Tag: Draft

Master League Draft Review: A Visual Analysis

Season 14 is now underway with the players and their respective teams playing their opening series. The pre-season draft already seems like a distant memory but not for some. Indeed one person in particular has been hard at work to give a different perspective on the draft, specifically one focused on players and their performances during scrims in the off-season.

That person is Nate of Master League Blizzard fame. Pouring over the off-season stats Nate has produced spider graphs for a number of 1st round picks in this season’s Master League Draft. These graphs (don’t worry arachnophobes there’s no actual spiders) provide a visual representation of each players performance over the off-season, indicating what their respective teams can expect in terms of playstyle.

Before we get to the graphs. Here’s the what, how and everything else behind Nate’s work…

  • What is this?
    These are player skill charts created with radar charts to visualize the differences between players. Each skill category has a point on the chart and, when read together, provides a visual “map” of a player’s abilities.
  • Data collection & synthesis method
    All stats were collected from the Master League scrim stats Metabase. Both 2s and 3s stats were collected & synthesized separately, then combined to create an overall rating for each skill category. Population max and min values for each stat were established to normalize the data– lower Master League players were included in the population to provide more realistic lower bounds.
  • Definition of criterion used
    Explicit and implicit stats were used for skill categories:
    • Supporting Stats
      GA/GM – Goals Against per game
      SvA/GM – Saves Against per game
      Sh/GM – Shots per game
      ShA/GM – Shots Against per game
      ShotA % – Shots Against percentage
    • Explicit
      G/GM – Goals per game
      A/GM – Assists per game
      Sv/GM – Saves per game
      Win % – Win percentage
      ΔMVPR – MVPR vs. OMVPR
      Exp – Experience (# of games played)
    • Implicit
      Offense – Overall offensive performance based on G/GM, A/GM, and SvA/GM
      Pressure – Defined as the relation between Sh/GM and ShA/GM
      Defense – Overall defensive performance based on Sv/GM, GA/GM, ShA/GM, ShotA %, and OMVPR
  • Limitations of data and representation
    Given that many intangible stats and player characteristics are not collected in MLE stats, this data representation is not a complete picture of what makes a player good or bad. Major gameplay components that are not factored into this project include but are not limited to: situational awareness, positioning, mechanics, consistency, etc. These charts are not intended to definitively prove one player is better than another, but they do intend to provide a visual representation of MLE scrim stats in a way that players can be compared along specific metrics.

So now you have an understanding let’s get to those sweet graphs themselves…

 

#1 Pick | Deadzie | Jets

The first name “out of the hat” was Deadzie. The Jets appear to have picked up a pretty solid offensive player in Deadzie. Their offensive play certainly led to a healthy win% and ΔMVPR. The Jets obviously were encouraged and went big with the 1st pick of the draft, with Deadzie having a salary of 17.5, which is towards the higher echelons of the Master League salary range.

 

 

#7 Pick | SpongebobGGoober | Eclipse

Who says defence can’t win matches? Well whoever they are show them the way to SpongebobGGoober because during scrims they excelled in defensive play achieving high ratings in defence and saves per game which contributed to a high win percentage and ΔMVPR. With Goober on board the Eclipse will look to shutdown and blackout the oppositions offence!

 

 

#13 Pick | Eggman | Knights

Eggman? More like Pac-Man given their player graph resembles a familiar, retro video game character with an obsession for pills, fruit and scared ghosts. Eggman’s “Pacman” certainly looks pretty strong with generally positive ratings in the majority of areas. Time will tell if a relative lack of scrims played may lead to Eggman having a slow start to the season but if his graph is anything to go be then it looks like the Knights have an egg-celant player on their hands.

 

 

#14 Pick | Le_Frijole | Ducks

Arguably one of the most satisfying names to pronounce (or at least attempt to) in MLE, Le_Frijole, which we can only assume judging by their player ratings graph translates to “scores a lot”. Yes Le_Frijole certainly knows how to find the net. Mix that in with a high pressure rating opposition can expect to see Le_Frijole imposing himself in and around the goal mouth.

 

 

#24 Pick | Manatee | Aviators

MLE veteran Manatee experience really shows in his player graph. While he may not have had displayed great success during scrims there can be no doubting his commitment to playing and developing his game if his graph is anything to go by. With a salary of 16.0 Aviators may have picked up an experienced flyer for value. Can he help the Aviators be Top Guns in the Master League?

 

 

 

#29 Pick | Calcifree | Puffins

Puffins are known to be relatively carefree and peaceful creatures but Calcifree maybe the Puffins that goes against type with what can only be described as an “aggressive” chart that shows high ratings in offense and pressure. It certainly hasn’t done their ΔMVPR and Win% any harm in scrims. Anyone facing the Puffins in the Master League season can expect some hostility on the field from the offset!

