The Braves According to MLB The Show ’13
February 27, 2013 at 5:35 pm by Mark Smith under Atlanta Braves
Before we get too far into this, I just want everyone to understand that the ratings of a video game shouldn’t affect your outlook of a player or a team, and I’m just bringing this up because I think it’s fun. As for the game itself, I have a PS3, and I will be buying The Show for the 5th or 6th consecutive season. While it has definitely improved since its first attempt, I still miss the days of MVP Baseball by EA Sports, but there’s nothing we can really do about it now. I tried the 2K series, but it wasn’t as good in my opinion. Anyway, The Show revealed its ratings the other day, so I figured I’d talk about them a little bit because I find it fascinating.
The one thing I wish was published would be what rating makes a league-average starter, All-Star, Quad-A player, etc. It would be absurd, for instance, to get upset that Brian McCann is an 88. Without context, we have no idea what the 88 means. We do know that 99 is the top and 1 is the worst, but we have no real idea of the in-between. One would assume that 88 is a pretty solid rating, given to above-average players, but we really can’t be sure. We need context, a framework, to base our perception/analysis.
It would also be nice to know how they come up with the ratings. The best I could find was that “they changed” them for 2013, but they didn’t say how. I’m not asking them to reveal the exact way they do it, but it would be nice to know a basic structure of how they come to their final decision. What is a league-average starter? When a player switches positions, how does it affect their ratings? What is the most important attribute? How do the attributes fit together? Are the ratings based on algorithms? Last season’s stats? Scouting reports? Is someone responsible for one team, or does a group look at all of them? I think the answers to these questions could give us a little insight without revealing company secrets, but either way, you can simply edit players if you don’t agree. On to the Braves …
Looking at the position players, none of them look ridiculous when comparing them against each other. Going in order, they rank Heyward –> McCann, BJ, Justin –> Simmons –> Freeman, Uggla –> Reed –> Chris, Laird –> Francisco, Janish, Pena. None of that seems terribly out of line. Justin should probably be the highest rated of his group, but that’s a fairly minor nitpick. I’m sure some of you won’t believe Uggla and Freeman are similar overall players, but at this stage, they are, though I’m sure the algorithm will allow for Freeman to grow and Uggla to decline. But going farther down, it is a bit odd that Francisco and Janish are similarly rated. I’d probably bump him up a group, but we can’t see his component attributes. Nothing too terrible here.
The pitching staff is a bit more curious. Medlen gets really high marks for his 2012 second half run, which seems a bit much, but if Hudson gets an 89, the relative difference seems correct. As for Hudson himself, the rating seems a bit high, and the difference between him and Minor at this point probably isn’t that large. When I edit it, I’ll probably make it Medlen 89-90, Minor/Beachy/Hudson 86-84, and Maholm 81-82.
Moving on to the bullpen, a 99 seemed inevitable for Kimbrel, and as the number compares him to other relievers, it makes sense. The next bit is interesting as Venters beats out Walden and EOF with EOF as the worst among the group. I don’t necessarily disagree, but I do find it very interesting. This could be one of those things where EOF doesn’t have much national popularity, and Venters is a bit flashier. Martinez is a bit below them (makes sense) with Gearrin and Avilan a bit below him (some sense but should probably be farther away).
This works from a relative to other Braves perspective, but it’s also interesting to look around the league. For instance, the Seattle bullpen gets hammered when it has some interesting arms, and I’d take Carter Capps (70), Stephen Pryor (67), and Charlie Furbush (77) over Gearrin and Avilan. Continuing around, Jeff Francouer gets an 83, which doesn’t make sense given the context of the Braves, and with Martin Prado being an 82, it really doesn’t make sense. Jered Weaver is a 93, which places him a little worse than Medlen, and Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels are on the same plane. I’m not saying Medlen isn’t that good, but those guys have actual track records of success longer than a few months. There are a few other things around, so you can take a look yourself.
Again, this is mostly for fun, and I’m currently trying to get in contact with The Show to ask a few questions (though I doubt it will materialize). Agree or disagree, there’s always the edit option.
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Is it just me or does Gerald Laird look a lot like Frediot in that picture?
Identical hahaha. Good call
I love The Show but their ratings are always just a little off in my opinion. In last year’s version they have Hudson and Jurrjens throwing 95+ gas.
