MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Spring Training has come to a close. So far, things are working out quite well with Craig at 2B and Gardner at CF and at leadoff.

Opening Day 25 man roster

Rotation

Adam Wainwright
Michael Wacha
Jaime Garcia
Shelby Miller
Joe Kelly

Bullpen

Joel Peralta
Carlos Martinez
Jason Motte
Kevin Siegrist
Randy Choate
Dominic Leone
Trevor Rosenthal


Lineup

CF - Brett Gardner
3B - Matt Carpenter
LF - Matt Holiday
2B - Allen Craig
C - Yadier Molina
1B - Matt Adams
SS - Johnny Peralta
RF - Oscar Taveras
Pitcher Spot

Bench

C - Tony Cruz
IF - Mark Ellis
IF - Daniel Descalso
IF/OF - Chone Figgins
OF - Randal Grichuk

[Marino]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

An update on my Show franchise. Currently at July 30, 2014 right now.

Lineup
Billy Hamilton - CF .281 6 HR 13 RBI 22 SB
Jimmy Rollins - SS .259 4 HR 22 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez - 1B .257 17 HR 62 RBI
Yasiel Puig - RF .239 16 HR 46 RBI
Justin Turner - Utility .261 1 HR 12 RBI
Andre Ethier - LF .257 16 HR 46 RBI
A.J. Ellis - C .270 6 HR 30 RBI
Juan Uribe - 2B .262 6 HR 26 RBI
Hanley Ramirez - .291 18 HR 52 RBI
Kevin Rogers - LF .261 6 HR 19 RBI
Victor Martinez - 1B .303 8 HR 22 RBI
Scott Van Slyke - LF .266 8 HR 26 RBI

Pitching
Clayton Kershaw 12-5 2.32 ERA 165K/56BB
Zack Greinke 9-5 4.37 ERA 146K/61BB
Josh Beckett 6-6 2.91 ERA 84K/45BB
Hyun-Jin Ryu 6-1 3.07 ERA 48K/23BB
Dan Haren 7-6 3.48 ERA 90K/38BB
Jamey Wright 3-1 5.01ERA 40K/16BB
Jonathan Crawford 0-1 1.50ERA 3K/2BB
J.P. Howell 4-5 3.69ERA 32K/13BB
Jose Dominguez 1-1 4.73ERA 9K/6BB
Chris Withrow 1-0 2.60ERA 43K/10BB
Paco Rodriguez 0-3 4.44ERA 23K/14BB 1 Save
Brian Wilson 3-2 3.03 ERA 41K/15BB 1 Save
Kenley Jansen 2-2 3.32ERA 41K/20BB 36 Saves

NL West Standings
Dodgers 62-45
Rockies 58-49 4GB
Giants 52-56 10.5GB
Padres 49-57 12.5GB
D'Backs 49-58 13GB

Season has been up and down. Struggling out of the All-Star break but thankfully Colorado has fallen off. Trying to keep it rolling with my team I have right now. Thankfully, Dee Gordon comes back soon as well.

[DJeterFan2]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I was just wondering how you guys go about simming your franchise. It takes me a while to get through one season & I think its because I play to many games. I usually play with everyone in my rotation and just continue that through the season so its usually just play 1 sim 2 or 3 for the whole season.

Ive seen some people talk about playing one and simming 5 or playing once a week.

How many games do you guys sim and play and whats you're reasoning behind it?

Thanks

I usually play 3 out of 5 with quick counts on. I'm already through a season and a half.

[The Chef]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I was just wondering how you guys go about simming your franchise. It takes me a while to get through one season & I think its because I play to many games. I usually play with everyone in my rotation and just continue that through the season so its usually just play 1 sim 2 or 3 for the whole season.

Ive seen some people talk about playing one and simming 5 or playing once a week.

How many games do you guys sim and play and whats you're reasoning behind it?

Thanks

I play every game myself and am already 46 games into season 2 after winning the World Series in season 1.

[KnickNation17]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I play every game myself and am already 46 games into season 2 after winning the World Series in season 1.

