My 14 mil scouting indicates that 26 year old players will still develop a lot - is this just wrong? When will players stop developing approximately? Does it vary for hitters and pitchers?

Most guys pretty much max out at about 27. You may pick up the odd point here or there after that, but the bulk of their development is done by 27. Seems that a high makeup helps in reaching projections and in sustaining ratings as the player ages.

A better way to think about it is that every player usually will only develop in their first 4-5 seasons.  With most of the development occurring in the first 2 years.  A lot of that has to do with a couple factors though.  The first factor is the makeup of the individual player - a higher makeup means he will usually develop more regularly and with a greater chance of reaching his max potential.  Another factor is your coaching staff at whatever particular level he is playing - better coaches = better development.  Also be aware that even if you pay $20 million into Advanced Scouting you will still never get a clear picture as to the actual ceiling your player will develop to.  Look into his past as well, if he had a major injury, chances are he took a hit right when his development was most crucial.  My biggest concern with young players is them getting injured in their first two years - if that happens and they miss those years, they won't develop to their max.  After 27, most players don't develop much - some 24 year olds are done developing while there are cases where a 33 year old with a 99 makeup and good coaches will still gain points.

4 pro years.  All players can develop skill ratings into their 30s. 

Posted by MikeT23 on 9/25/2010 9:27:00 AM (view original):
4 pro years.  All players can develop skill ratings into their 30s. 

All players?  I've never had anyone develop into their 30's except a few guys with great makeup ratings.  What do you do in order to see that guy with a 27 makeup rating develop when he is 32?

I did forget one thing: playing time.  In order to develop, guys must be able to play.  You can stick a 1st round draft directly in the majors and he will develop, you just have to give him the proper playing time no matter what.

Posted by bigal888 on 9/25/2010 9:31:00 AM (view original):

Posted by MikeT23 on 9/25/2010 9:27:00 AM (view original):
4 pro years.  All players can develop skill ratings into their 30s. 

All players?  I've never had anyone develop into their 30's except a few guys with great makeup ratings.  What do you do in order to see that guy with a 27 makeup rating develop when he is 32?

Key word: CAN.

Not WILL... CAN.

Hell, a guy in Boston Tea Party just gained a point in power at 30 or 31.

Posted by iain on 9/25/2010 9:35:00 AM (view original):

Posted by bigal888 on 9/25/2010 9:31:00 AM (view original):

Posted by MikeT23 on 9/25/2010 9:27:00 AM (view original):
4 pro years.  All players can develop skill ratings into their 30s. 

All players?  I've never had anyone develop into their 30's except a few guys with great makeup ratings.  What do you do in order to see that guy with a 27 makeup rating develop when he is 32?

Key word: CAN.

Not WILL... CAN.

I understand that difference - I've seen a lot of things happen in this game that can happen, but the situation still has to be right.  I'm just trying to understand how it's possible and what are the key factors that allow it to happen.  I guarantee a team with ****-poor coaches, no medical or training and no playing time won't allow a guy with a makeup of 27 at age 31 develop anything.

Then you're not understanding the difference between CAN and WILL if that's your example.

Posted by iain on 9/25/2010 9:36:00 AM (view original):
Hell, a guy in Boston Tea Party just gained a point in power at 30 or 31.

Jose Bautista just gained about 50 points in power at age 30....

eh, nevermind.  It's a Saturday morning and I'm working - so I'm not thinking clear enough to go back and forth.  Can a guy develop after age 30?  Yes, I never said otherwise. Will he?  Not necessarily.  There are a lot of factors that play into development and I feel like I have a good grasp on what hurts guys.  I must be missing something if I very rarely have guys in their 30's that develop very much if at all.  I'm only asking what conditions need to be present to allow a 30+ y/o to develop - which like you are saying, doesn't necessarily guarantee anything at all.

The only recognizable thing to me is make-up.   I'm not talking about gaining 4 points VR at age 33.   A point here and there.   And it largely coincides with the decrease in physical ratings.

The real answer to this question is almost all players don't have major development after 4 pro seasons, regardless of age.