How Many AI Pitchers?

[ALB123]

Just a couple of days ago I wanted to look at my opponents Pitching & Batting screens after we finished up a game (I lost). Right away I noticed all of his relievers were fairly tired - I don't think anyone was above 75% rested. Anyway, I noticed that team carried 5 starters & 5 relievers...10 pitchers total with 15 batters. I checked out a few more teams - both AL & NL - the same thing. I was a little surprised. Long story short, somehow I must have set the General AI Roster Settings in MLB > League Settings > Number of Relievers to 5 and number of Position Players to 15. I don't know how or why the heck I would have done that. I know it wasn't always set that way.

1) What do you fine gentlemen set for the General AI Roster Settings? Number of Relievers? Number of Position Players?

2) I suppose I should also ask how you set up your own rosters. Total Pitchers vs. Total Position Players?

EDIT: Do you prefer to use pitch/batter limits in your Major Leagues? How about your farm team starting pitchers? Both questions are about your organization. If you happen to place pitch/batter limits on AI pitchers, I'd be interested in hearing why.

[Brad K]

What year are you playing?

[ALB123]

Originally Posted by Brad K

What year are you playing?

I'm currently in 1992.

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by ALB123

I'm currently in 1992.

I think a ten- or eleven-man staff is about right for 1992.

[ALB123]

Originally Posted by joefromchicago

I think a ten- or eleven-man staff is about right for 1992.

Okay. So maybe I didn't screw the AI teams. I did increase it 1 more thrower, for a total of 11 pitchers.

I don't want to short-change the AI teams' relief pitchers... I'd hate to know I made their bullpens filled with half rested players. I was even thinking about bumping it up to 7 relievers for a total of 12 pitchers. I might be wrong, but those settings don't force AI teams to always carry the exact numbers I enter. I swear I've seen teams with 12 pitchers and others with 11 pitchers total. No one was on the IL either.

[joefromchicago]

If you keep the game's default settings and handle your pitching staff like it's 1992 rather than 2020, you probably shouldn't run into too many teams with constantly exhausted bullpens. Dennis Eckersley, who topped the majors with 51 saves in 1992, still averaged more than an inning per appearance. Of his 69 appearances, he came into the game in the eighth inning 20 times, and he pitched more than one inning 22 times. Compare that to Kirby Yates, who led the majors with 41 saves in 2019. Of his 60 appearances, four came in the eighth inning, and he pitched more than one inning only three times.

It was also common for middle relievers to pitch multiple innings per appearance. In 1992, seven pitchers with no starts logged over 100 IP. Doug Jones of Houston topped the list with 111.2 IP all out of the bullpen. In comparison, no reliever pitched over 100 IP without a start in 2019. So teams in 1992 weren't afraid to use their middle relievers for extended stints, and the game's strategy settings and stamina ratings should reflect that fact. If OOTP is using pitchers in 1992 like it would use them in 2019, then that would be a problem.

[Biggio509]

Before the 26 man active I used to run 12 pitchers. Ideally I liked to have the 8 starting fielders. backups who are good fielders at C and CF then a utility guy who can 1B and 3B, one who can play 2B and SS, and a LF/RF guy. That change on the utility man abilities. If have a guy who plays 3B/SS I might just go for a pure 2B if I have an OF who can play 1B.

For pitchers 1 CL, 2 SU, 2 mid relief, a leftie who can do alright against RHB, and LR/EP. So 7 relievers 5 starters. For a 12/13 spilt. With a 26 man I run a 13/13 split.

A LR/EP isn't a must but I like to have it. You could have a MR/LR guy instead. If you use the 7 day lineups and use the 5th as a guy who doesn't pitch if a day off happened after last start it probably isn't as necessary. I just like the EP in case I have a week injury to one of SPs and don't want to manage the 7 day or call some one up for a start because of the short term injury.

I have also carried 11/14 on AL teams when I have a DH who can't really back up a position the late career Andre Dawson type who still has a bat but you don't want on the field unless his batting or on base. I don't think it is necessary but it happens sometimes. For NL teams I think I have almost always carried 12 pitchers.

[Brad K]

I don't see a need for 12 pitchers in 1992

[Biggio509]

I play NL though. The AL is different because you have the DH. The extra fielder maybe worthwhile so you can have a DH and not have to worry about if he can back up a position. I don't see a huge need for the 14th fielder in the NL unless i have a injury too short for the DL and need an extra backup. Then I will go with 14 fielders. 15 fielders is overkill. Maybe 12 pitchers is too but the extra reliever is more likely to be used more often. I will admit in the NL if you have a platoon situation a 14th fielder might be nice as well. It really depends.

[manooly]

I am seeing a very low number of relievers on a couple of teams in my 30 team MLB fictional league that I created with no minors. The Blue Jays literally have 1 reliever currently on their staff.

