MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

[DarthRambo]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Makes perfect sense, so if Player A is a .265 caliber hitter, there's basically no chance that he's going to improve and become a .280-285 hitter on directional?

Versus

Your stick skills can make him a .280 (or better) hitter if you use PCI

Not necessarily, and I'm not the best to answer that question either. But there is plenty of an user element with it to affect batting averages etc.

Being able to track the ball, time the swings are still going to be needed. If you are having trouble with either one the, it could certainly reflect back into creating a cold streak for a player which is always going to lower his batting average.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Operation Sports mobile app

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Not necessarily, and I'm not the best to answer that question either. But there is plenty of an user element with it to affect batting averages etc.

Being able to track the ball, time the swings are still going to be needed. If you are having trouble with either one the, it could certainly reflect back into creating a cold streak for a player which is always going to lower his batting average.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Operation Sports mobile app

I'll give it a try in this series against Colorado, and see how I like it. If not, it's only 3 games, can't do much damage

[DarthRambo]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Game #2 of the Rockies and Padres series complete!

For the 2nd time this season already it will be Tyler Anderson vs Clayton Richard.


Rockies were up 4-1 in the 8th inning when Hosmer hits a clutch at 3 run game tying homerun off of Chris Russin.
OIttavino, Senzatela and co held down the Padres in the 9th.

Onto extra innings where Charlie Blackmon hits a walk off solo homer to RF!! Rockies win the game 5-4 and improve their record to 8-4.

Bad news! Jake McGee somehow fractured his arm on a simple pitch. He is scheduled out 2-3 months!

Rockies recal RP Scott Oberg to replace McGee in the bullpen.

Here are the box scores and pitching stats for the game I played:
20180419_225407.jpg20180419_225622.jpg

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Makes perfect sense, so if Player A is a .265 caliber hitter, there's basically no chance that he's going to improve and become a .280-285 hitter on directional?

Versus

Your stick skills can make him a .280 (or better) hitter if you use PCI

Not necessarily, and I'm not the best to answer that question either. But there is plenty of an user element with it to affect batting averages etc.

Being able to track the ball, time the swings are still going to be needed. If you are having trouble with either one the, it could certainly reflect back into creating a cold streak for a player which is always going to lower his batting average.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Operation Sports mobile app

There is definitely a chance for a .265 caliber hitter to improve to a .280 caliber hitter, or better. All depends on age, potential, and results.

With directional hitting, timing is still key. Time the pitch perfectly, and you still have a good chance at getting a hit. It just makes you think more. Use more hit and runs, sacrifices, etc.

Take a look at the link in my signature. It has my franchise page. On the right hand sidebar, it has my lineup, with batting averages. You can see, most of my hitters perform pretty close to their averages, with a couple exceptions, notably Nicholas Castellanos, and Jeimer Candelario. Castellanos is hitting well above .300, with power. Way above his career averages.

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

There is definitely a chance for a .265 caliber hitter to improve to a .280 caliber hitter, or better. All depends on age, potential, and results.

With directional hitting, timing is still key. Time the pitch perfectly, and you still have a good chance at getting a hit. It just makes you think more. Use more hit and runs, sacrifices, etc.

Take a look at the link in my signature. It has my franchise page. On the right hand sidebar, it has my lineup, with batting averages. You can see, most of my hitters perform pretty close to their averages, with a couple exceptions, notably Nicholas Castellanos, and Jeimer Candelario. Castellanos is hitting well above .300, with power. Way above his career averages.

That's a pretty cool website, and awesome that you keep track of everything on there!

I just tried directional hitting for two games against the Rockies, and I didn't have much success with it, or felt in control. The fact is, I'm probably just not that good at video games anymore (lol) I have more success with PCI hitting (I think?) and I'm definitely someone who needs to hit on Veteran status (I think, again..)

I'll probably flip back and forth between Veteran/All-Star throughout the season. I've definitely found a good balance with pitching. I'll have some days where I can dominate for 7 innings, and then my relief pitchers close it out - or - sometimes, they blow 6-2 leads in the 7th and 8th for me.

