It's Time for Dodger Baseball

mpejkrm · 03-30-2015, 05:46 PM

Hello everyone and welcome to my first dynasty report of OOTP 16. I'm a seasoned veteran in dynasty reporting, I guess you could say, but I've never finished more than one full season. That will change this year. This will be a long-lasting Dodgers dynasty.

Here are my previous dynasties, if you would like to take a look. Blue Jays (OOTP 13), Twins (OOTP 13), Padres (OOTP 14), and Pirates (OOTP 15). The only one of those I got through a season with was the Blue Jays, but that one was probably my worst work. The Padres one was my best and favorite work and the style will be based off of what I went with in that dynasty.

So, I hope you guys will enjoy. Here are my settings that I use in every OOTP game.

Scouting Accuracy: 100% accurate
All ratings 20/80
Top Prospects list: Annual
Storylines disabled
Batter aging speed: .250
Batter development speed: 1.000
Pitcher aging speed: .350
Pitcher development speed: 1.000
Talent Change Randomness: 50
AI lineup selection: Sabermetric (splits favored)
Player evaluation options:
Ratings weight: 30%
Current year stats weight: 40%
Previous year stats weight: 20%
2 years ago stats weight: 10%
AI trading frequency: Average
Trading difficulty: Average
Trading preference: Neutral

mpejkrm · 03-30-2015, 05:47 PM

Reserved for future Content post 1

mpejkrm · 03-30-2015, 05:47 PM

Reserved for Future Content Post 2

mpejkrm · 03-30-2015, 05:47 PM

Final Reserved Post for Future Content.

mpejkrm · 03-31-2015, 08:35 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Pitchers

Starting rotation

LHP Clayton Kershaw
RHP Zack Greinke
LHP Hyun-jin Ryu
RHP Brandon McCarthy
LHP Brett Anderson

RHP Brandon Beachy (Disabled List, estimated mid-July return)

Not many teams have a better one-two punch than the Dodgers' punch of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Kershaw is a three time Cy Young Award winner, including both of the last two awards, as well as the reigning National League Most Valuable Player. His contract is quite expensive, but he should still be elite by his age-32 season, when the deal runs out. Kershaw should be the favorite for NL Cy Young yet again this season.

Zack Greinke could be the #1 starter on most teams, a bonafide ace of his own. Greinke has command of five major league quality pitches, all which have bite and the ability to fool hitters. His velocity is no longer 93-95 as it once was, but at age 31 he is still hitting 92 regularly. His contract runs through his age-34 season.

Hyun-jin Ryu came over from South Korea prior to the 2013 season and had a fantastic rookie campaign, but took a step back in 2014, partially due to injuries. Ryu is fully healthy headed into opening day baseball and is expected to be a key part of the rotation going forward. He has three solid major league pitches and an average changeup. He relies on good command to get hitters out. He has a player option in his age-31 season.

Nobody has ever called Brandon McCarthy an ace, but he is a very solid mid-rotation starter, and that is the role he is expected to play with the Dodgers. He struggled for Arizona in 2014 before a mid-season trade to the Yankees, where he flourished. He earned a four year contract from LA that runs through his age-34 season. He has excellent command but just league-average stuff, with a fastball that sits in the very low 90's.

Brett Anderson has bounced around quite a bit in his career. A former second round selection from the Oklahoma high school ranks, Anderson hasn't pitched a full MLB season since 2009, his rookie season in Oakland. The Dodgers hope that will change in 2015, and that he will be a useful fifth starter. Anderson, like McCarthy, doesn't rely on dominating stuff, and instead uses good command of five major league pitches. He is on a one-year deal, in his age-27 season.

Brandon Beachy has always shown promise when healthy. He is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, an injury that caused him to miss all of the 2014 season. He is an interesting rehabilitation project if there is room in the rotation.