I have never seen this in previous versions of OOTP and I've created a ton of fictional leagues from scratch throughout the years. This is only for a couple of the teams though and I cannot figure out how to get around it.

I like to watch my league develop so I don't control anything. Just sim and look at stats and watch my mlb world run. Is anyone else seeing this? Like I mentioned, this has never been an issue in previous editions. Makes my league so unrealistic and basically unplayable.

Let me know if you need any other info....thx!

- manooly

[Biggio509]

I haven't noticed it but I have really looked at every team in the league. Current game is about 15 seasons in.

Now the AI having 4 catchers or 4 1B on a team yes. Although I have seen less of this as the game went on.

[Biggio509]

Just did a random sample on my game looks like everyone has 8 relievers which is what I set. I might put it at 7. 8 is the max for the 2020 rules. It looks everyone is putting it to the max. Not sure if the AI would go to 7 then 8 at times if needed.

[Bluenoser]

I run a fictional league - basically MLB expanded to 36 teams, all fictional players.

League starts in 2001, however I use 1985 for stats, every season.

Have DH in both leagues, have always had 26 man active roster.

I have my settings like so

SP - 5
MR - 5
Fielder - 15

This equates to a 25 man active roster, which allows the AI to decide what to fill the 26th spot with - an extra Pitcher or extra Fielder in the line - up. A few teams carry an extra reliever, most an extra hitter.

I'm happy with those results.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

I run a fictional league - basically MLB expanded to 36 teams, all fictional players.

League starts in 2001, however I use 1985 for stats, every season.

Have DH in both leagues, have always had 26 man active roster.

I have my settings like so

SP - 5
MR - 5
Fielder - 15

This equates to a 25 man active roster, which allows the AI to decide what to fill the 26th spot with - an extra Pitcher or extra Fielder in the line - up. A few teams carry an extra reliever, most an extra hitter.

I'm happy with those results.

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought of allowing 26 in one spot and 25 in another.

I'd say 10 pitchers is right for 1985 unless the starters have low stamina.

[Bluenoser]

A few versions ago I played this setup with no DH and still did 26 man roster with this setting:

SP - 5
MR - 6
Fielder - 14

Still allows the AI a choice.

What I found really interesting was when I had coaches turned on, the AI still worked well with the decision.

When I looked at team strategies, teams whose manager had a quick hook tended to carry an extra reliever, those with a slower hook tended to carry an extra bat, which makes sense.

Not sure if this is programmed in, but it works well imo.

[Bluenoser]

Forgot to mention, I don't manage a team, all are run by AI.

[BBGiovanni]

Originally Posted by Brad K

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought of allowing 26 in one spot and 25 in another.

I'd say 10 pitchers is right for 1985 unless the starters have low stamina.

Me neither, I always assumed it was a mistake if it didn't balance out but now I'm curious to try and see how the AI handles it.

[ALB123]

Originally Posted by joefromchicago

If OOTP is using pitchers in 1992 like it would use them in 2019, then that would be a problem.

Boy, do I feel stupid. I didn't even stop and think that OOTP automatically adjust strategies and such from year to year.

Originally Posted by Biggio509

For pitchers 1 CL, 2 SU, 2 mid relief, a leftie who can do alright against RHB, and LR/EP. So 7 relievers 5 starters. For a 12/13 spilt. With a 26 man I run a 13/13 split.

I think about the modern 26-man roster from time to time. Amazing what adding just a single player could mean for many teams.

Originally Posted by Biggio509

I play NL though. The AL is different because you have the DH. The extra fielder maybe worthwhile so you can have a DH and not have to worry about if he can back up a position. I don't see a huge need for the 14th fielder in the NL unless i have a injury too short for the DL and need an extra backup. Then I will go with 14 fielders. 15 fielders is overkill. Maybe 12 pitchers is too but the extra reliever is more likely to be used more often. I will admit in the NL if you have a platoon situation a 14th fielder might be nice as well. It really depends.

I've never played as a National League team, so I've not had to think that way yet.

I'm lucky with my current roster, I think. There is a very good spread of ratings for me to be happy.

Originally Posted by manooly

I am seeing a very low number of relievers on a couple of teams in my 30 team MLB fictional league that I created with no minors. The Blue Jays literally have 1 reliever currently on their staff.

1 reliever? Yikes! He wouldn't happen to be named Clark Kent, would he? That's pretty crazy. I wish I had even 1 suggestion for you. :

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

League starts in 2001, however I use 1985 for stats, every season.

Have DH in both leagues, have always had 26 man active roster.
I have my settings like so

SP - 5
MR - 5
Fielder - 15

This equates to a 25 man active roster, which allows the AI to decide what to fill the 26th spot with - an extra Pitcher or extra Fielder in the line - up. A few teams carry an extra reliever, most an extra hitter.

I'm happy with those results.

Oh wow. Why haven't I ever thought of that? Thanks for sharing!