hitting with low power players

[thawkprime 21]

does anyone other than me struggle with high contact low power players like dee gordon, and cesar hernandez. I find that they are always hittinf weak fly balls or grounders right at the middle infeilders. I use directional hitting so if anyone had any tips for hitting ill take them.

[KBLover]

Re: hitting with low power players

I influence down constantly with guys like Gordon, Mallex Smith, Billy Hamilton, etc. Up could turn a grounder into a liner, but I'd rather try to turn a fly into a liner with speedsters.

Lower those trajectories (hopefully) so more liners and grounders. Even slow grounders are better than lazy flies for these hitters.

Don't be afraid to power swing with them, also. That could give a hit the pop to split the gap instead of just a single or a risky double (might be a risk for triple instead if it gets through the gap). You have to pick your spots and do it only on pitches you see well and are where you want them, but it's not a bad idea if you're comfortable with doing it.

Influencing opposite field can help, too. Keeps you in the mind set to stay on it and go gap-to-gap and if they do hit it a bit late, maybe you go down the lines and attack the corner infielders more.

[BigOscar]

Re: hitting with low power players

Unfortunately despite their promises that this year contact hitters would be more effective, they just aren't, it's gone further in the opposite direction.

If you're playing offline then I'd heavily recommend looking at Mike Lowe's sliders, in particular fielders speed and reactions, as that is a large part of the problem. Fielders cover far too much ground to consistently get hits on anything but very hard hit balls

[El_MaYiMbE]

Re: hitting with low power players

This has been a problem in the franchise since forever. It seems like there is too much weight put on "power" when it comes to how good of a hitter you are.

As you mentioned, someone like Dee Gordon effectively has 0 power (he hit 1 HR last year?) but he gets on a base a lot and does hit a lot of hard hit balls into the gap for doubles and triples.

They aren't some sexy StatCast, 115 MPH line drives, but they are still hard hit balls that get into the alleys.

The Show has been unable to replicate and/or distinguish the difference between a ball being hit well and a ball being hit hard. The two do not necessarily mean the same thing, but in The Show it does more times than not.

[BigOscar]

Re: hitting with low power players

This has been a problem in the franchise since forever. It seems like there is too much weight put on "power" when it comes to how good of a hitter you are.

As you mentioned, someone like Dee Gordon effectively has 0 power (he hit 1 HR last year?) but he gets on a base a lot and does hit a lot of hard hit balls into the gap for doubles and triples.

They aren't some sexy StatCast, 115 MPH line drives, but they are still hard hit balls that get into the alleys.

The Show has been unable to replicate and/or distinguish the difference between a ball being hit well and a ball being hit hard. The two do not necessarily mean the same thing, but in The Show it does more times than not.

I think they really struggle with the physics of just how quickly a ball moves in that first 50-100 feet, even when it's only hit 85mph. In real life a ball does not need to be hit very hard to make it through the infield if it's not within a couple of yards of an infielder, that's why the shift exists (and if it's over head height and not straight at someone, forget about it).

But in the show the fielders react so quickly and move so easily that you lose all those hits that low power guys live off.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: hitting with low power players

Either a down or a push influence is your best bet with these guys. The down influence will produce better ball trajectory overall.

Also: https://forums.operationsports.com/f...ing-guide.html

[HighCmpPct]

Re: hitting with low power players

I've had horrible results with all guys like this in pretty much every past show, but not this year they've actually been some of my better hitters this year.

Ironically I don't change my approach when they're up as opposed to anyone else really, except never influencing up in any of the 3 directions.

I've been really successful with them using the contact swing this year, plenty of infield hits, bloopers, etc.

A question would be what are your fielder speed settings at? I use Armor's set and with him having it at 3 for Fielder speed and 3 for Fielder reaction is really working beautiful this year, as opposed to years before. I believe Mike Lowe has them at 2 and 2 and that was beautiful as well.

For my approach at the plate it's in my sig.

[smokines3]

Re: hitting with low power players

Not to sound out of the loop, but by "influence" you guys simply mean your positioning of the PCI on directional correct?

Never mind... I was thinking zone for some reason.

[Bochte23]

Re: hitting with low power players

does anyone other than me struggle with high contact low power players like dee gordon, and cesar hernandez. I find that they are always hittinf weak fly balls or grounders right at the middle infeilders.

hence, low power hitters. It's all about timing

[flinnian]

Re: hitting with low power players

I think they really struggle with the physics of just how quickly a ball moves in that first 50-100 feet, even when it's only hit 85mph. In real life a ball does not need to be hit very hard to make it through the infield if it's not within a couple of yards of an infielder, that's why the shift exists (and if it's over head height and not straight at someone, forget about it).

But in the show the fielders react so quickly and move so easily that you lose all those hits that low power guys live off.

Completely agree with this, and I recall Tom Verducci on MLB Network having mentioned that a ball needs to be hit at least 75 mph to get through infield...well in The Show, I can't recall any ball getting near on close to getting through at that speed. I see few get through, on default, at anything less than 90mph, so it's something they need to reevaluate.

[JoshC1977]

Re: hitting with low power players

Offline: Just use Armor's fielding sliders...problem solved. Default fielding reaction and speed is just too high. Knocking them down a peg or two really makes a huge difference.

Online: you're SOL.

[KBLover]

Re: hitting with low power players

Completely agree with this, and I recall Tom Verducci on MLB Network having mentioned that a ball needs to be hit at least 75 mph to get through infield...

Good to know - always love hearing analytical data like that.

Now I have an objective observation for my own sliders/games to watch and track.

Thanks for sharing the nugget of information!

[xBravesx]

Re: hitting with low power players

I think they really struggle with the physics of just how quickly a ball moves in that first 50-100 feet, even when it's only hit 85mph. In real life a ball does not need to be hit very hard to make it through the infield if it's not within a couple of yards of an infielder, that's why the shift exists (and if it's over head height and not straight at someone, forget about it).

But in the show the fielders react so quickly and move so easily that you lose all those hits that low power guys live off.

I would also say, and have thought for years, that the ratio size of the infielders compared to the size of the field makes the holes smaller between 3b & SS as well as between 2b & 1b. Taking it further, there appears to not be much room between first basemen and the first base foul line (same goes for 3rd basemen and the 3b foul line).

Maybe it is my perception, which could be totally wrong. Maybe it merely has to do with infielder reaction time being lightning fast. Regardless, it seems that hard hit balls and even solidly hit balls that should get through the infield do not because there just isn't enough room between infielders due to the playing field being small and infielders being too close together (when standing in their normal positions). Anyone care to comment on this possibility? Maybe I'm just seeing things incorrectly.

[Sumodeads]

Re: hitting with low power players

I drafted Dee on one of my fantasy franchises and he is batting a league leading .398 through April. No power, but I slap hits all over the place with him. I use Zone hitting, default sliders.

[Jeffrey Smith]

Re: hitting with low power players

Doing a Mariners franchise and I have Dee Gordon hitting over .400 through the first 21 games. I use directional hitting on all star and do as KBlover says. I aim the directional arrow straight down and get a lot of hits right up the middle.
This is my first year using directional and I’m getting excellent results so far.👍🏻