Yeah, it tends to get a little velo-heavy. Not sure why that is considering it’s the easiest thing to figure out.
Consider that you never have to throw more than a few dozen pitches and no one ever walks, I think high velocities are the least thing to worry about in baseball video games.
They should make the ratings more like madden where there are like a million traits and each position values each trait differently to make an overall player rating.
I don’t know about The Show; but 2k has fan created rosters that will update regularly. The fan created rosters usually involve input from a large group of fans and the ratings are generally a lot better.
And all and all it has come a long way since 2k7 (or 6) when Marcus Giles and his 97 power teed off for 120 HR for me one season.
While 2K has its flaws and bugs in the gameplay it seems better than the Show in terms of ratings.
The Show has this too, it usually takes a week or so before they have good ones out. They also tinker with the stances and gear to make them look like they actually do on the field. Whoever takes the time out to do this is a great person.
Mark, have you played Out Of The Park Baseball? It’s the best simulation around, though it lacks the eye candy of the Playstation games.
Currently in an OOTP league. It’s interesting, but I’m not entirely sure I’m as interested in it as I thought I was.
Damn, I miss MVP baseball (and Triple Play before it), but the Show is great. These ratings are certainly curious, especially Medlen.
Anybody done RTTS with a pitcher? I’ve always only done position players (infielders definitely more entertaining, although robbing a homer is still one of my favorite moments ever). I’m considering trying a pitcher, but it seems less interesting.
One thing I hope they change is advancement goals. It was stupid to be an MVP leading the league in several categories and then get benched over missing goals two or three straight times.
Ive done the pitcher on RTTS, I did closer. Makes the season go by really fast, you only work one inning maybe two.
Hadn’t thought of trying as a closer. That’s a good idea.
Ha I love this post. Their ratings are pretty strange in some cases but most are mildly accurate, though I remember Victorino getting a 95 or something crazy last season. The pitch selection is all over the place for the non stars. I think Kimbrel was given a 5 pitch repertoire last season. I also remember seeing that The Show had the Red Sox as the #3 overall team for the upcoming season. Maybe the developers from Schilling’s defunct studio moved on to Sony.
A team’s overall rating isn’t just based on their major league roster. It’s based on their minor league system too.
Yes thank you, but their #10 ranked farm system makes them a better overall team than the Nationals? In exhibition mode?
Red Sox: overall #3. Batting #4. Pitching #10. Defense #15.
Phillies: Defense #6 haha.
Also, I wonder how the overall rating is established. Medlen’s individual traits shown above, aside from stamina and BB/9, aren’t incredible. How did his overall get that high?
Having modified ratings before, pitchers get a lot of their ratings from the pitch-specific ratings. The ratings above play a role, but if you up the velo, location, and movement of each pitch, it will have a greater effect (or has in the past). I’m guessing his pitch-specific stats are much better.
On The Show a pitcher’s stamina plays a large part in their overall ratings. Too much so.
I’m assuming the location rating on all of his pitches is really good. And they usually have pitchers’ fastballs sitting at velocities that are more what they occasionally touch. I think Minor was throwing like 94-95 last year in The Show.
Side note: Did anyone ever pitch with Jake Peavy or Johan Santana in last year’s edition? What the hell was that gyro pitch they threw that resembled a 94 mph slider?
I miss MVP Baseball 2005. It was the best baseball game ever. But I love The Show. I have gotten it every year since 2006.
I read the Operation Sports forums and according to the posters that get the honor of going to The Show’s community day event every year the ratings are based on a player’s last 3 seasons averaged out. But that’s about all I know about the ratings.
Now hold on a sec. Best baseball game every? That’s a stretch:
I love that game!!! Still play it even though it is terribly unrealistic.
RBI baseball? I don’t know what game that is. Must have been before my time.
Apparently I’m not the only Tim on here so now I’m going to post as Tim B.
Whoa Whoa Whoa. Any discussion about best baseball video game begins and ends with Major League baseball featuring Ken Griffey Jr.
Agreed, first time the umpire knocked glass screen I freaked out.
Good post Who will be buying this years OOTPB ?? it will be fun to create league
I have always felt that The Show would be better served by making their game more “basebally.” What I mean is, stop with the 1-99 ratings. You should be able to rate players as on a 20-80 scale for the five tools and then rate them on a similar scale for player skills (batting eye, baseball IQ, etc.) And instead of making durability a measurable I think something like injury prone would be better.
