Pitching around

FlyTheW1104 · 07-13-2023, 08:13 PM

Do you guys pitch around with high control guys or high stuff guys? I think I get that pitching around makes a bit more sense when you're facing a big bat with men on but what type of pitchers make pitching around.... more effective? Also, when pitching around do you guys consider just intentionally walking if in say a 2-0 / 3-0 count?

Will_L · 07-13-2023, 10:04 PM

I try to avoid pitching around with guys that don't have good control since I seem to get burned every single time with a grooved fastball getting launched into orbit LOL

I'd rather hit the batter than intentionally walk him the umpires and commissioner don't appreciate that and toss ejections & suspensions back, so I keep on pitching around.

FlyTheW1104 · 07-13-2023, 10:19 PM

Yea it seems like pitching around works best with control pitchers. Is there an option to beam a batter?

Miamikb2001 · 07-13-2023, 10:51 PM

There is a hit batter option lol

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Pelican · 07-13-2023, 11:45 PM

I only would consider pitching around in the rare circumstance that a truly dangerous hitters is followed by exceedingly weak hitters. Obviously no sane manager makes a lineup like that. Once in awhile it can happen late in games with changes in the lineup. Other than that, it’s not worth the risk. If I really doubt my pitcher can get the guy out, I should bring in someone who can.

FlyTheW1104 · 07-14-2023, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican

I only would consider pitching around in the rare circumstance that a truly dangerous hitters is followed by exceedingly weak hitters. Obviously no sane manager makes a lineup like that. Once in awhile it can happen late in games with changes in the lineup. Other than that, it’s not worth the risk. If I really doubt my pitcher can get the guy out, I should bring in someone who can.

If you have a pitcher with really good control facing a batter with runners on base and there is a batter following with significantly less power couldn't that be a good time to pitch around?

Sweed · 07-14-2023, 09:50 AM

I mostly use it with high control guys vs. low eye players hoping for them to chase a bad pitch. There are some players I consistently use it against, ie high power, low eye, and the stats to backup he k's a lot.

Close and late there are star players I'd rather walk then have them beat me.
This can and will backfire with a P getting too much of the plate.

Then you have that pesky .240ish hitter that "always" hits my best SP., ie that 4-4-4 on the 8 scale that bats .375 against me. I'll use it here on occasion. Even then this pipsqueak will lace a double in the gap. So yeah it's far from a sure thing, and that's in all cases I put it to use.

I'll use it on occasion even with low control guys if the situation warrants it. I do this "knowing" with his lack of control that leaving one in the heart of the plate is almost as likely as giving up a walk. I mean if the guy doesn't have good control what makes me think he can successfully nibble the edges?

Rather than going on and on with more scenarios I'll leave it at I use it as I think I would IRL. Against players I don't want to be the one to beat me. Players that have had success over and over against my current pitcher or my team in general. I use it based on score, is 1b open, who is up next etc. etc. It's a risk/reward decision like any other, and I think OOTP gets it right within the game.

Pelican · 07-14-2023, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyTheW1104

If you have a pitcher with really good control facing a batter with runners on base and there is a batter following with significantly less power couldn't that be a good time to pitch around?

Possibly. But if that next guy has high contact, even with no power, he’s a risk. Plus of course the game situation is important. If the game is tied or even close, not sure i want to put any other runners on base. If there’s already a guy on first, I’m putting him in scoring position, if I walk the slugger. I would never intentionally walk a guy to load the bases, for example.

On the other hand, I would consider an intentional walk with a one-run lead, two outs, ninth inning, slugger up, weaker hitter next, good control pitcher who has low movement and thus is vulnerable to the HR. But unlikely this situation happens, because I would not want a low movement guy pitching the ninth in any event, or as my closer. Too much risk.

Another variable is the slugger’s speed, baserunning, stealing capability. We normally expect sluggers to be big and slow and not a SB threat. But he could be Bryce Harper, who can run and steal. Or Acuna! Walking guys like that creates a risk they will advance.

Pelican · 07-14-2023, 10:07 AM

To Sweed’s point, and this is anecdotal with no stats or screenshots; but I have had success in pitching around, in terms of chased pitches (according to the pitch location/speed/type widget). While I assume that pitching around means high risk of a walk, the game does not necessarily see it that way. Again anecdotal, but I think you need a pitcher with really good control to pull that off.

07-13-2023, 08:13 PM	#1
FlyTheW1104 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 70	Pitching around Do you guys pitch around with high control guys or high stuff guys? I think I get that pitching around makes a bit more sense when you're facing a big bat with men on but what type of pitchers make pitching around.... more effective? Also, when pitching around do you guys consider just intentionally walking if in say a 2-0 / 3-0 count?

07-13-2023, 11:45 PM	#5
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,940	I only would consider pitching around in the rare circumstance that a truly dangerous hitters is followed by exceedingly weak hitters. Obviously no sane manager makes a lineup like that. Once in awhile it can happen late in games with changes in the lineup. Other than that, it’s not worth the risk. If I really doubt my pitcher can get the guy out, I should bring in someone who can. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

07-14-2023, 10:07 AM	#9
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,940	To Sweed’s point, and this is anecdotal with no stats or screenshots; but I have had success in pitching around, in terms of chased pitches (according to the pitch location/speed/type widget). While I assume that pitching around means high risk of a walk, the game does not necessarily see it that way. Again anecdotal, but I think you need a pitcher with really good control to pull that off. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

07-13-2023, 10:04 PM	#2
Will_L All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Laurelton, NY Posts: 590	I try to avoid pitching around with guys that don't have good control since I seem to get burned every single time with a grooved fastball getting launched into orbit LOL I'd rather hit the batter than intentionally walk him the umpires and commissioner don't appreciate that and toss ejections & suspensions back, so I keep on pitching around.

07-13-2023, 10:19 PM	#3
FlyTheW1104 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 70	Yea it seems like pitching around works best with control pitchers. Is there an option to beam a batter?

07-13-2023, 10:51 PM	#4
Miamikb2001 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Redwood City Ca Posts: 63	There is a hit batter option lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-14-2023, 09:50 AM	#7
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,676	I mostly use it with high control guys vs. low eye players hoping for them to chase a bad pitch. There are some players I consistently use it against, ie high power, low eye, and the stats to backup he k's a lot. Close and late there are star players I'd rather walk then have them beat me. This can and will backfire with a P getting too much of the plate. Then you have that pesky .240ish hitter that "always" hits my best SP., ie that 4-4-4 on the 8 scale that bats .375 against me. I'll use it here on occasion. Even then this pipsqueak will lace a double in the gap. So yeah it's far from a sure thing, and that's in all cases I put it to use. I'll use it on occasion even with low control guys if the situation warrants it. I do this "knowing" with his lack of control that leaving one in the heart of the plate is almost as likely as giving up a walk. I mean if the guy doesn't have good control what makes me think he can successfully nibble the edges? Rather than going on and on with more scenarios I'll leave it at I use it as I think I would IRL. Against players I don't want to be the one to beat me. Players that have had success over and over against my current pitcher or my team in general. I use it based on score, is 1b open, who is up next etc. etc. It's a risk/reward decision like any other, and I think OOTP gets it right within the game.