Sabermetrics & Future MLB: The Show

[Speedy]

So I've been thinking past few weeks.

We all want more stats and tracking within franchise mode; even in the OSD (on-screen displays), I'd like to see more stats than just the normal AVG / HR / RBI splits.

So how exactly could SCEA incorporate Sabermetrics into the game without throwing it in our face but also make it an important part of the game? I think honestly it could help teach children and even us adults about how Saber stats work and which ones really factor for a team/player.

My initial thought is to do away with an OVR...rather, show it as WAR.

I'd like to see if a given player is 7.5 WAR, 5 WAR, 0.2 WAR, -1.2 WAR...how interesting would it be on trades to see the differences in overall WAR of the players being transferred? It would also be an interesting dynamic to forecast what a player's WAR should be vs. how the player is actually performing.

...this is just one Saber stat as there's others such as UZR, LD%, etc.

I'd love to get into Sabermetrics and understand how they work and play - I think MLB: The Show has a huge opportunity; think if they could potentially partner with FanGraphs? How awesome would that be (speaking hypothetically, of course)!

Any thoughts?

[D13]

Quote: Originally Posted by Speedy

So I've been thinking past few weeks. We all want more stats and tracking within franchise mode; even in the OSD (on-screen displays), I'd like to see more stats than just the normal AVG / HR / RBI splits. So how exactly could SCEA incorporate Sabermetrics into the game without throwing it in our face but also make it an important part of the game? I think honestly it could help teach children and even us adults about how Saber stats work and which ones really factor for a team/player. My initial thought is to do away with an OVR...rather, show it as WAR. I'd like to see if a given player is 7.5 WAR, 5 WAR, 0.2 WAR, -1.2 WAR...how interesting would it be on trades to see the differences in overall WAR of the players being transferred? It would also be an interesting dynamic to forecast what a player's WAR should be vs. how the player is actually performing. ...this is just one Saber stat as there's others such as UZR, LD%, etc. I'd love to get into Sabermetrics and understand how they work and play - I think MLB: The Show has a huge opportunity; think if they could potentially partner with FanGraphs? How awesome would that be (speaking hypothetically, of course)! Any thoughts?

GOD NO!

Leave War and everything else sabermertic out of the game. I'm so ready for this faze to fizzle out....

Crazed fans are making some of these statistics a joke...

[HozAndMoose]

Quote: Originally Posted by D13

GOD NO! Leave War and everything else sabermertic out of the game. I'm so ready for this faze to fizzle out.... Crazed fans are making some of these statistics a joke...

They arent going away anytime soon. Just because you dont understand them doesnt mean they shouldnt be a part of the game.

[Dynasty Legend 99]

Quote: Originally Posted by HozAndMoose

They arent going away anytime soon. Just because you dont understand them doesnt mean they shouldnt be a part of the game.

Well Said. While I do think the initial comment was a bit on the Radical side, I think Sabermetrics should be a bigger part of the game as well as talked about more in the game, however the biggest hurdle for me is that they HAVE to incorporate them correctly, without a basis of effect on Overall/Potential etc.. they are essentially meaningless. For those of us that enjoy being that Hardcore GM type of Player, they would be a very welcome addition to what is/what cam become the Best Sports Simulation around.

I will be posting here in a couple of days, my "Wish list" or so to speak for 16 and I will go into depth on each point.

[MLB Bob]

Overall and WAR are 2 entirely different things. They would not replace each other. WAR is an accumulative stat that helps compare what a player has contributed to his team that season or over a period of time. Overall is a number that rates a players abilities.

If a 99 over all player only plays a month of a season his WAR would be fairly insignificant, and if a 75 overall played well for a whole season they could easily be higher in war but have much less ability.

Id like to see splits more, I wouldnt mind seeing WAR , Id like to see overall discarded all together and having an option to hide ratings and have staff for each team or scouting reports evaluate abilities. So when you want to trade for someone you have to send out a scout and get a report to base it on and not just go to a menu and pick the highest rated guy.

[ahuffman]

We absolutely need Sabermetric stats added to the Show imo. One of the biggest hopes I had for the transition to the ps4 was improved stat tracking and the addition of more common Saber stats. The advanced stats are certainly better than nothing, but things like WAR, wOBA and FIP should be in the game. I don't support removing/hiding the OVR though.

[johntait1]

I really hope they have the option of hiding all ratings and making the game much more stats based. Baseball is really a game of stats and I don't care about my players' overall as long as they are playing well. Also, in trades the CPU values ratings over stats way too much.

[Speedy]

Quote: Originally Posted by MLB Bob

Overall and WAR are 2 entirely different things. They would not replace each other. WAR is an accumulative stat that helps compare what a player has contributed to his team that season or over a period of time. Overall is a number that rates a players abilities. If a 99 over all player only plays a month of a season his WAR would be fairly insignificant, and if a 75 overall played well for a whole season they could easily be higher in war but have much less ability.

Great point, Bob.

WAR is I believe is the most important Saber stat; how could it be incorporated intelligently into the game where, if you choose to review it, can be extremely beneficial?

I mean, we have ZiPS and Steamer projections which forecast a player's WAR - I think that would be useful (see the potential vs. actual).