Starters without Fastballs

[maxxavier]

Does it matter or make a difference if a starter doesn't have a fastball in their arsenal? for example:
Joe Pitcher with 7/7/7 ratings and a curveball slider and changeup
vs
Sam Pitcher with 7/7/7 and fastball changeup splitfinger

Is Joe better than Sam?

I've just noticed that there are quite a few starters in my league without a fast bl and was wondering if there's any significance to it.

[Goody]

I hate that the game generates starters without fastballs or changeups.

Even the knuckleballers in history have the ability to throw these...whether good or bad...if they are a starter.

[damientheomen3]

Sam would be better because getting a 7 in fastball is different then getting a 7 in a slider. The fastball takes the most points from the 1-250 scale to fluctuate when on the 1-10 scale, so his 7 in a fastball could be a 130 whereas the other guy's 7 in his slider could be a 44.

[jmknpk2]

I think it explains in the manual that the 7/7/7 ratings are what are used when determining how opposing batters hit. The pitches are part of how the 7/7/7 is come up with; but the individual pitches are not directly involved in determining how batters hit.

I remember reading in this forum that some pitches such as cutter, sinker are considered fastballs. I have accepted this explanation for understanding why some pitchers do not have a fastball.

[Left-handed Badger]

Yes, a sinker is basically a 2-seamer.

[Syd Thrift]

In the first pitcher's case, that change of pace should just be called a "pace".

[Chicagofan76]

did Greg Maddux throw a fastball? and no 88mph isnt a fastball same with trevor hoffman, keith foulke, fastballs only matter if they guy throws 93+

my #2 starter went 21-8 throws curve slider changeup. throws 92mph

[TribeFanInNC]

Originally Posted by maxxavier

Does it matter or make a difference if a starter doesn't have a fastball in their arsenal?

Every player is created with one type of fastball or a knuckleball.

But there is an interpretation here. OOTP uses 'fastball' to specifically be a 4-seam fastball (i.e. a straight fastball at max velocity). The game also considers sinkers (i.e. sinking fastball) and cutters (i.e. cut fastball) as types of fastball. I forget off the top of my head if splitters are lumped in there too. But every pitcher will have at least one of these pitches. The curvy and changeup pitches are then complementary to these.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Chicagofan76

did Greg Maddux throw a fastball?

Yes. In fact, some games, all Maddux threw was his fastball. He was so adept at changing speed and location (and getting more movement as he slowed down a little) that his fastball could be like five separate pitches.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

Every player is created with one type of fastball or a knuckleball.

But there is an interpretation here. OOTP uses 'fastball' to specifically be a 4-seam fastball (i.e. a straight fastball at max velocity). The game also considers sinkers (i.e. sinking fastball) and cutters (i.e. cut fastball) as types of fastball. I forget off the top of my head if splitters are lumped in there too. But every pitcher will have at least one of these pitches. The curvy and changeup pitches are then complementary to these.

IIRC, too, the only pitch that uses 100% of the velocity rating in the game is the 4-seamer. So if you have a guy who throws 95-97 according to the game but only throws a sinker and slider, he's probably not ever going to actually top 92 or so.

[Chicagofan76]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Yes. In fact, some games, all Maddux threw was his fastball. He was so adept at changing speed and location (and getting more movement as he slowed down a little) that his fastball could be like five separate pitches.

Syd i seriously need to teach u how to read.....i didnt say maddux didnt throw a fastball.....shingo takashi? or whatever his name was threw a fastball when he was on the white sox too....but is a fastball really considered a fastball when it tops out at 88 for mad dog and 73 for shingo? dont answer that this time syd.

[84Hammy]

Originally Posted by Chicagofan76

Syd i seriously need to teach u how to read.....i didnt say maddux didnt throw a fastball.....shingo takashi? or whatever his name was threw a fastball when he was on the white sox too....but is a fastball really considered a fastball when it tops out at 88 for mad dog and 73 for shingo? dont answer that this time syd.

I get your point here, but I think that just because you don't count a fastball under 93 mph, doesn't mean they don't exist and some players who threw slower fastballs, threw them with success, like Maddux. Kenny Rogers is a good example of this (post-surgery). Frank Tanana too. I think that was the point Syd was making. I also remember a quote from a former Tiger, John Doherty, who admitted that he "wasn't fooling anybody with his 85 mph fastball." So clearly there is a limit.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Chicagofan76

Syd i seriously need to teach u how to read.....

y? r u 4 teh mall?