05-06-2011, 03:49 PM
Here's my personal approach to pitcher usage:
WHEN do I switch a player:
Anytime you feel it's appropriate with only one exception: A player on your major league team shouldn't be stretched out UNLESS they already have a decent endurance (40+) and you're willing adjust your roster to carry an extra pitcher. In my experience, if you're stretching a pitcher out on your major league team it puts an extra tax on your pen and due to shitty AI bullpen management you'll invariably see everyone's ERA rise unless you add that extra arm to take the pressure off. I have seen it work out to where stretching out an arm that's an obvious improvement over a 4th or 5th starter (For example, high 80s w/ great vitals vs all 70s vitals guy) and adding that extra arm to your pen benefited everyone on the staff.
Also after the draft is a great time to review (and rereview) your prospects development. If they meet certain criteria or are stalling out in their progression maybe a move to the pen or rotation is just the shake-up a player might need.
WHY would I want to change a pitcher from SP to RP or vice-versa?
This is a bit more up to each individual GM but my personal rule(s) of thumb are the following:
1. Control will never develop IMO but I love the vitals - put 'em in the pen.
A 65 control guy can have solid years out of the pen but rarely produce consistently as a starter. So if you really like a player's power/movement but know they'll never get to the magic number of 70 control, I'll put 'em in the pen.
2. If a pitcher only has 2 pitches, especially if one is awful - put 'em in the pen.
A starting pitcher needs 3 pitches to be consistent as a starter. If you have a pitcher starting in your system with only two pitches and he's getting close to MLB ready it may be time to abandon hope of him develiping a 3rd pitch in ST and moving on. Which brings me to...
3. If a pitcher develops a 3rd pitch in ST and you really like their stuff - put 'em in the rotation.
A reliever already having a solid career progression can sometimes develop a third pitch and when that happens it's like striking gold. They're already likely to develop based on career trends so stretching them out into a starter when they get that third pitch will often send some prospects in hyper-develop mode. This doesn't always work, but when done right you can get sometimes find an unexpected ace.
4. A pitcher starts developing 3 80s+ vitals - put 'em in the rotation.
Sometiemes you'll get a player developing unexpectedly and they'll have 3 incredibly vitals. If they're young enough and have 3 pitches it might be worth sending them back to AAA to stretch out into a starter. If you can be patient for 25-28 starts (the number required to achieve a useful endurance vital, IMO) you'll once again find yourself with an unexpected ace.
5. You're inundated with too many pitchers of one type
Nobody needs 15 relief pitching prospects or 10 pitchers at AAA chipping away at the MLB. While this is a luxury we'd all love to have, sometimes your team needs down the road will dictate changing a pitchers usage when one of the previous 4 cirtieria aren't met. This is the most subjective cause of pitcher usage change and can apply to a million different situations.
HOPE THIS HELPS, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS JUST REPLY!
WHEN do I switch a player:
Anytime you feel it's appropriate with only one exception: A player on your major league team shouldn't be stretched out UNLESS they already have a decent endurance (40+) and you're willing adjust your roster to carry an extra pitcher. In my experience, if you're stretching a pitcher out on your major league team it puts an extra tax on your pen and due to shitty AI bullpen management you'll invariably see everyone's ERA rise unless you add that extra arm to take the pressure off. I have seen it work out to where stretching out an arm that's an obvious improvement over a 4th or 5th starter (For example, high 80s w/ great vitals vs all 70s vitals guy) and adding that extra arm to your pen benefited everyone on the staff.
Also after the draft is a great time to review (and rereview) your prospects development. If they meet certain criteria or are stalling out in their progression maybe a move to the pen or rotation is just the shake-up a player might need.
WHY would I want to change a pitcher from SP to RP or vice-versa?
This is a bit more up to each individual GM but my personal rule(s) of thumb are the following:
1. Control will never develop IMO but I love the vitals - put 'em in the pen.
A 65 control guy can have solid years out of the pen but rarely produce consistently as a starter. So if you really like a player's power/movement but know they'll never get to the magic number of 70 control, I'll put 'em in the pen.
2. If a pitcher only has 2 pitches, especially if one is awful - put 'em in the pen.
A starting pitcher needs 3 pitches to be consistent as a starter. If you have a pitcher starting in your system with only two pitches and he's getting close to MLB ready it may be time to abandon hope of him develiping a 3rd pitch in ST and moving on. Which brings me to...
3. If a pitcher develops a 3rd pitch in ST and you really like their stuff - put 'em in the rotation.
A reliever already having a solid career progression can sometimes develop a third pitch and when that happens it's like striking gold. They're already likely to develop based on career trends so stretching them out into a starter when they get that third pitch will often send some prospects in hyper-develop mode. This doesn't always work, but when done right you can get sometimes find an unexpected ace.
4. A pitcher starts developing 3 80s+ vitals - put 'em in the rotation.
Sometiemes you'll get a player developing unexpectedly and they'll have 3 incredibly vitals. If they're young enough and have 3 pitches it might be worth sending them back to AAA to stretch out into a starter. If you can be patient for 25-28 starts (the number required to achieve a useful endurance vital, IMO) you'll once again find yourself with an unexpected ace.
5. You're inundated with too many pitchers of one type
Nobody needs 15 relief pitching prospects or 10 pitchers at AAA chipping away at the MLB. While this is a luxury we'd all love to have, sometimes your team needs down the road will dictate changing a pitchers usage when one of the previous 4 cirtieria aren't met. This is the most subjective cause of pitcher usage change and can apply to a million different situations.
HOPE THIS HELPS, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS JUST REPLY!
Houston Astros - 2012/2016/2023/2025 Champs!
Cumulative Record: 1894 - 1184 (.615%)
Cumulative Record: 1894 - 1184 (.615%)