Defense is AWFUL

[Caulfield]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

The greatest post I have ever seen since I've been on this forum LMAO. I want to piss out excellence!

this is Syph's Achilles Heel. you dont want to lose your excellence that way. you want to hold it in like gas on a first date.

[HypeRNT]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Why is this thread not locked? It should be locked since it should be under the "impressions" thread, like mine has, if you are going to lash out against threads that dont give you only positive responses might as well treat them all even then.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Why is this thread not locked? It should be locked since it should be under the "impressions" thread, like mine has, if you are going to lash out against threads that dont give you only positive responses might as well treat them all even then.

Well, yours was sort of a review of the entire game. This is specific to fielding. So, I ask you why the moderators aren't "lashing out" against this thread as it certainly isn't giving a positive view of the game. Shouldn't they run to close this, in your view?

Did you ever post your summary of the game in the impressions thread if it's so important?

[nickyb6]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

I agree defense is infuriating. As much as SDS stated fielding ratings MATTERED, i feel all players play the same. As the Yankees Stanton and Judge Constantly drop and misplay fly balls.... right underneath the ball and they just drop it. Didi botches at least two groundballs a game, it’s a joke. We need another MLBgame. Let’s be real this is just about a copy n paste from last year, and the fact people are ok with that and praise it are exactly why SDS doesn’t change anything in their games. Yes they added contract extensions yippee. How about big changes like oh i don’t know the REST of them sports titles ?

[countryboy]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

I agree defense is infuriating. As much as SDS stated fielding ratings MATTERED, i feel all players play the same. As the Yankees Stanton and Judge Constantly drop and misplay fly balls.... right underneath the ball and they just drop it. Didi botches at least two groundballs a game, it’s a joke. We need another MLBgame. Let’s be real this is just about a copy n paste from last year, and the fact people are ok with that and praise it are exactly why SDS doesn’t change anything in their games. Yes they added contract extensions yippee. How about big changes like oh i don’t know the REST of them sports titles ?

Not my experience at all.

I put Harrison Bader in centerfield who is a diamond/gold rated defender (90's in reaction/fielding) vs a C.J. McElroy who is in the low 70's in both those attributes and I can tell a vast difference. Bader not only tracks down balls in the gap better (they have the similar speed ratings 94 vs 93), but he is also more likely to make a diving/sliding catch, or make a catch up against the wall versus McElroy.

I put Ozzie Albies at shortstop who is again a diamond/gold rated defender vs Greg Garcia who is in the high 60's/low 70's and I can tell a vast difference. Albies will not only get to balls deep in the hole or up the middle, but he will also trigger slide animation stops whereas Garcia doesn't.

I know a few people have had issues with defense this year, but I personally think defense is simply amazing. Is it ratings due to my carryover versus starting fresh? I don't know, but I don't see the "issues" that some are experiencing with defense.

[kinsmen7]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Not my experience at all.

I put Harrison Bader in centerfield who is a diamond/gold rated defender (90's in reaction/fielding) vs a C.J. McElroy who is in the low 70's in both those attributes and I can tell a vast difference. Bader not only tracks down balls in the gap better (they have the similar speed ratings 94 vs 93), but he is also more likely to make a diving/sliding catch, or make a catch up against the wall versus McElroy.

I put Ozzie Albies at shortstop who is again a diamond/gold rated defender vs Greg Garcia who is in the high 60's/low 70's and I can tell a vast difference. Albies will not only get to balls deep in the hole or up the middle, but he will also trigger slide animation stops whereas Garcia doesn't.

I know a few people have had issues with defense this year, but I personally think defense is simply amazing. Is it ratings due to my carryover versus starting fresh? I don't know, but I don't see the "issues" that some are experiencing with defense.

Agreed 100%.

I started a fresh Jays franchise, and love the improved D. With a guy like Teoscar Hernandez, it's a GD infuriating adventure on defense (just like real life). With higher rated defenders like Grichuk, Brito or Toles (traded for him), there's a pretty significant difference.

I even played around with Freddy Galvis's numbers. First 20 games for me, he had 8 errors (granted, 2 of them were from me double tapping and cancelling the throw...I'm an idiot). Upped his fielding numbers, and there's been a huge difference.

