First fictional league draft.

[twins_34]

So, I have the #1 pick and there are some decent looking prospects. Would really like to start getting a good starting pitcher building up but I want to make sure I am picking what I should be. My choice would be between Juan and Norm. So what do you guys think?

Who would you pick if you had the choice?
1. Juan
2. Norm
3. Jose
4. Carlos (yes he is 12)
5. Marcos

[twins_34]

Or would you go for this batter?

[Pelican]

In my (limited) experience, OOTP 21 and 22 are not kind to power pitchers with great stuff, good movement, and lousy control. Of course, the guys you’re looking at each have fantastic potential ratings. But I have no patience with SP who can’t throw strikes. For me it’s all bad. Too many walks, obviously. But also too many long counts = too many pitches = early exit = strain on bullpen, particularly long and middle relief. And, that lack of control usually translates to too many costly dingers, pitches up in the zone or out over the plate. Just too many guys on base, pitching constantly from the stretch, hit batters, passed balls, wild pitches. Ugh. The guys you’re scouting are high risk and high (potential) reward. Think Vinnie Velasquez of the Phillies. 99 MPH and no clue where the ball is going. No, thanks. I would build with guys who are strong across the board and high stamina, with potential in all areas; but solid control.

[LordTC]

Originally Posted by Pelican

In my (limited) experience, OOTP 21 and 22 are not kind to power pitchers with great stuff, good movement, and lousy control. Of course, the guys you’re looking at each have fantastic potential ratings. But I have no patience with SP who can’t throw strikes. For me it’s all bad. Too many walks, obviously. But also too many long counts = too many pitches = early exit = strain on bullpen, particularly long and middle relief. And, that lack of control usually translates to too many costly dingers, pitches up in the zone or out over the plate. Just too many guys on base, pitching constantly from the stretch, hit batters, passed balls, wild pitches. Ugh. The guys you’re scouting are high risk and high (potential) reward. Think Vinnie Velasquez of the Phillies. 99 MPH and no clue where the ball is going. No, thanks. I would build with guys who are strong across the board and high stamina, with potential in all areas; but solid control.

Wanted to give this a huge +1. I ran into this in my RPG series when my movement and speed got ahead of my control on my main pitcher character. Because it was an RPG, I was able to add points to control to correct it. But while it was a problem the pitcher led his league in BB9 with something like 7.

You don't want pitchers who throw too many balls. For lots of reasons.