2065 Checking in on Average Ratings

[BaseClogger]

12/1/2064


Every couple of years I like to put my player evaluations to the test by indexing them against league-wide average ratings. Below is a series of tables illustrating these numbers using current ratings (well, 11/15/64) and the 2064 BBA season as the weighting. Keep in mind a caveat: we're averaging a bunch of numbers that have been rounded to the nearest integer. This is sloppy math that still leaves error bars in either direction a few tenths of a point in my estimation.

PITCHING

• Closers is only made up of 20 pitchers

• Starters and relievers have similar OVR, POT, and velocity ratings (Velocity was calculated using the middle number, for example 92 mph if 91-93 mph is listed)

• Starting pitchers emphasize movement and control at the expense of stuff--relievers are the opposite

HITTING

• Batters are on average 2.5 years younger than their opponents on the pitching mound

• Although BBA teams clearly sacrifice offense at C, SS, and CF, each has a different strength: catchers hit for power, shortstops hit for average, and center fielders are patient gap hitters

• BBA teams have no trouble getting production from their DHs who are surprisingly young; meanwhile, 2B, CF, and RF are weirdly older than the other positions

FIELDING

• 7-7-6 arm is the average C

• You'd think 3B would have much stronger arms than 2B

• I can't remember CF ever averaging north of 9 outfield range and maybe I'm way too willing to play 5 arm outfielders but it looks like teams are over emphasizing throwing arm in RF at the cost of having a statue on the field

[shoeless.db]

Thanks for putting this together. There’s definitely been a shift to more similar team builds, forcing savvy GMs to find peripheral strategies to eke out more wins.

[RonCo]

Which players are included in the sample? Anyone on a roster? Qualified by games? ????

[BaseClogger]

Which players are included in the sample? Anyone on a roster? Qualified by games? ????

All active players who appeared in a BBA game. Pitching is weighted by IP, offense is weighted by PAs, and defense is weighted by IP in the field. The only blind spot here is retired players being removed from sortable stats.

[RonCo]

Thanks!

[Chuck V]

I’m not that surprised at the older age norm for CF as it seems like CF with 9+ range and a major league capable bat are pretty rare in the draft the last few years.

[chicoruiz]

I wonder which positions have the greatest deviations between the types of players who play there… I bet it’s second and right field.

Thanks for this, Kurt… a fun read.

[Krathan]

This was interesting. Thanks Kurt.

[Trebro]

Great work on this Kurt. I think the CD age issue is because the newer guys seem to have lower ratings.

the RF arm vs ability quirk is interesting.

I think the younger DH thing is because we have good talent coming in, some of whom can pound the ball but don't field well and some who just all play the same damned positions.-