MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

We lost yet another series as we once again blew a late lead to the Brewers. Up 3-2 heading into the 9th inning, Trevor Rosenthal (1-4 5.02 ERA) blew his 3rd save of the season as the Brewers walked off 4-3 winners. We are now a game under .500 and 3 1/2 back of the Reds. Thankfully no one else in the division is playing much better, but we have to figure out how to win ball games this year.

The only true consistent performance we are getting right now is out of our starting pitching. Outside of that, its been pretty bad. We are dead last in the majors in batting average, nearly 20 points behind the next worst hitting team.

I don't know what to do. We made moves to try to find the old chemistry again. But we still just can't win consistently. Maybe this will be a year where we play poorly (.500) the first half of the season and then turn things around in the 2nd half. I don't know.

Or maybe this is a year where we are not in contention and need to look at the organization from top to bottom at season's end. Our entire coaching staff is on one year deals.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The MLB Amateur Draft is 3 days away. We have our big board set up.

Main focus:

1) C
2) 3B
3) RP Left handed
4) SP left handed
5) OF

We are going all in for a catcher. We have 5 on our big board, just hope they are available when we pick late in the first round. We have young guys, but none are showing the ceiling to be a breakout star so we are going to see what we can find in the draft.

3B is another spot where we could use someone to become our everyday third baseman of the future although Patrick Wisdom is still young, it doesn't hurt to have a backup plan for when he eventually starts his decline.

RP/SP we are always in search of quality left handers at both positions. With us potentially losing Sam Freeman after next season and Kevin Siegrist after this season, it won't hurt to have a lefty in the system that we can develop. As for starters, we don't have a quality left hander in the system currently that I feel confident could be a top of the rotation starter.

OF is a position that we are actually strong at but with us possibly using some of these assets to acquire other pieces, it won't hurt to restock at this position.

[TVC15]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I’m having a bit of a problem with trades and maybe some of you could help me out. I’m approaching the trade deadline and am testing out some moves, but 99% of them say they cannot be done due to budget constraints. Which doesn’t make sense considering I have a lot of space. Any ideas?

[a bit outside]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I’m having a bit of a problem with trades and maybe some of you could help me out. I’m approaching the trade deadline and am testing out some moves, but 99% of them say they cannot be done due to budget constraints. Which doesn’t make sense considering I have a lot of space. Any ideas?

It is probably because the team you are trying to trade with doesn’t have the money available.

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The MLB Amateur Draft is 3 days away. We have our big board set up.

Main focus:

1) C
2) 3B
3) RP Left handed
4) SP left handed
5) OF

We are going all in for a catcher. We have 5 on our big board, just hope they are available when we pick late in the first round. We have young guys, but none are showing the ceiling to be a breakout star so we are going to see what we can find in the draft.

3B is another spot where we could use someone to become our everyday third baseman of the future although Patrick Wisdom is still young, it doesn't hurt to have a backup plan for when he eventually starts his decline.

RP/SP we are always in search of quality left handers at both positions. With us potentially losing Sam Freeman after next season and Kevin Siegrist after this season, it won't hurt to have a lefty in the system that we can develop. As for starters, we don't have a quality left hander in the system currently that I feel confident could be a top of the rotation starter.

OF is a position that we are actually strong at but with us possibly using some of these assets to acquire other pieces, it won't hurt to restock at this position.

It is good that you have identified needs. But, keep in mind that if you draft based on positions of need, you might miss out on prospects that might be better players.

Im my Tiger's franchise, I had identified certain "need" positions. RP, 2B, CF, and 1B/DH.

As the Tigers, I had the first overall pick. Clearly, the top player overall was a catcher, Archie Fraser. Catcher really wasn't a position of need, as I already had a good left handed hitting prospect at Catcher, and James McCann to play against lefties. But, Archie Fraser was the clear cut #1 player in the draft, so I took him, even though I had more pressing needs.

Right call, he has 94 potential, and started out at 73 overall.

