MLB '10: The Show Official Team Ratings and Explanation

[Mekias]

I'm not going to worry about some of the strange ratings for my Mariners. Bedard wasn't on the team yet and they probably put our worst pitchers on the 25-man roster. The M's have a stockpile of mediocre AAAA pitchers and in spite of the fact that they'll comprise very few innings for the Mariners this year, they'll count just as much as Felix and Lee in this type of rating. If this team rating was weighted with projected innings pitched, the pitching could be in the top 10. Our bullpen is definitely above average. Aardsma, League, Lowe, Kelley, and White are a pretty nice group. League had the most unhittable pitch in the majors last year (some kind of splitter/change - a splange). When hitters swung at that pitch, they missed 35% of the time. Next closest pitch to that was Ryan Madson's changeup at 30%.

Not sure what stat system they're using to project defense but guys like Griffey and Garko might be bringing the average down even though they aren't going to be playing the field too much (or at all in Griffey's case).

Regardless, we can always edit if something is terribly screwed up. Overall, the Mariners could be anywhere from 75-93 wins I think. They could end up winning the AL West or finish in last place. But it's certainly nice to have some hope again.

[tommyjesus]

Quote: Originally Posted by ATLNYankee

Giants have a better 1 and 2 starting pitchers. Twins pitchers have more depth, better bullpen, play in a tougher division than the NL West, a better league and face the dh. Get over it. Plus none of us know what the difference outside of rank is. Twins can be an 82/100 grade while the Giants are an 81.79/100.

how do the twins have better depth and a better bullpen?

zito is solid starter and looks to be shaping back into form, sanchez has very high breakout potential and bumgarner was one of the best pitching prospects in the minors with ace potential. also their bullpen is getting dismissed for some reason so quickly. wilson is an all star closer, affeldt was setman of the year last year, and they have romo and runzler, two great arms in the pen. i don't see how it makes any sense the giants are ranked so low other than the system used (weight on the last three years) really hurt zito (he was terrible in 2008), sanchez (up and down last few years), and well bumgarner (has no baseline to work off of).

[NDIrish98]

Quote: Originally Posted by TeixeiraFanatic

i like how the Blue Jays are better than the Cards?

my exact thoughts.

[Jdurg]

Quote: Originally Posted by tommyjesus

how do the twins have better depth and a better bullpen? zito is solid starter and looks to be shaping back into form, sanchez has very high breakout potential and bumgarner was one of the best pitching prospects in the minors with ace potential. also their bullpen is getting dismissed for some reason so quickly. wilson is an all star closer, affeldt was setman of the year last year, and they have romo and runzler, two great arms in the pen. i don't see how it makes any sense the giants are ranked so low other than the system used (weight on the last three years) really hurt zito (he was terrible in 2008), sanchez (up and down last few years), and well bumgarner (has no baseline to work off of).

Exactly. The ratings are based on the past performance, not future potential. There is no way that you can put a number to "potential". You can, however, numericalize past stats to give an overall rating which is what the SCEA guys did.

[ykiki]

Quote: Originally Posted by ParisB

their adjusted numbers outside of safeco field say otherwise....besides, you need more than one fluke season to establish yourself before making bold proclamations such as "best in baseball".....bullpens fluctuate year to year. Teams scout, figure guys out etc. Seattle is a mediocre team, guys....don't get your hopes up too much.

What exactly is "adjusted numbers outside of safeco field"? Does that mean, unlike real life, we're supposed to pretend that they don't actually play their games there??

[ATLNYankee]

Some of you really need to calm down. As far as the Blue Jays, put them in the Central against the Pirates, Astros, Brewers, Reds and Cubs. Jays have always been a pretty good team. Kind of hard to be great when you have the two best Organizations in baseball sitting first and second every year since 1996. Toss in the Rays and it's by far the toughest division in baseball. NL Central is a cakewalk compared to the grind of winning the AL bEast.

[BKBond007]

Quote: Originally Posted by ATLNYankee

Some of you really need to calm down. As far as the Blue Jays, put them in the Central against the Pirates, Astros, Brewers, Reds and Cubs. Jays have always been a pretty good team. Kind of hard to be great when you have the two best Organizations in baseball sitting first and second every year since 1996. Toss in the Rays and it's by far the toughest division in baseball. NL Central is a cakewalk compared to the grind of winning the AL bEast.

agreed and its hard for the other divisions compare their stats..they only play that division a fraction of the time. I know the Jays arent going to do well this year..but they are building..Drop JP Ricardi and the ratings go up..lol

[Raven Nation42]

Good stuff as always.. can't wait to get started with this game