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oriolesmeep · 03-30-2016, 09:09 PM

Having achieved some success with the Rockies in OOTP 17 (that said - didn't take them over until 2026 - no real Rockies players were still with the team), I've found that pitching performances don't seem to translate year to year.

For example, SP Joey Vander Zanden won the Cy Young award in Coors, with a 2.69 ERA and a 3.09 FIP. He's been mostly a 3.70 ERA pitcher since, fluctuating anywhere from 3.50 at his best to a 4.30 in his worst season, FIP fluctuating as well (almost always implying that that year's performance was the real Joey). Just in this case, trust in ratings and overall road success as to making your rotation. With the exception of Vander Zanden and one other pitcher, the 3-5 spots in my rotation have changed almost every year.

Your pen is going to suck. End of story. I haven't built a successful middle-relief corps, regardless of how much I invest in it. I have 3 or so pitchers who could close, and I just roll with whoever's hot, which is a huge pain but that's the only way I've been able to close down games. My middle relievers are basically a bunch of failed starters who fail at relieving too, just less so.

That said, groundballers are a must. A fly ball pitcher is going to get torn to shreds. Even a neutral pitcher is likely to pitch to a 5+ ERA.

The other key that I've found is building an overpowering offense. A lot of high contact/gap power hitters are nice. Speed isn't as important in Coors, as taking the chance on doubles/homers to drive in guys is even more worth it. Likewise, the bunt should only be used for pitchers.

Obviously, since it's Coors, power bats are a key, but don't overinvest in them. Guys with high contact/gap power have enough pop to fill the lower half of the lineup.

If you're going to invest big in a free agent, I tend to lean toward the bats, since pitchers are so volatile. Develop and draft for pitching first, trade/invest $$$ in bats.

In closing - if you can finish middle of the pack in runs against, you should find a lot of success with the Rockies. Just try to outhit the opposition and pray for the baseball gods to smile on you in the playoffs.

03-30-2016, 09:09 PM	#11
oriolesmeep Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 103	Having achieved some success with the Rockies in OOTP 17 (that said - didn't take them over until 2026 - no real Rockies players were still with the team), I've found that pitching performances don't seem to translate year to year. For example, SP Joey Vander Zanden won the Cy Young award in Coors, with a 2.69 ERA and a 3.09 FIP. He's been mostly a 3.70 ERA pitcher since, fluctuating anywhere from 3.50 at his best to a 4.30 in his worst season, FIP fluctuating as well (almost always implying that that year's performance was the real Joey). Just in this case, trust in ratings and overall road success as to making your rotation. With the exception of Vander Zanden and one other pitcher, the 3-5 spots in my rotation have changed almost every year. Your pen is going to suck. End of story. I haven't built a successful middle-relief corps, regardless of how much I invest in it. I have 3 or so pitchers who could close, and I just roll with whoever's hot, which is a huge pain but that's the only way I've been able to close down games. My middle relievers are basically a bunch of failed starters who fail at relieving too, just less so. That said, groundballers are a must. A fly ball pitcher is going to get torn to shreds. Even a neutral pitcher is likely to pitch to a 5+ ERA. The other key that I've found is building an overpowering offense. A lot of high contact/gap power hitters are nice. Speed isn't as important in Coors, as taking the chance on doubles/homers to drive in guys is even more worth it. Likewise, the bunt should only be used for pitchers. Obviously, since it's Coors, power bats are a key, but don't overinvest in them. Guys with high contact/gap power have enough pop to fill the lower half of the lineup. If you're going to invest big in a free agent, I tend to lean toward the bats, since pitchers are so volatile. Develop and draft for pitching first, trade/invest $$$ in bats. In closing - if you can finish middle of the pack in runs against, you should find a lot of success with the Rockies. Just try to outhit the opposition and pray for the baseball gods to smile on you in the playoffs.