General Things to Know...

[DMan77]

So I'm new to this entire franchise. I've been reading the forum and the manual but I'm looking for some basic tips!

How important is defense? Sometimes I build a team that finishes within the top 5 runs scored and runs against, but a defense in the 20's, and I seem to end up around .500... Seems like defense is super important?

Why do 5 star rated pitchers sometimes end up with +6 ERA's for a season? I signed a couple top pitchers, on a 5 man rotation, but they seem to get shelled on the regular. I can't figure out why...

I let the AI do a lot of my lineup/rotation setup... Are there some settings, like the traditional vs sabermetric, that work better than others when we mostly let the AI set things up?

Also, how important is the 'eye' category when it comes to hitters? I feel like sometimes I have a hitter with a high contact or power, but a low eye, and he ends up being just terrible...

And, generally, are there any 'Rules of Thumb' I should keep in mind when playing? Just trying to get a handle on things...

Thanks so much!

[Germaniac]

My advice is: Do not rely too much on the AI.

Just a small example: I just started a new season with the Brewers, starting in 1968, on to the expansion draft ...
After I offered minor league contracts to 30 or 40 players, I wanted to save myself from getting headaches about deciding who to place on what minor league level.

I decided to let the AI place my players to AAA, AA and A.

When it was done, I checked my minor league system and found that player A was overmatched at AAA while player B (placed on the AA roster) was "ready for AAA" - shouldn't the AI place a player "ready for AAA" place on AAA ??

This is just when your girl-friend tells you "we don't have it anymore, we should split up" and then turns around and says "Hey, why don't we marry"

So that's my advice - don't let the AI do the really important things ... I'd rather do them myself and fail miserably than giving away control

[Peregrine]

As far as good pitchers having bad years, that does happen sometimes. Make sure to check what the difference is between the pitcher's Potential ability and their Current ability. A lot of times a young pitcher will be rated as 4 or 5 stars but they haven't completely developed, and will have problems because usually Control is the hardest part to master - with low control, even with good other stats, they can definitely get hit hard. Also, sometimes you have a really good pitcher with good ERA, WHIP, etc but who loses a lot of games because of lack of run support, or playing in a hitter's park where there are tons of home runs.

With hitters, the Eye can be quite important - if a player has a really low eye (especially matched with low Avoid Ks) they will strike out all the time, as well as get few walks, and not find the best pitches to hit so they may hit into more double plays, etc. Usually if they have really great contact they can overcome this though.

[TGH-Adfabre]

So I'm new to this entire franchise. I've been reading the forum and the manual but I'm looking for some basic tips!

This is an excellent game, give it time and patience. The learning curve can be a little rough.

How important is defense? Sometimes I build a team that finishes within the top 5 runs scored and runs against, but a defense in the 20's, and I seem to end up around .500... Seems like defense is super important?

The evidence you are providing is pretty vague. A defense in the 20’s could undermine a talented pitching staff. But you are saying your staff/team were top 5 in runs allowed so the defense may not be the primary culprit. I would look at your record in one run games, x-tra inning games and you pitchers BABIP. It seems to me BABIP is the main hit from a bad defense. It will make a very talented pitcher average. I would also look at what part of your staff is taking the hits. Are your starters tops in the league but your bullpen is getting killed every time they are called? You will have to look a little deeper at what is happening.

Why do 5 star rated pitchers sometimes end up with +6 ERA's for a season? I signed a couple top pitchers, on a 5 man rotation, but they seem to get shelled on the regular. I can't figure out why...

Do you have scouting on? I think people who are new to the game should turn it off for their first few seasons. Trying to learn the game with information that may or may not be correct seems counterproductive. I am going to assume the ratings are correct. I would check a few things. BABIP, if you have a talented pitcher with a .384 (just an example) BABIP it means that a disproportionately high number of hits are “finding” holes. This could be defense or the pitchers control. Also look at their K/BB rate and BB/9 rate. Too many walks can turn a single into the most important hit in a game.

I let the AI do a lot of my lineup/rotation setup... Are there some settings, like the traditional vs sabermetric, that work better than others when we mostly let the AI set things up?

I let the AI set up my minor league staff and line ups. I think it has received too many concussions to trust it with my ML squad. I have my own approach that is a combo of both.

Also, how important is the 'eye' category when it comes to hitters? I feel like sometimes I have a hitter with a high contact or power, but a low eye, and he ends up being just terrible...

How many seasons have you observed this. Sample size is an important aspect to anything you are seeing. Just look a Pujols this season (real life). Atrocious 1st half, for him, then picked it up in the 2nd half and finished .001 AVG and 1 RBI behind his .300, 30 HR and 100 RBI 10 year run. From what I understand and gleaned from 16 or 17 seasons the hitting ratings are interconnected. A low eye can undermine a high contact making an average hitter abysmal. The only rating I pay little attention to is GAP. CON, POW, EYE and K’s are combined in my eyes. I place CON first but if the player has a low EYE or K’s then I know they are not selective enough in what they hit to be a top hitter.

And, generally, are there any 'Rules of Thumb' I should keep in mind when playing? Just trying to get a handle on things...

Sample size, sample size, sample size. I would turn off scouting so you can learn the game before you see it through another layer of intentional uncertainty. Between the development engine, random talent changes and the effects of injuries any player’s future is uncertain enough as it is. Once you become familiar and proficient you can decide if you want the added layer of possible misinformation. Fictional leagues can be useful while learning the game because you are less likely to project what the player should be doing based on your assessment of their RL counterpart. I have heard it recommended to start small so it is not complicated and you can easily familiarize yourself the players.

Thanks so much!

This is a tremendous game, I was very lucky to find a fictional online league that is rookie friendly. It made learning much easier.
Good luck.