High A ball vs Low A ball

hcorry2001 · 10-29-2021, 09:21 PM

Is there a difference between Low A & High A? What about after the draft? Does it matter if a college player starts in High A or Low A? Just curious.

Curve Ball Dave · 10-30-2021, 10:57 AM

Players in High A tend to be a tick better than those in Low A, but not quite as good as the players in AA. Where you start a player after the June Draft depends on the player. This is just me and others may do it differently, I like to start a guy at a level one step below where he can reasonably be expected to compete. I prefer that that my minor league players experience some measure of success before they get promoted. If a guy drafted out of college is tearing up a lower level the first couple of weeks after he's drafted I'll promote him. Those couple of weeks won't harm his career in any way.

BBGiovanni · 11-02-2021, 01:47 PM

In recent years until MLB messed up the minors, Low-A was a spot for players who weren't quite ready for High-A after time in rookie ball, usually international signees or guys that came right out of high school at age 18. Whether for training or just maturation/physical development, some players needed more time.

The alternate path for college players was usually straight to short season or "high rookie" (PIO/APPY) leagues. Those that did well would go to High A, as did the guys that did well at Low A. Players might skip one or multiple levels of rookie/short season/Low A, but the guys that kept developing almost always spent a half season or more at High A.

IMO there is (or was) a real difference in the quality of play between High A and the others. Short season ball always looked to me like college ball, which I suppose made sense since those players had just finished a college season. I didn't make it to a California League game since they got pushed down to Low A but I expect it will look like short season ball more or less.

brotherblues · 11-03-2021, 10:38 AM

I think I've seen somewhere on the forums that OOTP doesn't really distinguish between different levels of A ball. Same development and competition in low A and A and such.

Curve Ball Dave · 11-03-2021, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherblues

I think I've seen somewhere on the forums that OOTP doesn't really distinguish between different levels of A ball. Same development and competition in low A and A and such.

I don't think this is correct. If you check the player creation modifiers for High A and Low A the former should be slightly higher.

10-29-2021, 09:21 PM	#1
hcorry2001 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: New York City Posts: 80	High A ball vs Low A ball Is there a difference between Low A & High A? What about after the draft? Does it matter if a college player starts in High A or Low A? Just curious.

10-30-2021, 10:57 AM	#2
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,370	Players in High A tend to be a tick better than those in Low A, but not quite as good as the players in AA. Where you start a player after the June Draft depends on the player. This is just me and others may do it differently, I like to start a guy at a level one step below where he can reasonably be expected to compete. I prefer that that my minor league players experience some measure of success before they get promoted. If a guy drafted out of college is tearing up a lower level the first couple of weeks after he's drafted I'll promote him. Those couple of weeks won't harm his career in any way. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

11-02-2021, 01:47 PM	#3
BBGiovanni All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Republic of California Posts: 1,910	In recent years until MLB messed up the minors, Low-A was a spot for players who weren't quite ready for High-A after time in rookie ball, usually international signees or guys that came right out of high school at age 18. Whether for training or just maturation/physical development, some players needed more time. The alternate path for college players was usually straight to short season or "high rookie" (PIO/APPY) leagues. Those that did well would go to High A, as did the guys that did well at Low A. Players might skip one or multiple levels of rookie/short season/Low A, but the guys that kept developing almost always spent a half season or more at High A. IMO there is (or was) a real difference in the quality of play between High A and the others. Short season ball always looked to me like college ball, which I suppose made sense since those players had just finished a college season. I didn't make it to a California League game since they got pushed down to Low A but I expect it will look like short season ball more or less. __________________ Let's Go (San Jose) Giants, Let's Go Mets! Current Project: WBAT/AABBA: Organized Base Ball And the "New Normal" World Baseball Aid Tournament 2023 trophy round underway!

11-03-2021, 10:38 AM	#4
brotherblues All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 658	I think I've seen somewhere on the forums that OOTP doesn't really distinguish between different levels of A ball. Same development and competition in low A and A and such.