How do you know when to promote your prospects in Franchise mode?

[dking30]

What's the criteria that you use?

[KBLover]

Re: How do you know when to promote your prospects in Franchise mode?

You never really know. There may not even be a "right time".

As for criteria here's mine:

-Ability level: If a kid has the skills to hack the next level, I'm more than likely going to promote him unless I have a reason not to (he might not get playing time, for example).

-Performance: To a degree, performance will dictate things, too. I usually look for "strong-for-the-level" performance when deciding. If a guy has a 2.14 ERA in AA, I'll look at him to consider him for a promotion. Then it goes back to ability level.

-Playing Time: Both how much he's had (large enough sample for it to begin being useful) and how much he probably will get at the next level (I'd rather him keep playing full time than get 30 AB at the next level, all else being similar).

-Organizational Needs: Sometimes, I'll need to move someone up/down because that level got a rash of injuries. Sometimes, all the options at a level are doing poorly (or well, as the case my be) and some need to move to spread things out and provide different opportunities.

-Development/Trajectory at Current level: Sometimes, I just leave kids where they are if they are growing well at the level. I think of this as having a good relationship with the manager/coaches there and he's really taking off, or there's someone he's learning from in the clubhouse, etc. This can trump other factors, especially for a prospect I'm expecting big things from (so rapid positive development is king), or a kid that's surprising me and I want to leave him be until the growth is showing signs of leveling off. At that point, I'll consider a promotion.

[Yngwie Swain]

Re: How do you know when to promote your prospects in Franchise mode?

To me, that is what a "40-man roster" is all about.

It's watching to see the "A" Potential prospects aged 23 and down either step up and improve...or stay below the "Mendoza Line" hitting "Todd Van Poppel" line pitching.

Just ALWAYS REMEMBER...there is ALWAYS SEPTEMBER when you have guys to experiment with/see how they can do at a major league level!

As for the guys who you have not yet placed on the 40-man, but see they might be worthy of keeping away from the Rule 5. Be VERY VERY careful and see what your needs are (both salary wise and talent-wise) on the field from month-to-month and offseason to offseason.

Good luck!

[Juzbee]

Re: How do you know when to promote your prospects in Franchise mode?

The only thing I can add to what the other guys have already said is that it's lots and lots of trial and error.

[Bobhead]

Re: How do you know when to promote your prospects in Franchise mode?

When one of the following happens:

- The prospect gets to about 70-75 OVR, and is not blocked by a significantly better star player
- The prospect plays a position of need (ie: due to injury, or another player being terrible)

If the prospect is blocked by a star player then I consider trading the star for more prospects. Not right away but within a year or so.