In MLB 19 and MLB 20, I would get the occasional (but relatively rare) 9-3 putout, in which the RF fields a ball that lands in front of him and fires it to 1B before the runner can get there. Naturally, it was easier to do this when the runner didn't have much speed. It was rare, but oh was I giddy when it did happen.
I've been playing MLB 21 since early release, but I haven't gotten close to a 9-3 putout yet, because this time around the first baseman won't be waiting on the first base bag. No matter who it is (this goes for primary first basemen and players who have 1B as a secondary position), he will always be standing to the left of the bag (his left) by a few yards.
Vladdy Jr. allowed Yadier MOLINA, who has 0 speed, to reach first even though my right fielder threw the ball accurately to him, because he was yards away from the bag. Standing there, staring at Lofton like a blockhead.
I have the defensive positioning set to "straight up" for every batter. I assumed that the first baseman would get into position naturally, just as the second baseman or shortstop do to tag a runner out if they advance too far to 2B. This has not happened.
Did SDS change the fielding in a way that made 9-3 putouts impossible? Or is there something that I'm doing wrong?
This is against the CPU, by the way. Not online.