Greetings, I read where it's recommended to have 15 pitchers per minor league team in your organization. So, assuming 12 at the ML level, that's 72 pitchers thru Low-A, not counting rookie league. Is that how you veterans approach it? It seems then that some of this will be known filler, guys you aren't really developing, just org depth kind of pitchers, right?

Yes. You want to have pitchers in there that are not being truly developed. They are just there to eat innings. Many injuries occur to minor league ball players so you need to have the innings covered.

As far as the number of pitchers in the minor leagues, i would recommend 5-6 starter types and 6-7 relievers. I do more than that, but I know that I am an anomaly. Keep in mind that lower minor league guys will typically have lower stamina and durability so you need to plan more there than you do in AA or AAA.

As far as the pitchers in the majors, it depends. Check their stats from previous seasons to make sure you have at least 1450 innings covered. I have had anywhere from 9 to 14 pitchers on my Staff. If they're rookies, keep in mind that most starting pitchers with a [durability + stamina] combination of 100 means that he can pitch 200 innings a season. This is assuming the durability rating is at least 20. Most relief pitchers with a [durability + stamina] combination of 115 means that they can pitch 200 innings a year as well.

great perspective...thanks!

I usually have five or six extra arms hanging around per level.

ok, but what is an "extra arm"...the 11th pitcher, 12th...18th?

I run 12 pitchers per level, except 11 in ML and a few more in rookie. 11 active and one injury backup. If I get a rash of injuries I promote guys and lean on my extras in rookie to feed the bottom of that promotion ladder.

But I pay a ton of attention to stamina/durability... every season I sign a bunch of tryout camp pitchers who can eat innings at low levels.

interesting only 11 at the ML level. do other people use only 11? just based on real ML baseball that would be very low, usually 12-13, but I don't yet know differences between HBD and MLB.

How many a person runs depends on the stamina and durability of each so there is no real answer. At the ml level you can not deactivate players. At the ml level I run 11-13. In the minors I run 12-18 at each level. I let the sim run my minors I put all my guys that have a chance to make the ml level in aaa and possibly aa if I have someone limiting there playing time. I make sure they are getting playing time otherwise I let the sim run my minors. Winning in the minors does nothing so I just make sure I dont run 0's.

I usually have 12 active pitchers on each minor league roster, with another 8-10 spread out - 4-5 at the AA/AAA level who move back and forth between levels as needed; same at HiA/LoA/Rookie level.

In the majors, I usually have 11. Some teams keep more, but I've got one guy with 35 stam, 99 dur who gets me 120 IP a year, and another starter working in relief, who gets me about the same if I keep his pitch count below 40. Last season, my 10th-11th pitchers had a combined 63 appearances, 74 IP.

Posted by Scotb50 on 10/29/2020 12:17:00 PM (view original):
interesting only 11 at the ML level. do other people use only 11? just based on real ML baseball that would be very low, usually 12-13, but I don't yet know differences between HBD and MLB.

I run 13 in the NL in San Diego (pitchers park) but I do that so I can take guys that have amazing ratings but can only throw 10 pitches every 3 days.

Posted by brianp87 on 10/29/2020 12:38:00 PM (view original):
How many a person runs depends on the stamina and durability of each so there is no real answer. At the ml level you can not deactivate players. At the ml level I run 11-13. In the minors I run 12-18 at each level. I let the sim run my minors I put all my guys that have a chance to make the ml level in aaa and possibly aa if I have someone limiting there playing time. I make sure they are getting playing time otherwise I let the sim run my minors. Winning in the minors does nothing so I just make sure I dont run 0's.

A caveat to this is year end promotions. If your guy is in his first or second year as a pro, winning in the minors can make a significant difference in early development. If your minor league team makes the playoffs, it plays more games. More games = more opportunities to develop young players. I have seen guys gain 4-5 points of development from playing n the minor league playoffs and getting promoted afterwards. The below player gained four in each split after a year-end promotion.

Player Profile: Mac Ramirez - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Posted by Scotb50 on 10/29/2020 11:04:00 AM (view original):
ok, but what is an "extra arm"...the 11th pitcher, 12th...18th?

Sorry, by "extra" I meant inactive. 12 active pitchers, a handful of inactives for when they need rest. Non-prospects, guys you keep hanging out in your minors just to fill out the rosters. I'm usually full at almost every level.

great insights...thanks all!

I always tell owners to have 15 position and 15 pitchers at each level in the minors. Of the 15 pitchers, 7-8 should be SP. You will have at least a couple of SP get hurt throughout the season. Have 5 of them active and let the sim take care of your minor league pitching. With this setup, you should only have to check on your minor league pitching fatigue a couple of times throughout the season. If your pitchers get fatigued, more chance for injuries which reduces development and increases your other pitcher's fatigue.

Posted by tlowster on 10/29/2020 4:28:00 PM (view original):

Posted by brianp87 on 10/29/2020 12:38:00 PM (view original):
How many a person runs depends on the stamina and durability of each so there is no real answer. At the ml level you can not deactivate players. At the ml level I run 11-13. In the minors I run 12-18 at each level. I let the sim run my minors I put all my guys that have a chance to make the ml level in aaa and possibly aa if I have someone limiting there playing time. I make sure they are getting playing time otherwise I let the sim run my minors. Winning in the minors does nothing so I just make sure I dont run 0's.

A caveat to this is year end promotions. If your guy is in his first or second year as a pro, winning in the minors can make a significant difference in early development. If your minor league team makes the playoffs, it plays more games. More games = more opportunities to develop young players. I have seen guys gain 4-5 points of development from playing n the minor league playoffs and getting promoted afterwards. The below player gained four in each split after a year-end promotion.

Player Profile: Mac Ramirez - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

This is true. I personally find the benefits from extra games (my minor league teams almost always make the playoffs) and late promotions tend to outweigh the benefits of better coaching at higher levels, at least for the first season or two of development.