Off Topic
Krill Bullpen Factory Churns Another?
Lefty Draws RavesMay 25, 2065: Kamloops, BC — Perhaps (as with Long Beach's alternate "problem") Bikini's propensity to develop relievers has something to do with the brackish lagoon water around the atoll, but if it is then that same something would have to be found in the eddies of currents and streams and lakes around the expanse of the PNW and Caribbean, where the Krill's minor league systems are scattered. In the case of Kamloops, which is a tiny province of British Columbia, it would be in the clear running mountain water of Thompson River, or the North Thompson, which runs eventually together to go on its merry way.
Whatever it is, it seems that the Bikini Krill’s organization is dead-set on building relief pitchers, and that there’s no end in sight. The latest example comes in the presence of one José Bermúdez, whose last two development reports have included:
2065-05-25
Movement Potential increased from 7 to 8
Movement increased from 7 to 8
Movement vs R increased from 7 to 8
2065-05-18
HRA Potential increased from 8 to 9
HRA vs R increased from 8 to 9
HRA vs L increased from 8 to 9
OOTP looks at that, and at his blisteringly beautiful 12/11 Fastball and Circle Change combo that comes at hitters at 100MPH, and boosts his overall rating to a cool “60.” Which seems reasonable, I guess. The guy’s 11 Stuff is fully fleshed in, as is that afore-reported Movement. So… sure, “60 makes sense, right? Until you note that the guy has a “2” control, which has looked okay in Kamloops (where he’s averaging only 3.1 walks per 9 innings), but would seem on the whole to be somewhat disqualifying at the BBA level.
So I ask, “Is José Bermúdez a 60?”
How is the rating system making that kid of decision? I have no idea. Does it matter than the guy has better than solid intangibles, with loyalty, adaptability, and Intelligence off-the-chart? Again, I have no clue. But the game calls José Bermúdez a 60.
Is that right?
I mean, in real life relievers simply don’t go higher than that, so that would mean Bermudez, at 23, would be considered an elite bullpen arm. His stats in the minors would back that up:
Bottom line, the man has cooked everywhere he’s been.
Does that matter?
I note, however, that OOTP is not like real life when it comes to relief pitcher ratings. OOTP has no problem giving relief pitchers the “80” tag—exhibit A being Krill stalwart Winston Morris, whose core ratings are certainly stronger than Bermudez’s, and which OOTP reflects by oscillating Morris between a 75 and an 80. Fellow top-end reliever Enrique Villarreal, whose leftiness may make him even more valuable than Morris overall, keeps bounding between 65-80. If OOTP did the MLB thing and made Morris a 60, and Villarreal a 55 or 60, what would that make Bermudez?
I have no idea.
45? 50?
I don’t know, really. And I suppose that’s the joy of OOTP ratings, especially when it comes to the bullpen. Bullpens are easy to throw together, right? Sure. Except that they aren’t really. I mean, it’s a no brainer for me to push Morris and Villarreal into the top notches. And the way Bikini is growing bullpen arms, we’ve been able to mostly be certain we’ll have solid performers up and down the pen. But a lot of us have 45 and 50s and 55s in the mix, and can still struggle. With Bermudez at a 60, would he do the same?
Maybe.
All I can say for sure is that the bullpen prospect rankings I put together a few days back are now already out of date.
Because, well … because OOTP, I suppose.
Either way, look for Bermudez to move to Pasco AAA fairly soon now. The proof is in the pudding, I suppose, and it’s time to get serious about figuring out if José Bermúdez is, or is not, a “60.”
Lefty Draws Raves
Whatever it is, it seems that the Bikini Krill’s organization is dead-set on building relief pitchers, and that there’s no end in sight. The latest example comes in the presence of one José Bermúdez, whose last two development reports have included:
2065-05-25
Movement Potential increased from 7 to 8
Movement increased from 7 to 8
Movement vs R increased from 7 to 8
2065-05-18
HRA Potential increased from 8 to 9
HRA vs R increased from 8 to 9
HRA vs L increased from 8 to 9
OOTP looks at that, and at his blisteringly beautiful 12/11 Fastball and Circle Change combo that comes at hitters at 100MPH, and boosts his overall rating to a cool “60.” Which seems reasonable, I guess. The guy’s 11 Stuff is fully fleshed in, as is that afore-reported Movement. So… sure, “60 makes sense, right? Until you note that the guy has a “2” control, which has looked okay in Kamloops (where he’s averaging only 3.1 walks per 9 innings), but would seem on the whole to be somewhat disqualifying at the BBA level.
So I ask, “Is José Bermúdez a 60?”
How is the rating system making that kid of decision? I have no idea. Does it matter than the guy has better than solid intangibles, with loyalty, adaptability, and Intelligence off-the-chart? Again, I have no clue. But the game calls José Bermúdez a 60.
Is that right?
I mean, in real life relievers simply don’t go higher than that, so that would mean Bermudez, at 23, would be considered an elite bullpen arm. His stats in the minors would back that up:
| Level | Age | G | W | L | SV | ERA | IP | ER | HR | BB | K | BABIP | FIP | WAR | ERA+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2062 - R | 20 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.68 | 26.1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 0.159 | 2.37 | 0.6 | 504 |
| 2063 - S A | 21 | 28 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3.88 | 46.1 | 20 | 0 | 44 | 53 | 0.295 | 3.29 | 0.9 | 108 |
| 2064 - S A | 22 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0.273 | 2.68 | 0.3 | 999 |
| 2064 - A | 22 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2.86 | 28.1 | 9 | 2 | 13 | 33 | 0.300 | 3.00 | 0.5 | 149 |
| 2065 - AA | 23 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1.16 | 23.1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 34 | 0.250 | 1.43 | 1 | 387 |
Bottom line, the man has cooked everywhere he’s been.
Does that matter?
I note, however, that OOTP is not like real life when it comes to relief pitcher ratings. OOTP has no problem giving relief pitchers the “80” tag—exhibit A being Krill stalwart Winston Morris, whose core ratings are certainly stronger than Bermudez’s, and which OOTP reflects by oscillating Morris between a 75 and an 80. Fellow top-end reliever Enrique Villarreal, whose leftiness may make him even more valuable than Morris overall, keeps bounding between 65-80. If OOTP did the MLB thing and made Morris a 60, and Villarreal a 55 or 60, what would that make Bermudez?
I have no idea.
45? 50?
I don’t know, really. And I suppose that’s the joy of OOTP ratings, especially when it comes to the bullpen. Bullpens are easy to throw together, right? Sure. Except that they aren’t really. I mean, it’s a no brainer for me to push Morris and Villarreal into the top notches. And the way Bikini is growing bullpen arms, we’ve been able to mostly be certain we’ll have solid performers up and down the pen. But a lot of us have 45 and 50s and 55s in the mix, and can still struggle. With Bermudez at a 60, would he do the same?
Maybe.
All I can say for sure is that the bullpen prospect rankings I put together a few days back are now already out of date.
Because, well … because OOTP, I suppose.
Either way, look for Bermudez to move to Pasco AAA fairly soon now. The proof is in the pudding, I suppose, and it’s time to get serious about figuring out if José Bermúdez is, or is not, a “60.”
