Feel free to put it back on track, Jerry.

Heres a general guideline for how I develop players. My key talent generally hits at least 95% of their projections (I generally have 17-20 for advance scouting)

coaching - Generally I try and make sure I have average to good coaches at each level.

Promotions - talent of note (anyone remotely capable of being a ML or AAAA guy, gets promoted one level at least once every 2 seasons, usually once a season, 1 level per season. There are exceptions though, depending on age, PT, and team makeup. For some reason, I usually seem to keep pitchers back a few levels atfirst, and then promote them quickly to AAA. This leads me to have crappy pitching AA squads.

Playing time - For position players, I like to get 450-550 ABs for key talent, this gives them enough time to develop, and usually doesnt lead to them playing with severe fatigue. Pitchers I like to trot out as much as possible, but starters rarely get 200IP and releivers rarely get over 80IP

Fielding - I like to pay a premium on fielding instructors and making sure my positional players play as challenging defensive positions as I can (if theyre ML talent. If they are cannon fodder, they play wherever I need a body).

Would you ever have a player completely skip a level?

Yes. Depends on age, starting level, progression. I don't think I'd let a player skip two levels, though.

Quote: Originally posted by jsturgis5866 on 10/15/2009Yes. Depends on age, starting level, progression. I don't think I'd let a player skip two levels, though.

I've got 3 guys in AAA that just got there from AA that I'd love to bring up. But they probably havent even unpacked their bags yet. 192, 165 and 66 at bats, respectively.

It seems like it's all up to each owner... but I like to get as many opinions as possible. Don't want to ruin the future.

Quote: Originally Posted By a_ersberg on 10/15/2009Would you ever have a player completely skip a level

I've had guys go from AA straight to the majors. If they've developed to the point where they can be everyday contributors to my major league roster, they get the call.

In that case, it has nothing to do with skipping a level... just whether they're ML ready or not. I assume they have fewer than four pro seasons. And if you're hesitating, then it's probably best to wait... maybe call a couple of them up in roster expansion.

Along the lines of what MikeT and others have indicated, does it generally seem to be true that very little advancement in ratings occurs after a player's 4th pro season?

I've seen that a couple of times lately, and it seems to ring true

As I newb, I latched onto statements that players don't develop after age 27, assuming that that meant that most players would typically develop up through 26/27. But now I'm seeing more than a few 25 yo guys in their 5th or 6th yr, who are several points from their projections, and are never going to reach the projections that I paid $14M for in my first season

A) the vast majority of development seems to come in their first two FULL seasons. I see development patterns of 8, 5, 2, 1, 1 and so on.

B) Players do not stop developing at 27. Learned skills can continue to progress into their 30s.

But, to be clear, I like to have guys in AAA when they have to be added to the 40 because, if they're not AAA quality by then, they're not going to be big leaguers.

Quote: Originally Posted By eayappert on 10/16/2009Along the lines of what MikeT and others have indicated, does it generally seem to be true that very little advancement in ratings occurs after a player's 4th pro season?

I've seen that a couple of times lately, and it seems to ring true

As I newb, I latched onto statements that players don't develop after age 27, assuming that that meant that most players would typically develop up through 26/27. But now I'm seeing more than a few 25 yo guys in their 5th or 6th yr, who are several points from their projections, and are never going to reach the projections that I paid $14M for in my first seaso

Often, this depends a LOT on the accuracy of the projections you're seeing.

$14M will give you a good idea, but keep in mind that it's only 70% of what's considered the most accurate ($20M), and so you'll get varriance from what you're seeing to what you can reasonably expect. Remember that even at $20M, projections are just more accurate... not exactly what you can expect.

Projections aren't always going to come true, and some players continue to gain a point here and there well into their 30s.

Quote: Originally Posted By a_ersberg on 10/15/2009Would you ever have a player completely skip a level

Any one who I project to be a major leaguer I put in AAA or AA right away and try to maximize their playing time. I might leave a pitcher in RL for a few weeks but for the most part they go right to the highest level they can play at currently. 99% of the time the better coaches are in the higher levels so this seems to make sense to me.

Quote: Originally Posted By MikeT23 on 10/16/2009
A) the vast majority of development seems to come in their first two FULL seasons. I see development patterns of 8, 5, 2, 1, 1 and so on.

B) Players do not stop developing at 27. Learned skills can continue to progress into their 30s.

Question about part A, regarding an IFA signed late in the year.

In 1 world, I'm the current leader for a solid IFA prospect at the end of the year (minors just started the playoffs) He's 18 and clearly not ready for anything above High A ball, but neither my Low A nor Rookie league team made the playoffs this season, and I figure its best not to expose him to the playoffs in High A, AA or AAA.

So figuring he's not going to play at all this year, will he completely lose that first season of development? or will it just kick to his 2nd season (age 19 season?) If by not playing at all or even on a limited basis due to being a late IFA signing, it would seem that spending money early in the IFA market would be the wiser move, even if you could get a slighly better prospect if you're patient.

FULL season. I don't think players follow a "normal" development pattern in partial seasons. Even IFA signed early in the year seem to develop more like a draft pick that plays 70 games in their partial year.

ahh, thanks Mike