MLB The Show 16 News Post

MLB The Show 16: Gameplay Taking Steps Forward

02:27 PM - February 10, 2016 by RaychelSnr

MLB The Show 16 information is now rolling out fast and heavy as we head into Spring Training season. The most recent Twitch stream focused exclusively on gameplay. Below are some of my quick reactions as I watched the feed.

Read More - MLB The Show 16: Gameplay Taking Steps Forward

Game: MLB The Show 16Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4Votes for game: 23 - View All

MLB The Show 16 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 nomo17k @ 02/18/16 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintjimbo1885


	No offence nomo but you are comparing apples with oranges here!! As a regular player of PYS I actually find it easier to draw walks on it than I do on MLB The Show. I'm not sure what setting you were playing on or what pitcher you were using but that graphic looks nothing like the ones I see. The fact there were seemingly no balls thrown means you were either playing on too easy a level or you were playing with the pitch cursor on which means the cpu will throw virtually no balls - probably the latter seeing as there were only 68 pitches thrown!! Here's a couple of pics from a game I just played with the overall total pitches and just the starter's pitches.

I didn't actually mean to specifically point to PYS, as I didn't want to turn discussions into comparison between specific games (which I believe isn't welcomed in subforums), and I merely wanted to point out that in most baseball video games pitchers are way more accurate than real-life pitchers are. I don't have a PS3 running so I didn't pull that image from my own game. I could've played Super Mega Baseball myself but I don't think that game shows pitch location chart...

I would still say that your pitch location charts from PYS indicate that in-game pitchers are throwing strikes way more easily compared to real-life pitchers. The MLB average for pitched thrown inside the strike zone is about 45 - 46%, whereas the charts indicates about 64 - 67% were strikes.

Also, most pitches, even if they were balls, are still close to the edge of the strike zone, and those were typically aimed at the black by the gamer or CPU. If desired, one can choose to simply lay one closer to the center of the strike zone, just to avoid walks all game.

Real-life pitchers cannot consistently do that all the time, even if they aim down the middle; otherwise you would never see them walk opposing pitchers.

# 42 Cavicchi @ 02/18/16 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	Our data comes directly from they MLB they have best camera's and technology of any of the pitch FX tracking mechanisms. We also cross reference it wother another source. The data we get is 98% accurate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavicchi


	"Overview Pitching is part art and part science. Pitching analysis is no different. At Brooks Baseball, we strive to present the most complete, accurate, and comprehensive dataset about pitching available on the web. To do that, we start with the PITCHf/x dataset, a public resource made available by MLBAM and Sportvision, and make systematic changes that improve the quality, usefulness, and useability of that data. Pitch Classifications by Pitch Info The PITCHf/x data downloaded from MLBAM contains a set of pitch classifications determined by an automated, real-time, neural network algorithm. While this has the advantage of providing very fast labels that can inform broadcasts and products such as MLB Gameday, such automated classifiers have difficulty with certain repertoires and pitch types. The Pitch Classifications used by Brooks Baseball are manually reviewed by Pitch Info using several parameters of each pitch's trajectory and double-checked against several other sources, such as video evidence (e.g., pitcher grip and catcher signs) and direct communication with on-field personnel (e.g., pitching coaches, catchers, and the pitchers themselves). Realistic Trajectory Data Because the PITCHf/x dataset provides the details of each pitch's trajectory, we can slightly alter the default values to align better with reality than what is commonly reported. For example, we slightly shift our reported values back to a release distance of 55' - which more closely reflects the actual release distance of most pitchers - so that release points are more tightly clustered and velocities are slightly increased. We also provide options to visualize pitch movement with gravity added back into the equation or with the effects of air drag removed." http://www.brooksbaseball.net/about.php

Of course, you would not name that 98 percent accurate source? I'd be very suspicious of any source claiming 98 percent accuracy--I mean, how would they know it's 98 percent, compared to what? Looking at what brooksbaseball has to say about MLB Gameday is interesting to say the least.

Kershaw's slider does not have more horizontal movement than that of Carlos Martinez--just compare horizontal movement. But, are your movement ratings based on reality, or just made to make pitchers harder to hit?

