MR Rookie to Starter?

Cato · 04-02-2003, 11:14 AM

Say I draft a 24 yo, 4.5 star MR with ratings of 8/8B/5A/6A/9B/4A/4F, and a duration of A. What are the pros and cons of trying to change him to a starter in spring training?

koohead · 04-02-2003, 11:33 AM

OMG...you actually play this game too? I thought you just created utilities for it!

From what I've been hearing, you always take a chance when teaching a new position, even role. Some will take to it, some take quite a while to learn it, while there are those that never convert. I believe the development algorithims are all random, but I do tend to see younger players have an easier time changing than older players (which I would expect in reality).

The Pros: You could end up with a very good SP

The Con: His ratings could take a hit since you are taking ST points away from other catagories in order to teach him his new role. Of course, that's assuming he learns the SP role at all. so worst case scenerio is he drops here and there and doesn't learn the SP role.

Do you feel lucky?

kq76 · 04-02-2003, 11:42 AM

If you have a really good young MR, I'd chance it and switch him to SP. Even though you probably want a few good to excellent MRs, because of the IP difference, they're nowhere near as valuable (and scarce) as good SPs (imo).

Gastric ReFlux · 04-02-2003, 11:45 AM

I would move him to RF. He could be the next Babe, you never know.

BillyBuck · 04-02-2003, 02:35 PM

Of course, he will probably start out with an "E" duration/endurance rating as a starter...and it's also hard to tell if you will ever be able to improve on that rating, even thru spring training.

I have debated this with myself a couple of times and have always decided to keep them as MR's. That doesn't mean it's the "right way" though....

Denton True · 04-02-2003, 02:48 PM

if you take away endurance points to assign to "change position" then he may learn the SP position and reliever endurance will go from "A" to B or C. That's no big deal anyway since you wll be using him as a starter.

asamford · 04-02-2003, 02:53 PM

yep, that's the best way to do it Denton, seeing as how there's not much more advantage to a reliever having A duration as opposed to B or C.

also, even starters with an E duration can be successful. I've got with #1 guys with E endurances, their other ratings were so high that even with a low endurance they'd usually get to 6-7 innings pitched per start because they were so good they didn't need as many pitches!

kingcharlesxii · 04-02-2003, 03:49 PM

I took a 5 blue star MR prospect who was 22 or 23 at the time and turned him into a started. His E endurance rating for a starter is his only drawback as he is an excellent starter now. If you're already loaded on MR and willing to take a chance, it could turn out great. As was said above, the worst that could happen is that he doesn't learn the position and takes a ratings hit.

TheRockCT · 04-02-2003, 04:40 PM

Definitely worth the risk IMO - based on the curve that the game seems to have no problem generating good to excellent MR's, and another one (although maybe not quite as good), will pop up and replace his spot. Starters with ratings like that, even with an E-endurance, are very valuable.

jgross68 · 04-02-2003, 06:43 PM

I took a 19-year old MR in the fifth round of the latest draft in an online league (FDBL) and converted him to a starter in spring training. So far he's 7-2, 2.65 in 13 single-A starts over 88.1 IP (averaging over 6.2 innings per start despite his "E" rating in duration). Looks like this particular experiment is working out so far...

Kane182 · 04-02-2003, 07:08 PM

In my 1986 historic season with the Mets I took 2 star MR 30 year old Rick Anderson and began starting him. He has had two 15 win seasons in a row and a 2.50 ERA or under. Pretty sweet deal. I am also in the process of converting Chuck Finley from a MR to an SP.

Dargone · 04-02-2003, 07:48 PM

I'd say go for it, I've done it a few times and it has worked out well...

Darren Drewitz · 04-02-2003, 08:12 PM

Can you take a MR and have him start during the season in the minors and have him learn a new position like you can with other players.

PSUColonel · 04-02-2003, 08:19 PM

my big question is this:

Does CPU managers also change roles with pitchers? I don't think I've ever seen that or a conversion from say RF to LF?

Carlton · 04-02-2003, 09:35 PM

ok question

what if in ST you teach this MR a new position...then assign 15 points to endurance...will he cobnvert to a starter (hypothetically) and THEN go up in endurance....or will he go up in MR endurance????

also what if in the minor league staff screen you put a MR with NO starter endurance in a starter slot...will he develop starter endurance? or will he be rocked every time out and you made a great MR into a scrub?

