MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

[Doctorduck10]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

About a week before the all star break in my Red Sox Franchise. Started quick and have held pace for the most part. Sitting at 60-31 and 9 games up on the Yankees in the division. While the whole team has done well, JD Martinez and Chris Sale have powered it. Martinez lead the AL in hits(119), Home Runs(34), RBIs(86), and runs(75). While Sale leads in wins(13), strikeouts(161), complete games(6), and innings pitched(145), while being 3rd in ERA at 2.17.

The bullpen has been the weak point. Very inconsistent. Thornburg and Smith have been great(Hey, those trades are finally paying off) but everyone else has been up and down. Kimbrel was great then got shelled for a week before getting injured and is out until early August. Not much to say about the rest other then meh.

Current lineup:
RF Mookie Betts (.259, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB)
LF Andrew Benintendi (.282, 14 HR, 57 RBI, 12 SB)
1B Hanley Ramirez (.306, 15 HR, 46 RBI)
DH JD Martinez (.319, 34 HR, 86 RBI)
CF Jackie Bradley (.276, 17 HR, 44 RBI)
SS Xander Bogaerts (.319, 7 HR, 52 RBI)
3B Rafael Devers (.282, 10 HR, 48 RBI)
2B Dustin Pedroia (.221, 1 HR, 19 RBI)
C Christian Vazquez (.281, 3 HR, 19 RBI)

Special shout out to Eduardo Nunez for playing everywhere and hitting .305 with 3 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Playing just about every day replacing one of the regulars.

Current Rotation:
Chris Sale (13-3, 2.17 ERA, 1.0 WHIP, 161/22 K/BB)
Rick Porcello (10-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.19 whip, 90/15)
David Price (6-6, 3.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 102/22)
Eduardo Rodriguez (9-1, 3.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 64/31)
Drew Pomeranz (3-4, 5.38 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 76/35)

Pomeranz will likely head to the bullpen when the playoffs start since I need lefties there and it the 2nd and 3rd times thru the order getting him

[VTWiseGuy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Talking about rebuilds.....I have to say the Reds. I just finished my 6th season and finally had a record about .500 but, didn't make the playoffs. I am really thinking after this season If I have another losing season to can this carry over and start fresh with the OSFM rosters and sim this current season and start playing.

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

lol I've been itching to start a franchise with Miami, but I can't deal with that stadium. I tried playing an exhibition game there a few nights ago and wow. Neon green walls and that monstrosity over the CF wall...**** whoever designed that place. For now I'm still going strong with Cincy

And I totally agree with you about the Braves. I want to enjoy playing with them, but it feels the work is already done. They just need somebody to take them to the next level. I like completely rebuilding a team in my image. Good luck with Miami though. You have stronger eyes than me.

LOL

I'm in the very extreme minority, in that I actually don't mind the Marlins stadium. I've been to a few ball games there in person, it's not that bad in person. That giant THING in center field needs to go though, I'll agree there. That would make the stadium 50% better, just by tearing that THING down. I wish we could build our own stadiums in The Show, that would be cool, but oh well

But I wouldn't consider their stadium one of the Top 15 in baseball, obviously. I can look past it, is all I'm saying. I love their uniform combinations the most in this game though.

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

How does everyone determine when to send down or call up a prospect in your franchise?

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I just go by their overall rating, and what's ahead of them.

I like to draft teenagers with my 1st round pick, so that they have more time to develop. My very first selection with the Marlins was an 18 year old RF with a 97 potential rating. He came into AA ball at a 58 overall. He's a 74 overall now at 21 years old. I think I will call him up around the All-Star break, when he's a 75-76, and then he will be my every day starter at 22 years old.

[drYY]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Quick Question:

Started an Angels 'Chise and I want to know if their is anything I can do with Pujols.

As you all know, he is on a rediculous deal and he is now trash.

I can't trade him, for realism's sake, due to contract and decline, so what can I do?

If I cut him, I'll have to eat the contract, and set myself back years, what about waivers? Is there a time where I can release him with no or a lessened penalty?

