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Righty Groove · 07-25-2013, 12:33 PM

Hello everyone,

I believe the Starting Pitcher/Relief Pitcher dynamic in OOTP needs major improvement. Right now, it's basically about 2 things: Stamina and having more then 2 pitches. But it should be so much more.

First, most most MOST relievers are failed starting propects. They either didn't have the quality (either stuff or control), endurance or durability to start. Relieving is very different to starting, but it's safe to say it's considerbly easier too.

When "converting" a starter to reliever, not only should he get a boost in stuff, but also (and most importantly) in control and velocity.

A lot of pitchers get relegated to the bullpen for lack of control, for too high of a walk rate. Getting a boost in control as a reliever would adress that. Throwing harder is also a know "side effect" of relieving, with plenty of examples. Throwing high-90s as a SP is much more special then as a RP, and you don't see many relievers throwing in the high-80s/low-90s as a lot of SP do. That would adress MOST of the SP/RP dynamic problem, IMO. Would make more sense in the "RP are guys who can't start" reality for most pitchers.

Second, the Stamina rating could improve a lot. Today, it's a "as is" rating, rarely improves and never by a lot. And it's incredibly static inside a season. You can have a guy with high (say, 60s) stamina relieve the entire season. Then, if he is rested, have him start and go 8 innings. That rarely, if ever, happens in real life.

Stamina is built progressively through the season and the pitchers career. It should improve from the players 18-20yo to peak at mid/late 20s then drop at his mid/late 30s, depending on the player.

I say there should be a "maximum" stamina rating, similar to what we have now, and a "current" stamina rating, that changes more rapidly base on what a player has done lately, how much he has thrown, starting or relieving, injuries, et al. If a guy is in his 30s and has always been an 1-inning reliever, maybe his max stamina is high, but his current stamina is low and without much hope of improving further.

Third, SP and RP should be two different positions, i.e. like 2B and SS. So, if a guy has always been a starter, he has the stuff, the control, the pitches to relieve. But he never has, he isn't used to it, he would struggle at first. Like a SS who has the range, the arm and the quickness to play 2B, but never has in his professional life. With experience and exposure to the position, specially in training camp/minors, he would get used to it and be ok.

What do you think?

07-25-2013, 12:33 PM	#1
Righty Groove Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 268	The SP/RP model in OOTP needs to change Hello everyone, I believe the Starting Pitcher/Relief Pitcher dynamic in OOTP needs major improvement. Right now, it's basically about 2 things: Stamina and having more then 2 pitches. But it should be so much more. First, most most MOST relievers are failed starting propects. They either didn't have the quality (either stuff or control), endurance or durability to start. Relieving is very different to starting, but it's safe to say it's considerbly easier too. When "converting" a starter to reliever, not only should he get a boost in stuff, but also (and most importantly) in control and velocity. A lot of pitchers get relegated to the bullpen for lack of control, for too high of a walk rate. Getting a boost in control as a reliever would adress that. Throwing harder is also a know "side effect" of relieving, with plenty of examples. Throwing high-90s as a SP is much more special then as a RP, and you don't see many relievers throwing in the high-80s/low-90s as a lot of SP do. That would adress MOST of the SP/RP dynamic problem, IMO. Would make more sense in the "RP are guys who can't start" reality for most pitchers. Second, the Stamina rating could improve a lot. Today, it's a "as is" rating, rarely improves and never by a lot. And it's incredibly static inside a season. You can have a guy with high (say, 60s) stamina relieve the entire season. Then, if he is rested, have him start and go 8 innings. That rarely, if ever, happens in real life. Stamina is built progressively through the season and the pitchers career. It should improve from the players 18-20yo to peak at mid/late 20s then drop at his mid/late 30s, depending on the player. I say there should be a "maximum" stamina rating, similar to what we have now, and a "current" stamina rating, that changes more rapidly base on what a player has done lately, how much he has thrown, starting or relieving, injuries, et al. If a guy is in his 30s and has always been an 1-inning reliever, maybe his max stamina is high, but his current stamina is low and without much hope of improving further. Third, SP and RP should be two different positions, i.e. like 2B and SS. So, if a guy has always been a starter, he has the stuff, the control, the pitches to relieve. But he never has, he isn't used to it, he would struggle at first. Like a SS who has the range, the arm and the quickness to play 2B, but never has in his professional life. With experience and exposure to the position, specially in training camp/minors, he would get used to it and be ok. What do you think?