Kershaw has in the game an arm accuracy rating of 32, yes, thirty two. Is that because he walks lots of batters? Or maybe because he gives up lots of home runs? or maybe something else? I'm lost, I've no idea why he has 32 and King Felix something like 76.

Jose Fernandez has never thrown a slider according to brooksbaseball, and their methodology is shown on website. There is a choice, and the choice is yours.

# 43 HypoLuxa13 @ 02/18/16 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavicchi


	There is a choice, and the choice is yours.

yeah, cause with less than 6 weeks before the game's release, Ramone has nothing better to do than come onto OS forums and explain in detail for one particular user (you) every decision made about how they come up with their pitcher ratings for a video game. A game. GAME.

Relax man, don't take it so personally. I'm sure by throwing out an ultimatum like "There is a choice, and the choice is yours" - that's really going to motivate someone from the dev team to come on here an argue with you...

# 44 Ghost Of The Year @ 02/18/16 01:47 PM

One man's sinker is another man's 2seamer. Same with the splitter & fork or curve & slurve. Or slurve & slider. I doubt there will ever be a day that there is 100% consensus on what every pitcher throws.

# 45 kingdevin @ 02/18/16 01:54 PM

Its getting heated in here. Let's all just relax!!! You can't expect MLB the Show to be perfect with everything every time!! I grew up with Intellivision baseball, and at that time I was appreciative of that game. Now you have developers probing through stats, simulating player mo cap, sounds in specific stadiums, making sure uniforms are accurate etc....Let's appreciate what we have and not nitpick about little tidbits here and there. I'm sure the devs work hard day in and out to satisfy not only the ****** gamer but the die-hards and every year folks are moaning and groaning many times about little issues (I understand that sometimes concerns are valid resulting in patches and updates). It gets to the point when the game is out foronly a week, someone is already posting a wish list for next year.... Listen, we are all fortunate to live in a society where we have the luxury to "escape" into this unreal video experience. Appreciate it!!! Cause the realities of the world order or lack there of can interrupt us at any point going forward.

# 46 Ghost Of The Year @ 02/18/16 01:57 PM

Also, looking at Kershaw & Felix, in 2013-14 Kershaw had 3 throwing errors as opposed to Felix's 2. That's not even looking at how many fielding throws each made but I imagine that has something to do with their arm accuracy. In any case I doubt that stays the same for 16 as Kershaw made either 1 or 0 throwing errors last season & Felix made 2.

# 47 Cavicchi @ 02/19/16 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HypoLuxa13


	yeah, cause with less than 6 weeks before the game's release, Ramone has nothing better to do than come onto OS forums and explain in detail for one particular user (you) every decision made about how they come up with their pitcher ratings for a video game. A game. GAME. Relax man, don't take it so personally. I'm sure by throwing out an ultimatum like "There is a choice, and the choice is yours" - that's really going to motivate someone from the dev team to come on here an argue with you...

There is not an argument, there is/was a discussion. I am giving information for him. If he chooses not to use it, so be it. If he doesn't want to discuss it further, so be it. The "choice" is something he could use next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Of The Year


	One man's sinker is another man's 2seamer. Same with the splitter & fork or curve & slurve. Or slurve & slider. I doubt there will ever be a day that there is 100% consensus on what every pitcher throws.

Key is the source, and who is behind that source, the people making those determinations.

One of the people for Brooksbaseball is--

"Harry Pavlidis, a Chicagoan, is the founder of Pitch Info and Director of Technology for Baseball Prospectus, where he provides a regular column featuring PITCHf/x based scouting and analysis. Harry is a graduate of Syracuse University with more than fifteen years experience in developing online and mobile applications - for things not even related to baseball, too."

# 48 Cavicchi @ 02/19/16 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Of The Year


	Also, looking at Kershaw & Felix, in 2013-14 Kershaw had 3 throwing errors as opposed to Felix's 2. That's not even looking at how many fielding throws each made but I imagine that has something to do with their arm accuracy. In any case I doubt that stays the same for 16 as Kershaw made either 1 or 0 throwing errors last season & Felix made 2.

Between that 3 and 2 is a difference in rating of 32 to around 76, and that's okay with you. Fielding throw errors would include all throwing errors.

