TotalMinors For OOTP5: Beta Version Released

[GForce22]

I can do the stadium names. I don't want to use stadiums without anyone's permission anyway, but I'll do the real names.

GH

[dawgdchi]

GForce22...I just got this game today and I have to say I'm really impressed with all the dedication and passion you have towards this.

I have the Beta right now to fool around with and hope to download your v1 on Sunday or Monday (or whenever you finish it )

My question is when is the point where you are pretty much done with all your changes? Will you have all players done (with all ratings/splits...anything else you do) done by opening day?

I'm trying to decide when to quit my experimenting with the game and get down to my real League, but definitely want to wait for you to have this thing pretty complete.

Again...thanks again for such a thorough job on all this...can't wait to see how this ends up!

[GForce22]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the compliments from you, and others who I have neglected to respond to. It means a lot.

My goal is to have basically the ultimate roster set ever done by Opening Day. Might I need a couple of extra weeks? Yeah, depending on time. But I'm moving along really well right now. Hopefully, while I'm home for 2 weeks on paternity leave, I will be able to get a bit done then when the baby and my wife are sleeping. But, given that situation, I don't know how much time there will be. Kinda taking it as it comes.

I would wait until at least v2 to really get into a league you wouldn't want to stop (if you can't wait for opening day). By that point the MLB ratings will be much better, as I will have edited them and made the splits correct as well. v1 will have hitters updated, but I probably won't get to the pitchers until v2. I'm hoping for an update a week until Opening Day.

I'll be keeping everyone informed. So far, so good, as for a Sunday release for v1.

GH

[dawgdchi]

I'm cool with waiting a bit after opening day. My only request (which judging by your posts you'll do anyway ) is to give us an estimate when Opening Day hits as to when you'll have the "finished" version out.

But yeah...for the quality you're putting into it...I can wait

[KCRoyalsFan]

Keep up the good work, you don't know how much all of us appreciate this.

[GForce22]

thanks! I will keep everyone updated as to my progress. And the target is to have them done for prime release on opening day (actually, given overseas games and such, let's work with April 1).

GH

[jmel07]

I can't seem to find a working link to your rosters anywhere . . . little help?

[Chief Rum]

I don't want to go too nuts with this, because I know you're a busy guy, but I thought I would offer up some comments on my favorite team, the Angels, and some of the ratings that have been handed out.

SP John Lackey-- His velocity should be a touch higher than 4 (probably a 6 or so). While not a speed burner, he is considered to have a decent fastball.

SP Jarrod Washburn-- I might drop his Stuff a touch, to 7, maybe. He is a fine pitcher, but he hasn't really proven himself to be an ace level yet. I would, however, keep his potential high enough to achieve those opening numbers.

MR Brendan Donnelly- As wonderful as Donnelly was last year, he could probably do with less Stuff and Movement. He's really only had one-half season of success. I think a 1 or even 2-point drop in those categories is called for.

MR Francisco Rodriguez-- You're probably saving room for his potential, and that's understandable. But I don'tt hink a guy with the ratings you have K-Rod at in the roster set would do what he did in the postseason. I would bump his Stuff up to at least 7 or 8. Movement seems fine at 7, but maybe Control up to 5 or 6 as well. And all of those should have potential to go pretty high. He also should have at least an E durability at Starter, since he has been a minor league starter almost his entire pro career. Although since that could be abused, I understand not having it there. His velocity is actually about a 9, IMO (with Percy's a 10).

MR Scot Shields-- He is a nice pitcher and he was very good as a minor leaguer, but 10 Stuff and 8 Movement is really pushing it. I would at least drop those two ratings 2 points each.

CL Troy Percival-- No big changes here, but I would jump his velocity to 10, like I said under K-Rod's listing.

C Jose Molina-- I doubt he has 5 CON ability. Everywhere else he is fine.

C Bengie Molina-- Bengie actually might have 5 CON ability, but I would more label him as a high 4, with little chance to improve. The most egregious differences with him are defensively. He won the Gold Glove last year, and he has always been considered an excellent catcher. He needs vast improvement across the board here, especially with throwing arm--he was tops in the AL in throwing runners out last year. As for running speed, is there a rating slower than E?