Other days, my starting pitcher is throwing beach balls out there...

I like that

But I just can't find a happy balance with hitting yet.

It's all good, love this game more than any game I've played to date (BF4 being first) I bought a PS4 this year just to play this game.

P.S. - ANYONE have any tips on stealing? I either get picked off, and tagged out in a run down.

[kac]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Indians franchise guys, do you use Cody Allen as your closer, or Andrew Miller?Does Miller being a southpaw deter you from closing with him?

I use them both depending on matchup stamina and who has been pitching more consistently Miller is also good for multiple innings. I go on a game by game basis.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Operation Sports mobile app

[kac]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I keep him in the closers role and so far he's been ok Miller is upset about not being the permanent closer but it hasn't affected his performance or rating.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Operation Sports mobile app

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

At the draft the Rays have struggled to a 26-34 record, which on paper doesn't seem that bad but is "good" enough for the 2nd worst record in the AL and the 6th worst in the majors (the Braves surprisingly holding the wooden spoon at the moment with 21-42)

The team is very much in a rebuild, with Kevin Kiermaier and Alex Colome already having left in a three way trade with the Yankees and White Sox, which saw some good but raw prospects come back our way.

The remaining players are giving it their all, with the massively overpaid and declining Denard Span leading the way hitting .306 with 5 homers, with Brad Miller providing the power with 13 dingers at a .274 average. Both have probably played well enough to earn themselves a rental move to a contender who wants some depth without giving up any real prospects. Wilson Ramos is probably in the same boat after a terrible start, he's recovered to .250 with 10 homers. Hecheveraia is playing so badly we're stuck with him, hitting .188 with no power to speak of.

The young players haven't exactly had a great time, with Daniel Robertson getting off to a great start but then tearing a finger ligament. Justin Williams came up and started like a house on fire but has regressed back to a pretty average first year up. Joey Wendle has stunk the place out and Malex Smith hasn't kicked on at all.

From a pitching standpoint it's been a bit of a disappointment also. Archer has been great, Andriesse has been ok, but the young guys Snell, Faria and Chirinos have really struggled, all over 4.5 ERA with Snell close to 6.

Chaz Roe and Sergio Romo have been outstanding in the bullpen, both below 2.25 ERA, while Jose Alvarado has done a good job stepping in as closer, although he needs to stop walking so many people. Vidal Nuno was doing a great job as lefty specialist until he tore his rotator cuff, leaving us with Johnny Venters who has struggled badly.

All in all, a tough year with disappointing lack of progress from the young players, but at least with satisfactory enough performances from the veterans that they should be movable towards the deadline.

The real success for the year though is the draft, where despite picking 15th we managed to select 5 tool monster CF Randy Szuminski, along with a few high potential long shots and the excellent hitting 3rd baseman Jeremy Elam

[doubledeuceR6]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Love this thread, I wish my reports were as detailed as some of you guys!

After watching my nephews t-ball game last night I was ready for some virtual ball when I got home.

Played the last game of a 3 game series against the Astros, could only manage one run on 9 hits as I out hit the Astros and Doug Fister scattered six hits to the Astros and I eventually lost 2-1 as Houston swept the series.

In the midst of a 4 game losing streak and a 4-13 record I was seeing the red mist and decided I was not going to bed on a losing note and ended up blowing out the Rays in the next game 11-3. Only had eight hits but the rookie Ronald Guzman had a break out game going deep twice with a grand slam in the 1st and adding a solo shot later in the game.

Felt good to finally just pound the ball a bit. That 4 game skid felt much longer. 5-13 on the season.

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Things have not gone very well between the draft and the trade deadline, to put it mildly. First Denard Span fractured his shin, CJ Cron must have seen it and thought it looked like fun so he did the same 2 weeks later, then Carlos Gomez clearly got jealous of all the attention they were getting so decided to one up them by fracturing his hand. So that means I lost my 2,3 and 5 hitters for a couple of months each, all within a 3 week period. Not at all past it Andre Ethier has been signed up to help cover the outfield a bit, while definitely not a made up person Johnny Field and top prospect Brendan McKay have been called up to help out and hopefully get some experience.

