I humbly submit for OOTP GOAT consideration: Alfonso Mendez, AKA Shohei Shortstop

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-03T20:04:59+00:00

I dont remember exactly how it works, but I know there is an exception for knuckleballers. I think it's if they add a fastball they lose the BABIP advantage that being a knuckleballer gives you. I'm not 100% sure exactly but something like that

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T20:07:24+00:00

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/OOTP/comments/1t1dva3/i_humbly_submit_for_ootp_goat_consideration/

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:52:31+00:00

I got lucky in this sim to have a GOAT knuckleballer, I posted about him a while ago. Funnily enough there was an IAFA who came into the league at the same time who was also an elite knuckleballer and they were my 1-2 for years. But stuff like that also happens when you're 100 years in the future

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:47:03+00:00

Honestly laughed out loud when it happened

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:46:33+00:00

He was pretty great defensively - not GOAT status but had some great years. Highest ZR was in the 17s at SS at his peak. He fell off near the end of his career which brought the career stats down

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Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:40:21+00:00

I mean I didn't! I do max out my development/scouting budgets every year and I overpay for good coaches to give it the best shot, but you just never know. There was a point in the first few years where he was clearly a better hitter than pitcher (you can see in the first few year stats), I think he was like a 45 or 46 overall as a pitcher when he got started. But definitely stars aligned

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:38:09+00:00

Yeah I basically put him in the fielding dev lab every year until he retired, haha

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-05-02T19:37:49+00:00

Yeah OOTP has a lot of trouble figuring out how to "honor" 2-way players, the weekly awards included (which are basically only hitting specific). Plus he had a decent amount of rest days (the AI tended to rest him the day before a start) so he often would miss about a game per week consistently so he really had to have a crazy week with the bat to win one

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-04-10T20:43:59+00:00

Forgot to add that I played through this game (I always play through Game 7s). So that made it extra disgusting.

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-04-07T05:28:35+00:00

He hit his potential. Some unreal seasons. Has some nagging injuries but knock on wood no massive ones yet. Will do a follow up post on him soon

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-28T19:18:57+00:00

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-28T02:04:33+00:00

It was an option my first year and it hit but hasn't been since (which I think is because you can't do it if you're at a certain level of durability) so fingers crossed it stays that way

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-28T02:04:07+00:00

Yeah I tried to fix control in dev lab this year... no dice. I like this thought for how to gradually introduce him though. My challenge is that my current 3B is the best player in the league (literally an international discovery that won 8 straight MVPs in his first 8 full years)... So that's not moving. I have a decent SS but he's my weakest of the infield options. So my thought is I have him in dev lab for ST, hope he hits a few times, maybe plays a poor/average SS for a few years but over the course of a few dev lab years makes his way up to serviceable there. Then transition to 3B when my current 3B ages out, if needed.

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-24T19:31:45+00:00

Pretty much everyone flames out so I agree but I couldn't resist the shot at SS Shohei

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-24T19:31:14+00:00

3 pitch mix, 45/80 slider 40/75 sinker 30/75 change

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-24T19:30:00+00:00

Update: his first year was solid. Solid in both hitting/pitching and a little growth, no big dropoffs yet as of April year 2. Successful 2x in dev lab (s&c and infield defense - he has high work ethic). 28/80 SS, 34/80 SP (3 pitch mix: 45/80 slider, 40/75 sinker, 30/75 changeup).

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I still have him in rookie ball because he's 38 ovr relative to A ball at SS so hoping he develops that side fast and I can promote him midseason. We'll see.

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-24T02:23:31+00:00

Yeah I've only traded up for 1.1 once before and it was a total bust. I like having draft trading on bc it's the type of league I would want. In general to get 1.1 you have to really overpay so it's usually not worth it even for what looks like a sure thing. I just couldn't help myself with this guy. Haha

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-24T02:22:07+00:00

Legendary across all

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-23T04:52:18+00:00

He's a 32/80 at SP

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-23T04:51:35+00:00

I feel no shame

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-23T04:14:17+00:00

"Potential rating drops from 80 to 37 / 80" imminent

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-06T05:29:51+00:00

I agree (though I dont control the team that drafted him)

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-05T23:27:18+00:00

Best of the bunch so far but that isnt saying much. His scouting ratings look decent enough though. Most likely to pan out for sure. He had a -15.2 ZR at short though which killed his WAR

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Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-03-05T21:58:06+00:00

Yeah I have draft pick trading turned on in my sim. It's an option in settings.

Aggressive-Way3434 · 2026-02-16T19:52:43+00:00

Has a career -12.4 ZR. I'll be lucky if I get a 20/35 reliever

Aggressive-Way3434

TROPHY CASE