Changing 2B to CF/OF

Bobfather · 02-02-2021, 08:44 PM

5 of my top hitting prospects are 2B. None of them have any significant OF ratings or experience. What is the best way to teach them the OF without them being rated 1s all the way around? Think Mookie Betts. The Red Sox moved him to outfield less than a month before calling him up, and he played well.

mytreds · 02-02-2021, 09:29 PM

Play them in the outfield. I assume these are prospects still in the minors.

A better option might to trade them for OF prospects.

JerseyPirate · 02-02-2021, 09:34 PM

What level of minors are they at? If A+ or below, you can force start them in the OF and the manager won't fight you. Anything above that and they usually don't listen, especially when they have zero OF experience. But if they have bad infield arms, they will have bad outfield arms and are likely suited for LF.

ohiodevil · 02-03-2021, 11:05 AM

Take a look at each of the players and look in the 'Ratings' tab and see what their ratings for Outfield Range, Outfield Arm and Outfield Error and if they have ratings that look like they can play out there, then just force start them in the minors or in spring training at one (or more) of the outfield positions and you will see them gain experience and know if they will work out there.

I have added a couple screenshots, the first one is my starting 2b and he is one of the top defensive 2b in the league, but he would not make a good outfielder. The 2nd screenshot is of a guy I picked up in a trade a couple years ago and he is currently in AAA but his main position is 2b, but I have been playing him in LF and he jumped from a 0 to 40 exp as a LF in a season between AA and AAA, so I am going to try him in RF, 3B and SS for a bit and see if I have a utility player in the making.

MaeNekoChan · 02-04-2021, 09:37 PM

As far as I know (hope I'm reading your question right), there is no way to get OF ratings to develop outside of pure randomness. Oftentimes it is a little silly when you have a 70 speed 2B with 60+ range in the infield have like a 30 OF range. Honestly if you're not in challenge mode just go into the editor and plug in some ratings that you feel comfortable with. A good way to maintain some realism is to read some profiles of irl prospects with similar sizes and athleticism and try to match your guys to them. You can even RP it in your head like 'so-and-so has been getting intensive training in the OF for the first time in their career and is handling the challenge well.' I hope in future editions of the game they actually let you direct coaches to have some development tasks so you don't have to 'cheat' but oh well

Oh and if you feel guilty go and give some ai prospects bumps too

02-02-2021, 08:44 PM	#1
Bobfather All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston Ma. Posts: 1,841	Changing 2B to CF/OF 5 of my top hitting prospects are 2B. None of them have any significant OF ratings or experience. What is the best way to teach them the OF without them being rated 1s all the way around? Think Mookie Betts. The Red Sox moved him to outfield less than a month before calling him up, and he played well.

02-02-2021, 09:29 PM	#2
mytreds All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 1,183	Play them in the outfield. I assume these are prospects still in the minors. A better option might to trade them for OF prospects. __________________ “Baseball isn’t statistics; it’s Joe DiMaggio rounding second.” “Once, centuries ago, it was the beloved national pastime of the Americas, Wesley. Abandoned by a society that prized fast food and faster games. Lost to impatience.” “ The term ‘WAR’ should be replaced by ‘WAG’. WAR isn’t an actual measurement; it’s just a wild-ass guess” -Bill James RIP National League 1876-2022 Floreat semper vel invita morte. I make custom ballparks.

02-03-2021, 11:05 AM	#4
ohiodevil OOTP Roster Team Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Rocky River, Ohio Posts: 2,442	Take a look at each of the players and look in the 'Ratings' tab and see what their ratings for Outfield Range, Outfield Arm and Outfield Error and if they have ratings that look like they can play out there, then just force start them in the minors or in spring training at one (or more) of the outfield positions and you will see them gain experience and know if they will work out there. I have added a couple screenshots, the first one is my starting 2b and he is one of the top defensive 2b in the league, but he would not make a good outfielder. The 2nd screenshot is of a guy I picked up in a trade a couple years ago and he is currently in AAA but his main position is 2b, but I have been playing him in LF and he jumped from a 0 to 40 exp as a LF in a season between AA and AAA, so I am going to try him in RF, 3B and SS for a bit and see if I have a utility player in the making. Attached Images Last edited by ohiodevil; 02-03-2021 at 11:07 AM.

02-02-2021, 09:34 PM	#3
JerseyPirate Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 172	What level of minors are they at? If A+ or below, you can force start them in the OF and the manager won't fight you. Anything above that and they usually don't listen, especially when they have zero OF experience. But if they have bad infield arms, they will have bad outfield arms and are likely suited for LF.

02-04-2021, 09:37 PM	#5
MaeNekoChan Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 66	As far as I know (hope I'm reading your question right), there is no way to get OF ratings to develop outside of pure randomness. Oftentimes it is a little silly when you have a 70 speed 2B with 60+ range in the infield have like a 30 OF range. Honestly if you're not in challenge mode just go into the editor and plug in some ratings that you feel comfortable with. A good way to maintain some realism is to read some profiles of irl prospects with similar sizes and athleticism and try to match your guys to them. You can even RP it in your head like 'so-and-so has been getting intensive training in the OF for the first time in their career and is handling the challenge well.' I hope in future editions of the game they actually let you direct coaches to have some development tasks so you don't have to 'cheat' but oh well Oh and if you feel guilty go and give some ai prospects bumps too