Bullpen

RHP Joel Peralta
LHP Paco Rodriguez
LHP J.P. Howell
RHP Chris Hatcher
RHP Brandon League
RHP Pedro Baez
RHP Mike Adams

RHP Chris Withrow (Disabled list, estimated mid-July return)
RHP Kenley Jansen (Disabled list, estimated mid-May return)

Joel Peralta has never been a full time closer in his career, which is somewhat surprising given his talent. He spent the last four years as a great setup man for Tampa Bay, and now, with Kenley Jansen's injury, he'll have a trial run in the closer role for the first five weeks of the year. If he's good enough, he may even stick in the role. His deal is guaranteed through his age-40 season, at which point he may retire.

Paco Rodriguez and J.P. Howell are the two lefties in the bullpen, but neither really fits as a situational lefty. Rather, both will pitch in longer spurts when needed. Rodriguez is only 23 and made the majors mere months after being draft in 2012 out of Florida. He has excellent offspeed stuff to complement his fringe-average fastball. Howell has been a fixture in the Dodger bullpen for two years now. He has an elite curveball that just wipes hitters away.

The right-handed portion of the middle relief corps has a chance to be very good. It's a good group of veterans that starts with 30 year-old Chris Hatcher. The famous handlebar mustache owner pitched well for Miami last year, and comes over as part of the Dee Gordon trade. He has a 96 MPH fastball and a good complimentary slider. Brandon League was a disaster in 2013 as the full time closer, but settled back into a middle relief role and showed his old stuff last year.

Pedro Baez begin his pro career as a starter, but moved to the bullpen in A ball and has flourished since. The 27 year-old has a 96 MPH fastball and good slider, but needs to work on his changeup. Mike Adams is a once-dominant reliever with Texas and San Diego who is now likely on his last legs as a major leaguer. He has a shot to pitch in low-leverage situations before the injured relievers return.

Chris Withrow has pitched in limited time the last two years but has been sharp when he's played, flashing a good three pitch mix in his fastball, curveball, and slider. He also has a changeup. Kenley Jansen needs no introduction. He has been the Dodger closer for the past three seasons and will likely return to that role after his rehab from a foot injury. Jansen has dominant stuff and good control.

mpejkrm · 03-31-2015, 10:31 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Hitters

Catchers

Yasmani Grandal
A.J. Ellis

Grandal has had his fair share of struggles and difficulties so far throughout his young career, but the organization is very high on him due to his immense raw talent. Grandal is a good defensive catcher, not great, but consistently getting better. Offensively, he needs to cut down on strikeouts and make more contact, but he has a good batting eye and good raw power. Ellis is a decent backup. He has been a starter in the past and has not produced, so a backup is a much better role for him. He is a hard worker and a great clubhouse presence.

Infielders

1B Adrian Gonzalez
2B Howie Kendrick
2B Hector Olivera
UTIL Justin Turner
3B Juan Uribe
SS Jimmy Rollins

The infield is aging, but an experienced group is good for the time being. Adrian Gonzalez has a pretty bad contract, but he's been his usual self since the big 2012 waiver deal. He's a run producer and hits for solid power, while not embarrassing himself with ridiculous strikeout to walk numbers. He's also very good defensively. Kendrick was acquired in the offseason in exchange for Andrew Heaney (who came over in the Dee Gordon deal). Many are not fans. Kendrick is a solid hitter, but he can't take a walk, strikes out in heavy doses, and can only play second base.

Hector Olivera was heavily pursued by LA throughout the offseason and they got their man on a six year deal. Some are confused why a six year deal would be handed to a soon-to-be 30 year old. He has talent, but was not super great in Cuba, and lacks power that you might expect from a Cuban import. He should start at second base. Justin Turner had a breakout 2014, but many are considering it a fluke, considering his talent level. He played well but lacks an elite tool. The Dodgers may have way too many talented second basemen.

Juan Uribe is getting old, likely won't be retained, and is just playing as a stopgap for top prospect Corey Seager. While he's put up 4.2 WAR over the last two years, Uribe still lacks the tools to be a consistent hitter, though he is an excellent defender. Jimmy Rollins had played with the Phillies since he was 21, but it was finally time to go and he joins the Dodgers at age 36, approaching the twilight of his career. Good defender, solid-average hitter. J-Roll will provide some value in what will likely be his only season in Chavez Ravine.

