Positioning Fielders??

Pivot · 05-10-2019, 05:23 PM

Is it worth positioning fielders to adjust for batters tendencies (Pull hitter, etc.)? I've been doing this but an informal observation over about 50 games makes me think that a given batters "tendencies" are bogus and are not tendencies at all..

BirdWatcher · 05-10-2019, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pivot

Is it worth positioning fielders to adjust for batters tendencies (Pull hitter, etc.)? I've been doing this but an informal observation over about 50 games makes me think that a given batters "tendencies" are bogus and are not tendencies at all..

Not really an answer to your question- as I don't really manage much in-game and let the AI worry about defensive positioning- but since the game does now have spray charts you have a way of checking on how much hitters tendencies match up with their stated tendencies.

I haven't done any rigorous check on these with my current save but my perception, playing out every game for my team, is that my spray hitters definitely scatter the ball to all fields a lot more than my pull hitters, etc.
But again, I can't be sure how much of this is confirmation bias on my part so don't take my word for it- check out your spray charts.

Sweed · 05-18-2019, 08:01 AM

My experience looking at spray charts for both my team and the opponent is they prove out both the flyball and groundball tendencies.

I wish there was a widget to show the current batter's spray chart and one didn't have to take the step of opening his card to take a look. Having said that in close games I do just that. I've found GB pull hitters that are extreme with a rare ball going to the left side that get the extreme shift, and others, that may pull 75% and they get the slight shift. Most of the time I let the AI set the initial defense so, unless my manager sets it, I don't always shift.

Also keep in mind the current in-game batter card only shows the player's groundball tendency, their flyball tendency, like real life, can be different and only seen on their player page. The flyball tendency needs to be added to the batter's card. These splits are definitely there and viewable on the spray chart.

05-10-2019, 05:23 PM	#1
Pivot Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 44	Positioning Fielders?? Is it worth positioning fielders to adjust for batters tendencies (Pull hitter, etc.)? I've been doing this but an informal observation over about 50 games makes me think that a given batters "tendencies" are bogus and are not tendencies at all..

05-18-2019, 08:01 AM	#3
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,104 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	My experience looking at spray charts for both my team and the opponent is they prove out both the flyball and groundball tendencies. I wish there was a widget to show the current batter's spray chart and one didn't have to take the step of opening his card to take a look. Having said that in close games I do just that. I've found GB pull hitters that are extreme with a rare ball going to the left side that get the extreme shift, and others, that may pull 75% and they get the slight shift. Most of the time I let the AI set the initial defense so, unless my manager sets it, I don't always shift. Also keep in mind the current in-game batter card only shows the player's groundball tendency, their flyball tendency, like real life, can be different and only seen on their player page. The flyball tendency needs to be added to the batter's card. These splits are definitely there and viewable on the spray chart.