[CBLCardinals]

CBL 2008 Spring Training Roster Set Version 1.0

Good evening fellas,
It’s been several years since I last dabbled in the roster-creating market, however due to re-newed interest and available time, in the next few days my newest creation will be available for everyone: CBL 2008 Spring Training Roster Set Version 1.0.

The major step with this roster set is how I used the OOTP engine to generate over 1,800 ratings based on PECOTA projected stats. The short-version is I merged the Baseball Prospectus 2008 PECOTA spreadsheet into the 2007 Lahman DB; I then imported the database as a 2008 league. OOTP recognized the PECOTA stats as the player’s real 2008 stats and rated them accordingly. I went back and re-touched nearly all players to ensure ratings / talents appear to be in-line with real MLB. The roster set is as of Spring Training, and at this time I do not intend to re-release once we reach MLB Opening Day.

Each MLB team has three minor league teams; please note actual minor league affiliations are not included (i.e. Texas League, Southern League, etc).

The good news is everything is nearly complete - I only have 3 more NL teams remaining to add NRI's or 40man rosters for. After this, I will test multiple seaons to ensure the longevity of the set remains. I expect to be finished by this weekend, and will give to Padresfan site shortly there after.

I anticipate I will launch two versions - one with only real players (ghost players on) and one with a mix of real and fictional players (to fill out the minor leagues). This roster set has around 65-90 players for each MLB organization.

Here is a preview of the README file that will be included....


Features:

• Over 1,800 players rated based on Baseball Prospectus PECOTA stats for 2008.
• Roster will include ALL NRI’s invited to Spring Training. (most will be at an appropriate minor league level)
• The History of MLB pre-2007 is included!
• REAL 2008 MLB Schedule (created by GMO on the OOTP boards)
• Over 330+ prospects created based on each team’s top 11 as per Baseball Prospectus; star system is based on Baseball Prospectus scouting reports for each prospect.
• Injured players as of before the start of Spring per CBS Sportsline.
• Market based structure – larger market teams will have more money available.
• Injury Proneness based on Ron Shandler’s Baseball Forecaster 2008; player’s medical history available up to 5 years back. What this means – Darin Erstad and Ken Griffey Jr are more prone to leg injuries, Mark Prior and Carl Pavano more prone to arm injuries, etc. The higher frequency of injuries to the same location of the body is reflected by a higher # of injury proneness (scale is up to 200).
• MLB & Minor league stadium park factors based on Gambo’s spreadsheets.
• Accurate pitcher’s velocity & repertoire for a majority of major league pitchers and top prospects.
• Misc data / insights gathered from USA Today Sports Weekly, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, mlb.com, milb.com, baseball-reference.com.


What is NOT included:
• Actual Jersey #’s
• Actual salaries / contracts / service time; I believe OOTP does not know how to properly handle 200+ million dollar payrolls. Instead, I’ve reduced the average salary down, thus larger market teams will still have more $ available compared to smaller market teams. I let OOTP determine salary amounts based on talent level.
• Several Prospects may not have their correct height / weight. I’ll update these as I catch them (most are at a default 5’10”, 190lbs).

CBL Judgment Calls
There are a few items in the roster set I’ve deemed “judgment calls” such as
• Pitcher Endurance set to normal – this will result in more IP and more CG from starting pitchers that real life MLB. With Endurance set to low, it seems to me the entire MLB pitching staffs are always tired, even with 12 men.