# 49 HypoLuxa13 @ 02/19/16 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavicchi


	There is not an argument, there is/was a discussion. I am giving information for him. If he chooses not to use it, so be it. If he doesn't want to discuss it further, so be it. The "choice" is something he could use next year.

Fair enough.

# 50 Cavicchi @ 02/19/16 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Of The Year


	Also, looking at Kershaw & Felix, in 2013-14 Kershaw had 3 throwing errors as opposed to Felix's 2. That's not even looking at how many fielding throws each made but I imagine that has something to do with their arm accuracy. In any case I doubt that stays the same for 16 as Kershaw made either 1 or 0 throwing errors last season & Felix made 2.

I just looked them up and there is quite a difference from 2008:

Kershaw made 4 Fielding throwing errors.

Felix Hernandez made 10 Fielding throwing errors.

If you want to use a 3-year span, they both made 3 throwing errors--2013 to 2015 but that's not what should be factored into the equation, 2012 to 2014 would be the correct 3-year span for comparison.

2012 to 2014:

Kershaw 2 Throwing errors and Hernandez 3 throwing errors.

# 51 Factzzz @ 02/21/16 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA


	Our data comes directly from they MLB they have best camera's and technology of any of the pitch FX tracking mechanisms. We also cross reference it wother another source. The data we get is 98% accurate.

I just faced Eddie Butler (COL), and his fastball touched 98 mph, and his changeup was constantly 78-79 mph.

20 mph different for Eddie Butler. I don't know what sources they used to find that Eddie Butler had that kind of difference between his fastball and changeup.

According to fangraphs:

Quote:


	Butler throws his changeup fairly often (12.6% of the time last season), but unfortunately has been really bad at throwing it. Perhaps the fact that he only has a six mph difference between his fastball and his changeup has been the problem.

# 52 ralphieboy11 @ 02/22/16 10:49 AM

One thing that I really hope has been changed is the CPU's propensity to suicide squeeze late in ballgames. I played two games yesterday and I saw this in both of them. It is a real game killer.

First game, tied in extra innings. Players on first and third one out. CPU successfully suicide squeezes to take the lead.

Second game, CPU down 3-2 in the top of the 8th. Bases loaded, one out. CPU batter whiffs on the bunt attempt and the runner is tagged out at the plate. Rally over.

This tactic is so prevalent in late inning situations that I have gotten really good at predicting when it will occur. If you have a tied or one run game in the late innings, runner on third, less than 2 outs, the cpu will try this once during an at bat. It doesn't matter who is at the plate.

I know there had been some mention of tuning bunts in the streams, but it seemed more geared toward online play. The CPU's tendencies need to be adjusted.

# 53 Cavicchi @ 02/22/16 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Factzzz


	I just faced Eddie Butler (COL), and his fastball touched 98 mph, and his changeup was constantly 78-79 mph. 20 mph different for Eddie Butler. I don't know what sources they used to find that Eddie Butler had that kind of difference between his fastball and changeup. According to fangraphs:

That is about the same with Brooksbaseball as well.

Both Sonny Gray and Shelby Miller were given 12-6 curveballs. Check them out and you will clearly see both curveballs have more horizontal movement. Think 12-6 and how could such a pitch be more horizontal than vertical?

# 54 BrianU @ 02/22/16 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphieboy11


	One thing that I really hope has been changed is the CPU's propensity to suicide squeeze late in ballgames. I played two games yesterday and I saw this in both of them. It is a real game killer. First game, tied in extra innings. Players on first and third one out. CPU successfully suicide squeezes to take the lead. Second game, CPU down 3-2 in the top of the 8th. Bases loaded, one out. CPU batter whiffs on the bunt attempt and the runner is tagged out at the plate. Rally over. This tactic is so prevalent in late inning situations that I have gotten really good at predicting when it will occur. If you have a tied or one run game in the late innings, runner on third, less than 2 outs, the cpu will try this once during an at bat. It doesn't matter who is at the plate. I know there had been some mention of tuning bunts in the streams, but it seemed more geared toward online play. The CPU's tendencies need to be adjusted.

This and also the CPU's amount of double steals.

# 55 Sam The Man @ 02/28/16 06:34 AM

I really like what I read from the features I have seen on here. Let's go Angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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