Interesting. I still play my old franchises from past versions of the show therefore it would be hard for me to play every game.

[KnickNation17]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I usually play 3 out of 5 with quick counts on. I'm already through a season and a half.

Interesting I havent tried quick counts yet.. Ill give it a shot

[roonoc]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

finally got into playing this and started a chise with the Reds. So far I'm 6-1. I've had great pitching by everyone in the rotation except for Matt Leake who lead the team to a 15-3 loss against NY. My hitting has been weak, but then again i'm getting better. Bruce went 6 games without a hit and then finally went 3-3 in the last game against the cards. Ludwick and Frazier have lead the team in RBI's and HRs. Votto and Phillips have yet to come alive. I have two games left against the Cards, who I am 4-0 against so far and they are 1-6. I'm using TNK's sliders and I have a feeling that things will start to even out.

[BertmanT5]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Started up a Rockies franchise the other day. Big fan of Tulo and Cargo. I simmed to the final series before the All Star Break, where we swept the offensively challenged Twins. Sitting at a surprising 53-43. (No injuries as I turn injuries off completely, league wide during long sims. Easier to manage). Only reasons we are here, offense and bullpen.

Tulo, Cargo, Arenado, and Morneau are pacing the machine, with pretty much everyone contributing in some manner. Biggest surprise has been Corey Dickerson. Hitting .343 w/ 6 HRs and 38 rbi, he's pushed Charlie Blackmon onto the trade block. Kyle Parker is raking in Triple A hitting .285 w/ 16 HRs and 55 rbi and has made Cuddyer expendable. In general, I plan on trading some pieces away. Why am I selling? My pitching won't let me be a viable contender at this point. I'd rather bring in more resources than try and trade away what few I have.

Best starter has been Jhoulys Chacin. By best I mean he ok. 4.13 ERA, 70 K's, 1.32 WHIP. Bullpen has been rock solid. I love creating myself as a player in a Franchise rather than doing a RTTS. So I made myself as a reliever. Besides, me I guess ha, Adam Ottavino has been great. Love pitching with him. His slider fastball combo is deadly. LaTroy Hawkins has been rather meager. 5.14 ERA with 25 saves and 4 blown saves.

So I'm a seller in a winning position. I just don't feel I have the starters to effectively be a legit threat in the NL. Next year maybe. Depending on the offseason and how guys like Jon Gray and Eddie Butler improve. We shall see. Regardless, loving this team!

[DJeterFan2]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Interesting I havent tried quick counts yet.. Ill give it a shot

Buyer Beware...most of the time you'll be in unfavorable counts. Like you just walked the last batter to load the bases and your "generated count" is 3-0 with the #5 guy at the plate. That or you've got the bases loaded 2 outs and get dealt an 0-2 count with your #9 hitter.

It's frustrating at times and seems like it always happens at a critical time in the ball game, but I like it because it's rewarding to work my way back into the count and get the big play.

[NDAlum]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I've been hovering around .500 through 30 games with Pittsburgh. I think I was 14-15 until this play...

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zdrXPeV3hc8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

R Martin had 1 HR and 3 RBI in about 25 games of service, this hit was amazing! I made sure to show the frustrating NORMAL swing on a fastball down broadway which netted a foul tip.

[DJeterFan2]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Just called up Shane Greene and Chris Villanueva in my Yankees franchise. Teix has been struggling mightily and my starters are all wiped on energy since i've had them go deep into games.

The "back story" can be seen below.

Spoiler

Yankees to Promote Chris Villanueva and Shane Greene

By: Jack Ross|ESPNNewYork.com [June 6, 2015 at 1:08 pm CDT]





The Yankees have purchased the contract of 23 year old Chris Villanueva from their AAA affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Through 75 games, Villanueva, put up a triple slash line of .293/.363/.498 with 10 HR's and 45 RBI. It is believed that the Yankees called up Villanueva due to the recent struggles of Mark Teixeira and the lack of bench players. Manager Joe Girardi let reporters now how excited he was about the move. "With Chris being the second piece of the puzzle for our trade, we felt as if he could be a real impact player here in New York. We plan for him to get a solid amount of AB's so I hope he's ready to contribute. He did really well in AAA so we're excited to see what he can bring to the big league club."