Outfielders

Carl Crawford
Andre Either
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Scott Van Slyke

Taking on Crawford's contract looks like a bad deal after all. He hit decently in 2014, but has not looked good over the offseason and has just lost a step. He's more of a defensive replacement, fifth outfielder type at this point. Ethier is also nowhere near the player he once was. Giving him a hefty contract also looks bad at this point in time, though at least he will be a starter. Ethier is a solid defender and can make some contact, but has little power or batting eye.

Joc Pederson is an exciting prospect who will be thrust into full-time duty. He still needs works on outfield defense, but the bat will play up. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts, but not many guys put up 30 homers and 30 steals at any level (which he did at AAA in 2014). He has tons of power.

Puig is the heart and soul of the Dodger lineup. His cheap contract looks like an absolute steal now, as he only continues to produce. He wasn't as good as his rookie season offensively in 2014, but should rebound. However, he is an elite defender in right field. Scott Van Slyke (Andy's son) is a solid fourth outfielder. He can play all three spots well, has good feel for hitting and can run if needed. Needs to learn to take a walk, though.

mpejkrm · 03-31-2015, 11:21 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Top Prospects

Pitchers

LHP Julio Urias, A+ Rancho Cucamonga
RHP Chris Anderson, A+ Rancho Cucamonga
RHP Zach Lee, AA Tulsa
RHP Jose De Leon, A Great Lakes
LHP Grant Holmes, A Great Lakes

Most of the top minor league pitching is still at the lower levels and years away from making an impact - which is fine, since our major league rotation is set for the time being. Urias is the best of the bunch. He has been dominating the minor leagues since he was a 16 year old, with a mix of command and great stuff. He has an advanced three pitch mix with a 93-95 MPH fastball, great curveball and good changeup, plus good command. Anderson is the closest of the group to the majors. A 2013 first rounder out of Jacksonville, he has command of four advanced pitches, including a 95-97 MPH fastball. However, control is an issue.

It seems like forever ago that Zach Lee got his huge signing bonus to turn down LSU football. It hasn't been easy for the now-23 year-old, who had a very rough 2014 in tough pitching environments in AAA. He'll get another crack this year back in AA, at a new ballpark in Tulsa. He's probably no better than a mid-rotation arm at this point, but he still has potential. Despite already being 22 and nearly 23, Jose De Leon is still extremely raw and needs a lot more seasoning at the minor league level. He has a great slider and a 93-95 MPH fastball, but command is a work in progress and he needs to add strength.

Grant Holmes was the Dodgers' first round pick last season out of a South Carolina high school. He flashes great potential as a lefthander, but is very, very, raw. His fastball sits 95-97 MPH, and he mixes in a great curveball and a changeup with late life and depth. If he can improve his command, he can contribute in several years.

Hitters

SS Corey Seager, AA Tulsa
OF Alex Verdugo, R Ogden
C Julian Leon, R Odgen

Our minor leagues have a lot of good org/depth guys, but not a lot of true top prospects. These three are the best of the bunch. Seager is the prospect every one has been waiting on. Brother Kyle just signed a $100M extension with the Mariners, but most expect the younger Corey to be even better. While big for the shortstop position, and a potential move to third in some people's minds, Seager can defend at the big league level. His bat is what will carry him. He makes good contact, has plus power, and can take a walk and avoid strikeouts.

Alex Verdugo is an Arizona high schooler who was drafted in the second round last year and will be kept in extended spring training before being sent to rookie ball. Verdugo is talented, but extremely raw. He has the ability to be a great defender at any outfield spot, but it remains to be seen if he can play center long term. He can hit. He has plus power, should hit about .280, and can probably walk enough to combat a strikeout problem. He also has above-average speed.

Julian Leon was given a $250K bonus to sign out of Mexico in 2012, and while he produced in Ogden in 2014, will play there again to sharpen his skills some more. He'll be 19 all year, so a short-season assignment is not crazy, while a full season assignment may be too aggressive. He can certainly hit, but he needs to work a lot of catching and throwing, though his plate blocking is impressive.

