[bp_]

Originally Posted by GJMac

1) I have many players in the minors who are rated max potential rating of 20 - 25. Are these guys worth anything other than just filling out your minor league rosters? Should I waste my time trying to trade them for something of value?

They are scum. Don't bother trying to trade them for an upgrade.

2) I have one minor league team with only 8 batters/fielders. Is that OK? Do I have to fill out the roster?

I'm guessing this is one of the short season leagues (rookie leagues). You won't have to fill these until June-ish as they don't start play until after the draft (check the schedules for those leagues and you'll see).

3) I completed the rookie draft and so now have 25 new players that all get dumped unto my rookie league team, leaving me with 50 players on the team. Is this OK? Should I try to spread the new guys around to
different minor league teams? Should I just release the worthless prospects with a potential of 20-25 so these new guys can play?

You have to maintain a certain # of players on each minor league team or you will get an error so don't release them all. Just release many of the 20-25 guys since they waste roster space and might steal some abs from the real spects on your team.

4) There are so many great coaches, I was able to staff all my teams with hitting and pitching coaches with 100 in their main skill. Is this common?

I don't play with coaches on so I can't say but I wouldn't be surprised. I'd suggest turning coaches off if it is this easy to load up.

5) My understanding is that potentials like contact potential is measured against major league talent, while current contact rating is against the current league the player is in, so his current rating may be higher
than his potential. However, I have some major league players who's current contact is higher than his potential. How is that possible?

I don't think this is correct. Overall rating works as you describe I believe. Individual talents in OOTP often can exceed their potential rating. Some players just "play over their head."

6) I traded for Matt Caine. Good young pitcher sailing along at 10 and 4 with a 2.80 ERA. Stuff, movement and control potential in the 50s and 60s. All of a sudden I get a scouting report that he is strugling and his
stuff potential drops to 22! his current stuff is still at 57, but what happened? Should I dump him before his nunbers drop? Did I do something wrong with him? Is he too young at 22 to be pitching in the majors (even
though he was 10 - 4)?

That's a big hit. You might want to consider moving him if you can get a good offer.

7) I'm saddled with Tom Glavin. No one wants the overpaid vet. Current rating is 21 (stuff = 11, Movement = 19, control = 23). Horrible. I would expect him to be shelled every start. However, he's 14 - 9 with a 5.00 era. How could he be giving me servicable innings when his ratings stink? He's actually thrown some complete games giving up only 1 or 2 runs! of course he had a few where he was shelled early.

I don't know how but I've noticed this happen with other poorly rated players on my squad.

8) How should I respond to the scouting reports that tell me either a player is struggling or that he made an adjustment and is improving?

Thanks again!

You may want to promote/demote the player if the stats back up the report.