 

 

#32 Pick | Leachy | Sabres

The last pick of the round was Leachy. Chief Production Officer of Minor League Esports sure looks like a safe pair of hands with a high skill rating in saves per game. The rest of his skill ratings point to generally being an all-round player without demonstrating any outstanding qualities. Hopefully he can increase on his win% this season to help Sabres towards the playoffs.

 

 

 

Those were just a select few player graphs analysed. In total Nate looked at and produced 21 graphs! Here are the rest of the players examined as part of his project. Enjoy!

And that concludes this in-depth, visual analysis of the Master League 1st round draft picks. Hats off to Nate for putting this together it will be interesting to see how these players perform over the season and see if their off-season ratings and performances are replicate during the regular season itself.

MLE News Update: Draft Lottery, Applications & More!

We are hot off the heels of last night’s Season 9 Draft Lottery, which saw our 32 Franchises learn their respective fates for the upcoming Drafts. With the Season 9 draft only a few weeks away there’s a lot of news to bring you all! So without delay here is the news…


Franchise Fates Decided

Last night the Draft order for each of the four leagues was decided on stream. But who did the wheel favour and who ended waiting till the end. Let’s find out…

It was the Sharks who got the luck of the draw in the Foundation League. This will be the Sharks first season in the Foundation league after not being involved in the inaugural season of the Foundation League in Season 8. The Pandas and Blizzard were next out of the hat at 2 & 3 respectively. For one of the founding franchises of MLE, the Elite, it wasn’t such good news as they got dealt the card of having to pick last in the upcoming draft. 

Foundation League Season 9 Draft Order

In the Academy League, 32 teams eagerly awaited to find out their fate and it was Season 7 Academy League runners-up, the Jets, who flew in as first pick. They will be hoping 1st pick will improve their fortunes after a tough Season 8. The Pandas once again struck lucky getting the 2nd pick again, drawing ahead of Season 6 & 7 Champions the Wizards. Last Seasons Champions, the Outlaws have a slight disadvantage going into the defence of their title being picked last but one, that “honour” falling to the Tyrants.

Academy League Season 9 Draft Order

With the Tyrants winning the Season 8 Champion League Championship in their inaugural season, the chances of them being picked first were slim but they again had the blow of having to pick last in the upcoming draft. On the flip side, the Spectre enter their 2nd season as a franchise with renewed optimism after being drawn first. They are followed by Season 6 Champions the Aviators in 2nd and the Outlaws in 3rd.

Champion League Season 9 Draft Order

And last not but not least the Premier League teams were informed of their place in the upcoming Draft. With the addition of 16 teams this season, their will be plenty of places up for grabs and it was the Bears who will get first pick. In bizarre circumstances the Pandas once again got drawn in 2nd & the Spartans received some luck from the wheel after being drawn lowly in the Academy & Champion League draws. Last seasons Champions, the Foxes, were last “out of the hat”, pipped to 31st place by the team they defeated, the Bulls, in last season’s Championship Final.

Premier League Season 9 Draft Order


Season 9 Important Dates

In case you missed last week’s Community News update don’t worry, here is a friendly reminder of a couple of important upcoming dates.

Draft Weekend, Saturday & Sunday 27th & 28th July 

Draft weekend is always an exciting and nervous time for those hoping to get picked up by one of the teams. Full times, details, etc. regarding the Draft Weekend will be released nearer the event. 

Season 9 start, Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August

Week 1 of Season 9 is provisionally planned to start on the “second weekend” in August. Full fixtures and season structure will be released in the near future once details have been finalised.


Foundation League Players Wanted

MLE is a great place for players new to Rocket League or those looking to progress from the lower ranks. Many players who started out in Foundation league have improved their skills and rank, whilst having a lot of fun along the way, so if you are ranked Platinum 3 or below and are looking for a supportive & competitive environment, MLE is a great environment to develop… if we do say so ourselves. To apply for the chance to play in Season, click here.


Follow MLE

Did you know MLE has an Instagram account? MLE is present on several platforms so why not check us out and give us a follow.

Facebook: @MLEsportsGG

Instagram: mlesportsgg

Twitch: http://twitch.tv/mlesportsgg

Twitter: @MLEsportsgg

Website: https://mlesports.gg

YouTube: Minor League Esports


Final Word

With the Draft Lottery completed the 32 franchises will be hard at work trying to scout players ahead of the forthcoming drafts. Season 9 is on course to be the biggest yet and as these next couple of weeks unravel there will be lots of information to digest.

Don’t forget to keep out on league announcements for any updates, as well as the website and Twitter.

Thanks for reading, until next time…

 

Have fun & peace out,

Minor League Esports