It sounds to me like the game has taken leaps forward this year and that’s a good thing. It’ll be interesting to see how it develops in the coming years.
Why don’t people like 2K? I hated The Show.. the pitching is, imo, awful.
I agree 100%…MLB 2k8 was my go to game till 2k11.
It’s very glitchy with gameplay. Like horrifyingly glitchy. Things I notice from my 2k11 game:
-runner on 1st/3rd, runner on first can steal second and the catcher always throws to third base.
-runner on first has a max of 4 additional steps to take off the bag, but sometimes the 1B will get in the way so he uses those steps and goes nowhere.
-outfielder going back to catch a long fly ball will sometimes get to the spot its going to land, turn around, and have the ball bounce at his feet.
-any fielder going for a ball is required to camp under it, as opposed to waiting 6 feet behind it getting ready for a catch and throw.
-Dice-k throwing 95% strikes.
The show could definitely be more baseball-y, but in terms of gameplay I just can’t take 2k anymore. I bought a PS3 last week for the sole purpose of playing The Show.
What’s wrong with pitching on The Show? They have like 5 different pitching controls.
I’ve been using Baseball Mogul for years and was thinking of ordering the new update this season – think I may go for Out of the Park. Seems a bit more comprehensive and dynamic.
Carlos Ruiz is a 94….
cot for choice
In the rating or the age category?
You’re able to upload rosters, correct? If someone from CAC creates one, I’d trust your judgement enough to make it my default. Maybe you could post the name of it somewhere on here when it comes out?
Excellent idea. There’s a case of beer in it for anyone who’s willing to take this on …. assuming you live in Dallas …. and are willing to meet me in a public place …. and are over 21.
I’ll never forget when I was playing the Show and the Angels offered Kendry Morales (pre-broken leg) and Ervin Santana for Derek Lowe. I laughed out loud accepting that trade.
That is one thing. 2K also does right. Trades. Granted they sometimes go the other way. I once was playing 2k11 and was like “I wonder what it would take to get Strasburg”. Needless to say it was impossible. I did Heyward, McCann, and Freeman just to see if it was possible. They still had no interest.
What other 2 players besides Strasburg did you put in the deal? I’ve NEVER had a 3 for 1 deal accepted while playing The Show. I’ve always had to add players, say you did those 3 for Stras, you just add the Nats weakest catcher (for McCann) and weakest RF (for Heyward) and they’d probably accept it. I think it has to do with making the roster sizes or money come out more equal. Always pay attention to the money, the computer never wants to spend more after a deal.
The funniest part of the game is watching the players get put on the trading block. It’s like the computer GM was programmed by Jim Bowden and a delusional Yankees fan.
Yeah, the trading block is always interesting, even though when you initiate a trade for that player, the team’s interest to move them doesn’t seem to be much different.
I do like how they incorporated market tendencies for certain teams. The Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Tigers, and Angels were almost always accepting of every trade, and deals with Cleveland, TB, and Oakland were near impossible.
Sad note: The Show’s love affair with Tommy Hanson will no longer affect the Braves. He was so amazingly overrated that you could trade him for almost anyone in the game. They still have him rated an 86. 8 points higher than Maholm.
The more I see these ratings, the more it seems like they assigned one person to each team. As you pointed out, the ratings generally make sense based on talent levels within a single team. But inter-team relation is just not there.
I once made waiver claims on Rafael Soriano, Jonathan Broxton, and Jonathan Papelbon in franchise mode. I had like 7 potential closers in the pen.
There’s always a good, young reliever lying around on waivers when the season opens.
Yeah there was a bug last year in how the AI managed its payroll. I got Granderson (still like an 87 OVR) for the league minimum off waivers one year…
I still remember playing Triple Play ’98 for my PC back in the day. I don’t know which is more ridiculous in retrospect; Brian Jordan being the player on the cover, or my penchant to play Home Run Derby mode with John Smoltz.
I loved Triple Play 97 when you would smooth down into a stadium at the start of a game. I absolutely loved it. It was really cool. Still have that game on PC.
Glad to see the Phillies’ Hooters girl still fielding foul balls along the left field line this spring. Stay classy, Philly.