Villanueva was acquired along with Javier Baez from the Cubs in a blockbuster trade for RHP Michael Pineda, C Gary Sanchez, OF Mason Williams, 2B Robert Refsnyder, and SP Luis Severino. Villanueva is expected to fill in at 1B and 3B when guys like Chase Headley and Mark Teixeira need days off or in the lineup as the designated hitter. Villanueva is seen as a solid defensive third baseman. Though, he isn't a power hitting corner infielder, the Yankees believe that he will be able to contribute given their deep lineup. The Yankees scouts believe he is can hit for at least a .280 average while providing 15+ home runs each season.

Along with Villanueva, the Yankees have purchase the contract of right-hander Shane Greene from their AA affiliate Trenton Thunder. Greene (pictured) will take the place of recently designated left-hander Matt Thornton. The 26-year old right hander will start the next game for the Yankees. "We feel as if Greene will be a solid major leaguer for us for a long time to come. He's gonna start tomorrow against the A's so I hope he's ready, because we need him to provide us with some quality innings. Our guys in the rotation have gone deep in games lately, so they could use a little bit of a break.", GM Brian Cashman told reporters.

Greene was 9-7 this season between the AAA and AA affiliates posting a 3.28 ERA. He will be the temporary 6th starter in the Yankees rotation. "Starting or in relief, I want to contribute in anyway that I can. As cliche as it sounds. No doubt I want to be a part of the rotation. But I've gotta earn it." Greene is expected to make the start vs the A's tomorrow, then be assigned to the bullpen for the remainder of the season.

As a 15th round selection in 2009, Greene will become the first big leaguer from the school when he makes his debut. Greene pitched 7 shutout innings in his Double-A start. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, and he made some adjustments on the mound in the winter of 2012. The adjustments allowed him to gain more control of his pitches and fire them across the plate with more effectiveness. Additionally, the adjustments has helped lowered his walk rate from 5.1 in 2012 to 3.5 in 2014

Greene features a four-pitch repertoire that includes a 4-seam fastball, a sinker, a plus slider , a passable changeup. The deception in Greene's delivery should help his fastball to appear to be a bit faster than his average 95 mph fastball, which isn't bad to begin with.

[bkrich83]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I've been hovering around .500 through 30 games with Pittsburgh. I think I was 14-15 until this play...



<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zdrXPeV3hc8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



R Martin had 1 HR and 3 RBI in about 25 games of service, this hit was amazing! I made sure to show the frustrating NORMAL swing on a fastball down broadway which netted a foul tip.

I thought you were running with Houston.

[DJeterFan2]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I thought you were running with Houston.

I gave up on my Astros franchise. It felt artificial with all the minor league players I had and there were some SCEA guys on my team. I think I signed them as FA's after the draft period. I also called up guys I drafted way too early and unrealistically.

I found a team that I am absolutely in love with: the Pittsburgh Pirates. I'm six games into the first season and having a blast. Their roster composition is ideal for what I like to do. They have a solid outfield and some other serviceable veterans. I made the move for Ike Davis and Ernesto Frieri to mirror real life. I started Polanco in the bigs and he'll have a rivalry with Oscar Tavares of STL for years and years.

On the hill they have Cole and some decent other guys. Bullpen is solid but nothing stands out as amazing.

I'm 4-2 so far winning 2/3 against CHC & STL. The stadium is beautiful, the jerseys are crisp, and the minor league system is stocked.

Getting to battle with the Cards for the NL Central is going to be a blast.

Guess he thought the Pirates were a better fit than the 'stros. It'd be cool follow either 'chise in my opinion.

[KBLover]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Oh those walk-off Marlins.

The team is 27-30 at Marlins Park, and about 10 of those wins have come in walk-off fashion.

