I'm interested in hearing what others look for in a good RP (Setup and Long Relief). I've had a mixed bag of results over the seasons in this area. I use IR to IRS, Saves to BS, and ERA as primary indicators of success or failure. While I've built my bullpens focusing on ratings like splits, control, and vel.

Because short men pitch so few innings, one bad outing can destroy his stats for the season. Look at individual outings and determine if they're doing the job you want.

Specifically, what ratings best indicate how a RP will fare in IRS%?

I wouldn't worry about blown saves. Middle relievers can finish a season with 0 saves and 5 blown saves, and still be high quality guys.

I guess I'm most worried about Inherited Runs Scored...

don't get too caught up in silly stats that may be fluky- get a guy with good ratings.

anyway, i only look at guys with > 15 stamina. low stamina guys don't give enough IP to justify their roster spot and quite often underperform. durability matters, too- a 20 stamina 35 durability guy is going to struggle to give you 40 IP in a full season. you can carry one or two if your other pitchers can do enough heavy lifting, but if you load up you'll have serious fatigue issues.

after that- splits, P1, and P2 are the most important for getting outs. control prevents walks, try to stick to guys 50 and up. velocity and GB:FB are less important, but shouldn't be ignored.

Quote: Originally posted by jb01 on 2/09/2010I guess I'm most worried about Inherited Runs Scored...

don't be...basically what you're trying to figure out is what ratings equate to a pitcher being "clutch"...aside from the fact that in real life "clutch" ability has been widely discredited, admin has explicitly stated there is no such thing as clutch in HBD...as others have said, give your pitchers with the best ratings the most opportunities and in the highest leverage situations and the other stuff (IRS and such) will take care of itself

Quote: Originally Posted By bighead34 on 2/10/2010

Quote: Originally posted by jb01 on 2/09/2010

I guess I'm most worried about Inherited Runs Scored...

don't be...basically what you're trying to figure out is what ratings equate to a pitcher being "clutch"...aside from the fact that in real life "clutch" ability has been widely discredited, admin has explicitly stated there is no such thing as clutch in HBD...as others have said, give your pitchers with the best ratings the most opportunities and in the highest leverage situations and the other stuff (IRS and such) will take care of itself

I'm not sure that's necesarily true. Pitching with men on base is a bit different, even in HBD, than pitching with no one one. Of course, since you can't live manage you can't always pick and choose who comes in with men on. But generally, with men on, you'd probably like more Ks (focus a bit more on velocity) and be tough to homer off of (focus a bit more on pitches), while still being very concerned about OAV (splits), but perhaps being a bit less concerned than normal with walks (control). After all, if it's second and third, two out, a walk won't bring home the runners, while a single will. Thus, if I'm worried about IHS, I'm not so concerned about the walk.

If you're winning and then you're not the bullpen sucks. That's good sound advice.

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agree with bighead here....

concentrate on ratings that will make good pitchers and you'll be fine...and if you must look at a stat the one i look at is WHIP, although since they do pitch so few innings this can be misleading...

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The best RPs I've had, or rather the ones that consistently give good results, typically have:

• Good (80+) vR
• Good (80+) control
• Two "plus" pitches (80+ ... or at least high 70s)

Those guys aren't always easy to find, but that seems to be the question from the OP.

Also, having a guys with 75+ DUR will mean he can come in more often, and if he's got 30-something STA, he can pitch as many as 2-3 innings at a time.

iain has bingo....with one strong caveat (already mentioned, but worth repeating)

Any RP has a small sample size and statistical performance can fluctuate wildly from year to year, with no real difference in ability or, even, individual appearances. On 0.1 4R 4ER outing can skew a guy's stats for an entire season.

And because your best RP have the lowest pull rating, the occasional beatdown will happen.

Check out your league to see who the best relief pitchers are. Then find the commonality. Just like every other position.