Buck Miller Series of Managers: Buck Miller I – IV are modern day draft league style managers. They are aggressive in nature and use whatever techniques are appropriate including APBA-Ball. Miller I and Miller III choose reliever by Saves and II and IV choose by Grade. Miller I and II set a rotation (protect starters from appearing in relief) and Miller III and IV don’t.. These are from Steven Galbraith and he even includes tips on how to adjust them.
Series Version | Sets Rotation | Choses closer by |
I | Yes | Saves |
II | Yes | Grade |
III | No | Saves |
IV | No | Grade |
Buck Miller III – Buck Miller III, AIM draft league modern manager is designed to be an AIM (Advanced Injury Management), modern draft-league manager. Although he is capable of handling a variety of bullpens, Miller III (as with the other versions) should be used only with contemporary (ca. 1995) rosters. A rough estimate would be for leagues comprised of players from the mid-to-late 1980s to the current day.
Although the Miller series of managers (I through IV) are nearly identical, this version differs significantly in two areas. One, Miller III DOES NOT set aside a pitching rotation. He will NOT, however, use the last available pitcher who could start (GS>0) from being used in a game. Additionally, his use of starters in relief is very limited and usually only occurs if the pitcher had a high number of appearances (roughly 10 or more) or the game is close late (8th inning on, +/- 2-3 run margin). Second, this version ranks or rates closers by their saves and NOT grade. So, he will use, for example, a reliever with a high number of saves over a higher grade reliever in save situations. Additionally, Miller III uses a “weighted save” standard for non closers (saves under 12) in save situations and an “adjusted saves” standard for closers/superclosers in save situations (saves are increased if the pitcher has a platoon advantage, the increase adjusted still further if the batter is a slugger (e.g, PRO>=.820).
Some additional information on and other strategies to note include:
- As was mentioned above, Miller III does not set aside a rotation. So, to be absolutely sure that pitcher will NOT be used in relief, you must bench that particular hurler.
- Resting or benched star players. Miller III will, albeit in a limited capacity, use these players. Essentially, the game must be close (+/-2 or 3 runs) for them to be considered. Otherwise, except in emergencies, they will not be used. As with (1) above, then, to ensure that a player is not used, you should bench him. If, however, he is tired or bushed, he will NOT be used except in emergencies (injuries or ejection require their use).
- Miller III will: PH, PR or sub defensively for “star” type players in one-sided games, with a preference on using “itchy” players as subs. Only non-regulars (plate appearances under 350) will be used in such circumstances.
- Miller III rates batters for their bunting ability based, in part, on the SO ratio. However, “good” bunters must also have a high number of actual SHs. There are three types of bunters defined: bad, decent and good. Bad bunters will never bunt; decent ones will bunt in limited circumstances, chiefly when behind or when tied against a good pitcher; while good bunters will advance runners in close games throughout the game.
- Base stealing: Miller’s green light to go is greatly affected by both the score and the steal chance of the runner (inning, outs, batter’s effective batting average, et cetera, are also considered).
- Hit and Run: This is one area of difficulty since many leagues limit the number of H&R a manager can call. In tests with the Miller series, he seemed “reasonable” with this strategy although, admittedly, this is quite subjective. Additionally, the Millers’ will call for a hit and run with runners on first and third.