Needless to say, this did not help turn things around for us and we've slumped to now being the 3rd worst team in baseball with a 40-65 record. At this point, we may as well burn the whole thing down and aim for last place, so with that in mind we traded away our veterans.

Brad Miller moved to the Cards to cover for the injured Kean Wong, who's out for the season. In return we got Cards number 27 prospect C Zack Jackson. Sergio Romo moved to the Angels for hard throwing lottery ticket SP Dylan Unsworth. While the big move was sending Ramos and Eovaldi to the Yankees to cover for the long term injuries to Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino. In return for them we got Domingo German and a PTBNL.

Looking at my current lineup, I would be amazed if we can't achieve our goal of last place. Chris Archer is starting to look a bit annoyed, but we've had a chat and told him that next year will definitely be better. He doesn't look entirely convinced

[Bushido]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread



The Dominican Republic sensation, Jovanny Delgado, channeling his inner A-Rod with these early season stats while holding down the SS position for Arizona.

He hit two bombs in our last game, which was a giant L versus Oakland, although we did take the series 2-1.

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

That's a pretty cool website, and awesome that you keep track of everything on there!

I just tried directional hitting for two games against the Rockies, and I didn't have much success with it, or felt in control. The fact is, I'm probably just not that good at video games anymore (lol) I have more success with PCI hitting (I think?) and I'm definitely someone who needs to hit on Veteran status (I think, again..)

I'll probably flip back and forth between Veteran/All-Star throughout the season. I've definitely found a good balance with pitching. I'll have some days where I can dominate for 7 innings, and then my relief pitchers close it out - or - sometimes, they blow 6-2 leads in the 7th and 8th for me.

Other days, my starting pitcher is throwing beach balls out there...

I like that

But I just can't find a happy balance with hitting yet.

It's all good, love this game more than any game I've played to date (BF4 being first) I bought a PS4 this year just to play this game.

P.S. - ANYONE have any tips on stealing? I either get picked off, and tagged out in a run down.

The key for base stealing for me, is pick your spots. Try to steal on breaking balls, or off speed pitches. I never take an extra lead. Leads to way too many pickoffs.

[KBLover]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Got a cheapo copy of MLB16 so my ancient Marlins franchise carryover (from MLB14) lives on.

Meet the 2028 Marlins (Year 15)

The 2027 Marlins won the World Series (simmed so I could start the carryover) and have managed to keep the core together, though to do so some of the pieces had to be traded away. Still, with the strong, but aging, core group of veterans that have been together for years, the Marlins figure to be contenders once again.

Among those core players:

SP Damian Boeve, 34
2027: 13-5, 2.49 ERA, 196 IP, 231 K
Career: 221-37, 1.93 ERA, 2582 IP, 3338 K

Boeve was once by far the best pitcher in baseball. His stranglehold on the Cy Young and then NL MVP was pretty much unbreakable. He started with a 2.76 ERA in his rookie year and lowered that mark every year for six years, peaking at a 25-1, 1.44 ERA season in 2023. Since then, the ERA has climbed gradually as perhaps his time is beginning to wane. For the first time in a decade, Boeve did not win the Cy Young award, though he is still considered the ace of the staff.

LF Bo Winter, 31
2027: .328/.401/.608, 36 HR, 114 RBI
Career: .315/.372/.575, 336 HR

Winter once self-styled himself as the best center fielder in baseball, and for a while he might have had legit argument to that claim. Now, he's trying to hold on to his ability and make a push to 400 HR. He's only 31, so he has time, as long as he doesn't drop off too quickly. He's been a steady-as-a-rock hitter, pretty much a given to hit .310 with 40 HR. His stealing ability and range are diminished, hence his move to LF to make room for a young star named Sam Javeri.