I want to go after somebody in the offseason, as I'm sure you've heard before, so what can I do with the living ball and chain Albert Pujols?

Any help appreciated, thanks

Sent from my SM-A310F using Operation Sports mobile app

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Quick Question:

Started an Angels 'Chise and I want to know if their is anything I can do with Pujols.

As you all know, he is on a rediculous deal and he is now trash.

I can't trade him, for realism's sake, due to contract and decline, so what can I do?

If I cut him, I'll have to eat the contract, and set myself back years, what about waivers? Is there a time where I can release him with no or a lessened penalty?

I want to go after somebody in the offseason, as I'm sure you've heard before, so what can I do with the living ball and chain Albert Pujols?

Any help appreciated, thanks

Sent from my SM-A310F using Operation Sports mobile app

You could put him on the bench and not play him, so his rating will go down, and hope he retires due to declining ability or age.

[drYY]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

You could put him on the bench and not play him, so his rating will go down, and hope he retires due to declining ability or age.

That's what I was considering, but from what I've heard from the Internet and friends who played as the Angels, he usually retires after the second, or sometimes third season, and that just too long to have him being payed 30+mil a year to ride the bench.

Oh man that contract was bad, even then.

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[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

That's what I was considering, but from what I've heard from the Internet and friends who played as the Angels, he usually retires after the second, or sometimes third season, and that just too long to have him being payed 30+mil a year to ride the bench.

Oh man that contract was bad, even then.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Operation Sports mobile app

If you wanna be realistic, the only thing you can really do is play him, and try to get whatever production you can out of him. Or cut him.

On a side note, what roster are you using? Because in my franchise, for whatever reason, Pujol's contract is just $1.7 Million a year through 2021.

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Currenly on May 21st in my Tigers Franchise. 37-11, 6.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Indians (29-16)

I pitch on Legend, and hit on Hall of Fame (though I didn't switch to Hall of Fame until May)

http://www.dynastynationnetwork.com/dynasty.php?s=mlb&u=kdutch98

[HozAndMoose]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Royals 50th season is officially in the books. We finished the year at 67-95. 3rd worst record in the AL. And tied with the Giants for 6th worst. Overall its pretty much how I expected the season to go. Thought we would end up between 70-75 wins. But at least we didn't hit 100 losses.

MLB Standings

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For the first time in MLB history there have been 4+ 100 win teams in a single season.

Hitting

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Our 589 runs scored is the 5th lowest in team history. But on a runs per game basis its the 2nd worst in team history. As a team we hit .249/.315/.381 (22nd, 24th, 25th). We had 255 Doubles (T-19th), 33 Triples (T-9) and 135 HR (25th) We were last with 64 Stolen Bases and 22nd with a Stolen Base Percentage of 60%. For the 16th consecutive season we finished in the bottom 10 for walks. We were 23rd with 503 (first time over 500 since 2002). We finished 4th in strikeouts with 1097. And we lead the league in GIDP with 121.

Jorge Soler seems to have come into his own since the All Star Break. In 67 games he hit .300/.364/.556 with 14 HR. He finishes the season hitting .260/.332/.497 with 28 HR and 82 RBI. And his 42 doubles is tied for 5th in the Majors. The 4 players ahead of him all have 43.

Cheslor Cuthbert's performance was pretty surprising. He hit .285/.358/.406. I did expect a few more HR's. But ill take a little less power for a lot more walks.

Whit Merrifield had pretty similar season to last year. He his .284 with a .325 OBP. Which is almost identical to 2017 (.284 and .324). But he did have major drop offs in power and speed. Hit just 11 HR compared to 19 last year. And stole 21 bases compared to 34.

Salvy just couldn't seem to put things together at the plate this year. He did set a career high in walks. But he put up the worst AVG and SLG% of his career. He was still able to put up 2.3 WAR thanks to his defense. Didnt commit a single error in 853 innings.

It seems all hope has officially be lost for Alex Gordon. Still great on defense but the offense is atrocious. He hit .214/.285/.336. His .622 OPS was 12 lowest OPS among all qualified batters. And it was 4th worst among qualified outfielders. The defense is still great though. 1 error in 1162 innings with majority of that in CF for the first time in his career.