5 tool player, projects to be a power hitting catcher.

Figured I would draft for need with my other 5 picks.

Second round, the best player on my board was 2B Alexis Gomez. 2B was a position of need, so I grabbed him. 65 overall, 94 potential. Projects to be a pretty good hitting, low power second baseman.

Third pick, I took a LF, Danny Goldman. He appears to have the speed to handle CF though, so I figured I would take a shot, because outfield was a position of need. 53 overall, 90 potential. Pleasantly surprised at the potential.

I desperately needed help in the bullpen, but with my next 3 picks, there were SP available when I picked, that I absolutely couldn't pass on.

4th round SP Kevin Gonzalez 52 Overall, 91 Potential
5th round SP Doug Batson 65 Overall, 87 Potential
6th round SP Eric Ortiz 57 Overall, 91 Potential.

I had both Ortiz and Gonzalez projected to be 2nd or 3rd round picks, and they fell to me.

My point is, go in with a plan, but be open to deviating from that plan if certain players at other positions fall to you.

If nothing else, drafting 5 A potential players, and 1 B potential player loaded my farm system, and gives me plenty of assets to flip for needs.

[KBLover]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Marlins completed the sweep of the Mets, but the same concerns linger in the early going.

This time, the starter was Huey Kiser, and he, too, struggled on the mound. He ended his day with 4 runs allowed in 5.1 innings of work. He did pick up 5 strikeouts and only gave up a handful of hits, but it's still works out to a poor ERA on the day.

Fortunately, the bullpen was on point. That allowed the Marlins to rally to take a 6-4 lead after Javeri hit an RBI double, his only hit of the day.

The bottom of the lineup continues to do the early lifting with Arturo Gonzales hitting yet another home run to give him his 5th in six games. He's currently batting .517 to start the season.

Julian Peralta also launched a bomb and Stan Brito added on. That gave the Marlins a 9-4 lead and that is how the game would end.

The top three hitters in the lineup, Javeri, Craft, and Oretga, are all struggling mightily. So far, the Marlins offense has endure this slow start from the spark plugs in the lineup, but they really need to get it going. And while Bo Winter has a gaudy batting average, he has no home runs, and that can't continue either.

The same could be said for every starter not named Damian Boeve. Thankfully, the bullpen has been on fire to start the year, handling any challenge and number of innings thrown their way. They may be the source of strength in the pitching staff. It has happened before and maybe this will be another year that rings true.

[UTAllTheWay]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Just lost a game in my Rays franchise on a triple play. The third out was purely my fault, but it's still pretty cool.

Bottom of the 9th, no outs, down 5-4 with Kiermaier on second and Austin Barnes on first. Jake Bauers batting on a 3-2 count, he pulls a weak ground ball to second base.

The 2nd baseman was moving kind of slow but I knew they would go for the double play so I SENT KIERMAIER HOME FOR THE TIE.

They turned two and the 1st baseman turns to throw home AND GETS KIERMAIER OUT by an eyelash. Seriously, it was unbelievably close.

We lose the game on the triple play. Crazy.

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The draft has come and gone and it provided some tough decisions for the 1st pick Rays. The obvious 1st pick is potential 5 tool switch hitting monster LF Glen Morales, who at 74 rated, 91 potential with power and speed threatens to be one of the games best players for the foreseeable future, then there is slightly rawer but with even greater potential RF Orlando Wolf, with good speed, insane power and 99 potential. But we really don't need an outfielder, we need a third baseman, a second baseman and a ton of relief pitching.

So first pick looks past the monster outfielders and goes to the outstanding flame throwing closer, Andy Brannon. With 71 overall, 98 potential, with 99 velocity and 74 break, he projects to be our closer for a very, very long time.

