Out of the Park 18 hits it out of the park

Each year Out of the Park baseball improves it’s great baseball simulation game and this year is no different. Always on the cutting edge, OOTP 18 has improved several aspects to the already great simulation.

The improvements include:

• New Challenge Mode
• Online Profiles and Leaderboards
• Real 2017 major and minor league rosters
• Historic Negro League teams
• Improved 3D mode
• New tournaments
• and much more

One of things you have to love about OOTP is they keep up with the changes in the MLB as they incorporated many of 2017 CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) rule changes. They also improved the AI and the 3D interface for games (something I enjoy using when I play). I played a couple games in  the 3D mode and saw much more realistic depiction of balls hit though the homers still look like every one is hit 500 feet. Maybe next year we’ll see those balls that just barely make the seats? One cool little addition was when Manny Machado hit a walk off double in the bottom of the 10th, the entire team came out of the dugout for the celebration. Cool.

No game is more complete and if you are like me, you love the fact that you have a full minor league system to play with as well. I thought the scouting of the minor leaguers in the Orioles system to be decent, though there were a few mistakes like having Jayson Aquino as a closer instead of a starter and giving Cody Sedlock a potential of a half star by the Orioles scout (Gar Rajsich). Still, having all the players in the system there with the ability to move them around the minor leagues is always fun.

So let’s play a season with the 2017 Orioles. I made the rosters the way the season started which did require me to edit Pedro Alvarez into a minor league contract, make him a RFer, and give him only 2 options so I could send him to Norfolk. I promoted Trey Mancini.

I played the first game and won on a walkoff in the bottom of the 10th on a Manny Machado double. I then decided I would sim the rest and only make changes when prompted.

Wade Miley came off the DL so I sent Tyler Wilson to the AAA. On May 1st with the Orioles at 10-11, Anthony Santander came off the DL so I designated Craig Gentry for assignment. On May 5th Chris Tillman came off the DL so I sent Trey Mancini down to AAA even though he was hitting. I decided to try and keep Santander for now.

On May 26th, with an 0-3 record and a 6.75 ERA, the Ubaldo Jimenez era is over as I released him. I feel good even if it’s just a simulation. I promoted Alec Asher and he will now be the 5th starter. On June 28th, Dylan Bundy had to be placed on the DL so I brought up Logan Verrett who was pitching well as a starter in Norfolk. The team is 35-35.

So Santander ended up just killing it batting .426 with a 1.160 OPS, but he ended up with a back problem and had to be DL’d. I brought up Mancini. Seth Smith had some hamstring issues so I brought up hit hitting David Washington from Norfolk.

Zach Britton was “voted” into the All-Star game as the closer and Manny Machado was 3rd in the voting but the team is not doing well at 41-46. With the season looking shot at 43-15 on July 19th, JJ Hardy goes on the DL with back issues so I bring up Robert Andino. More injuries a week later as Hyun Soo Kim goes on the DL and I have to bring up Logan Schafer. Not going to lie, seems like the injuries are set too high though I was assured the injuries are set right and I may have just into some bad luck. Perhaps, but I’ll have to sim more seasons for a conclusive look

At the trading deadline, with a record of 47-56, I deiced to trade All-Star closer Zach Britton to the Cubs for SS Javier Baez, 22-year old OF Eddy Martinez, and Single-A reliever Chad Hockin. Baez will be the shortstop now and in the future and Martinez was a five star potential outfielder who will go to Double-A Bowie.

Into August, Machado and Adam Jones have gone on the DL and either there is a epidemic or you may want to drop the injuries down a bit before you start your simulation. Not to be outdone, Mark Trumbo broke his hand on September 3rd but the team has actually been playing better of late and is now 67-69, but 12 1/2 games back.

Unfortunately the OOTP 18 2017 Orioles ended up in 4th place with a 78-85 record 20 backs of Division winning Blue Jays. If if it makes you feel any better the Red Sox ended up in last place with a 74-88 record. Jonathan Schoop was the hitting star and Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander had quite a rookie season.

Pitching wise, Kevin Gausman was the team’s best starter and Dylan Bundy was solid. The rest of the starters were not very good and the bullpen outside of Britton, Brad Brach, and Darren O’day was shaky with Givens having the worse season.

Overall, this game put up some pretty accurate stats and with some better luck with the injuries this team could have probably competed. If you are looking for a great baseball game, whether you like to play with today’s teams, past teams, or made up teams, you can’t go wrong with OOTP 18.

You purchase the game by going to https://site.ootpdevelopments.com/out-of-the-park-baseball/.