The TrueSim Roster Project: MLB 22

[Cycloniac]

Welcome to year 5 of the TrueSim Franchise Roster Project! If you've used any versions of the roster, thank you. You make it one of the most popular rosters in the vault each year and we (Jeffzinn2004 and myself) are excited to continue bringing the most out of this fantastic game.

NOW AVAILABLE
Online ID: Cycloniac24
Roster: TrueSim Franchise Roster v2
Gameplay Sliders: Gameplay v3 (use when playing games, or in Manage Only Mode)
Sliders for Simming in Franchise: Simulation v2 (use when simulating CPU games or advancing days)

If you've never used our roster before, give this a read:
https://www.operationsports.com/the-...b-the-show-21/

We invest 100s of hours of time to preparing this project annually for free. You can show your support by upvoting in the vault, telling others to download, or donating via PayPal: https://paypal.me/truesim?locale.x=en_US

Play Ball!

Why Use This Roster?
By now, everyone knows how much Ridin's Full Minors brings to the game. We use that as our base every year. Ridin and his team don't touch MLB rosters. That's where we come in. 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.

We also refine ratings for all of the prospects included in Full Minors. They are usually inflated, ratings-wise or potential-wise, which makes long-term franchise play unbalanced and unrealistic.

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.

What's Included
-Re-rates for over 1100 MLB players and more than 500 prospects, including every team's top 15 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 sets for realistic gameplay and simulation, for both regular season and playoffs

The Ratings (2023 Sheet): https://1drv.ms/x/s!AghAoHIeEMGMgaB9...QtWNw?e=Ssvstw
*Additional players not in this sheet were edited by hand for depth chart purposes/where necessary

Franchise Mode Setup Guide

Spoiler

I prefer to play franchise using 30 team control, using the two profile setup explained here:
https://forums.operationsports.com/f...m-control.html

Injuries
By default, there are too many minor injuries for pitchers, so:
-if the injury is for a day or two, I keep them active
-if the injury is for a few days, 15 day IL
-if the injury is for 1-2 weeks, 15 day IL
-if the injury is for 2-3 weeks, 15 day IL
-if the injury is for 1-2 months, 15 day IL
-if the injury is for 2-3 months, 60 day IL
-if the injury is for 3+ months, 60 day IL

I've liked what I've seen so far, makes teams use more of there relievers and starters between injuries and promotions/demotions due to performance

Bullpen Setup
Think of your bullpen in terms of roles (role in brackets), like this:
LRP (low leverage: 2nd worst RP)
LRP (empty)
LRP (empty)

If you have starters/guys with 30+ stamina, make sure they're in an MRP slot, not an LRP slot, so they can be used properly.
MRP (high leverage)
MRP (high leverage)
MRP (high leverage)
MRP (high leverage)

SU (primary setup man/high leverage: best OVR RP)
SU (low leverage: worst OVR RP)

CL (closer)


Trading
I suggest you change the trade frequency slider as follows:
April & May: 1
June 1st-July 15th: 3
July 15th-July 31st: Max
Rest of Season: 5
Offseason & Spring Training: 6

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

For drafted players, I have created a ratings generator, which you can find here: https://1drv.ms/x/s!AghAoHIeEMGM32LD...6joPO?e=Qc1m7q

I personally do rounds 1-3, and don't re-rate prospects with D potentials.
Instructions
1. Take photos/screenshots of rounds 1-3 of the draft, including any supplemetal rounds.
2. By Spring Training of the following season, refer to your photos to find the drafted players.

There are two components to the calculator: the ratings generator and the age corrector.

3. Enter OVR and potential of the drafted player. This will give you the age the player should be.

4. Enter the player's position, hitting tendecy and handedness.

5. Update the player with the new ratings.

For pitchers, the same steps apply; enter the age and potential in the age calculator first, then make sure you update the age in-game. Once you've done that:
6. Enter the per 9 stat that is highest for the pitcher e.g. HR/9, K/9. Do not enter the number.

7. Enter the pitcher's role (SP, RP, CP)

8. Update the player with the new ratings that were generated.

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

Sliders

Spoiler

HOF Difficulty
Classic Pitching or Pinpoint Pitching
Directional Hitting (or user preference)

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


Contact: 5
Power: 7
Timing: 5
Foul Freq: 2
Solid Hits: 7
Starter Stamina: 8 (3 in playoffs)
Reliever Stamina: 1 (3 in playoffs)
Pitcher Control: 6
Pitcher Consistency: 4
Strike Freq: 4
Manager Hook: 4 (8 in playoffs)
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: 5
Fielder Reaction: 6
Fielder Arm Strength Infield: 5
Fielder Arm Strength Outfield: 6
Baserunner Speed: 7
Baserunner Steal Ability: 10
Baserunner Steal Freq: 4
Wind: 7
Injury Freq: 8

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, with last season having the most weight (50:25:25 weighting). If less than three seasons of data are available, regression to the mean is applied.

Since last season was only 60 games, fielding calculations were weighted more towards the previous season where possible. If a player has played 162 career games or less and has played more than 1 MLB season, his career splits are used in 2/3 of the calculation.

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 AVG

-Power ratings are based on ISO and HR%

-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

-Speed (baserunning ability) is calculated based on a formula that takes into account sprint speed, player position, stolen bases, XBHs, and GIDP rate. Statcast's jump metric is also taken into account for outfielders.

-Fielding ratings (arm accuracy, reaction and fielding ability) are position specific; catchers, infielders and outfielders are all rated differently.

