The TrueSim Roster Project: MLB 25

[Cycloniac]

We're back!

With MLB The Show news starting to roll in, we're excited to announce we are gearing up for another year of this project.

I'm already hard at work on ratings for major leaguers, prospects to follow.

Are you interested in helping with this project? We're calling on anyone who enjoys creating CAPs to join us! We have a Discord going to collaborate and we're already having great discussions.

Ratings Spreadsheet (in progress): https://1drv.ms/x/c/8cc1101e72a04008...YPjZg?e=5kSH1L

Why Use This Roster?
By now, everyone knows how much Ridin's Full Minors brings to the game. Last year, we created a base of our own plus rerating major and minor leaguers using the most detailed system available, and we plan to do the same this year. We spend months before release conducting thorough research on more than 1000 MLB players and 500+ prospects. We use a data-driven method to re-rate each player, one by one.

This is all done to ensure franchise mode is fun beyond year one. If you want a deep, immersive franchise mode experience, along with rewarding gameplay, this is the roster for you.

One unique thing about this roster is that you don't need to use manual injuries. All players who were hurt will stay in the minors. If they're in A, they won't play this season. If they're in AAA, the CPU will organically move them back to the majors depening on other injuries and roster moves.

What Will Be Included
-Re-rates for over 1100 MLB players and more than 500 prospects, including every team's top 15-30 according to MLB Pipeline
Each player is re-rated, one by one, completely from scratch. All players are rated based on the TrueSim Projection System (TPS). TPS uses a variety of common and advanced metrics to ensure every player’s strengths, weaknesses and tendencies are reflected in gameplay and in simulations

-Full pitch repetoires powered by Statcast

-Adjusted depth charts, position changes and secondary positions for franchise mode longevity

-Equipment edits for increased immersion and realism

-Re-scaled potentials for long-term franchise play

-Slider set for realistic gameplay

Franchise Mode Setup Guide

Spoiler

I prefer to play franchise using 30 team control, using the two profile setup explained in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqmHdXotohA

Trading
I suggest you change the trade frequency slider as follows:
April & May: 1
June 1st-June 30th: 5
July 1st-July 31st: 10
Rest of Season: 5
Offseason & Spring Training: 6

Drafted Player Edits

Quote: Originally Posted by Cycloniac

The new scouting system is great, but generated prospects could still be better. So, I've updated the drafted prospect ratings generator for this season! Link: https://1drv.ms/x/s!AghAoHIeEMGM32LD...6joPO?e=Ob2Sdr Download a copy to edit. There are three sheets: one for the ratings generator, a hitters sheet and a pitchers sheet; the hitters and pitchers sheets are there for you to copy-paste ratings if you want. What I do is after the draft and signing period when potentials/ratings are revealed, I'll go through each team and generate ratings for players so I can edit them once the following season starts. You can look at the generator as an extension of the scouting system too. It has built-in bust logic but you can also end up with a generational talent; every prospect won't be a sure thing! This is especially true for hitters. Enjoy! I've underlined the fields you need to enter data in.

If you prefer to handle all trades:

Quote: Originally Posted by Cycloniac

Now into mid-June, trading season is underway. If you are doing manual trades, I suggest turning trades from manual to auto by around June 15th, then sim a few days so the trade block can populate, then switch it back to manual. In June, I will make one trade a week until July 13th. From July 13th, I will make one trade every other day until July 25th. On July 25th, I will make two trades every day until July 31st (deadline day). For teams that have decided to rebuild: I add two players to their trade block: 1. Their highest salaried player on a 1 year deal 2. Their oldest player on a one year deal; I try to choose the player who has atleast a 5M cap hit. I also uncheck all of the positions they are seeking. These teams are looking to sell, not add MLB-level talent. For teams that have decided to make the playoff push, I remove players 25 and older from their trade block For both the normal teams and the playoff push teams, I tick as many positions of need as possible. I consider a position of need to be one where they are ranked 15th or worse at the position. If they have a need at CP, I will tick RP too if possible, and vice versa. On deadline day, I will try to trade every player still on the block. Based this trade pattern on 2019's trading period: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/...2172d6w12w4zmi

I turn waivers off for year one to minimize prospects being moved unnecesarily.