This latest walk-off also pushed the Marlins back to .500 at 55-55 as their man Giancarlo Stanton is starting to really heat up. Perhaps the second half for him will be as hot as his first half was ice cold. Stanton has clawed his way up to the top of the NL HR board and sits at 31. Stanton provided the walk-off bomb in the 11th in a 7-6 win over the Reds. It was his second home run of the day. His first home run came off Broxton to tie the game at 6-6.

Consistency still isn't in the cards for the Marlins. It's been better of late, but the team has struggled against quality ball clubs in the same span. After the Break, the Marlins took 2 of 3 from the Giants, managed a split with the Braves, swept the Astros, lost a series to the Nats (again), and have taken the first two against the Reds, winning their first series against an over-.500 team since the end of June when the Marlins took 2 of 3 from the A's.

Still in 4th place, but now back under 10 games out of the division race (9 1/2) and hanging around 6 games out for an NL Wild Card as well.

Aside from Stanton, the Marlins are getting a good bit of production from Viciedo when a southpaw is on the hill. Viciedo is up to 14 HR and is batting .375 vs LHP. Most of his damage for the Marlins has been against lefties, as expected. The team is considering going to a strict platoon at 3B, perhaps going with Hechavarria at 3B or perhaps Casey McGehee.

Didi Gregorius is also trying to help the bottom of the order and prove he should stick. Chris Taylor has been slow to start with the bat but his defense is already proving valuable.

An injury threatens to mess with the catcher position, however. Trade acquisition Hector Sanchez will miss 4-8 weeks with a dislocated shoulder after a collision at the plate. J.T. Realmuto got the call and will likely play vs LHP and give Brantley time off when needed.

The pitching side has been mixed recently. Jose Fernandez's last start was bad and it caused his 2nd loss of the season. Eovaldi continues to be a head case out there while Henderson Alvarez's first attempt back at the majors fell apart in the middle innings.

Angel Sanchez has been up-and-down - very unpredictable while Jacob Turner's rehab work is not going well either out of the bullpen.

Injuries have also struck in the rotation. The Marlins will have to make do with both Andrew Heaney and Anthony DeSclafani out for 4 to 8 weeks. This put a big dent in the rotation, especially with Heaney going down. Hard-throwing Adam Conley is next man up and more pressure on Henderson Alvarez to reclaim his 2013 form.

Michael Feliz and Tyler Kolek can't get here soon enough. Sadly, both are still refining in AA and there may be no plans to move them to AAA again this season.

The bullpen is still doing okay overall. Capps has struggled a little, but tends to be the most reliable arm aside from Cishek. Marmol is doing well and Henry Rodriguez has his moments. Still, the Marlins can't really blame the bullpen for much, even when things go south.


Transactions:

The team signed a pair of pitchers to the minors. RP Keone Kela is a fireballer extreme, and the Marlins hope he could be an asset out of the bullpen in the future. SP Dustin Driver is more of a project, but he might surprise. Both players will be assigned to AAA-New Orleans.


Farm News:

-Sending Feliz and Kolek back to AA seems to have done wonders for both players' confidence levels. Both pitchers look to have found their rhythms again and are looking sharp. Kolek has a 2.39 ERA thus far while Feliz is at 3.02. Feliz is still showing somewhat concerning signs that he can't get RHB out...despite being a RHP.

-RP Colby Suggs is struggling to find success in AAA, so he, too, might be heading back to Jacksonville if he can't turn things around. He was recently given the closer role, perhaps hoping some challenge and a role change will get the young prospect going again.

-3B Colin Moran is looking solid so far in 104 AAA at-bats. He's posting a line of .308/.387/.385, showing his promise as an OBP type bat thus far.

-OF Austin Dean might be something of a surprise. He's flown a bit under the radar with the Marlins focusing on infield prospects, but Dean has a .300/.369/.387 line in 380 AB for Jacksonville. His defense is also coming along. He's slated for a promotion to New Orleans.

