Develop prospects

[drew_3]

I'm from England and love this game. I'm about to start a Braves franchise because of all the prospects they have and the shiny new ballpark.

The question I have is how do you develop those prospects properly?


Any help is much appreciated.

[countryboy]

Re: Develop prospects

I don't know that there is a proper way to develop players. But I can share an overview of what I do and if you have specific questions I'll be happy to answer them.

First and foremost, I find the first year of a new franchise to be the most difficult in terms of setting the rosters because you really have nothing to go on outside of ratings and real life results. So I find setting up the 25 man roster for each level to be a bit more challenging. After having completed a franchise year, or after the All-Star break of the first franchise year, you get an idea of how players are playing and have better analytics to set a roster.

I say this because I believe that playing players is the best way to develop them. But starting them out at the wrong level can have a negative impact on their development, in my opinion.

The other way to develop players obviously is training. What I do is find attributes for the players that I want them to improve upon and I train them in that area for a month. After a month, I'll re-evaluate and either continue training those attributes or move on to something else. But the rule of thumb I have is that you must let a player train in an area/attribute for an entire month before changing. So I change all training in April, May, June, July, August, and September.

That is definitely just a brief overview of what I do. Please ask as many questions as you have and I, and hopefully others, will be more than happy to answer them.

[Funkycorm]

Re: Develop prospects

1. First and most important in my mind, is do not bring up prospects to the MLB level until they are ready. You can set a set rating in your head. Mine is typically 76-80, depending upon age, position, and potential. In my Reds franchise, no one came up until they were at an 80 overall.

For position player prospects, if they will not be in your everyday lineup, do not bring them up. Keep them at the AAA level until they are going to start. A player will develop faster and more if they play everyday at the AAA level as compared to the MLB level and being a bench warmer. Last thing you want is your future 2B who is taking over in a year, riding the bench and watching his attributes drop because he is not playing.

For pitchers, when they are ready to come up, make sure they are in the rotation for starters or bullpen for relievers.

Remember, you have 5 years before a player has to be on your 40 man before they become eligible for the rule 5 draft. I keep prospects off my 40 man until I need them on there to keep them or if they are going to be on the MLB roster by season's end.

Another rule of thumb, is never have more that 1 prospect you want to develop in the same position at the same level. If you have 2 SS prospects you want to develop, keep 1 at AA and 1 at AAA so they both start.

2. Related to number 1, if your prospect is 1 year away and you have a need at a position, don't be afraid to sign a veteran to a 1 year deal to be a place holder.

3. Have a scouting plan in your head about what positions you want to scout before the season starts. You should know your roster and know all your prospects and how long before they are MLB ready.

4. Scouting: Hire good scouts, and 1 for each region (east, central, west, international). I spend 7 days scouting for all possible pitchers in each region, 3 days for catchers, 7 for infield, and 7 for outfield. If I am set on outfielder prospects already (or any other position), I will only broad scout for 3 days. At that point, you have discovered most everyone 24 days into scouting. You will not have about 35-42 days till the draft typically. Then have each scout scout a player for 4 days in their region and in a position you need. Do not scout what you don't need. If you are the Padres and have Will Myers locked up for 5 years, don't scout 1B.

5. Follow up on scouting daily. Do not ignore any alerts in regards to scouting. It gets tedious, but it makes sure you don't miss anything.

6. A good way to find prospects: The first day after qualifying offers must be in, scour the free agent pool. You can find some solid prospects. These are the draft picks that other MLB teams didn't sign before season's end. During the first 5 days of the offseason, I release my D potential prospects and old career minor leaguers so I have room to go after the big MLB names I want and the good prospects. I have found multiple B level and some A level prospects this way. You can add career MiLB depth later in the offseason. Early in the offseason is when you get what you need/upgrades.

7. This plan is all dependent upon what team you are, your rebuild/compete status and other moving parts. You should know the direction you want to go in your franchise and that will help mold your prospect development.

8. Keep track of your draft picks and top prospects. I keep a notebook of vital information on all mine. Their MLB ready date, starting ratings, potential, etc.

9. Not all B potential prospects stay B. Some drop. Some go up. Not all prospects are a sure thing. Don't be afraid to let a prospect go (via trade, not resign), to make room for the next.

10. Like said above, take time to set manual training for those prospects you expect to be your future.

I hope this info helps.