I also love the pitcher fielding improvements.

I will say that fielding isn't perfect though. One thing that I'm not super into is the lack of fielding error animations. It seems like ever ball that goes through someone like Baby Vlad is just him reaching for a grounder and it going by. There have been a few instances where he's knocked a ball down that comes right at him, but they usually result in a 50/50 play at first, which is a big improvement.

Overall though, it's a huge step forward.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Not my experience at all.


I put Ozzie Albies at shortstop who is again a diamond/gold rated defender vs Greg Garcia who is in the high 60's/low 70's and I can tell a vast difference. Albies will not only get to balls deep in the hole or up the middle, but he will also trigger slide animation stops whereas Garcia doesn't.

The differences are SO obvious. On my fantasy Braves roster I have a fielding "butcher" in LF who can hit, but oh Lordy does his fielding deficiency show in the field. It's almost laughable. I've a CF who can flat out go get the ball and a LF who is better suited as a DH.

[nickyb6]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

I guess it is experience based, I wish I had you're experience tbh lol. I average 2 errors a game on the most ROUTINE plays, I.e simple ground balls to shortstop easy flyouts to the outfield etc

Not my experience at all.

I put Harrison Bader in centerfield who is a diamond/gold rated defender (90's in reaction/fielding) vs a C.J. McElroy who is in the low 70's in both those attributes and I can tell a vast difference. Bader not only tracks down balls in the gap better (they have the similar speed ratings 94 vs 93), but he is also more likely to make a diving/sliding catch, or make a catch up against the wall versus McElroy.

I put Ozzie Albies at shortstop who is again a diamond/gold rated defender vs Greg Garcia who is in the high 60's/low 70's and I can tell a vast difference. Albies will not only get to balls deep in the hole or up the middle, but he will also trigger slide animation stops whereas Garcia doesn't.

I know a few people have had issues with defense this year, but I personally think defense is simply amazing. Is it ratings due to my carryover versus starting fresh? I don't know, but I don't see the "issues" that some are experiencing with defense.

[digitalrock]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Lots of hyperbole makes it hard to take you serious, it is the weakest part of the show yes, but far from "Trash". Def an area of improvement though.

[digitalrock]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

I agree defense is infuriating. As much as SDS stated fielding ratings MATTERED, i feel all players play the same. As the Yankees Stanton and Judge Constantly drop and misplay fly balls.... right underneath the ball and they just drop it. Didi botches at least two groundballs a game, it’s a joke. We need another MLBgame. Let’s be real this is just about a copy n paste from last year, and the fact people are ok with that and praise it are exactly why SDS doesn’t change anything in their games. Yes they added contract extensions yippee. How about big changes like oh i don’t know the REST of them sports titles ?

I call Bs on this, Ratings make a HUGE difference, maybe your game is broken? Playing wiht a low rated versus high rated defender is a big difference .

[stealyerface]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

To all of those lamenting the defense, errors, etc... here is your quick fix:

Fielder Speed- 2
Reaction-2
Base Runner Speed- 4

The fielders are too fast out of the box on default. Period. They get to too many balls that result in errors, and cover way too much ground, thereby stealing hits.

Here is your chance to stop complaining, and turn the game into the defensive gem it can be.

Coupled with the re-rated rosters that are available, your A-Rated fielders will still make plays, but your C+ rookie will not magically become Brooks Robinson, and your routine throws from second will not have Chuck Knoblauch firing seeds into the stands.

Don't be Slider Prejudice based only on principle.

Try a three game set. Heck, maybe even go with Quick Counts and play five test games.

I will guarantee the errors go down, and the game becomes 100% more fun.

You can even go for the true-to-life Baseball experience, and find a slider set that plays as close to the real game as you can make it.

I guess playing the default settings has merit in not wanting to mess with anything, but allowing yourself to use the tools the developers give us, to create the experience best suited for you, just makes sense.

Shake your head, scoff, laugh.. whatever you want to do, but give it a shot, and allow the hit variety, balls in the gap, defensing ratings to shine, game flow, defensing wizardry, and overall experience to change your perspective.