RF Arturo Gonzalez, 31
2027: .311/.375/.572, 23 HR, 94 RBI, 17 SB
Career: .291/.361/.514, 118 HR, 98 SB

Gonzalez was a very late blooming prospect, not reaching the majors until he was 26 years old. And then, he had to fight for playing time as he ran into someone name Bryce Harper. But fate would favor Gonzalez as Harper wanted too much money and the Marlins knew they had Gonzalez eager to play. Once given a chance, Gonzalez's contact skills skyrocketed, he developed some surprising pop in the bat, and his defense - once his primary gift - stayed strong.


RP Curtis Anders, 32
2027: 6-3, 3 Sv, 3.11 ERA, 72 IP, 78 K
Career: 40-16, 25 Sv, 2.44 ERA, 534 IP, 624 K

Anders quickly made himself a team favorite with his durability as a reliever. He was pegged as the future closer when he was drafted, and that was the plan when he arrived at the majors. However, after going 11-4 with 88 innings of work in his rookie year, his value as a 7th and 8th inning reliever changed those plans. Anders was mixed on the idea, and even now would like a chance to close, but with the workload he's getting, he's kept coming back, since he's certainly valued by his club.

3B Stan Brito, 30
2027: .322/.392/.610, 41 HR, 121 RBI
Career: .276/.326/.516, 272 HR, 870 RBI

Ah...Stan Brito. Few names in the Marlins' recent history have caused more debate both among fans and front office personnel than Stan Brito. Thought to be a "home runs and walks" guy, Brito would disappoint in the early stages of his career. He barely hit for any average, had disappointing power numbers, and just seems like a flop in the making. Scouts still liked him and the Marlins, sometimes barely, had patience with him. In 2026, at the age of 28, he finally hit 40 HR in a season, checking in with 47. He has a chance at his 300th HR, and he's turned into a good all-around hitter. Better late than never.


Those are the center pieces of the current generation that's guiding the team and helping the next generation keep the team going. Among this next crop trying to make themselves the new anchors of the organization:

CF Sam Javeri, 24
Player Comparison: Ichiro

Javeri pretty much idolizes Ichiro and how consistent he was. Once Ichiro got his 3,000th MLB hit, Javeri did what he could to emulate Ichiro's swing and stance. Javeri's game is eeriely similar to his idol's. He's quick around the bases, has tons of range, and hits for a high, consistent average. Javeri stormed on to the MLB scene, hitting .341 and stealing 80 bases in his rookie year. Now in his 4th season, Javeri is looking to make himself a fixture in CF. He's already move Winter off, now he needs to lock it down for himself.


Alfonso Ortega, 26
Player Comparison: Anthony Rizzo...or Chris Carter...

Ortega is showing his power now that he's entering his prime years. However, the concern is that he's overly focused on power and is not letting his swing do what it naturally wants to...hit hard line drives that sometimes carry as low-arc fly balls. When he lets that happen, it is scary what he does. However, in 2027, he didn't let it happen enough. He hit 49 HR, but his batting average plummeted as did his consistency. The Marlins have challenged him by bringing up his direct competitor...so Ortega may firm up his game...or else the Marlins might have brought up his replacement.


SP Huey Kiser, 23
Player Comparison: Madison Bumgarner

Kiser won 2027's NL Rookie of the Year as he looks to be the one the Marlins tab as their next franchise pitcher. His rookie campaign was certainly a good start, going 14-5 with a 2.62 ERA. Kiser doesn't do anything necessarily "elite", but he does a lot of things very, very well, and that shows up in his consistent play that seems to be greater than the sum of the parts. Kiser will be elevated to #2 starter and get the chance to work at the top of the rotation to see how he handles the challenge.

[TVC15]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Who are the ad wizards that drew up the Phillies schedule this year, where I’ve gotta face the Braves so many f’n times before the All Star Break?

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

So much for the "improved retirement logic". 27 year old Johnny Field just retired due to lack of ability, despite playing 55 games for me in his rookie season. I've just broken into the majors, I reckon I should retire now. :/ He hit .270, he was hardly incompetent