Sliders

Spoiler

All-Star Difficulty
Classic Pitching or Pinpoint Pitching
Directional Hitting (or user preference)

If a setting isn't listed, it is user preference.


Contact: 5
Power: 5
Timing: 7
Foul Freq: 4
Solid Hits: 6
Starter Stamina: 8
Reliever Stamina: 1
Pitcher Control: 4
Pitcher Consistency: 3
Strike Freq: 5
Manager Hook: 6
Pickoff: 4
Fastball and Offspeed Pitch Speed: 10 (or user preference)
Fielding Errors Infield: 7
Fielding Errors Outfield: 6
Throwing Errors Infield: 8
Throwing Errors Outfield: 1
Fielder Run Speed: 3
Fielder Reaction: 6
Fielder Arm Strength Infield: 5
Fielder Arm Strength Outfield: 7
Baserunner Speed: 6
Baserunner Steal Ability: 9
Baserunner Steal Freq: 7
Wind: 7
Gameplay Injury Freq: 8
Simulation Injury Freq: 6

Rating Process and Methodology

Spoiler

After the baseball season is over, the work begins. Every player is rated by handed using TPS. The ratings are reviewed for quality-control purposes and finalized. When possible, a three year baseline is used.

For long term franchise play, the potential mix is adjusted to divide players into relevant tiers, based on current production and age.

Potential Mix for MLB Position Players
A (90-99) = 16%
B (80-89) = 34%
C (70-79) = 51%

Potential Mix for MLB Pitchers
A (90-99) = 18%
B (80-89) = 36%
C (70-79) = 46%

Hitting and Fielding
Hitting and Fielding
-Contact ratings are based on BABIP with an adjustment based on batting average

-Power ratings are based on HRs per 162 games

-Vision ratings are based on K%

-Discipline ratings are based on BB%

-Durability ratings are based on the league average games played per MLB season (102 games) for all position players. The floor for durability was increased from 70 to 85, which helps more consistent stat input during sims.

-Speed (baserunning ability) is calculated using Statcast sprint speed.

-Fielding ratings are based on DRS as well as Statcast's arm strength data. Accuracy is based on relative fielding percentage for infielders.


Pitchers
-Per 9 ratings are based on the per 9 statistics, except hits per 9, which uses career batting average against.

-Stamina is based on innings/appearance

Pitch repetoires were built from the ground up using Statcast data via MLB Savant. Pitch types were influencd by relative horizontal and vertical break for each pitch, using the % vs average differentiator. Brooks Baseball was also referenced using their pitch descriptions.

[I_HATE_THAT_DUDE]

I love this time of year...pitchers and catchers report and new true sim roster project!

Sent from my SM-S928W using Tapatalk

[lentful]

Looks very very promising. Would you mind sending me the discord link? Excited for your roster this year and thanks for putting so much effort into making a complete roster.

[Cycloniac]

Quote: Originally Posted by lentful

Looks very very promising. Would you mind sending me the discord link? Excited for your roster this year and thanks for putting so much effort into making a complete roster.

Sending you a PM

[TuffJuff]

Since you guys rate everyone based off your formulas and real life statistics, does that mean you guy already have a spreadsheet with what your 25 ratings should be? Or do you need to wait to get your hands on the game to view the rosters and go from there?

[Cycloniac]

Quote: Originally Posted by TuffJuff

Since you guys rate everyone based off your formulas and real life statistics, does that mean you guy already have a spreadsheet with what your 25 ratings should be? Or do you need to wait to get your hands on the game to view the rosters and go from there?

We have a spreadsheet, in progress

You can see it here:
https://1drv.ms/x/c/8cc1101e72a04008...YPjZg?e=5kSH1L

AL is done, working on NL. Then I'll work on prospects.

[Cycloniac]

Sweeper is in 25! Updated spreadsheet based on that great news

[NolanRyanSycophant]

What is this Greg Weissert glazing? Bro did Justin Slaten dirty. Jokes aside, I am a Red Sox superfan and have done a ton of research into their players performance and metrics. I would love to provide input if you want any.