03-30-2015, 05:46 PM	#1
mpejkrm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 951	It's Time for Dodger Baseball Hello everyone and welcome to my first dynasty report of OOTP 16. I'm a seasoned veteran in dynasty reporting, I guess you could say, but I've never finished more than one full season. That will change this year. This will be a long-lasting Dodgers dynasty. Here are my previous dynasties, if you would like to take a look. Blue Jays (OOTP 13), Twins (OOTP 13), Padres (OOTP 14), and Pirates (OOTP 15). The only one of those I got through a season with was the Blue Jays, but that one was probably my worst work. The Padres one was my best and favorite work and the style will be based off of what I went with in that dynasty. So, I hope you guys will enjoy. Here are my settings that I use in every OOTP game. Scouting Accuracy: 100% accurate All ratings 20/80 Top Prospects list: Annual Storylines disabled Batter aging speed: .250 Batter development speed: 1.000 Pitcher aging speed: .350 Pitcher development speed: 1.000 Talent Change Randomness: 50 AI lineup selection: Sabermetric (splits favored) Player evaluation options: Ratings weight: 30% Current year stats weight: 40% Previous year stats weight: 20% 2 years ago stats weight: 10% AI trading frequency: Average Trading difficulty: Average Trading preference: Neutral

03-30-2015, 05:47 PM	#2
mpejkrm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 951	Reserved for future Content post 1

03-31-2015, 08:35 PM	#5
mpejkrm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 951	Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Pitchers Starting rotation LHP Clayton Kershaw RHP Zack Greinke LHP Hyun-jin Ryu RHP Brandon McCarthy LHP Brett Anderson RHP Brandon Beachy (Disabled List, estimated mid-July return) Not many teams have a better one-two punch than the Dodgers' punch of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Kershaw is a three time Cy Young Award winner, including both of the last two awards, as well as the reigning National League Most Valuable Player. His contract is quite expensive, but he should still be elite by his age-32 season, when the deal runs out. Kershaw should be the favorite for NL Cy Young yet again this season. Zack Greinke could be the #1 starter on most teams, a bonafide ace of his own. Greinke has command of five major league quality pitches, all which have bite and the ability to fool hitters. His velocity is no longer 93-95 as it once was, but at age 31 he is still hitting 92 regularly. His contract runs through his age-34 season. Hyun-jin Ryu came over from South Korea prior to the 2013 season and had a fantastic rookie campaign, but took a step back in 2014, partially due to injuries. Ryu is fully healthy headed into opening day baseball and is expected to be a key part of the rotation going forward. He has three solid major league pitches and an average changeup. He relies on good command to get hitters out. He has a player option in his age-31 season. Nobody has ever called Brandon McCarthy an ace, but he is a very solid mid-rotation starter, and that is the role he is expected to play with the Dodgers. He struggled for Arizona in 2014 before a mid-season trade to the Yankees, where he flourished. He earned a four year contract from LA that runs through his age-34 season. He has excellent command but just league-average stuff, with a fastball that sits in the very low 90's. Brett Anderson has bounced around quite a bit in his career. A former second round selection from the Oklahoma high school ranks, Anderson hasn't pitched a full MLB season since 2009, his rookie season in Oakland. The Dodgers hope that will change in 2015, and that he will be a useful fifth starter. Anderson, like McCarthy, doesn't rely on dominating stuff, and instead uses good command of five major league pitches. He is on a one-year deal, in his age-27 season. Brandon Beachy has always shown promise when healthy. He is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, an injury that caused him to miss all of the 2014 season. He is an interesting rehabilitation project if there is room in the rotation. Bullpen RHP Joel Peralta LHP Paco Rodriguez LHP J.P. Howell RHP Chris Hatcher RHP Brandon League RHP Pedro Baez RHP Mike Adams RHP Chris Withrow (Disabled list, estimated mid-July return) RHP Kenley Jansen (Disabled list, estimated mid-May return) Joel Peralta has never been a full time closer in his career, which is somewhat surprising given his talent. He spent the last four years as a great setup man for Tampa Bay, and now, with Kenley Jansen's injury, he'll have a trial run in the closer role for the first five weeks of the year. If he's good enough, he may even stick in the role. His deal is guaranteed through his age-40 season, at which point he may retire. Paco Rodriguez and J.P. Howell are the two lefties in the bullpen, but neither really fits as a situational lefty. Rather, both will pitch in longer spurts when needed. Rodriguez is only 23 and made the majors mere months after being draft in 2012 out of Florida. He has excellent offspeed stuff to complement his fringe-average fastball. Howell has been a fixture in the Dodger bullpen for two years now. He has an elite curveball that just wipes hitters away. The right-handed portion of the middle relief corps has a chance to be very good. It's a good group of veterans that starts with 30 year-old Chris Hatcher. The famous handlebar mustache owner pitched well for Miami last year, and comes over as part of the Dee Gordon trade. He has a 96 MPH fastball and a good complimentary slider. Brandon League was a disaster in 2013 as the full time closer, but settled back into a middle relief role and showed his old stuff last year. Pedro Baez begin his pro career as a starter, but moved to the bullpen in A ball and has flourished since. The 27 year-old has a 96 MPH fastball and good slider, but needs to work on his changeup. Mike Adams is a once-dominant reliever with Texas and San Diego who is now likely on his last legs as a major leaguer. He has a shot to pitch in low-leverage situations before the injured relievers return. Chris Withrow has pitched in limited time the last two years but has been sharp when he's played, flashing a good three pitch mix in his fastball, curveball, and slider. He also has a changeup. Kenley Jansen needs no introduction. He has been the Dodger closer for the past three seasons and will likely return to that role after his rehab from a foot injury. Jansen has dominant stuff and good control.

