Defensive Ratings

Players in OOTP have separate defensive ratings for outfield positions, infield positions and catcher. Furthermore, players have individual defensive position ratings for each position they are qualified to play. Defensive ratings can be seen on the Player Profile, the Ratings page, or in any list of players using the Fielding Ratings view.

Range

Range is a measure of how well a defensive player can reach a ball in play. Players with high Range ratings are more likely to reach a batted ball and potentially make an out. For example, a shortstop with good Range might reach a groundball to his right, whereas a shortstop with poor Range might not reach the ball, letting it go into left field for a single. Players have separate ratings for Infield and Outfield Range.

Error

Error is a measure of how likely a defensive player is to commit an error. This rating includes both fielding errors (dropping or misplaying the ball) and throwing errors (pulling the first baseman off the bag, throwing inaccurately). The Error rating is inversely related to errors. That is, players with high Error ratings are less likely to commit errors. Players have separate ratings for Infield and Outfield Error.

Arm

Arm is a measure of the strength of a player's arm. This rating includes both arm strength and arm accuracy. Players with higher Arm ratings are more likely to throw out runners on a close play. Players have separate ratings for Infield and Outfield Arm.

For catchers, Arm affects the likelihood that the player will throw out a runner trying to steal, as well as the frequency that runners attempt to steal.

Turn Double Play

Turn Double Play is a measure of how well infielders (including pitchers and catchers) can turn double plays. Players with high Turn Double Play ratings are more likely to successfully turn double plays when given the opportunity.

Blocking

Blocking is a measure of a catcher's ability to block balls in the dirt. Players with higher Blocking will commit fewer passed balls.

Framing

Framing is a measure of a catcher's ability to get called strikes on pitches on the border of the strike zone. Catchers with higher Framing will end up getting more strikeouts and fewer walks for their pitchers.

Position Ratings

Each player also receives a numeric rating at any position they are qualified to play. This rating is a composite measure of a player's overall defensive ability at a given position, which is also influenced by the player's experience at the position. Individual ratings exist for each defensive position. Players can have ratings at one or more positions. Players with higher position ratings are generally better overall defensively at that position.

Position ratings include a current and a maximum rating, but they do not "develop" in the same ways as pitching and hitting ratings; rather, they increase to the maximum rating (based on the player's underlying defensive ratings) as the player gains experience at the position. A player does not have a visible rating at a position until he has played at least one game there or otherwise gained experience at the position. This value can change as players develop or age, and the underlying range/error/arm values change. The potential (maximum) rating is the value that they would reach if they gained full experience at the position.

Players may "lose" a position rating if one of the component skills (range, arms, error, turn DP) falls below a set minimum for the position. While they may still play a position without a rating there, it is not generally recommended.

See Player Positions and Roles for more information on player positions, including information about learning new positions.