcher. their time to the plate varies more from pitcher to pitcher than how fast a catcher receives, pops and throws - it's still a factor of course.

in addition, a pitcher that doesn't vary his timing of his pitches (the time between his set position and throwing) is easier to steal on.

it's easier to steal on lower pitches and pitches that can break to awkward locations relative to catch-throw mechanics of the catcher. while a good high fastball sets the catcher up for a quicker throw.

basically that stuff equals the hold rating, i assume.

[voxpoptart]

One correction to some of the advice here: in OOTP, very much unlike in real life, your stolen base percentage is only determined by the Catcher's Arm rating. Pitcher's Hold rating makes it more or less likely that you'll be able to make the attempt, but the SB% with a Hold 20 on the mound is the same as the SB% with a Hold 1 on the mound.