Analyzing Team Performance

battists · 07-04-2015, 11:05 PM

So, just curious, how do you folks go about analyzing team performance?

I tend to play as a minor league manager. (I always plan on managing a year at each minor league level, and then getting up to the big leagues, but the truth is, I tend to run out of steam before I ever make the bigs.) For example, I manage a rookie team right now, and we are AWFUL. Rookie leagues in my game play a 106-game schedule. This team went 40-66 last season (before I took over), and this season after May we are at a stalwart 13-29. Awesome.

When I look at team stats, there are some really obvious shortcomings:

On the batting side, our team BA, at .264, is last in the league by 17 points, 26 points below the league average. Our OBP is an insane .305, and we have far away the fewest walks drawn.
From a pitching perspective, we are a little better. Around the middle of the pack in most categories.
I don't understand fielding stats very well, but most of the stats I see are right around league average, except for ZR, which is -7.9, by far the worst in the league. (If someone can give me a good sense of what that MEANS, that would be swell.)

When you stop to analyze the performance of your team, what sorts of indicators do you look at? Obviously, as a minor league manager, there's not a ton I can do to affect the performance of my team other than change around lineups and so on.

Feedback greatly appreciated.

The Game · 07-05-2015, 11:37 AM

With a ZR that bad it basically means you have a ton of guys with little to no range who let balls get by them. playing guys out of position would hurt you. Guys with a lot of errors. Minors I may have no choice but to deal with it vs ML.

battists · 07-05-2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Game

With a ZR that bad it basically means you have a ton of guys with little to no range who let balls get by them. playing guys out of position would hurt you. Guys with a lot of errors. Minors I may have no choice but to deal with it vs ML.

I figured that was the case. Oddly, I don't have an outrageous # of errors, so we must all just be really limited range-wise. From a quick glance, I definitely have a lot of players in my starting lineup with decent infield arm/turn DP/error ratings, but sub-par range. (Of COURSE, all of the players with better range are . . . offensively challenged.)

I'll see if there's a way to retool my depth chart to get some guys with better range on the field. Unfortunately, as you noted, I might not have a ton of choice.

millhousebc · 07-07-2015, 02:19 PM

Is there room to grow with the offensively challenged players? Your job at R league is to get the players skill set up enough to be promoted. I'd take the range and let the player's bat improve through the course of the year.

ThePretender · 07-07-2015, 02:51 PM

Sounds like you have a bad core - they can't hit for average, get on base, or field. Probably want to sell off what you can, and try to acquire guys with good all around skills.

Alternatively, what you can do is find upgrades over your biggest black holes - even small upgrades will make your team better. It's better to have fewer elite players and no weak spots then 1-2 elite guys surrounded by guys who can't hit or field.

endgame · 07-07-2015, 02:52 PM

Preventing runs can be as effective as scoring them. I have a soft spot for great defense if I don't have the offensive muscle. A balanced approach generally hasn't led to successes in my world. If you give up D you have to have O.

battists · 07-07-2015, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePretender

Sounds like you have a bad core - they can't hit for average, get on base, or field. Probably want to sell off what you can, and try to acquire guys with good all around skills.

Alternatively, what you can do is find upgrades over your biggest black holes - even small upgrades will make your team better. It's better to have fewer elite players and no weak spots then 1-2 elite guys surrounded by guys who can't hit or field.

Yeah, the struggle here is I am ONLY the manager. I can't sell off or find upgrades at all. (Unless I cheat, which I won't.)

faithful2thecall · 07-07-2015, 03:46 PM

I'm in my first try at it, but I've already found that managing your way up through the minors can be frustrating but rewarding. I've taken a little break from it to focus on a MLB manager file currently.

Behind a pitching triple crown from Keynan Middleton (11-1, 2.08 ERA, 106 K), I managed to ride the momentum of a 2nd half charge with Orem to a Pioneer League title. The GM kept stealing most of my key hitters, so I was constantly having to retool my offense to find ways to win.

After the season I took my talents to Beloit, having them off to an 18-6 start behind an explosive offense. However my division lead is only 1 game and my team has come back to earth after a 12-2 start.

battists · 07-07-2015, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithful2thecall

I'm in my first try at it, but I've already found that managing your way up through the minors can be frustrating but rewarding.