Hitting Stats

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Pitching

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Our ERA did get better over the 2nd half. Still ended up being the worst in the league at 4.51. Our 196 HR allowed was also the worst in the league. We had 1122 Strikeouts (25th), 518 Walks (9th) and had 12 Shutouts (T-13th).

Danny Duffy didnt have the best season. But it could have been worse. 3.95 ERA in 33 starts. He threw the most innings of his career with 187 and had his first CGSO. He also gave up the most walks of his career.

Nate Karns ended up making 11 starts after Jesse Hahn got hurt in late July. In 142.2 IP between the pen and rotation he put up a 3.85 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He ended up having the lowest K/9 of his career. But was also able to drop his HR/9 to the lowest of his career as well. He will go back to being a full time starter next season.

Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel were not good. At all. 4.87 and 4.92 ERA respectively. Hammel is on the last year of his deal and wont be back. Kennedy still has 2 years left. Havent decided if he will be cut or not.

Kelvin Herrera really struggled to end the year. Finished with a 4.70 ERA. The highest of his career. His FIP was much lower though at 4.11. He is also in the last year of his deal. Not sure how much he wants but we will probably look to bring him back.

Dont let Blaine Boyers 3.47 ERA fool you. He was bad. 1.58 WHIP and a 4.74 FIP. His only redeeming quality was his lack of HRs allowed. Old and on a 1 year deal. Wont be back.

Brad Keller ended up being a good pickup in the off season. Taken in the rule 5 draft by the Reds and then traded to us. He put up a 4.13 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. His K/9 was over 9. BB/9 under 3. And his FIP was 3.65. Will be 23 at the start of next year.

Pitching Stats

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How are your top prospects playing this season?

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Prospects

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Depends if you mean the actual top prospects or guys like Mondesi, Bubba and Dozier.

Overall I was encourage by how things went. But those guys that should have been up here in the majors contributing at some point just never got going.

Bubba Starling hit .215/.269/.326 with 7 HR in 105 games at AAA. Got a lot of action in the majors during September. It didnt go much better. .194/.268/.208 and had 21 SO in 72 AB.

Raul Mondesi somehow managed to be worse. He hit .209/.268/.282 with 2 HR in 73 games. He also got a lot of work in September. And looked like an entirely different guy. .300/.337/.450 with a HR and 7 doubles in 80 AB.

Hunter Dozier wasnt as bad in AAA as those 2 were. And was looking a little better in the 2nd half. He hit .234/.298/.502 with 11 HR in 81 games. Even with the poor performance he was gonna be called up when we traded Moose. But the day before the trade he broke his shin and missed the rest of the year.

Aside from them things were pretty good. Our top 3 prospects all started the year in A before injuries moved them up to AA.

#1 - Khalil Lee he hit .237/.327/.370 with 6 HR and 14 doubles in 71 games.

#2 - Nick Pratto ended up playing 87 games in his first full season as a pro. He hit .257/.334/.391 with 10 HR and 14 doubles.

#3 - Seuly Matias appeared in 59 games. Hit .264/.312/.368 with 5 HR.

#9 - Foster Griffin had the best season of his career so far. Finished it in AAA with a 3.01 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 80.2 IP.

#11 - Josh Staumont bounced back from a terrible 2017. Had a 2.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 104 IP. Significantly cut down on his walks giving up 4.14 per 9 after putting up a BB/9 just over 7 last year.

#17 - Meibrys Viloria was by far the top minor league hitter in the organization. Hit .297/.370/.403 with 9 HR in 97 games in AA. Was already on the 40 man roster so he got some time up here in the majors. Wasnt bad hitting .276/.344/.448 with a HR and 2 doubles in 29 AB.

#18 - Richard Lovelady didnt have quite the year I was hoping. Thought he would be called up by the All Star break but he didnt really look right till late in the season. Ended up with a 3.18 ERA in 40 IP.