-RDRS (Baseball Info Solutions Defensive Runs Saved Above Average) is factored into the calculations, which makes position specific adjustments. Statcast's OAA (Outs Above Average) is used for outfielders. Statcast's jump data drives the reaction ratings for outfielders.


Pitchers
-Per 9 ratings are based on the per 9 statistics.

-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:
-Fastballs with more relative horizontal break than vertical break are Running Fastballs
-Sinkers with more relative vertical break than horizontal break remain Sinkers. If a pitcher's relative creer groundball percentage is >=5%, the Sinker stays a Sinker as well. Flyball pitchers are more likely to receive two-seamers as well.
-Changeups with more relative horizontal break than vertical break are Circle Changeups.
-Curveballs (<80 mph) with more relative vertical break than horizontal break are 12-6 Curveballs
-Curveballs (<80 mph) with more relative horizontal brek than vertical break are Sweeping Curveballs.
-Curveballs (>80 mph) wih more relative vertical break than horizonal break are Knucklecurves
-Curveballs (>80 mph) with more relative horizontal break than vertical break are Slurves.

Prospects

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%

The potential system was first changed for MLB 20 to improve long-term balance in franchise. The original methodology behind that is as follows:

Quote:

Minor league players and major league players potentials are rated differently. Pitchers and hitters are also on different potential scales. When a player reaches the majors, how much they were touted in the minors doesn't matter anymore. What matters is how well they produce. From the player's production, we can assess what their ceiling is. Prospect ratings and potentials were determined based on: -Age -Current Ability (2019 stats/most recent season) -Highest level of competition Hitters and pitchers progress a bit differently. Progression for hitters is more random/performance based than pitchers. For hitters, in order to get a good baseline, prospects from previous years were used as comparrisons. The goal was to look at players retroactively and see if TPS could accurately predict how good they would become. I looked at the 2017 Top 100 Prospects list, since we now have a reasonable idea of how those prospects turned out. This was helpful because every year, there are superstars on this list and there are busts. My goal was to follow a similar potential spread the MLB rosters have, where there are a few stars, some above average players, and everyday/bench guys. In designing the potential calculation method, I wanted to prioritize how advanced the hitter's approach was (walk%, whiff%) and how well they could actually hit. The best players in baseball have great plate discipline and limit strikeouts, with the occasional exception. However, they can all hit. Simply put, if a player can't hit, his ceiling is lower and vice versa. The quality of competition and age are then considered to avoid overrating a player's ceiling. One mistake many make in evaluating prospects in rosters is eering on the side of high potentials. When potentials are too high, franchise is unplayable beyond year 2 and there is no balance long-term. Wander Franco is the consensus #1 prospect in baseball right now. One may look at the reports and say oh, 99 potential for sure. I like Franco, but he has only played in A ball. For players in A, there is an additional potential adjustment. Instead of a 99, TPS gives Franco a 90, which is still superstar level, rather than hall-of-fame/pereniel MVP candidate level (i.e. Trout). If Franco had played against better competition with a similar performance (AA or AAA) then he would likely be a 99. For pitchers, it is more likely that a player will achieve his potential rating than hitters in MLBTS, regardless of performance. This was taken into account and a similar approach was taken to evaluate them. There are three ceilings for pitchers: 75: #4/#5 starter 80: #3/#2 starter 90: Potential Ace Their performance against level of competition and how deep they go into games determined their ceiling (potential rating).

While the method used to assign potentials to pitchers was not changed, the potentials for hitters were adjusted this year because franchise no longer uses morale to give ratings/OVR boosts or penalties to players. This means that the potentials do not need to be as rigid for hitters.

Based on Prospect Pipeline, our adjusted potential scale for hitting prospects looks like:
Potential-MLB Pipeline Overall Grade
99 - 75+
90 - 60+
85 - 55
80 - 50 or in team's top 10
75 (if in team's top 15) - 45
70 - 45
65 - 40

[The Kid 24]

Awesome, cant wait!!!!

Just a heads up... Sounds like Ridin and team will be doing a roster but they're waiting for SDS big roster update in a couple weeks... Hopefully that roster adds Suzuki, Cano, etc face scans.

Im guessing you'll be using whatever roster Ridin puts out in the next month or so as the base?

[deamon93]

Great news!!

I don't post much in this forum, but I loved your roster last year and really appreciate the effort you put in it. Also love to deep dive into your ratings spreadsheet.
I was waiting for you to anounce this year's roster. Really looking forward to it.

[natethebestever]

Can you edit scan players name height body weight this year or you still can’t ?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[The Kid 24]

Quote: Originally Posted by natethebestever

Can you edit scan players name height body weight this year or you still can’t ? Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Negative, never have been able to edit this.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[I_HATE_THAT_DUDE]

Rejoice!! just gonna keep plugging away on 21 until these awesome rosters are ready to roll! Downloaded and installed 22. Headed into the stretch run in year 2 franchise trying to defend the title!

Sent from my SM-N986W using Operation Sports mobile app

[knich1]

Hey Cy...just a thought... it would be great if you could team with one of the equipment guys this year.

Of course, equip is a mess right now.

[il blood il]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Kid 24

Awesome, cant wait!!!! Just a heads up... Sounds like Ridin and team will be doing a roster but they're waiting for SDS big roster update in a couple weeks... Hopefully that roster adds Suzuki, Cano, etc face scans. Im guessing you'll be using whatever roster Ridin puts out in the next month or so as the base?

If this is true, can someone help me cuz i uploaded my franchise to cloud on ‘21 but when i go to cloud on ‘22 my franchise is not there and i dunno why…i linked my account if that matters


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports