How much does player performance affect Player Development? For instance, if a player has a great year vs a bad year but gets the same coaching and amount of experience, will it make any difference?

Posted by minus55 on 4/23/2020 10:58:00 AM (view original):
How much does player performance affect Player Development? For instance, if a player has a great year vs a bad year but gets the same coaching and amount of experience, will it make any difference?

While the developers originally said they would program that into the game I don't think there's any evidence that this occurs.

My thinking, if it did matter, is that it would be pretty important for pitcher development in the minor leagues to have catchers down there with high Pitch Calling. That leads me to another question: how important is Pitch Calling for a catcher?

I don't think anyone's ever even suggested that Pitch Calling might help minor league pitchers develop. If that's the case your Rookie League pitchers might never even have a chance.

As for whether it's important for a major league C, the answer depends on the owner, team and player. A number of owners have done their own research that suggests higher Pitch Calling corresponds with lower team ERA. Unfortunately higher Pitch Calling usually also corresponds to catchers who can't hit. So you make your choices.

None whatsoever, the game isn't nearly that sophisticated. Development is based on games played (whether the player starts or comes off the bench/bullpen). My elite prospects come off the bench for the entire time they're in the minor leagues to reduce the chance of major injury before hitting the majors. Position players probably get 200 PA's in a season, pitchers (including starters who I use as relievers) get ~70 IP. They always hit their potential. It's a no-brainer strategy IMO. I can get full potential while reducing the chance of a freak injury before they make their ML debut.

Only downside is the prospect's teams chances are reduced at making playoffs and getting in a few extra games of development (unless playoff games don't matter, haven't been able to find any info either way on that one).