What’s the general consensus on closers? I’ve always gone with Velo+P1+ctrl then splits but should I pay more attention to splits and less on that one dominant pitch?

thoughts?

a high ground ball ratio seems important in the closer role, to avoid a game-tying/winning home run. Overall though, I've been surprised in the game how many blown saves there are, even by the top teams in the leagues. It seems much higher than real MLB.

I saw a post where someone was talking about HBD not having the intangible pressure of late game situations, so they use their best relievers in SUA roles, where the game puts them in to face the heart of the lineup more frequently.

Never used one.

Low stamina guys with really good ratings could get undervalued. Those are they type of guys that you want to use as a closer, because chances are they can only go one inning every other game anyways.

Had an IFA in Weaver last season that only cost 3.5MM. I should have bid him up higher to acquire him, but I was waiting for a guy that never came. If you're going to use a closer, this guy might be ideal. However, as stated above, I rarely use closers. I think even this guy would be a SUA for me. He is going to be a dominant pitcher, but only pitch about .5 to 1 innings per appearance.

Posted by tlowster on 2/8/2021 4:05:00 PM (view original):
Had an IFA in Weaver last season that only cost 3.5MM. I should have bid him up higher to acquire him, but I was waiting for a guy that never came. If you're going to use a closer, this guy might be ideal. However, as stated above, I rarely use closers. I think even this guy would be a SUA for me. He is going to be a dominant pitcher, but only pitch about .5 to 1 innings per appearance.

Id still use him as a sa. I have seen no advantage to using a closer.

Closers are overrated in this game. Unless you have a stud reliever. If you don't, not worth assigning that role.

Mostly agree -- in my opinion, closers in real life matter due to human emotions of anxiety and fear. Having an Eric Gagne, Marian Rivera, Josh Hader or Aroldis Chapman coming out at the end of a game is intimidating. In HBD, it's just ratings vs. ratings. There are no emotions like fear and anxiety. Because of this, your most dominant pitchers should be used as sua so you maximize their IP.

Posted by mjdato on 2/6/2021 6:57:00 AM (view original):
What’s the general consensus on closers? I’ve always gone with Velo+P1+ctrl then splits but should I pay more attention to splits and less on that one dominant pitch?

thoughts?

I find CTRL to be a key with closers. I look at CTRL then P1 then GB/FB ratio then SPLITS. I have found using my best reliever as a SET UP A and a good reliever with those ratings for the 9th only works pretty well.

Player Profile: Fernando Marmol - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Marmol was one of the better closers I’ve had, I got him from a team who was using him as Setup A his splits and pitches are great... he saved 90/102 saves over 2 season with a 2.50 and 2.66 ERA with me in CLE.... notice his velocity is Zero which tells you how important it isn’t in regards to L/R Splits and Pitches

Tbh I have never looked at velocity for ANY Pitchers... I’ve never thought it mattered and Marmol is an example of that

Player Profile: Will Grey - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Another example of velocity not being a factor is Grey... he saved 94/101 games in TEX as a closer before we moved cities... worse splits than marmol but good pitches and control!

Posted by drummer_66 on 2/8/2021 9:11:00 PM (view original):
Closers are overrated in this game. Unless you have a stud reliever. If you don't, not worth assigning that role.

I don't even use a closer anymore. I just set all of my relievers as Set-Up A.

Same here, except I’ll put my better relievers at SuA and worse at SuB.

It’s crazy y’all don’t use Closers... doesn’t make sense why wouldn’t you use a closer?