Cato · 04-03-2003, 05:55 PM

Just a bump to see if anyone could answer Darren's question...

I Am The Game · 04-03-2003, 08:16 PM

From what I've seen, MRs do not get SP endurance just by starting them in the minors or majors. I think pitchers should get MR and SP endurance the same way other players would, by performing in that role over a period of time, but it's not how it's done.

dsvitak · 04-03-2003, 09:41 PM

Excellent relievers are a dime a dozen.

Changing them to starters feels a little like cheating....and it is keeping my team in first place, year after year after year.

During the amatuer draft, there ALWAYS seem to be several excellent prospects as MR's, even as late as the 3rd or 4th round.

Take advantage of it.

If nothing else, a converted MR to SP has very fine trade value.

ctorg · 04-04-2003, 09:29 AM

I really wish the game wouldn't generate so many good MRs. I always just make them into starters in the minors and they end up great.

fhomess · 04-04-2003, 03:33 PM

This is why I never convert MR prospects to SP's. Just seems like too much of an advantage since the AI never seems to try it.

04-02-2003, 11:33 AM	#2
koohead Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,233	OMG...you actually play this game too? I thought you just created utilities for it! From what I've been hearing, you always take a chance when teaching a new position, even role. Some will take to it, some take quite a while to learn it, while there are those that never convert. I believe the development algorithims are all random, but I do tend to see younger players have an easier time changing than older players (which I would expect in reality). The Pros: You could end up with a very good SP The Con: His ratings could take a hit since you are taking ST points away from other catagories in order to teach him his new role. Of course, that's assuming he learns the SP role at all. so worst case scenerio is he drops here and there and doesn't learn the SP role. Do you feel lucky? __________________ GM - New Jersey Bears of the NPBL;

04-02-2003, 11:42 AM	#3
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,036	If you have a really good young MR, I'd chance it and switch him to SP. Even though you probably want a few good to excellent MRs, because of the IP difference, they're nowhere near as valuable (and scarce) as good SPs (imo). __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

04-02-2003, 02:35 PM	#5
BillyBuck Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: KC, MO Posts: 436	Of course, he will probably start out with an "E" duration/endurance rating as a starter...and it's also hard to tell if you will ever be able to improve on that rating, even thru spring training. I have debated this with myself a couple of times and have always decided to keep them as MR's. That doesn't mean it's the "right way" though.... __________________ Kansas City Crows - FEBL Champions 2006 and 2007 Oslo Mountain Dawgs - WBL Champions 2004 and 2005

04-02-2003, 02:48 PM	#6
Denton True Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 177	if you take away endurance points to assign to "change position" then he may learn the SP position and reliever endurance will go from "A" to B or C. That's no big deal anyway since you wll be using him as a starter. __________________ Friends call me Cy

04-02-2003, 04:40 PM	#9
TheRockCT All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: TN Posts: 1,083	Definitely worth the risk IMO - based on the curve that the game seems to have no problem generating good to excellent MR's, and another one (although maybe not quite as good), will pop up and replace his spot. Starters with ratings like that, even with an E-endurance, are very valuable. __________________ GM, Vermont Emperor Penguins - POTD POTD Champions: 2011, 2012, 2013 GM, Monterrey Aztecs* - NABA *NABA Champions: 2013

04-02-2003, 11:14 AM	#1
Cato Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 328	MR Rookie to Starter? Say I draft a 24 yo, 4.5 star MR with ratings of 8/8B/5A/6A/9B/4A/4F, and a duration of A. What are the pros and cons of trying to change him to a starter in spring training? __________________ OOTP Utilities Download Page - Home of OOTP History & OOTP Gazette GMC League History JOBL League History

04-02-2003, 11:45 AM	#4
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	I would move him to RF. He could be the next Babe, you never know.

04-02-2003, 02:53 PM	#7
asamford Banned Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Snellville, Georgia Posts: 1,769	yep, that's the best way to do it Denton, seeing as how there's not much more advantage to a reliever having A duration as opposed to B or C. also, even starters with an E duration can be successful. I've got with #1 guys with E endurances, their other ratings were so high that even with a low endurance they'd usually get to 6-7 innings pitched per start because they were so good they didn't need as many pitches!