That's cool. I know that Markus hasn't really designed the "RPG" aspects of the game to make "managing your way to the bigs" a seamless experience, but that's exactly what I am hoping to do.

My plan is to manage a season at rookie ball, and see if I get offered anything at the next level up by the AI. If I am, I will take that, rinse and repeat. However, if I DON'T get offered anything, I will probably promote myself within my current organization. I probably don't have the patience to struggle for 15 years in the minors, as I ultimately want to manage+GM in the bigs.

Although if I end up in last place, not sure anyone will be lining up to offer me a job.

ThePretender · 07-07-2015, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by battists

Yeah, the struggle here is I am ONLY the manager. I can't sell off or find upgrades at all. (Unless I cheat, which I won't.)

Ah, that's true. Well then do your best to platoon and make do with what you have. Bunch your best players together so they get lots of hits in a row and get runs.

I mean...you should be doing that anyway but I don't know what else to tell you. Hit and run lol?

07-04-2015, 11:05 PM	#1
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506	Analyzing Team Performance So, just curious, how do you folks go about analyzing team performance? I tend to play as a minor league manager. (I always plan on managing a year at each minor league level, and then getting up to the big leagues, but the truth is, I tend to run out of steam before I ever make the bigs.) For example, I manage a rookie team right now, and we are AWFUL. Rookie leagues in my game play a 106-game schedule. This team went 40-66 last season (before I took over), and this season after May we are at a stalwart 13-29. Awesome. When I look at team stats, there are some really obvious shortcomings: On the batting side, our team BA, at .264, is last in the league by 17 points, 26 points below the league average. Our OBP is an insane .305, and we have far away the fewest walks drawn. From a pitching perspective, we are a little better. Around the middle of the pack in most categories. I don't understand fielding stats very well, but most of the stats I see are right around league average, except for ZR, which is -7.9, by far the worst in the league. (If someone can give me a good sense of what that MEANS, that would be swell.) When you stop to analyze the performance of your team, what sorts of indicators do you look at? Obviously, as a minor league manager, there's not a ton I can do to affect the performance of my team other than change around lineups and so on. Feedback greatly appreciated.

07-05-2015, 11:37 AM	#2
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	With a ZR that bad it basically means you have a ton of guys with little to no range who let balls get by them. playing guys out of position would hurt you. Guys with a lot of errors. Minors I may have no choice but to deal with it vs ML. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

07-07-2015, 02:52 PM	#6
endgame Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 16,842	Preventing runs can be as effective as scoring them. I have a soft spot for great defense if I don't have the offensive muscle. A balanced approach generally hasn't led to successes in my world. If you give up D you have to have O. __________________ "Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett _____________________________________________

07-07-2015, 02:19 PM	#4
millhousebc Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 225	Is there room to grow with the offensively challenged players? Your job at R league is to get the players skill set up enough to be promoted. I'd take the range and let the player's bat improve through the course of the year.

07-07-2015, 02:51 PM	#5
ThePretender All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,323	Sounds like you have a bad core - they can't hit for average, get on base, or field. Probably want to sell off what you can, and try to acquire guys with good all around skills. Alternatively, what you can do is find upgrades over your biggest black holes - even small upgrades will make your team better. It's better to have fewer elite players and no weak spots then 1-2 elite guys surrounded by guys who can't hit or field.

07-07-2015, 03:46 PM	#8
faithful2thecall Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Minnesota Posts: 151	I'm in my first try at it, but I've already found that managing your way up through the minors can be frustrating but rewarding. I've taken a little break from it to focus on a MLB manager file currently. Behind a pitching triple crown from Keynan Middleton (11-1, 2.08 ERA, 106 K), I managed to ride the momentum of a 2nd half charge with Orem to a Pioneer League title. The GM kept stealing most of my key hitters, so I was constantly having to retool my offense to find ways to win. After the season I took my talents to Beloit, having them off to an 18-6 start behind an explosive offense. However my division lead is only 1 game and my team has come back to earth after a 12-2 start.