Total newbie - question on scouting

[kingusc]

I'm loving the game and have started the MLB quickset, managing/GMing the Dodgers. My big questions are these so far (very early into the game):

a) Using 20-80 ranges, so many many players are either 20 or 21 actual or potential ratings. Why? Is this normal?

b) Can 20/21 players ever become surprisingly good (develop out of the minors?)

c) Is 21 materially better than 20?

Experienced players will know where I'm going with all of this - I'm just surprised at the lack of disparity in scouting numbers. At this rate, I'm beginning to think Andrew Jones is worth keeping as a 34!!

Thanks in advance

[1998 Yankees]

kingusc, I offer these answers:

1. No, that would not be normal in a league where you would expect the beak of a bell curve of talent to be, well, maybe not in the middle but in the 30-35 range.

2. Yes, if player development is on. I don't know how that option in set in the MLB quickstart game.

3. Not a big difference, but don't forget if 20 is the lowest, it is reflecting actual player ratings of rock bottom to just plain bad. 21 then is "not absolutely bad."

Now, having said all that, remember that the MLB quickstart is a game that was designed by talented folks but which has some flaws which are still being corrected in patches.

[kingusc]

Thank you very much for your response. Can I ask you for one more series of answers if you don't mind?

a) I've read about the patches and downloaded the last one, and restarted my game. If I want to play with real players, in your opinion should I start with another mod (if so, which one), wait for the patch, or just keep going?

b) Do I infer from your answer that the fictional players have the bell curve distribution that you refer to as normal?

Again - thanks in advance.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by kingusc

Thank you very much for your response. Can I ask you for one more series of answers if you don't mind?

a) I've read about the patches and downloaded the last one, and restarted my game. If I want to play with real players, in your opinion should I start with another mod (if so, which one), wait for the patch, or just keep going?

b) Do I infer from your answer that the fictional players have the bell curve distribution that you refer to as normal?

Again - thanks in advance.

a) I'll give an answer that will probably be insufficient because I don't deal with real rosters; perhaps somebody else will comment. My answer is this: It is my impression that although the MLB quickstart that comes with the game was a fine effort, particularly including minor league players, that the rosters provided by community modders are better even though they have taken longer to produce and may not be as comprehensive as OOTP's product. Roster mods can be found in the Rosters, Photos, and Quick-Starts sub-forum.

b) I'm not sure whether I am using the correct term when I refer to it as a "bell curve" because I think that means the peak is in the middle whereas I would assume the that peak IRL and in the game would be nearer the low end of talent as there can be only a certain amount of greats in this game. But yes, I have read elsewhere that the game when played fictionally does a good job of realistic talent distribution, adjusting itself for such things as player overstock and less than normal number of minor league levels. The modders trying to recreate history by tinkering with player ratings can upset this balance. Again, I must stress this is just my two cents.