03-31-2015, 10:31 PM	#6
mpejkrm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 951	Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Hitters Catchers Yasmani Grandal A.J. Ellis Grandal has had his fair share of struggles and difficulties so far throughout his young career, but the organization is very high on him due to his immense raw talent. Grandal is a good defensive catcher, not great, but consistently getting better. Offensively, he needs to cut down on strikeouts and make more contact, but he has a good batting eye and good raw power. Ellis is a decent backup. He has been a starter in the past and has not produced, so a backup is a much better role for him. He is a hard worker and a great clubhouse presence. Infielders 1B Adrian Gonzalez 2B Howie Kendrick 2B Hector Olivera UTIL Justin Turner 3B Juan Uribe SS Jimmy Rollins The infield is aging, but an experienced group is good for the time being. Adrian Gonzalez has a pretty bad contract, but he's been his usual self since the big 2012 waiver deal. He's a run producer and hits for solid power, while not embarrassing himself with ridiculous strikeout to walk numbers. He's also very good defensively. Kendrick was acquired in the offseason in exchange for Andrew Heaney (who came over in the Dee Gordon deal). Many are not fans. Kendrick is a solid hitter, but he can't take a walk, strikes out in heavy doses, and can only play second base. Hector Olivera was heavily pursued by LA throughout the offseason and they got their man on a six year deal. Some are confused why a six year deal would be handed to a soon-to-be 30 year old. He has talent, but was not super great in Cuba, and lacks power that you might expect from a Cuban import. He should start at second base. Justin Turner had a breakout 2014, but many are considering it a fluke, considering his talent level. He played well but lacks an elite tool. The Dodgers may have way too many talented second basemen. Juan Uribe is getting old, likely won't be retained, and is just playing as a stopgap for top prospect Corey Seager. While he's put up 4.2 WAR over the last two years, Uribe still lacks the tools to be a consistent hitter, though he is an excellent defender. Jimmy Rollins had played with the Phillies since he was 21, but it was finally time to go and he joins the Dodgers at age 36, approaching the twilight of his career. Good defender, solid-average hitter. J-Roll will provide some value in what will likely be his only season in Chavez Ravine. Outfielders Carl Crawford Andre Either Joc Pederson Yasiel Puig Scott Van Slyke Taking on Crawford's contract looks like a bad deal after all. He hit decently in 2014, but has not looked good over the offseason and has just lost a step. He's more of a defensive replacement, fifth outfielder type at this point. Ethier is also nowhere near the player he once was. Giving him a hefty contract also looks bad at this point in time, though at least he will be a starter. Ethier is a solid defender and can make some contact, but has little power or batting eye. Joc Pederson is an exciting prospect who will be thrust into full-time duty. He still needs works on outfield defense, but the bat will play up. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts, but not many guys put up 30 homers and 30 steals at any level (which he did at AAA in 2014). He has tons of power. Puig is the heart and soul of the Dodger lineup. His cheap contract looks like an absolute steal now, as he only continues to produce. He wasn't as good as his rookie season offensively in 2014, but should rebound. However, he is an elite defender in right field. Scott Van Slyke (Andy's son) is a solid fourth outfielder. He can play all three spots well, has good feel for hitting and can run if needed. Needs to learn to take a walk, though.

