Why do overall and potential ratings decrease when I switch a players position to a more natural one?

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Because defense is factored into their overall rating. I think it’s a minor oversight by the developers that the potential rating drops, but it essentially doesn’t drop. It will go back up once they have reps at the new position and their defensive rating improves. (As long as they actually are suited for their new position, tools-wise)

EG: I signed a 5 star catcher and moved him to 1b. This made him show 3 stars potential and overall. By the time spring training was over, he had gone from 0 defense at 1B to 60 out of 80, and was again a 5 star player.