API Flawed

[DetroitStyle]

I've noticed that the API, or "catcher suggestion" seems to be severely flawed as opposed to previous years. It tends to be highly skewed toward fastballs, meaning the catcher, almost always, will recommend a fastball to be thrown.

I do NOT think it has to do with a pitchers "best pitch", because pitchers with best pitches other than fastballs, still overuse the fastball (recommended to use it by the API).

This is a total non-issue for the CPU though. After each game, when checking the pitcher analysis, you'll see a pretty fair distribution of pitches. However, if you completely follow the API you'll see the user is totally skewed toward fastballs. In a test game I did, Brandon Morrow threw 87 pitches through 7 innings (I played a "real" game as to not just throw a random amount of pitches at it may change what is called). Of those 87 pitches 68 were fastballs, or 78%. According to fan graphs, he throws around 63% for his career, but that's just for reference and I don't think that tendency is programmed into the game.

Thoughts? It's pretty much nullified the API feature for me. If most people have been ignoring it before, well now there's no reason not to continue doing so.

[DJ]

I'm not seeing it that drastic in my games. If the catcher calls too many fastballs, I'll just call something else I think works better in that spot. You don't always have to throw what the catcher calls.

[nomo17k]

This can be misleading if your sample is just one game... if Morrow had his fastball going (i.e., high pitch confidence) then presumably the API calls for that pitch more on that day.

[ryan36]

I find the FB is the only pitch I can throw effectively, with pulse pitching. Actually, this is my complaint - for 3 years... the offspeed stuff seems nerfed in general

[nomo17k]

Quote: Originally Posted by ryan36

I find the FB is the only pitch I can throw effectively, with pulse pitching. Actually, this is my complaint - for 3 years... the offspeed stuff seems nerfed in general

IMO this is due to the combination of CPU hitters (1) not getting fooled enough by timing and (2) not chasing enough pitches out of the strike zone.

This aspect definitely has improved compared to MLB 10 (for example), but I think it hasn't gotten to the extent that you can rely on an off-speed junk as the nasty out pitch for the entire ball game, which can happen often IRL.

[Chef Matt]

I do Like DJ. Just don't pitch that many. I can shake off the catcher. Which also brings me to question, in the OP's real life example, how many FB the real life pitcher shook off from his catcher each game?

[pistolpete]

Don't some pitchers basically only throw fastballs?

[Niekro4President]

I also found the catcher doesn't call for enough stuff outside the strike zone as well. You always see a catcher in real life call for the high fastball or to get the curve ball down.

[Dogslax41]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chef Matt

I do Like DJ. Just don't pitch that many. I can shake off the catcher. Which also brings me to question, in the OP's real life example, how many FB the real life pitcher shook off from his catcher each game?

I personally have wanted to see this developed to become another catcher attribute. In real life the ability to call a good game can make or break a catchers career. I would love for them to also add a catcher's ability to manage a pitcher and link that to his confidence bars. And (wishful thinking) this could be tracked and developed by how many times a catcher and pitcher work together. This would definitely make you think before running out and replacing someone in your rotation and finally give those defensive specialist catchers some love. The perfect year to have done this was the year Mauer was on the cover.

[DetroitStyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

I'm not seeing it that drastic in my games. If the catcher calls too many fastballs, I'll just call something else I think works better in that spot. You don't always have to throw what the catcher calls.

Morrow was a drastic example, but I'm seeing the trend with all pitchers. As my original post said, it always seem to skew heavily toward the 4-seam fastball. Of course I don't always have to throw what the catcher calls, but it defeats the purpose of the API.

Quote: Originally Posted by nomo17k

This can be misleading if your sample is just one game... if Morrow had his fastball going (i.e., high pitch confidence) then presumably the API calls for that pitch more on that day.

Misleading, maybe not. It wasn't just Morrow, but he was the first I analyzed completely. Others were just astute observations. I wonder though if it could be an issue with the API skewing toward high confidence pitches? Maybe try throwing a curveball until the confidence meter is full and see if it constantly recommends that pitch? It would make sense seeing as the 4-seamer is generally your highest confidence/best pitch.

Quote: Originally Posted by pistolpete

Don't some pitchers basically only throw fastballs?

If you check out fangraph's pitch/fx you'll see that generally a pitcher with a good repertoire (5-6 pitches) throws the fastball around 50-60% of the time, sometimes less. Morrow has 5 pitches in game. (changeup, 4-seamer, slider, curveball, splitfinger).