SIM COMPLETE - 1989 - Spring Training 1

[Clay]

No, it doesn't.

Now we just need Carlton and maybe two others to suffer the same fate and the Stout is up for grabs!

Waiting to see what the Karma Police do to Wilmington next SIM.

[Pat]

I just looked at the standings.

Fitting.

[BradZ]

Ahhhhhhhh...Spring Training... the ultimate bittersweet SIMs.

So nice to have real boxscores to look at again....

Yet... you look at each one just praying that you don't see an injury...

So nice to be able to see some stats....

Yet.... Spring Training stats are so meaningless in the big picture...

Good times... good times.

One short injury to the Colonials. 4 days of day-to-day for Dale O'Hegarty for a sore leg. It is what it is. My starters will all be going to the bench for the second half of Spring Training. They'll still be exposed to possible injuries coming off the bench, but I'm giving the youngsters all of the starts for these last 8 games. Also taking my 1-2-3 out of the rotation completely to make sure they're rested and ready for Batavia in the opening set.

My first stop during ST is to the team home page, scroll down and look at the injuries section. That way I can be immediately disgusted by any long-term injuries.

For the second ST in a row, Jerry Oliver (a non-prospect OF) will miss significant time with an injury sustained during ST. I wasn't counting on him (this year or last), so it's of no consequence other than last year he was given the BLB min $280k contract for the year because he was injured while on the big club roster at the time of the injury. At least that's what I am assuming happened. It won't be that big of a deal this year, since I should be under budget, but last year his $280k turned into $560k due to the luxury tax. That sucks when it is a player I had no intention of giving big league time to.

[Jistic]

I hate ST.

I just check to see if anyones hurt and move on.

[Lintyfresh85]

Are there any specific stats people actually look at while watching ST?

Are you concerned about a proven rotation member walking lots of hitters?

Do you want the hitters to show the numbers you expect from them during the season?

[Pat]

ST is a crapshoot. I don't think it directly translates to success during the regular season.

For example, my worst starter was Carlton.

[Jistic]

It is a deceptive temptress.

S/T lies like the NFL preseason. Just don't want injuries and that's all that matters.

[Clay]

It is a deceptive temptress.

S/T lies like the NFL preseason. Just don't want injuries and that's all that matters.

This

I told Andrew, I think there's different logic for Exhibition games than Regular Season. Players just do things way out of character in ST.

The two things I (kind of) look at are how many pitches my starters are throwing to get through 4.0 innings.... and how my Manager is calling the games (steals, bunts, etc.). I think ST is a good time to tweak offensive strategy.

[Carlos]

Are there any specific stats people actually look at while watching ST?

Are you concerned about a proven rotation member walking lots of hitters?

Do you want the hitters to show the numbers you expect from them during the season?

Guys do need ST to loosen up (like it's coded that way and everything), but I personally believe that some guys take it easy while others don't. I don't know what determines that, though.

I always see great pitcher struggle in ST. Some don't. Some do. Why? I take it that the great pitcher is using his fourth pitch more often, maybe trying new things. I've read about real life pitchers purposely walking guys so they can work on their stretch. It happens. I don't know how deep OOTP takes it, but I'm going to assume that something happens because results are always so varied.

Or it could just be the frame of time. Anything can happen in a month against deep rosters and limited action.

I do look for a few things:

I like to see my hitters take walks. So Pargas can struggle with the bat, but if he's being patient then I know he's moving along.

I like to see strike out pitchers punch out guys. Greene can be crummy but he's doing fine in the punch out department. I'm not worried about the runs (and it was one bad start sandwiched between two really good ones). I'll take it.

[Lintyfresh85]

Always thought Major League did a good job with ST.

Willie Mays Hayes was hitting bombs... and Lou Brown turns to another coach and said something to the effect of "doesn't really matter, that guy will be bagging groceries in a week anyways".

So true.

[BradZ]

I do look for a few things:

I like to see my hitters take walks. So Pargas can struggle with the bat, but if he's being patient then I know he's moving along.

I started taking a look at this particular stat last ST as well. Not sure why. Actually it was because Geoff Scott showed a huge jump in his ability to draw walks last ST and I was curious if it would carry over to the regular season and it did. So, I was thrilled this sim to see 3 guys draw double digit walk totals and another who drew 9 despite missing 5 days with a minor injury.

Our team OBP was exactly 100 points higher than our team BA. Obviously we can't hope to continue that wide of a spread for the entire year, but it does hopefully indicate that some of the changes we've been trying to instill in our lineup may be taking shape.

[Delandis]

Geez I looked at Last Sim and thought we went 3-12 and figured here we go again.

Then I realized I wasn't logged in and was looking at Baltimore.

I know. Its looks like I'm in for a LONG season. Two injuries. One I really wasn't worried about with old man, Mabbett getting hurt. He's out for 4-5 weeks. But the injury to Jin was big and now I have to hire a 5th infielder. We'll see what happens. Our pitching looks atrocious. Oh well, is the Asst-Commish Cup, rusty?

[Jistic]

My SP over the years usually gets rocked in S/T. Always did, McEvoy, Theodore all of em. It never translated into the regular season.

[Delandis]

My SP over the years usually gets rocked in S/T. Always did, McEvoy, Theodore all of em. It never translated into the regular season.

I don't know. My guys have been walking a lot of guys, something I didn't see a lot of last year. I'm worried about what may happen to these guys once the season starts.

On a lighter note, Caballero is still hitting well, something I wasn't expecting out of him.

[Ryan]

I relate ST stats translating to regular season success/failure to AAA success translating to major league success/failure. It doesn't.

On that note, anyone sitting their starters for the rest of ST?