03-31-2015, 11:21 PM	#7
mpejkrm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 951	Los Angeles Dodgers Pre-Season Roster Breakdown: Top Prospects Pitchers LHP Julio Urias, A+ Rancho Cucamonga RHP Chris Anderson, A+ Rancho Cucamonga RHP Zach Lee, AA Tulsa RHP Jose De Leon, A Great Lakes LHP Grant Holmes, A Great Lakes Most of the top minor league pitching is still at the lower levels and years away from making an impact - which is fine, since our major league rotation is set for the time being. Urias is the best of the bunch. He has been dominating the minor leagues since he was a 16 year old, with a mix of command and great stuff. He has an advanced three pitch mix with a 93-95 MPH fastball, great curveball and good changeup, plus good command. Anderson is the closest of the group to the majors. A 2013 first rounder out of Jacksonville, he has command of four advanced pitches, including a 95-97 MPH fastball. However, control is an issue. It seems like forever ago that Zach Lee got his huge signing bonus to turn down LSU football. It hasn't been easy for the now-23 year-old, who had a very rough 2014 in tough pitching environments in AAA. He'll get another crack this year back in AA, at a new ballpark in Tulsa. He's probably no better than a mid-rotation arm at this point, but he still has potential. Despite already being 22 and nearly 23, Jose De Leon is still extremely raw and needs a lot more seasoning at the minor league level. He has a great slider and a 93-95 MPH fastball, but command is a work in progress and he needs to add strength. Grant Holmes was the Dodgers' first round pick last season out of a South Carolina high school. He flashes great potential as a lefthander, but is very, very, raw. His fastball sits 95-97 MPH, and he mixes in a great curveball and a changeup with late life and depth. If he can improve his command, he can contribute in several years. Hitters SS Corey Seager, AA Tulsa OF Alex Verdugo, R Ogden C Julian Leon, R Odgen Our minor leagues have a lot of good org/depth guys, but not a lot of true top prospects. These three are the best of the bunch. Seager is the prospect every one has been waiting on. Brother Kyle just signed a $100M extension with the Mariners, but most expect the younger Corey to be even better. While big for the shortstop position, and a potential move to third in some people's minds, Seager can defend at the big league level. His bat is what will carry him. He makes good contact, has plus power, and can take a walk and avoid strikeouts. Alex Verdugo is an Arizona high schooler who was drafted in the second round last year and will be kept in extended spring training before being sent to rookie ball. Verdugo is talented, but extremely raw. He has the ability to be a great defender at any outfield spot, but it remains to be seen if he can play center long term. He can hit. He has plus power, should hit about .280, and can probably walk enough to combat a strikeout problem. He also has above-average speed. Julian Leon was given a $250K bonus to sign out of Mexico in 2012, and while he produced in Ogden in 2014, will play there again to sharpen his skills some more. He'll be 19 all year, so a short-season assignment is not crazy, while a full season assignment may be too aggressive. He can certainly hit, but he needs to work a lot of catching and throwing, though his plate blocking is impressive.