Duke Robinson III - 2008 Edition		

		KEY CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS VERSION
There are a number of critical changes from this edition that need to be noted.

BASE STEALING
(1) Robinson Jr. was, for the most part, conservative with base stealing. This was  mostly due to his requirement that the batter had to have an effective slugging of .375 or lower in order to send the runner (other factors were considered).  

A batter's effective slugging average is defined as the following:

Slugging(Batter)+BA.GradeEffect(OpposingPitcher)-PlatoonRating.Factor(Batter))

where 

BA.GradeEffect= 0.008*(9.5-CurrentGrade(OpposingPitcher)); and
PlatoonRating.Factor=PlatoonRating(Batter)*0.008

This upated version raises that number (in most situations) to .550 and higher. 

Other factors are still considered such as steal chance, outs, inning, score, actual steal attempts, et cetera. But the raising of that threshold number (.375) will increase stealing considerably.

Again, steal chance or success ratings are still heavily considered. Low success runners will almost never run. High success runners will run but should only match their historic numbers (e.g., a player who was 7 for 7 stealing shouldn't get 20+ saves unless he is overused).

With this in mind, Robinson III (like Robinson and Robinson Jr.) are not smart choices for a deadball era type replay since many runners during that period had quite low success rates. 

BUNTING:
Previous versions did not take into account actual sacrifice attempts when determing the quality of a bunter (three standards are used: poor bunter, decent bunter and good bunter). Instead, they solely used strikeouts per at bat as the criteria. This version continues to use that standard but it is adjusted based on actual SH totals.

Another requirement to bunt (for non-pitchers) was that the batter be a weak hitter (defined as having an effective BA of under .235 and an ISO of under .120). Robinson III adjusts this average based on inning, score and actual SHs. Opposing pitcher grade and outs are also considered.

Additionally, a new bunting strategy for pitchers was added that takes into account runners and score as well as the hitting ability of the pitcher ("good" hitting pitchers are less likely to bunt than average or poorer ones).

BULLPEN STATUS CONSIDERED
Previous versions did not include in most situations the status of a team's bullpen when deciding to pull starting pitchers. For example, if a starter gave up five runs, he would be immediately pulled even if the bullpen was thin.

Robinson III has been programmed to greatly consider bullpen "health" when pulling starters. A starter who gives up five or more early runs may be allowed to pitch because the bullpen is thin due to injury or overuse. In addition, high inning or low starting durability starters will also be allowed to pitch longer despite getting hit hard.

Generally speaking, if a team's bullpen is not "decent" (as defined as having two or more rested relievers who can pitch to 20 or more batters), Robinson III will let a starter pitch longer and get hit harder than previous editions. He'll try then, to get a  minimum of 5 innings out of the starter.

CLOSERS' READINESS RATINGS
Previous editions did not consider the readiness rating (or RR) of relievers when deciding to use them. A reliever with a RR of 1, for example, would be used in a save situation when it was obvious that he could not complete the inning (he'd exhaust his workable batters).

Robinson III will consider the RR of relievers - especially closers - when deciding when or whether to use them. A closer who can only pitch to 4 batters will not be used before the ninth. Additionally. a team's top closer will only be used if fully rested and in close games late. If a team's top closer cannot face 4 or more batters, he won't be used for that game (emergencies notwithstanding).

For those interested, here's the old standard:

S.p(x)>3 where "x" is the reliever

The new definition is:
(IF Is.SaveOp THEN S.p(x)>3 ELSE S.p(x)>5 And W.p(x)+L.p(x)>=15) And(IF
Inning=7 And Not(Is.Bottom And TeamOf(x)=Offense) THEN RR(x)>14 ELSE IF
Inning=8 And Not(Is.Bottom And TeamOf(x)=Offense) THEN RR(x)>10 Or QR(x)<
4 And Is.SaveOp And RR(x)>9 And TeamOf(x)=Def And Outs>0 And
NumberOfRunners>1 ELSE RR(x)>3)

You'll note two important changes.

I. Closers will be used in tied games late as well as in save situations if they had high wins+loss totals (15 or more) and five or more saves. 

II. The relievers RR is critical in determining whether he will be used in save situations for 1, 2 or 3 inning outings.

			OTHER CHANGES TO NOTE:

STARTERS IN RELIEF
Robinson III still sets aside either a 4 or 5 man rotation. However, these starters may be used in relief late in close games if they had 5 or more relief appearances and a team's bullpen was down to two fully rested fulltime relievers (pitchers with more relief appearances than starts). Their outings will be limited (8th inning onward, close contests) and they'll be limited to 2 or fewer innings.

BLOWOUT APPROACH
The blowout strategy was altered and now includes pinch hitting for star type players in lopsided games. Additionally, the hook used for starters in such games has been changed to consider bullpen situation (see above). If the team's pen is weak or thin, the starter may go longer. Also, if the starter is having a "dominating" performance (shutout with low hits allowed or high strikeouts), he may also be permitted to finish up.

OUTFIELD RATINGS
Outfielders are rated internally on their ability to play center and also rightfield. If a player rated as an outfielder has a weak arm or is slow, he will not be used in right or center respectively unless injuries/ejection require it. You won't be seeing a Frank Howard playing centerfield for the Senators or a Mickey Rivers in right.

PINCHHITTING
Robinson III will PH for an announced pinchhitters if platoon advantages warrant it.

DEFENSIVE SUBBING
Faster, better defensive players will be used to pinch run for slower, poorer defensive players with close leads late.

OTHER CHANGES
Short role relievers (those that average less than one inning per outing) will be used in such a capacity (e.g., usually against lefthanded hitters for a couple of batter, pulled with no platoon advantages, outing usually a maximum of one inning); strategies to better take advantage of high platoon hitters have been added; additional DH-only strategies have been included (pulling relievers who have pitched multiple innings, et cetera). Intentional walk strategies "liberalized" (3.21.09).


			PROGRAMMING NOTE
This version of Robinson III is about roughly 620 or so strategies and/or definitions. That is more than enough space for anyone wishing to add or change the programming. Robinson Jr., for example, was at 631 or the ceiling and additions couldn't be undertaken.