2018 Award Winners

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\
Hanley on the good stuff

Post Season Bracket

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[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Currenly on May 21st in my Tigers Franchise. 37-11, 6.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Indians (29-16)

I pitch on Legend, and hit on Hall of Fame (though I didn't switch to Hall of Fame until May)

http://www.dynastynationnetwork.com/...mlb&u=kdutch98

You're better at this game than I'll ever be. If I switch to HOF hitting, I'll probably get one hit the entire game. LOL

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I think it's safe to say that I have successfully re-stocked the Miami Marlins farm system after four drafts. This is the Top Prospects list a week after the 2021 draft.



I really wanted to draft Blake Stout, but the Padres got him 1st overall in 2021. He's a 73 overall at 19 years old, with a 97 potential rating. He's going to be a stud for them.

Joel Saldana, my 4th best prospect, was the No.1 overall in the 2020 draft. He's up to a 66 overall and started at 58. He has a 99 velocity rating! It's taking every bit of will power to not sim ahead 2-3 years to when he will be ready, so I can play with all my first round picks on the Marlins.

Richard Parr, the No.3 overall prospect, was my 2nd round pick in the 2018 draft. He's exceeded all expectations QUICKLY. His potential rating has gone from a B to an A in the process. He's already an 81 overall and has a 95 contact rating vs LHP, and a 75 contact rating vs RHP.

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

It's Opening Day, 2022.

The No.1 prospect in baseball, Hayden Greene (83 overall), makes his MLB debut at 22, and proceeds to hit a moon shot homerun in his second career AB, which is also his first career hit.

Not to be out done, baseball No.2 overall prospect, Scott Eagle (79 overall) first career hit is also an upper decker, but he shows off his raw power sending it opposite field over the left field wall.

The No.3 overall prospect in baseball Richard Parr (81 overall) was called up after the Marlins 5-3 opening day loss to Atlanta, and was promptly moved to CF, giving the Marlins some much needed speed in the leadoff spot.

So . Much . Young . Talent

Think this will replace my Braves franchise, as I have this weird attachment to my prospects in a video game (sounds weird, I know...)

Also, side note, I signed Adisson Russell as a FA a few years ago, and he proceeded to turn into a super star in Miami (95 overall at 28 years old.) San Diego has a legit team in 2022, but a log jam at short stop, so I traded Russell to San Diego for Fernando Tatis Jr (82 overall at 23 years old) and some B rated pitching prospect.

My 2022 lineup.

1. CF Richard Parr (81) No.3 prospect in baseball
2. LF Lewis Brinson (85)
3. SS Gleyber Torress (87)
4. C Kyle Schwarzer (84)
5. 3B Brian Anderson (87)
6. RF Hayden Greene (83) No.1 prospect in baseball
7. 2B Fernando Tatis Jr (82)
8. 1B Scott Eagle (79) No.2 prospect in baseball
9. Pitcher

I'm going to love playing with this team.

[Koosa1027]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Going to be picking a random team to start a franchise with should be a lot of fun as it's going to be entirely random

Sent from my VS987 using Operation Sports mobile app

MY BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY @KING GRO23!!!!!!!

~Koosa1027~

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Currenly on May 21st in my Tigers Franchise. 37-11, 6.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Indians (29-16)

I pitch on Legend, and hit on Hall of Fame (though I didn't switch to Hall of Fame until May)

http://www.dynastynationnetwork.com/...mlb&u=kdutch98

You're better at this game than I'll ever be. If I switch to HOF hitting, I'll probably get one hit the entire game. LOL

My hitting has definitely gone down a bit since making the switch. But, with my hitting style, I'm still getting men on base, and getting the clutch hits. And my pitching has been absurdly good, considering the team I play with, and what I have to work with lol. I do tend to draw a lot of walks hitting.

The link in my signature has my franchise page, where you can see some box scores from games, as well as standings for the entire league, and full stats for my Tigers. If you go to the page, on the right sidebar, there will be links to click on, just under the standings (for full MLB standings) and just under the player stats (for full Tigers Stats). Enjoy