Depth Chart - When are Pinch Hitters Used?

[jpeters1734]

This seems simple on the surface, but I think it may actually be more complicated.

When the in-game manager decides to use a pinch hitter, which depth chart is it pulling from? The vs LHP depth chart or the vs RHP depth chart?

At first glance, it would make sense that it uses whichever one matches the pitcher currently on the mound. But here’s where that logic seems to break down.

Say I have a 1B who absolutely crushes RHP but is bad against LHP. Against LHP, he’s benched and listed 4th on the pinch hitter list. Against RHP, he starts, so he isn’t listed as a pinch hitter at all.

The game starts against a LHP, so the vs LHP depth chart is used and the 1B sits. Later in the game, the opponent brings in a RHP and now there’s a pinch hit situation.

Does the AI now switch to using the vs RHP depth chart for PH decisions? Because if so, the 1B isn’t listed as a pinch hitter there since he’s considered a starter. Or does it continue using the original vs LHP PH list from the start of the game, where he’s buried behind four other players despite now having the platoon advantage?

Maybe the correct approach is to not rank pinch hitters at all and just let the AI manager choose the best available bench bat in the situation?

[millhousebc]

Like this idea....never really thought about it. I slow play my league, playing every game. Your logic makes sense though.

[Todd R]

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

This seems simple on the surface, but I think it may actually be more complicated.

When the in-game manager decides to use a pinch hitter, which depth chart is it pulling from? The vs LHP depth chart or the vs RHP depth chart?

At first glance, it would make sense that it uses whichever one matches the pitcher currently on the mound. But here’s where that logic seems to break down.

Say I have a 1B who absolutely crushes RHP but is bad against LHP. Against LHP, he’s benched and listed 4th on the pinch hitter list. Against RHP, he starts, so he isn’t listed as a pinch hitter at all.

The game starts against a LHP, so the vs LHP depth chart is used and the 1B sits. Later in the game, the opponent brings in a RHP and now there’s a pinch hit situation.

Does the AI now switch to using the vs RHP depth chart for PH decisions? Because if so, the 1B isn’t listed as a pinch hitter there since he’s considered a starter. Or does it continue using the original vs LHP PH list from the start of the game, where he’s buried behind four other players despite now having the platoon advantage?

Maybe the correct approach is to not rank pinch hitters at all and just let the AI manager choose the best available bench bat in the situation?

"Maybe the correct approach is to not rank pinch hitters at all and just let the AI manager choose the best available bench bat in the situation?"


I was concerned about whether OOTP stuck with the SP handedness for the PH selection chart. I didn't try to collect any data because I decided that even if it used the correct chart the best thing was, as you say, to let the computer manager choose the PH.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by Todd R

"Maybe the correct approach is to not rank pinch hitters at all and just let the AI manager choose the best available bench bat in the situation?"


I was concerned about whether OOTP stuck with the SP handedness for the PH selection chart. I didn't try to collect any data because I decided that even if it used the correct chart the best thing was, as you say, to let the computer manager choose the PH.

That is probably true, so if we agree that the best approach is to not rank PH, the AI should not be allowed to set them, else they will be disadvantaged

[Todd R]

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

That is probably true, so if we agree that the best approach is to not rank PH, the AI should not be allowed to set them, else they will be disadvantaged

I didn't realize the computer managers listed PH. I agree that's a bad feature.

In the meantime all that can be done to make things fair is for humans to list PH like the computer manager does. Puts a real crimp on those who want to manage the games.

[uruguru]

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

That is probably true, so if we agree that the best approach is to not rank PH, the AI should not be allowed to set them, else they will be disadvantaged

I suspect this isn't a problem because presumably the AI reconfigures its entire depth chart every day, and it uses the handedness of the current opposing pitcher to determine which depth chart to use, not the handedness of the starting pitcher.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by uruguru

I suspect this isn't a problem because presumably the AI reconfigures its entire depth chart every day, and it uses the handedness of the current opposing pitcher to determine which depth chart to use, not the handedness of the starting pitcher.

That’s still missing the actual case I’m asking about.

The question is not really whether the game switches to the correct handedness chart based on the current pitcher. I assume it probably does.

The issue is what happens when a player is considered a starter on one chart and therefore is not listed as a PH option at all, but is on the bench in the current game because the lineup was originally built from the opposite chart.

In my example, the 1B is sitting because the game started against a LHP. Once a RHP comes in, does the AI recognize him as a valid PH option despite him not being on the vs RHP PH list since he’s technically a starter there?

That’s the part that doesn't make sense

[Bobfather]

Could you just add him to the vs RHP pinch-hitting list? The game will let you do that.

[Pelican]

I need to test this out, but the games I have checked thus far strongly suggest that the AI knows if a RHP or LHP is currently on the mound - regardless of who started - when a PH is sent up. That makes more sense, based on the little bit I know about coding and how the game works on a batter-by-batter basis. But yeah, it needs to be tested.

[uruguru]

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

That’s still missing the actual case I’m asking about.

The question is not really whether the game switches to the correct handedness chart based on the current pitcher. I assume it probably does.

The issue is what happens when a player is considered a starter on one chart and therefore is not listed as a PH option at all, but is on the bench in the current game because the lineup was originally built from the opposite chart.

In my example, the 1B is sitting because the game started against a LHP. Once a RHP comes in, does the AI recognize him as a valid PH option despite him not being on the vs RHP PH list since he’s technically a starter there?

That’s the part that doesn't make sense

You're right, I missed that nuance. Carry on!