Power Pros Forum

Hi all... I just got MLBPP 2008 about a week ago, and after failing my first Success mode character miserably I ran into this site in pursuit of help. I've been lurking and reading a lot around here, and it's been a tremendous help. I have a question for some of you veterans though.

I'm currently in the process of making my first starting pitcher, but I can't decide which pitch types would go best with eachother. I already got the 2 seam fastball, and started out with a basic curveball, so I planned on maxing both of those... but I want at least one more pitch that I'll take to a high level. I know a bit about baseball, but not a whole lot about different pitches, so I looked at the wiki for ideas... on the pitch types page, the circle change looked like it would be a good combo with the 2 seamer perhaps? ("Circle Changeup (CCHG) Seems like a 2 Seam fastball when thrown, but breaks suddenly, and much slower.") Or with the two pitches I already have, would it be better to go with a slider or shuuto or screwball or something?

I don't really have a particular 'type' of pitcher that I'm shooting for with this one yet, just looking to get my feet wet with pitchers. If anyone has some good advice for me or ideas, I'd appreciate it.

P.S. Didn't post this in the Success Mode section since it's more of a general question about pitch types, and what goes well together.

Well, any pitch can go well with another, as long as you mix them up well. You can actually use the 2-Seamer, then throw the Curve with devestating results. As for the Slider and change-Up, those pitches go very well with the 4-Seamer since they look so much alike. As for getting a new pitch, I would suggest doing Sittch's training. Keep doing his training at the lake, and eventually, you'll be able to get a custom pitch, which you could create to fit what you may want. I would suggest you save and reload in case you feel you made a mistake with the pitch selection, but it is a set event, so it's a 100% chance of getting the pitch.

honestly you have good pitches right now i would work on getting stam high, top speed, and some abilities. In response to your pitch selection, I would try for V SLD considering the groundball potential. A SNK pairs rather well with a CB, as well.

Thanks for the advice.

I finished siitch's training (turned out I was only one session away from that part) and went with a sinker with extra break. Planning on working more on the speed, stamina, and control for now and towards the end I'll see if I have enough time to add another pitch or not.

Yeah, if they are thinking breaking ball and you give fastball, and it's a good Fastball (over 95) you have a nice strike their.

Well, as some may say, the best pitch in baseball is a well placed fastball. LOL! It's kind of true, you don't even need heat, just leave it just out of the stirke zone, and they'll chase. Shoot go for the knees, perfect place to have them chase because they usually guess wrong.

Your basic Hurler (fastball pitcher) will be using the 4SFB, a Cutter or Hard Slider/shuuto, and maybe 1-2 big breaking pitches. Typical changeup doesn't move much, though in the game you may find it's better if you use a pitch that has more defined drop. Most of these pitches will be lvl 3-4, the cutter or Hard breaker might be a 5-6 if the changeup is lacking (lvl 1-2)

A breaking ball pitcher will have 3-4 decently breaking pitches (lvl 4-5) and much lower top speed. Everything drops downward to some degree, although some have a slider or a cut fastball.

Junk ball pitchers would have very low top speed and 2 absolutely cruel (lvl 6-7) breaking pitches, usually down and down-left/right. the fastball is there to keep ppl honest, or for throwing at their eyes.


Fun pitches to have that work well IMO:

Backdoor slider
Lead sinker/changeup
cut fastball/slider in on the hands

You'll need to experiment to see what style you like to pitch in, or if you want to use a specific style. I typically try out a known MLB pitcher's style first before trying to recreate it in Success/MLB Life.

The 2SFB and the sinking fastball seem to always get rocked around the ballpark when I use them. (so obviously I don't much) I can keep my ERA around 1.5 - 2, so it's not like I'm just in general bad at playing the game. Has anyone else had difficulty with those 2 pitches?

I have a pitcher with a level 7 knuckler and level 1 2-Seamer also a 93 MPH top speed. He's devasting when you mix his knuckler and his fastball well.

Ive had trouble with the SIFB a lot. That one gets hit a lot. Also what i see when i sim is that the DCB tends to raise pitchers ERA?

Thanks for the big synopsis there Max. I'm pretty far along on this one now, so I'm not sure how it'll turn out, but that'll make the next one that much more fun.

Welcome to the site, I'm glad we've helped you so much. I personally would go with the V-Slider myself as those always go nicely. You might also want to throw in a more obstruct pitch like the Hard-Shutto or the Knuckle Ball. The Knuckle ball, while one of the harder to upgrade, mows down any line up as the A.I. can never hit it. Players will be so focused on the knuckleball that they'll never hit any other breaking balls. It doesn't go particularly well with that curve ball, but I find it goes nice with the two-seamer. I actively use the 2-seamer and knuckleball like Lance in the top corner of the zone (if its either strong enough that it won't land in the middle or not strong enough to go all the way to the middle). On powerful level (that hardest), players are both confused if its in the strike-zone or not or miss the pitch compleatly as they prodict its the other type of ball. Using this method with power hitters can be dangerous however as while it will work 95% of the time (if not over used), it can lead into the extra base hit or even the occasional home run if you don't have good control.
I stupidly forgot to give my closer a two-seamer with his level 7 knuckle-ball. He throws a 96/97 mile fast ball, a level 3 original pitch, a level 3 hard-shutto, has quite a lot of abilities, E+ stamina, and C+ control. He was my first attempt at a pitcher this year and didn't turn quite like I wanted him to. I think I'll be using him in My Life until I can find and buy the two-seamer. I won't be improving him much outside of that at all.

I usually make sure a pitcher has a breaking ball and a change of pace pitch to complement the fastball. Maybe they're only throwing fastball-slider but they're almost certainly destined for relief work unless those two pitches are REALLY good.

If it helps any I tend to think of some pitches being associated with certain types of pitchers. A prototypical power pitcher is probably going to want one or more of a hard slider, slurve, splitter, or sinking fastball. Think of guys like Carlton, Clemens, and Schilling who when they were in their primes liked keep throwing hard from one pitch to the next. Or maybe you want more of the Texas type of power pitcher like Nolan Ryan who relies on a great fastball, a drop curve, and an occasional change.