High walk rate -- cause and what can be done

rink23 · 02-07-2022, 08:16 AM

We're a little over a month into the 2037 season for my St. Louis River Walkers.
Shouldn't complain, we're in first place with a 19-12 record and a two-game lead in the division.
(Although, we did start the season 10-1).
But there is one concern.
We're walking batters at a clip of about 6-8 per game when certain starters are on the mound.
What do I need to look at, the pitcher, the catchers, the pitching coach?
We seemed to start the season all right, but during the past few weeks, the amount of walks we have been issuing -- especially a couple of the starters -- is alarming.

Pelican · 02-07-2022, 11:53 AM

Are other teams experiencing the same thing, or just your team? If the former, I’m guessing that it could be a sim-wide setting that needs to be tweaked. But no idea why it would suddenly get out of balance. Some will say your sample size is too small, the breaks will even out in the long run, etc. But, if I understand what you’re saying, it extends to all of your pitchers, that is a concern, even after just 31 games. I can’t think of an IRL reason why an entire staff of pitchers would lose control at the same time. What are their control ratings? Have they changed significantly since last season? Do you have lots of pitchers throwing junk, off speed, breaking pitches, knuckleballs?? How about ages? In my (limited) experience, pitchers can “lose it” quickly in OOTP in their mid to late thirties. Any injuries? Same at home and on the road? (Was thinking the mound might be too low, or you are playing in the Baker Bowl, and the pitchers are terrified of cheap home runs to RF…). It does not make sense to me.

Syd Thrift · 02-12-2022, 04:00 PM

Nah, he even said “when certain starters are on the mound”, which tells me that it’s an issue with those starters and perhaps some of the bullpen as well. The one thing I’d check is if you’re warming up relievers sufficiently before putting them in, as a cold reliever will be wilder until they warm up.

02-07-2022, 08:16 AM	#1
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 22,101	High walk rate -- cause and what can be done We're a little over a month into the 2037 season for my St. Louis River Walkers. Shouldn't complain, we're in first place with a 19-12 record and a two-game lead in the division. (Although, we did start the season 10-1). But there is one concern. We're walking batters at a clip of about 6-8 per game when certain starters are on the mound. What do I need to look at, the pitcher, the catchers, the pitching coach? We seemed to start the season all right, but during the past few weeks, the amount of walks we have been issuing -- especially a couple of the starters -- is alarming.

02-07-2022, 11:53 AM	#2
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,953	Are other teams experiencing the same thing, or just your team? If the former, I’m guessing that it could be a sim-wide setting that needs to be tweaked. But no idea why it would suddenly get out of balance. Some will say your sample size is too small, the breaks will even out in the long run, etc. But, if I understand what you’re saying, it extends to all of your pitchers, that is a concern, even after just 31 games. I can’t think of an IRL reason why an entire staff of pitchers would lose control at the same time. What are their control ratings? Have they changed significantly since last season? Do you have lots of pitchers throwing junk, off speed, breaking pitches, knuckleballs?? How about ages? In my (limited) experience, pitchers can “lose it” quickly in OOTP in their mid to late thirties. Any injuries? Same at home and on the road? (Was thinking the mound might be too low, or you are playing in the Baker Bowl, and the pitchers are terrified of cheap home runs to RF…). It does not make sense to me.