1B Brad Fullmer-- Not much to say here. His POW should probably be 6, not 7, but it would be a high 6 or a low 7 anyway.

1B Scott Spiezio-- His Contact should probably dropped to a mid-level to high 5.

DH Shawn Wooten-- I would drop Wooten's Contact to 6. He's a guy with a good bat, but I don't think he's done enough to justify a 7 in Contact.

3B Troy Glaus-- Glaus is really tough to measure. I don't know if maybe you have him higher in potential. But his ratings just seem wrong to me. His Contact is about right for now, but he has always been considered a guy who can develop higher (6 or so Contact). 6 Power just doesn't convey the power this guy has. Don't be fooled by a slumping 2002--the guy has McGwire type of power. It's his Contact and his swing control that is iffy. I would start at 7, with potential for up to 9. Eye/Discipline is tricky. He's always been good at drawing the walk, so clearly he has a good eye. But that swing he has leads to a ton a strikeouts, as the numbers show. I don't really know where to rate him there then, so I guess a 6 is as good as any. Even now, at 26, he isn't considered to have reached his full potential yet, and this is a guy who has already set an AL record for single season HRs by a 3B.

RF Jeff DeVanon-- He's a nice backup type, but he should probably be a point less across the board.

RF Tim Salmon-- The Kingfish is one of my favorite players, but I don't know if I could justify 6-7-7 for him. The Eye/Discipline is fine, but I would drop his Contact to a high 5 at best. His Power can be 7, but probably a low 7. It might be better as a high 6. He maybe should be moved to Injury Prone. BTW, can you add "Kingfish" for his nickname?

SP Mickey Callaway (AAA)-- 7-7-6 is much too high for him to start, I would put him at 5-6-5 or so, witht he potential to reach the other ratings.

MR Lou Pote (AAA)-- I would probably drop hima point each in Stuff and Movement.

SP Matt Wise (AAA)-- I know he hasn't really gotten the opportunity to show it yet, but Wise is actually considered to be a very solid, up-and-coming pitcher. He should be equal to my Callaway's suggested ratings and with potential at least as high. If it wasn't for a logjam at SP for the Angels, more people would have heard of him by now. In his few appearances at the MLB level, he has done very well.

RF Julio Ramirez (AAA)-- I am pretty sure we gave him his outright release this past winter. He has the talent to stick somewhere, but we had too many OFS as it was.

SP Chris Bootcheck (AA)-- As one of the Angels' better pitching prospects and at 24 years old already, Bootcheck should probably have higher Stuff right now (he's just at 1) and he should be at AAA. Everything else (including talent) seems fine.

SP Bobby Jenks (A)-- Jenks should be further along in his minor league career, at least on par with AA. I believe he is also considered to have more talent than AAF as well (he's probably the Angels' best pitching prospect after KRod, and they are recognized to have a solid system of pitchers right now). And that 7 Velocity just doesn't do him potential--considering that he has broken 100 mph and is considered to have maybe the fastest fastball in the minor leagues. The breakdown of talent relative to each other is fine, though--he has had Control issues in real life with that big fastball. I don't know if that's a talent thing or a youth thing, though.

C Jeff Mathis (A)-- He is thought to be one of the better prospects in the organization. He could probably use a talent bump in one of the three hitting areas, probably eye/discipline.

1B Casey Kotchman (A)-- The best hitting prospect in the Angels' organization, for some reason Kotchman has no talent listed for Eye/Discipline in your roster set. He creates the strange situation where he is listed as the #1 overall prospect for some reason. He isn't that good, of course, but he is probably worth a GGA talent level.

CF Nathan Haynes (A)-- I'm not sure what happened here. This guy is considered to be lighter on power, but a decent hitter with leadoff speed and potential. And he's up to AA/AAA level. For some reason, this roster set has him at A and at FBA talent, which I think has him pegged completely wrong. I would put him at AAA or AFA. Maybe high AFA if you can do that.

I hope this helps. I tried to be as unbiased as possible, but keep that in mind when reading this.

