Learn New Position always leads to catcher

[chanceliebau]

I am trying to teach some of my players new positions during the offseason, using the "Learn New Position" development lab feature. Every player that I successfully put through the lab, the position they "learn" is always catcher. Considering this is very uinrealistic and doesn't accomplish what I want them to learn (maybe the outfield or another infield position), i was hoping this could get fixed

[XxVols98xX]

I feel like that’s such a waste anyway. You can just let guys play that position and they will learn it naturally over time. If you micro mange your top prospects by the time you get them through your system you can have them maxed out at several positions and use your lab for more meaningful stuff

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by XxVols98xX

I feel like that’s such a waste anyway. You can just let guys play that position and they will learn it naturally over time. If you micro mange your top prospects by the time you get them through your system you can have them maxed out at several positions and use your lab for more meaningful stuff

when a player learns a position, they actually get fielding rating boosts, not just experience.

[XxVols98xX]

There’s a lab for that as well
Improve infield/outfield and catcher defense
I find letting guys play positions they are fit for and spending spring training working on their defense is just a much better play than having him “learn” a new position. Doesn’t that take like 3-4 months? Just doesn’t seem worth the investment

[MisterTidster]

Originally Posted by XxVols98xX

There’s a lab for that as well
Improve infield/outfield and catcher defense
I find letting guys play positions they are fit for and spending spring training working on their defense is just a much better play than having him “learn” a new position. Doesn’t that take like 3-4 months? Just doesn’t seem worth the investment

Takes the same amount of time to do learn new position vs. improve defense. The difference is improving defense is harder… learning a new position doesn’t guarantee the position you want the player to play or even their ideal defensive position.

[MisterTidster]

To be honest, I’ve never had a player learn catcher…. Mostly because I use learn new position on my better catching prospects so they get plenty of at bats and don’t get buried on the depth chart as they move up. They always seem to learn first base, but sometimes left field. Once they develop into a decent hitter, especially if they’re switch or lefty, they make a nice #3 catcher on the ML roster that can pinch hit and keep developing in case you get injury plagued.

[XxVols98xX]

Originally Posted by MisterTidster

Takes the same amount of time to do learn new position vs. improve defense. The difference is improving defense is harder… learning a new position doesn’t guarantee the position you want the player to play or even their ideal defensive position.

Just seems easier to plug them into a position and let them play rather than hope he gets the position you want.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by XxVols98xX

Just seems easier to plug them into a position and let them play rather than hope he gets the position you want.

It's important to remember that positional experience gained from playing a position is not the same thing as the "Learn a new position" development lab program. Gaining positional experience but playing games there does not increase fielding ratings such as range and arm. "Learn new position" will increase those ratings.

For example, you have a LF with no rating at 1B and his IF range and IF error are both at 35. If he spent spring training starting every game, his 1B rating would be about 40/45. If that same player completed the learn new position rating, assuming the new position is 1B, his IF range and error might increase to 50 and he'll get a 1B position rating of 65. Same concept for any position.

In short, the learn new position program increases the core ratings needed to play the position effectively

[Pelican]

If you go to the player editor, and check fielding by position, most guys will have potential ratings at positions but with a zero as the current rating, so position not listed. So as Commissioner you can give them experience up to 200 and produce a rating. Normally the potential numbers make sense - 3B rating for a SS, or LF for a RF. I use that basis for few positions. If potential is zero, then they have to learn.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by Pelican

If you go to the player editor, and check fielding by position, most guys will have potential ratings at positions but with a zero as the current rating, so position not listed. So as Commissioner you can give them experience up to 200 and produce a rating. Normally the potential numbers make sense - 3B rating for a SS, or LF for a RF. I use that basis for few positions. If potential is zero, then they have to learn.

they still need the requisite fielding ratings to get a position rating

[twins_34]

People are confusing what these programs do. When you do "learn new position" it will learn a position the player does not know AND give them ratings in that position.

When you do IMPROVE DEFENSE it will NOT give you experience in that area it will IMPROVE their ratings.

