AI awful use of DH

MickDaQuick · 07-13-2020, 05:46 PM

In my historical simulations, the AI manager consistently puts a weak hitting hitter as DH over better hitters. The full time DH is usually a back up defensive replacement, good field no hit, and is left in that position all season to rack up hysterical negative WAR numbers.

Sometimes no qualifying DH for the all star game vote has a positive WAR.

How do I get around this?

Brad K · 07-13-2020, 07:03 PM

Why would a DH necessarily have a positive WAR? His job is to hit better than pitchers. He could be quite negative and still do that.

I can see that happening on lots of teams. A 500 team might even have a regular or two that are 0.0 WAR or negative. So if that's the best a team can do with position players, with the higher 0.0 WAR threshold for DH, yea, negative WAR seems likely.

MickDaQuick · 07-13-2020, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Why would a DH necessarily have a positive WAR? His job is to hit better than pitchers. He could be quite negative and still do that.

I can see that happening on lots of teams. A 500 team might even have a regular or two that are 0.0 WAR or negative. So if that's the best a team can do with position players, with the higher 0.0 WAR threshold for DH, yea, negative WAR seems likely.

Maybe I didn't explain myself well. The teams have much better hitters like Willie McCovey or Donn Clendenon on the bench used only as PH, but use players like Dal Maxvill as DH. The DHs hit as expected, very badly. And it is every team, not just a couple. I play with all DH, so no pitchers hit at all.

Dave Stieb II · 07-13-2020, 10:28 PM

You explained yourself quite clearly. And, I agree, that is a problem.
-30-

ablobj · 07-13-2020, 10:36 PM

Kinda reminds me of Action PC Baseball...the AI manager used Bruce Sutter as DH in all 162 games, while Rogers Hornsby sat on the bench all year. For those who are unaware, Bruce Sutter was a relief pitcher.

BBGiovanni · 07-14-2020, 12:33 AM

I won't defend the AI on this, since it's odd that the robot doesn't just throw the guy with the best hitting stats in the job (or bump the guy with the worst fielding rating into the spot at least).

However, you don't have to watch the American League very long to see some AAAA castoff or 5th OF providing the offensive thrills to the crowd. And NL teams in the postseason really scrape the bottom of the barrel sometimes. Tsuyoshi Shinjo... not a bad ballplayer, a pretty terrible choice to DH in the World Series. That team had a good offense, but even so Shinjo and (old) Shawn Dunston platooned and batted ninth.

So, if it's any consolation just pretend the manager is dumb. Just like in real life!

Westheim · 07-14-2020, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickDaQuick

How do I get around this?

Playing with the *proper* rule set.

Am I helping?

Dave Stieb II · 07-14-2020, 11:59 AM

Well, that IS a solution. Ultimately, letting the pitchers hit might be an upgrade over the Dal Maxvill's of the world.

07-13-2020, 05:46 PM	#1
MickDaQuick Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 26	AI awful use of DH In my historical simulations, the AI manager consistently puts a weak hitting hitter as DH over better hitters. The full time DH is usually a back up defensive replacement, good field no hit, and is left in that position all season to rack up hysterical negative WAR numbers. Sometimes no qualifying DH for the all star game vote has a positive WAR. How do I get around this?

07-13-2020, 07:03 PM	#2
Brad K Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,676 Infractions: 0/2 (3)	Why would a DH necessarily have a positive WAR? His job is to hit better than pitchers. He could be quite negative and still do that. I can see that happening on lots of teams. A 500 team might even have a regular or two that are 0.0 WAR or negative. So if that's the best a team can do with position players, with the higher 0.0 WAR threshold for DH, yea, negative WAR seems likely. Last edited by Brad K; 07-13-2020 at 07:07 PM.

07-14-2020, 12:33 AM	#6
BBGiovanni All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Republic of California Posts: 1,899	I won't defend the AI on this, since it's odd that the robot doesn't just throw the guy with the best hitting stats in the job (or bump the guy with the worst fielding rating into the spot at least). However, you don't have to watch the American League very long to see some AAAA castoff or 5th OF providing the offensive thrills to the crowd. And NL teams in the postseason really scrape the bottom of the barrel sometimes. Tsuyoshi Shinjo... not a bad ballplayer, a pretty terrible choice to DH in the World Series. That team had a good offense, but even so Shinjo and (old) Shawn Dunston platooned and batted ninth. So, if it's any consolation just pretend the manager is dumb. Just like in real life! __________________ Let's Go (San Jose) Giants, Let's Go Mets! Current Project: WBAT/AABBA: Organized Base Ball And the "New Normal" World Baseball Aid Tournament 2023 trophy round underway!

07-13-2020, 10:28 PM	#4
Dave Stieb II All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 664	You explained yourself quite clearly. And, I agree, that is a problem. -30-

07-13-2020, 10:36 PM	#5
ablobj Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 162	Kinda reminds me of Action PC Baseball...the AI manager used Bruce Sutter as DH in all 162 games, while Rogers Hornsby sat on the bench all year. For those who are unaware, Bruce Sutter was a relief pitcher.

07-14-2020, 11:59 AM	#8
Dave Stieb II All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 664	Well, that IS a solution. Ultimately, letting the pitchers hit might be an upgrade over the Dal Maxvill's of the world.