Learning new position / minor leagues

[bgeno]

I have my OOTP game set up so that the minor league promotions/demotions and lineups/depths/pitching are taken care of by Minor League Managers, which, as far as I can tell, means they'll often change a guy's position to make him fit better into the lineup.

However, what if I want someone to learn a new position?

I just traded for a promising, young infielder (Neil Walker) that I have playing out of position in the majors right now (should be playing third, but I have him at second) because I just figure if I sent him to the minors to learn the position that he'd simply be thrown in at third base anyhow or wouldn't get time at second.


Is there a way to make sure he'd play second base in the minor leagues if I'm not controlling the lineups/depth/pitching of the minor league system?

Thanks.


Also, Walker hasn't gained any positional rating at second base after 17 games at the position in the majors. Is that normal? Will it take longer since it's one of the hardest positions to learn?

[The Chase Davis]

Yeah, that's normal

ST is the prime time to teach a guy a new position.
Players will eventully obtain an expierence rating at the position but depending on the position it can take a long time.

[TGH-Adfabre]

Is there a way to make sure he'd play second base in the minor leagues if I'm not controlling the lineups/depth/pitching of the minor league system?

I think so. In the player profile screen=>Action=>Set game strategy
Bottom left, Depth Chart Settings, you can "Force Start" him at the position you want. I think this will overrule the AI. I would keep him in the corner of your eye and make sure he is the starter and not relegated to back up because of a currently better minor leaguer.

Good luck,
LP

[bgeno]

Is it weird that the game has played 82 regular season games at second base (and a couple Spring training games... I didn't realize until too late how to make sure he started where I want) and STILL doesn't have a positional rating there?

He doesn't have the perfect skill set to play there, but I wouldn't think it matters. Out of 100, his Rng is 51, Err is 81, Arm in 86, and DP is 28. Other than the maybe Turn DP, I don't see any huge problems with him playing the position, yet he still will not gain any positional rating there after more than half of a season playing the position.

And I'm certain he is playing at second because his fielding stats show 14 errors in 67 games last season and 3 errors in 15 games this season at second base.


How long does it typically take a guy to at least obtain a positional rating of 1 at second base?

[TGH-Adfabre]

You have to check the rating settings you are using. In my online league I think a 20 is the lowest it displays. Below a 20 is not displayed. He may be gaining experience and a little skill. Just not enough to be worth commenting on. You also have to take into account that no matter how many games he plays he may never be a mediocre 2B, much less a good one.
I always think of Chris Duncan LF, Cardinals. You could play him in left for 20 seasons and he still wouldn't be much good.
When he runs I think I am going to fall down.
The Majors is not where you send players to get training. IRL their weaknesses are too easily exposed.
Alfonso Soriano, another excellent example of physical tools and cannot/will not put them to good use on defense. Sports are riddled with talented athletes who can or will not get a portion of their game to a professional level.

[Flying Dutchmen]

Originally Posted by bgeno

Is it weird that the game has played 82 regular season games at second base (and a couple Spring training games... I didn't realize until too late how to make sure he started where I want) and STILL doesn't have a positional rating there?

He doesn't have the perfect skill set to play there, but I wouldn't think it matters. Out of 100, his Rng is 51, Err is 81, Arm in 86, and DP is 28. Other than the maybe Turn DP, I don't see any huge problems with him playing the position, yet he still will not gain any positional rating there after more than half of a season playing the position.

And I'm certain he is playing at second because his fielding stats show 14 errors in 67 games last season and 3 errors in 15 games this season at second base.


How long does it typically take a guy to at least obtain a positional rating of 1 at second base?

He'd have gained it in a few games if he was ever going to qualify. His 28 Turn DP rating must be below the minimum required to qualify for a positional rating. His very low fielding rating gives away that he doesn't qualify for a 2B rating. Extrapolated to 162 or so games, he'd have 30-40 errors a season, which is atrocious.

[s0ni42]

Yeah, you may have missed the boat with this guy. I have little trouble moving outfielders around, however infielders always have better luck the earlier in their career you move them.

[bgeno]

Ah, I guess I'll just have to move some things around to get him back to third base.

Thanks for the help!!

[RchW]

IMO spring training is not the place to teach new positions. Because you have so many players and the substitution algorithm basically mandates that position players only play half a game, it is very unlikely that a minor league prospect would get enough chances to develop ratings quickly.

The best way is to switch positions in the minors and force start them for 20-30 games. If it's gonna happen it will in that time period. Of course the same caveats apply as already mentioned, the player should have skill ratings above the minimum for the new position to allow it to work.