Chief Rum

[bauermj]

My Chicago Cubs Thoughts:

SP Alan Benes - I think he is a bit overrated at 5 ERA And talents (A/A/G/G/G). He hasn't been a major league factor as a starter since 1997. In 2002 he did see 46 IP out of the bullpen and had an ERA of 5.67. In 2001, ERA 7.36 ERA.

SP Matt Clement - While he did have a great 2002 (12-11 3.60 ERA 215K - 85BB) I think his ratings are too high. Currently 7 ERA (G/G/G/A/B Talents). I just think his previous years were too subpar to be this dominant. Maybe he could still have these nice talents, but i think the ratings are too high. Dont forget 2001: 9-10 5.05 ERA 134K/85BB; 2000: 13-17 5.14 ERA 170K/125BB;

SP Shawn Estes - I think this was an import error. He should have way higher than a 1 ERA and better talents than A/P/G/F/A.

MR Joe Borowski - He had a nice 2002 4-4 2.73 ERA 97K/29BB, but is very unproven. He didnt see more than 13 innings combined over the 3 previous years. I would give him lower ratings based on the fact he wasnt even good enough to make the roster in years prior. G/A/G/G/B makes him one of the most dominant MR in the game.

MR/SP Juan Cruz - While i agree that cruz has had his fair share of control problems, Poor talent and a 0 vs LHB is a bit harsh. I think you could keep the ratings low but give him a Fair talent. In 2001: 40K/18BB; 2002: 81K/60BB.

MR Mark Guthrie - A little too dominant. This guy had a 2000 and 2001 ERA of 4.50. His K/BB ratios havent been outstanding (45-20, 52-20, 26-18) Good, but not outstanding. I like the RHB BB/K ratings, but LHB are a big high.

MR - Kyle Farnswoth - desrves more than a 0 ERA and AA ball. You have his LHB splits as way too low. Looks like an import error.

BTW: Matt Clement and Kerry Wood have Batting Ratings errors. (Both have 10BB Brilliant talent). Also Clement, Wood 5 Hits vs RHP.

Ill check out batters in a bit...Seriously, just meant to be constructive. This is a massive project and I appreciate all of your work It is excellent.

[GForce22]

As I have said throughout the thread, MLB guys haven't even been touched yet. So these comments, while constructive and it seems thought out, aren't really valid yet because my ratings aren't in yet.

GH

[KCRoyalsFan]

did you say that the MLB guys would be done by opening day, or you hoped

[GForce22]

MLB guys will be done by Opening Day. Actually, hitters will be done for v1 (hitting ratings...speed/fielding will take until Opening Day probably).

GH

[GForce22]

v1 should have:

Real managers, coaches and minor league team names
updated hitting ratings (my formulas with proper split adjustments...guys now rated based on their trends rather than just 2002)
Added players (anyone on a 40-man roster will be in the game now)
The corrected schedule file
POSSIBLY edited pitcher ratings and some defensive range/speed adjustments (I am gathering this info now, and it really just depends on time. If not for v1, these two issues top the list for v2).
* (added) Real uniform numbers

GH

[GForce22]

things are looking a bit better for pitcher splits into v1. The catch is, it may delay it a couple of days depending on time with everything I have going on. I'll let you know how well it's progressing. But I think an extra couple of days is worth it to get in accurate hitting AND pitching ratings.

GH

[KcJockBoy]

I agree GForce, I would rather wait a couple more days and have hitters and pitchers together.

Frankie

[LedgerSko]

Yeah because all the first version with just the hitters will do is tease us and make us more anxious to get the pitchers straightened away as well.

[KCRoyalsFan]

agreed, just wait till you have them both done till you release.

[Chief Rum]

Originally posted by GForce22
As I have said throughout the thread, MLB guys haven't even been touched yet. So these comments, while constructive and it seems thought out, aren't really valid yet because my ratings aren't in yet.

GH

If it matters any, a good half of my comments are aimed at minor leaguers in the Angels' system in your roster set. Point taken on the major leaguers, though. I look forward to seeing how these turn out. Keep it up, and thanks.

Chief Rum

[ELDoro]

Griffey and Casey being below average hitters??? and Dunn not having great potential??? Just some constuctive criticism

[Shorty]

Originally posted by Shorty
I click on Download and it sends me to the TrueLeagueBaseball mainpage..

Any help??