Which is the better 3B Fielding Profile?

[SkoCubs]

Typically my Third-Baseman come from the range challenged shortstop profile. Meaning they'll usually have range around 60, infield error around 65, infield arm around 65, and turn double play around 60.

I don't have my laptop, but here is an example I found from Reddit that is close enough. Obviously I'd be looking for better Power from the 3B position, but just to give an example.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OOTP/commen...hings_in_ootp/

It seems like the AI heavily prefers the 40 Infield Range/60 Infield Error/80 Infield Arm/40 Turn DP profile.

Which is better? I'm aware that infield arm is extremely important at 3B, but I would think that increased range and Turn DP would get a ton of extra outs, plus timely outs at that.

[Daniel_09]

Originally Posted by SkoCubs

Typically my Third-Baseman come from the range challenged shortstop profile. Meaning they'll usually have range around 60, infield error around 65, infield arm around 65, and turn double play around 60.

I don't have my laptop, but here is an example I found from Reddit that is close enough.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OOTP/commen...hings_in_ootp/

It seems like the AI heavily prefers the 40 Infield Range/60 Infield Error/80 Infield Arm/40 Turn DP profile.


Which is better? I'm aware that infield arm is extremely important at 3B, but I would think that increased range and Turn DP would get a ton of extra outs, plus timely outs at that.

Normally a third baseman doesn't have much of a chance to make a DP, so you can survive with a 3B with a low rating, as well as the range, he doesn't have to move much from his position.

More important is the arm and the error, a 3B with these high ratings ensures superior defense. Another important thing to note is that you normally have to have a 3B that can hit above average, it is not a position that is recommended to have a defensive guru only.

[SkoCubs]

Originally Posted by Daniel_09

Normally a third baseman doesn't have much of a chance to make a DP, so you can survive with a 3B with a low rating, as well as the range, he doesn't have to move much from his position.

More important is the arm and the error, a 3B with these high ratings ensures superior defense. Another important thing to note is that you normally have to have a 3B that can hit above average, it is not a position that is recommended to have a defensive guru only.

Interesting -- so it sounds like the AI might have it right (unsurprisingly). Obviously 3B turn less double plays than middle infielders, but still feel like it happens plenty but the stats might tell me a different story.

I can't remember his OTTP stats but I guess that makes sense -- Nolan Arenado is one of the slowest guys in the league but his arm and infield error are probably off the charts.

Just seems like the AI is giving some crazy 3B Ratings to guys with an 80 arm, but 20 range, 20 DP, and 60 Error, while some pretty mediocre ratings to 'range challenged shortstops' or 'second basemen with strong arms and iffy range'.

[Daniel_09]

Originally Posted by SkoCubs

Interesting -- so it sounds like the AI might have it right (unsurprisingly). Obviously 3B turn less double plays than middle infielders, but still feel like it happens plenty but the stats might tell me a different story.

I can't remember his OTTP stats but I guess that makes sense -- Nolan Arenado is one of the slowest guys in the league but his arm and infield error are probably off the charts.

Just seems like the AI is giving some crazy 3B Ratings to guys with an 80 arm, but 20 range, 20 DP, and 60 Error, while some pretty mediocre ratings to 'range challenged shortstops' or 'second basemen with strong arms and iffy range'.

And I only play historical seasons but in one draft I was able to take Terry Pendleton, range average, arm 80/80, error 80/80 and DP 40/80.

I was able to win 3 gold gloves in a row with him, IRL I think he won 3 in total as well,

[Daniel_09]

And I insist it is a position where a good bat has the priority, if you have a player like that and their defensive ratings are over 60 each you have a guaranteed all-star at that position.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Daniel_09

And I insist it is a position where a good bat has the priority, if you have a player like that and their defensive ratings are over 60 each you have a guaranteed all-star at that position.

A good bat "has priority" sure but this is also a natural outcome of only needing to look at 2 defensive skills instead of 4 (for a shortstop) or even 3 (for a 2B - DPs are super important but arm is not). Similarly, LF can be a "hitter's" position just because you can ignore arm... well and in OOTP range doesn't matter as much for LFs as much as it does for RFs, too, although I'd kind of love to see that particular thing be more ballpark-specific (like, a bad LF - let's call him Raul Ibanez - in the old configuration of Safeco Field can be a complete detriment out there, whereas you can probably hide a guy with less range in Boston more effectively).

I play in older eras usually so my opinion here is biased but error rate / "hands" is the most important skill IME. An otherwise decent 3B with bad hands can be an absolute butcher. That said, a good to great arm will save a guy like this - IRL the arm allows him to gun throws that he bobbles a little; not sure if there's an OOTP equivalent but my observation is that for 3B a strong arm helps with everything.

[Pdubya64]

I have always felt like 3B is one of the toughest spots to fill well- both in real baseball and in OOTP. The "hot corner" seems to chew up average players and spit them out.
It's a good challenge though as GM.

[Daniel_09]

Originally Posted by Pdubya64

I have always felt like 3B is one of the toughest spots to fill well- both in real baseball and in OOTP. The "hot corner" seems to chew up average players and spit them out.
It's a good challenge though as GM.

Totally true, either you have in the roster an excellent hitter with a 3B rating of 35 or 45/80 or you have a mediocre hitter but with a defensive 3B rating above 60/80.

[Pdubya64]

Originally Posted by Daniel_09

Totally true, either you have in the roster an excellent hitter with a 3B rating of 35 or 45/80 or you have a mediocre hitter but with a defensive 3B rating above 60/80.

That begs the question of how you guys would prefer a one-dimensional 3B, defensive or offensive?

Personally, I almost always go defensive as so many balls get hit that way.

[md40022]

at 3B if I could only pick one, bat or glove, I am going with the bat.

Never really studied into how it translates with OOTP, but just speaking IRL a big bat at 3rd base is always a huge plus and if you gotta live with some sketchy defense, so be it. I supposed my thought on this could change if you are getting a lot of hitting from a position that doesn't normally hit, such as if you got a big hitting 2nd baseman. But in general, if I have to pick one or the other at 3B, give me the 30 homer 100 RBI guy.

[Daniel_09]

Originally Posted by Pdubya64

That begs the question of how you guys would prefer a one-dimensional 3B, defensive or offensive?

Personally, I almost always go defensive as so many balls get hit that way.

I prefer a profile like Austin Riley for 3B, an excellent at-bat (power) player and an average defender.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Pdubya64

That begs the question of how you guys would prefer a one-dimensional 3B, defensive or offensive?

Personally, I almost always go defensive as so many balls get hit that way.

I guess it’s all along a spectrum for me. I’d never be OK with a 3B that hits as poorly as I allow some SSs to hit but at the same time if a guy’s a vacuum cleaner out there I will put up with below average offense.