2009 Regular Season SIM 1 Complete - Next SIM Thursday 11/13

[funclown]

Yeah, doesn't seem like we're seeing much talent introduced, unless there's some major unmasking going on as they develop in the minors.

Two is a good spot. I'd be disappointed sitting outside of the top 3.

I just hope Linty finally embraces his team DNA, drafts a hitter and not ruin yet another young promising pitching career.

[Carlos]

Really, really think this is broken. Feeder teams or not, we were always treated with surprise Intl stars or least the promise of Intl players as many would bomb.

My understanding is the game populates INTL players if the Feeder League can't provide enough talent.

I think we are so deep into Feeder Leagues now and with the version change that the game is handling the supply better. Obviously, the downfall is we don't have these random guys. But, I always found the random guys weird and out of touch with reality.

Suddenly you have this guy that went to Oklahoma State but has only one year of stats and when you check Okl St. stats he's not there because he didn't attend that Oklahoma State?

Also, regarding the talent looking less. I believe with OOTP 14, the game changed how obviously good some players are. More players come into the draft with less talent than they will accumulate over time. This allowed for more diamonds in the rough and less guys with the talent to go from draft to the BLB in one year.

Finally, the way I see it, these players might suck but talent is relative. If everyone is as good as these guys then eventually these guys are talented.

[Delandis]

Time will tell but I'm thinking that things just may not be a obvious as before.

[Carlos]

As for Denver...we went 4-2 taking a 2-1 series win against Indy and Dallas.

McInturf had 4 two-hit games in 5 games played. But Perkins won DL Player of the Week by doing that in 5 of 6 games played.

Vera leads the league early in RBI. Will be nice to see him play 120+ healthy games. Been waiting to see him as his full potential.

Not sure for how long we will lead the league in several batting categories. Too early to even matter.

Yoshi Tamieke hopefully showing early signs of repeating his 2007 season. No runs through 2 starts. Danny Melgoza picking up where he left off. The rest of the rotation is obviously a big question mark at times but I believe Hoffman, Garcia and Ledbetter are much better than they showed to start 2009.

Bullpen solid to start.

Next up we have Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Two tough Ale match-ups we struggled with last year.

[Pat]

Washington Bats - 5-1; 1st Place in Stout

The Good: Welcome back 3B/SS Antonio Cardenas! In his re-debut with the Bats after a one-year stint with Dallas, hit .348 with a 1.247 OPS, including a 4/5, 2 HR, 2B, 5 RBI, 4 R in a 13-2 blowout in Los Alamos. At 34-years-old, he will be given regular rest to keep him fresh throughout the season but his power was really missed in the lineup last season.

SP Robby Aten made his Washington debut and did his best Joe Chavarraga impression. The Bats aren't known for strikeout pitchers but in Aten's two starts: 2-0, 1.84 ERA, 14.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 14 K. He is "fragile" and 31-years-old, so I should probably rest him more than I will...but when you give the guy $63M guaranteed in Free-Agency...you play him.

The Bad: In the only loss this week, new closer import from Pawtucket Ismael Rodriguez blew a save. I can't say I am surprised. The positional strength report has him rated as the 20th best closer in baseball and he did manage to lose 10 games last season. I don't expect him to be all world and he does already have three saves in his first week...but it's probably a position I will need to upgrade down the stretch.

Youngster SP Robby Duffy lasted all of two innings after giving up two HRs. As a low movement pitcher (4), he's always a risk to give up the long-ball. Last year he gave up 22 in 22 starts. He is on pace for 54 HRs in 27 starts so far this year.

The Ugly: First time in a long-time I have two Top 15 draft picks...and this draft sucks.

The Minors: Washington jumps up to the #3 farm system. The highest we have been ranked in a long, long time.

[Carlos]

Former Dallas and Denver prospect AJ Hightower looking solid for Toronto.

sent from my mobile device

[mike]

Decent start for the Millers, Fred 'You're Going to regret this contract Mike' Schubert is hurt again.


Hopefully its just a minor setback to start the season, but as long as bafford turns into the best hitter in the game it should be ok.


Shock the world Bafford, Shock the World.

[Sully]

Schubert...it'd be nice if he didn't get hurt every couple of months.

[funclown]

Schubert...it'd be nice if he didn't get hurt every couple of months.

Just think if he didnt have all these injuries how great he could of been?? Still very good though, but my scout is not in love with his contact these days.

[Sully]

Just think if he didnt have all these injuries how great he could of been?? Still very good though, but my scout is not in love with his contact these days.

Same. I think he'll be breaking down very soon.

[Pat]

The shitty thing for Schub is that he's a great defender. With his injury history, he should only be playing DH these days...despite the fact if healthy, he could win DWIs.

[Delandis]

2009 Regular Season SIM 1 Complete - Next SIM Thursday 11/13

3-4 in Baltimore. Got swept by Batavia and took 3 of 4 from Cali. Definitely have to wait and see what this team can do since I missed my first opening day export ever.

Part of the reason I'm wondering about OOTP and the "diamonds in the rough" is because of rookie Joham Baiano (C). He was a beast in college but only played two years. Before this season, the player development report said that he should've been playing in the BLB but there is no way his scouting bars indicate this. He had a good opening week so we'll see. But I've always drafted mainly based on stats and intangibles so if the draft isn't obvious, I'm good with that.

Hopefully this change will encourage more owners to move draft picks for proven playersif the draft shows more uncertainty.

And discourage the clowns in this league from tanking.

[Spear]

Former Dallas and Denver prospect AJ Hightower looking solid for Toronto.

sent from my mobile device

He's also a former Los Lunas prospect. His career has come full circle and hopefully he will keep it up!

We'll take a 3-4 start to the season. Early story for us out of the pen is Todd Ezzell. Hasn't pitched a full season since 2006. Completely underutilized by Batavia but has pitched 4 scoreless innings as he attempts to find a home in Toronto.

We have also taken the Bats approach to our Minor League system. The older the better.

We have signed 1B Hector Duarte who will look to find his swing again in AAA Ottawa. Former Pig William Petrie will also be reporting to AAA Ottawa after having an outstanding season with Pawtucket last year. If Petrie can swing the bat in AAA he could easily become the starting 3B in Toronto.

[Carlos]

But I've always drafted mainly based on stats...

Hopefully this change will encourage more owners to move draft picks for proven playersif the draft shows more uncertainty.

And discourage the clowns in this league from tanking.

I've always believed that the college stats reflect where a hitter can end up, but not necessarily where they are.

So just because a pitcher has a career 5 ERA in college doesn't mean he will always be that awful, though it likely also means he won't be Top 20 quality.

But, a batter with a low contact rating that hits .350 every year in college is likely capable of being a good contact hitter.

In other words, sometimes I think OOTP knows just about where a batter will be, and a batter displays that potential even before the reports say so. Sometimes years before.

As for tanking...I still say that all good players get old and retire. If all future drafts are like this, then these are the guys that will be the future stars of this league. But don't listen to me. I rather people forget about youth and let me have it all.

I can confirm that drafts in OOTP15 are even worse. You'll think we were drafting starting in the 4th round. But, guys develop into stars.

[Jimmy]

Split with Maine. Losing two of three to the Clown at home, opening week, just sucks. Not really a new low, more like a low revisited.