Fielding Stats - Minors to Majors

Astros2000 · 06-27-2022, 06:43 PM

Hey guys,

Does anybody know if fielding stats (ZR, EFF, RNG specifically) directly translate from Minor League ball (AAA in this example) to MLB?

Is there a small dropoff typically? Or is it potentially a significant difference (like offensive or pitching stats)?

Thanks!

Astros2000 · 06-29-2022, 09:20 PM

bump

any help?

Syd Thrift · 06-29-2022, 09:56 PM

The game engine is the same from one level to the next. There may be more teams training players up at positions but I don’t believe ZR is a net zero stat in OOTP so I wouldn’t worry about that. If you’re worried that they’d be skewed somehow, look at the advanced stats with the chances by difficulty to compare. The rates of success should be purely based on the player’s ability.

Pelican · 06-30-2022, 10:15 AM

I thought the question was broader in the sense of how the game engine looks at the differences (if any) between fielding ability in AAA and fielding ability in the major leagues. I have wondered about this. In theory, fielding a ground ball, OF range, turning a DP should not be materially different, no matter the level. It’s the same skill set. Or does IF range drop off, because the balls are (on average) hit harder? In my experience, a good defensive player in the minors is a good defensive player in the majors, even if that guy can’t hit a lick in the majors. Raw speed should be the same thing. Fast is fast. However, a good SB record in the minors could suffer, with MLB catchers who can throw, MLB pitchers who can hold and pick off runners. The OOTP base running skill should hold up though, and that has been my experience. AS they say, you can’t teach speed.

Syd Thrift · 06-30-2022, 10:25 AM

IRL I know that sometimes pitchers with good K rates in the lower minors don't translate well to the majors because there are a lot of guys who just whiff at everything at the lower levels. Likewise with hitters there's some strangeness with the lower minors. I'm not sure how that translates in OOTP terms. For fielding, yeah, while the individual league's LTMs might have some sort of an effect (especially on error rate), I'm not sure how much range itself would be (LTMs do modify range but I'm still unsure as to how much).

Marinersfan51 · 06-30-2022, 12:49 PM

I haven't looked into it specifically, but it seems the standard deviation of ZR should be much higher in the low minors because there are more players with very low experience at the position they are playing which would pull the bottom down.

BarneyRubble · 06-30-2022, 01:36 PM

I wasn't going to respond to this, but I can't help myself.

I used to run ALL leagues. But these days, I only run MLB and US Independent leagues. I do this because I use global LTMs. Every league uses the SAME LTMs. This includes the fielding modifiers (I set them all to 1).

As of OOTP 22, the results (especially fielding) make a LOT more sense. If I understand correctly, this approach might even work better with the new engine. Only time will tell. I'm still in Spring Training on 23.

It seems that ball park factors and competition should dictate outcomes, not LTMs.

I test the LTMs to get the desired outcome (late 70s, early 80s) and I'll adjust as real players fade and created players emerge. As an example, I shoot for .30 for HRs (in MLB). Anything between .26 and 34, I deem acceptable. I check the 'historical accuracy' screen at the end of each season. I seldom have to adjust anything.

Here is another thing I find interesting. I have normalized ALL (except use opener) the strategic tendencies on the left side of the 'AI & STATS' screen. Stamina, pinch hit, etc... I did not expect what occurred. The managers have distinct personalities now. It only makes sense, If a tendency in the settings is extreme, then the managers tendency isn't going to matter as much. As an example, one team might have 5 or 6 complete games and another team might have 40 or more.

This game is awesome (and very flexible).

monkeyman576 · 07-01-2022, 12:42 AM

I would think that since theoretically only better players are generally promoted from AAA to the majors, then fielding averages should be slightly higher in the majors since some of the poor fielders should stay in the minors. I could be wrong though.

06-27-2022, 06:43 PM	#1
Astros2000 Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 71	Fielding Stats - Minors to Majors Hey guys, Does anybody know if fielding stats (ZR, EFF, RNG specifically) directly translate from Minor League ball (AAA in this example) to MLB? Is there a small dropoff typically? Or is it potentially a significant difference (like offensive or pitching stats)? Thanks!

06-29-2022, 09:20 PM	#2
Astros2000 Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 71	bump any help?

06-30-2022, 10:15 AM	#4
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,059	I thought the question was broader in the sense of how the game engine looks at the differences (if any) between fielding ability in AAA and fielding ability in the major leagues. I have wondered about this. In theory, fielding a ground ball, OF range, turning a DP should not be materially different, no matter the level. It’s the same skill set. Or does IF range drop off, because the balls are (on average) hit harder? In my experience, a good defensive player in the minors is a good defensive player in the majors, even if that guy can’t hit a lick in the majors. Raw speed should be the same thing. Fast is fast. However, a good SB record in the minors could suffer, with MLB catchers who can throw, MLB pitchers who can hold and pick off runners. The OOTP base running skill should hold up though, and that has been my experience. AS they say, you can’t teach speed.

06-30-2022, 12:49 PM	#6
Marinersfan51 All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 777	I haven't looked into it specifically, but it seems the standard deviation of ZR should be much higher in the low minors because there are more players with very low experience at the position they are playing which would pull the bottom down.

06-30-2022, 01:36 PM	#7
BarneyRubble Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 162	I wasn't going to respond to this, but I can't help myself. I used to run ALL leagues. But these days, I only run MLB and US Independent leagues. I do this because I use global LTMs. Every league uses the SAME LTMs. This includes the fielding modifiers (I set them all to 1). As of OOTP 22, the results (especially fielding) make a LOT more sense. If I understand correctly, this approach might even work better with the new engine. Only time will tell. I'm still in Spring Training on 23. It seems that ball park factors and competition should dictate outcomes, not LTMs. I test the LTMs to get the desired outcome (late 70s, early 80s) and I'll adjust as real players fade and created players emerge. As an example, I shoot for .30 for HRs (in MLB). Anything between .26 and 34, I deem acceptable. I check the 'historical accuracy' screen at the end of each season. I seldom have to adjust anything. Here is another thing I find interesting. I have normalized ALL (except use opener) the strategic tendencies on the left side of the 'AI & STATS' screen. Stamina, pinch hit, etc... I did not expect what occurred. The managers have distinct personalities now. It only makes sense, If a tendency in the settings is extreme, then the managers tendency isn't going to matter as much. As an example, one team might have 5 or 6 complete games and another team might have 40 or more. This game is awesome (and very flexible).

07-01-2022, 12:42 AM	#8
monkeyman576 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3,692	I would think that since theoretically only better players are generally promoted from AAA to the majors, then fielding averages should be slightly higher in the majors since some of the poor fielders should stay in the minors. I could be wrong though.