~syf

[Baseball Purist]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

I had serious throwing issues to start the year. A lot of routine throws from my 2nd and ss were constantly off line to 1B. Switched over to button accuracy and it has cleaned it up a lot for me.

I can live with some of the other defensive miscues, but the errors on the most routine throws was absurd on just the "button" throwing mechanic.

[Caulfield]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

To all of those lamenting the defense, errors, etc... here is your quick fix:

Fielder Speed- 2
Reaction-2
Base Runner Speed- 4

The fielders are too fast out of the box on default. Period. They get to too many balls that result in errors, and cover way too much ground, thereby stealing hits.

Here is your chance to stop complaining, and turn the game into the defensive gem it can be.

Coupled with the re-rated rosters that are available, your A-Rated fielders will still make plays, but your C+ rookie will not magically become Brooks Robinson, and your routine throws from second will not have Chuck Knoblauch firing seeds into the stands.

Don't be Slider Prejudice based only on principle.

Try a three game set. Heck, maybe even go with Quick Counts and play five test games.

I will guarantee the errors go down, and the game becomes 100% more fun.

You can even go for the true-to-life Baseball experience, and find a slider set that plays as close to the real game as you can make it.

I guess playing the default settings has merit in not wanting to mess with anything, but allowing yourself to use the tools the developers give us, to create the experience best suited for you, just makes sense.

Shake your head, scoff, laugh.. whatever you want to do, but give it a shot, and allow the hit variety, balls in the gap, defensing ratings to shine, game flow, defensing wizardry, and overall experience to change your perspective.

~syf

"stop complaining "? Thats crazy talk

[Funkycorm]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

To all of those lamenting the defense, errors, etc... here is your quick fix:

Fielder Speed- 2
Reaction-2
Base Runner Speed- 4

The fielders are too fast out of the box on default. Period. They get to too many balls that result in errors, and cover way too much ground, thereby stealing hits.

Here is your chance to stop complaining, and turn the game into the defensive gem it can be.

Coupled with the re-rated rosters that are available, your A-Rated fielders will still make plays, but your C+ rookie will not magically become Brooks Robinson, and your routine throws from second will not have Chuck Knoblauch firing seeds into the stands.

Don't be Slider Prejudice based only on principle.

Try a three game set. Heck, maybe even go with Quick Counts and play five test games.

I will guarantee the errors go down, and the game becomes 100% more fun.

You can even go for the true-to-life Baseball experience, and find a slider set that plays as close to the real game as you can make it.

I guess playing the default settings has merit in not wanting to mess with anything, but allowing yourself to use the tools the developers give us, to create the experience best suited for you, just makes sense.

Shake your head, scoff, laugh.. whatever you want to do, but give it a shot, and allow the hit variety, balls in the gap, defensing ratings to shine, game flow, defensing wizardry, and overall experience to change your perspective.

~syf

Honestly even default has played great for me. In my 2026 Indians franchise I am a top 10 rated fielding team and have the best fielding percent in the league. I am not seeing many errors at all but I attribute that to my Indians squad being the greatest ever built. Not going to boost them either. No need to lol.

[stealyerface]

Re: Defense is AWFUL

Because there are so many ways to play defense (Pure Analog, Button, Auto etc..) the game definitely can play differently from user to user.

I LOOOOOVE Pure Analog Defense, just love the control, and having to decide to keep a ball in my pocket versus throwing off hand and off balance... The fact that some folks are better on the stick, or prefer to just hit a button to throw to first is where the sliders come in handy.

If you field a ground ball and press a button to throw the guy out, that is a WAY different dynamic that me having to field the ball, and push the stick towards the three o'clock position with a shrinking wedge of accuracy based on the fielding ratings, and the type of throw...

The ability to make the game as hard as real life stats play out, and not stomp on the controller in frustration in a fit of fury, is a well-received bonus.

Some guys may love the default, and some guys may want a different flow to the game.

It is my opinion that the default speed for outfielders and infielders is entirely too high. This results in more errors, less hits, and frustration-laced posts about why the game stinks.

I am simply providing one of the keys to unlocking the game's awesomeness.

~syf