04-02-2003, 03:49 PM	#8
kingcharlesxii Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,731	I took a 5 blue star MR prospect who was 22 or 23 at the time and turned him into a started. His E endurance rating for a starter is his only drawback as he is an excellent starter now. If you're already loaded on MR and willing to take a chance, it could turn out great. As was said above, the worst that could happen is that he doesn't learn the position and takes a ratings hit.

04-02-2003, 06:43 PM	#10
jgross68 All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: ....is everything! OTA: .882, Member #866 Posts: 690	I took a 19-year old MR in the fifth round of the latest draft in an online league (FDBL) and converted him to a starter in spring training. So far he's 7-2, 2.65 in 13 single-A starts over 88.1 IP (averaging over 6.2 innings per start despite his "E" rating in duration). Looks like this particular experiment is working out so far... __________________ Javier Gustavo Ruprecht Oss LXVIII Bizarro-Gastric ReFlux Emeritus Judo Purist and Supporter of Monkey Rodeo Leagues: OTBL \| ABC \| OCHO \| Off The Wall (Coming Soon!) Blogs: The Legacy of Tony Womack \| How We Got Enron! ...the musical (Now even less frequently updated!) Topical quote for any occasion: "Never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth." ~Henrik Ibsen, "An Enemy of the People"

04-02-2003, 07:08 PM	#11
Kane182 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 230	In my 1986 historic season with the Mets I took 2 star MR 30 year old Rick Anderson and began starting him. He has had two 15 win seasons in a row and a 2.50 ERA or under. Pretty sweet deal. I am also in the process of converting Chuck Finley from a MR to an SP.

04-02-2003, 07:48 PM	#12
Dargone Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Interwebs Posts: 2,862	I'd say go for it, I've done it a few times and it has worked out well... __________________ I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.-Margaret Mitchell

04-02-2003, 08:12 PM	#13
Darren Drewitz Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mother Warsaw Posts: 28	Can you take a MR and have him start during the season in the minors and have him learn a new position like you can with other players. __________________ Darren Drewitz Warsaw Warriors

04-02-2003, 08:19 PM	#14
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,141	my big question is this: Does CPU managers also change roles with pitchers? I don't think I've ever seen that or a conversion from say RF to LF?

04-02-2003, 09:35 PM	#15
Carlton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,765	ok question what if in ST you teach this MR a new position...then assign 15 points to endurance...will he cobnvert to a starter (hypothetically) and THEN go up in endurance....or will he go up in MR endurance???? also what if in the minor league staff screen you put a MR with NO starter endurance in a starter slot...will he develop starter endurance? or will he be rocked every time out and you made a great MR into a scrub? __________________ "I am at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments. I am 100% self sufficient spiritually, emotionally & financially. Even if you say 1+1=5, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Enjoy!"

04-03-2003, 05:55 PM	#16
Cato Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 328	Just a bump to see if anyone could answer Darren's question... __________________ OOTP Utilities Download Page - Home of OOTP History & OOTP Gazette GMC League History JOBL League History

04-03-2003, 08:16 PM	#17
I Am The Game All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 691	From what I've seen, MRs do not get SP endurance just by starting them in the minors or majors. I think pitchers should get MR and SP endurance the same way other players would, by performing in that role over a period of time, but it's not how it's done.

04-03-2003, 09:41 PM	#18
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,409	Excellent relievers are a dime a dozen. Changing them to starters feels a little like cheating....and it is keeping my team in first place, year after year after year. During the amatuer draft, there ALWAYS seem to be several excellent prospects as MR's, even as late as the 3rd or 4th round. Take advantage of it. If nothing else, a converted MR to SP has very fine trade value.

04-04-2003, 09:29 AM	#19
ctorg Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 9,848	I really wish the game wouldn't generate so many good MRs. I always just make them into starters in the minors and they end up great. __________________ My music "When the trees blow back and forth, that's what makes the wind." - Steven Wright Fjord emena pancreas thorax fornicate marmalade morpheme proteolysis smaxa cabana offal srue vitriol grope hallelujah lentils

04-04-2003, 03:33 PM	#20
fhomess Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,693	This is why I never convert MR prospects to SP's. Just seems like too much of an advantage since the AI never seems to try it. __________________ StatsLab- PHP/MySQL based utilities for Online Leagues Baseball Cards - Full list of known templates and documentation on card development.