To get EXPERIENCE in a position, they need to be put into the game in that position to get experienced in playing it.

So let's say you have this utility player. The positions they have experience in playing right now is 2B, 3B, and RF.

They are a:
65/65 2B
45/50 3B
30/45 RF.

They are not great in the outfield. So you stick them in Improve OF Defense. When that program finishes, they will gain range, error, and arm. So now in RF they have become a 30/60 because of their increase in ratings. HOWEVER, you need to play them in RF so that the 30 (their current experience) becomes the 60.

However, TBH, it's just best to put them through IF and OF defense programs and then during spring training, if you want them to "learn" which is actually just "Get experience" in a new position, then play them in that position in spring training. Don't waste your time with learn new position, unless you want someone that does not play catcher to become a bad catcher. you do not need to teach someone 2B to learn 2B just play them at 2B during Spring Training.

[ExpedientFalcon]

> learning a new position doesn’t guarantee the position you want the player to play or even their ideal defensive position

But, why? In real life, if I tell my player to "go learn a new position" they're gonna ask "Which one?" and if I tell them "idk just pick one at random" then I shouldn't be managing a baseball team. They're not just gonna run off to learn catcher because they felt like it, when they've only ever played right field. We should definitely be able to specify which position to learn imo.

[twins_34]

Originally Posted by ExpedientFalcon

> learning a new position doesn’t guarantee the position you want the player to play or even their ideal defensive position

But, why? In real life, if I tell my player to "go learn a new position" they're gonna ask "Which one?" and if I tell them "idk just pick one at random" then I shouldn't be managing a baseball team. They're not just gonna run off to learn catcher because they felt like it, when they've only ever played right field. We should definitely be able to specify which position to learn imo.

Like I said, if you want to train someone in a new position, do it during spring training. OR, if you are planning ahead of time, stick them in a spot you want them to learn so they get at least 20/whatever ratings on that spot AND THEN put them through whichever defensive rating program and totally forget about learning a new position. Just make sure they have experience in either OF or IN and then train it. However, if the dude is like a 3rd basemen and you want them to learn 2nd, just stick them at 2nd base during spring training! Don't waste a dev lab sport for something like that. Just throw them in train IF defense and then give them experience at the position during Spring Training.

[XxVols98xX]

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

It's important to remember that positional experience gained from playing a position is not the same thing as the "Learn a new position" development lab program. Gaining positional experience but playing games there does not increase fielding ratings such as range and arm. "Learn new position" will increase those ratings.

For example, you have a LF with no rating at 1B and his IF range and IF error are both at 35. If he spent spring training starting every game, his 1B rating would be about 40/45. If that same player completed the learn new position rating, assuming the new position is 1B, his IF range and error might increase to 50 and he'll get a 1B position rating of 65. Same concept for any position.

In short, the learn new position program increases the core ratings needed to play the position effectively

Again wasting a dev lab to teach a guy to play 1B is absolutely a waste. Least important position defensively and almost anyone can play it. Use spring training to teach guys new positions and then use the improve IF or OF defense. This is why I also micro manage my top prospects. By the time I get them through my system they can play multiple positions efficiently and can improve their rating with the dev lab at a much cheaper cost than “learn new position” I’d rather have my guys develop more power or contact ability over learning 1B so my 3rd string C can get at bats. Super utility guys are way more useful here than your 3rd string C.

[Bobfather]

Originally Posted by twins_34

Like I said, if you want to train someone in a new position, do it during spring training. OR, if you are planning ahead of time, stick them in a spot you want them to learn so they get at least 20/whatever ratings on that spot AND THEN put them through whichever defensive rating program and totally forget about learning a new position. Just make sure they have experience in either OF or IN and then train it. However, if the dude is like a 3rd basemen and you want them to learn 2nd, just stick them at 2nd base during spring training! Don't waste a dev lab sport for something like that. Just throw them in train IF defense and then give them experience at the position during Spring Training.

I just want to add that I have successfully moved a player to a new position in AAA. I had a top prospect at 2B but was only a 25 rating, forced him to play 1B and he was a 65, after a few weeks.