-OF Kyle Jensen continues to disappoint in AAA. He's not shown any of his power, and that might be a sign that it's his contact that's failing him. His OPS isn't even .700 for a hitter whose power is what will get him to the majors if he's to make it at all.

[HozAndMoose]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

<table><td bgcolor=#0101DF>

Kansas City Royals - 81 Game Update 2015

</td></table>

Things are not going well at all in KC. The first 2 month of the season went pretty good. Went into June with a 3-4 game division lead. With one game left in the month we are now 7 back and in 3rd place. A couple guys went down with injuries. But the players that came up to replace them have played well. So there is no reason this should have happened.

Eric Hosmer broke his hand on June 19th. Expected to miss 1-2 months. On pace to return for the first series after the break. Hunter Dozier, the 8th pick in the 2013 draft was called up to replace him. He was hitting .300 with 8 HR and 36 RBI in 60 games at AAA Omaha.

Yordano Ventura was hurt for a couple weeks in May. Jeremy Guthrie came up from AAA to replace him. He was put at long reliever with Danny Duffy taking over as starter. The day Ventura came back, Kelvin Herrera tried to field a ball with his head and is now done for the year with a fractured skull. Guthrie stayed up and was moved to a middle relief role. He has played in 17 games and has done very well. 2.12 ERA in 29.2 innings.

Omar Infante got hurt in the middle of May and came back June 1st. We signed a 3rd baseman named D.J Wesley in the off season. He replaced Infante for those 2 weeks. Once Infante returned Pedro ciriaco was sent to AAA and Wesley is now our DH and plays 2B & 3B once or twice a week. He is only hitting .252. But he is 6th on the team with 6 HR.

The pitching was doing great until this last month. We were top 5 in ERA, Runs allowed, HR allowed and walks. We are now middle of the pack in basically everything. Aaron Brooks has been our best starter. He is 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA. Danny Duffy was player great his first 5-6 starts. He was 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA at the end of May. Ervin Santa has yet to get a win. He is 0-8 with a 3.48 ERA. Yordano Ventura and Jason Vargas have been pretty disappointing. Vargas was moved to LR in mid May. He has a 5.54 ERA. Ventura is 4-2 with a 4.54 ERA. We expected him to be under 3.50.

Hitting has been mediocre at best. We are 18th in AVG, 16th in runs, 22nd in HR, and we are the worst in the Majors at grounding in to double plays. Alex Gordon has been. Idk what he has been. After hitting .319 last year. He is now hitting .241. But he is on pace to have is most HR ever. The steroids we give Nori Aoki are working good. He has 8 HR with a .273 AVG. Alcides Escobar and Jarrod Dyson have been terrible. With 521 at bats combined. They are hitting just .200 with 36 RBI. Lorenzo Cain isnt much better. .237 with 3 HR and 21 RBI. Jonny Gomes is doing the opposite of what we signed him to do. He has 5 HR which is fine. But he is only hitting .244 vs LHP. And .342 vs RHP. At this point he is going to replace Dyson and Cain in the OF. Mike Moustakas has been the most surprising hitter. After getting just 64 at bats in 2014 due to a torn rotator cuff. He is hitting .280 with 12 HR and 31 RBI. He continues to be terrible vs LHP. Only a .125 AVG. But that is why Danny Valencia starts vs lefties.

In AAA, The bullpen has been fantasic. Tim Collins, Clayton Mortensen, and Scott Alexander have a combined ERA of 1.72 in 96 1/3 innings pitched. Andrew Triggs has 21 saves in 23 chances and has seen his potential grow.

Sean Manaea has been been pretty good as well. In 17 starts he is 9-5 with a 3.11 ERA. John Lamb is 6-5 with a 2.88 ERA. And Bruce Chen is 6-5 with a 2.68 ERA.

Jorge Bonifacio has played well. .280 AVG with 36 RBI and a .350 OBP. Justin Maxwell has been the best hitter down there with a .282 AVG and 13 HR.

In AA Bubba Starling seem to finally be putting things together. He is hitting .292 with 9 HR and has been playing great D.