Second pick goes to the unusually toolsey 3rd baseman Richie Cardenas. with 70+ power from both sides, but also high 60's speed, he could work out to be a very unusual 5 tool third baseman, although his fielding is going to have to develop a lot to get there (65/86)

With our extra supplemental pick we get pick up the remaining potential 5 tool outfielder Deandre Roberts. He's not in the same league as the first rounders, but he's a switch hitter with high 70's speed and 55+ hitting attributes. Again his fielding (35) will be what holds him back from seeing time any time soon. We didn't really need an outfielder, but he looked too good to miss at this point. (68/85)

3rd round we pick up 2B William Seals. Not a super high potential guy but with mid 40's power and high 70's speed, he projects to be a handy player at 2nd if his hitting progresses. Already got solid fielding as well so, you never know. (65/77)

4th round and final notable pick is flame throwing reliever Kenny Riggs. He's got great stuff with 99 velocity and 80 break, but limited ceiling and very suspect control. He's going to have no idea where he's throwing it, but it will be hard to hit. (63/76)

We fill out the remaining two picks with a fielding first, middling potential catcher and a very low rated, decent potential starter who probably doesn't have the stamina nor the stuff to make it there, potentially a candidate to transition into a reliever.

All in all a very satisfactory haul as you'd hope for with first pick. I do feel overlooking Morales might come back to bite me, but outfielders seem easier to come by in drafts and Bannon projects as a genuine beast as a closer who could move up very quickly. Also very pleased with Cardenas, who could DH until his fielding catches up with his bat and legs.

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

After getting absolutely slaughtered 19-5 in the opener against the Blue Jays, things looked like continuing painfully after Josh Donaldson hit 2 homers in the first 2 innings against Blake Snell to put them 7-0 up in the second game. We valiantly fought back to tie the game in the 9th, only to lose a heartbreaker on a misplayed ball in the outfield in the 11th.

In need of a real pick me up, Brendan McKay was activated from the DL and brought up to the big leagues for his debut. And what a debut it was. 2 homers, one off a righty, then a two run go ahead one off a lefty, then we win the game on the tying run being thrown out at the plate.

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The draft has come and gone and it provided some tough decisions for the 1st pick Rays. The obvious 1st pick is potential 5 tool switch hitting monster LF Glen Morales, who at 74 rated, 91 potential with power and speed threatens to be one of the games best players for the foreseeable future, then there is slightly rawer but with even greater potential RF Orlando Wolf, with good speed, insane power and 99 potential. But we really don't need an outfielder, we need a third baseman, a second baseman and a ton of relief pitching.

So first pick looks past the monster outfielders and goes to the outstanding flame throwing closer, Andy Brannon. With 71 overall, 98 potential, with 99 velocity and 74 break, he projects to be our closer for a very, very long time.

Second pick goes to the unusually toolsey 3rd baseman Richie Cardenas. with 70+ power from both sides, but also high 60's speed, he could work out to be a very unusual 5 tool third baseman, although his fielding is going to have to develop a lot to get there (65/86)

With our extra supplemental pick we get pick up the remaining potential 5 tool outfielder Deandre Roberts. He's not in the same league as the first rounders, but he's a switch hitter with high 70's speed and 55+ hitting attributes. Again his fielding (35) will be what holds him back from seeing time any time soon. We didn't really need an outfielder, but he looked too good to miss at this point. (68/85)

3rd round we pick up 2B William Seals. Not a super high potential guy but with mid 40's power and high 70's speed, he projects to be a handy player at 2nd if his hitting progresses. Already got solid fielding as well so, you never know. (65/77)

4th round and final notable pick is flame throwing reliever Kenny Riggs. He's got great stuff with 99 velocity and 80 break, but limited ceiling and very suspect control. He's going to have no idea where he's throwing it, but it will be hard to hit. (63/76)

We fill out the remaining two picks with a fielding first, middling potential catcher and a very low rated, decent potential starter who probably doesn't have the stamina nor the stuff to make it there, potentially a candidate to transition into a reliever.

All in all a very satisfactory haul as you'd hope for with first pick. I do feel overlooking Morales might come back to bite me, but outfielders seem easier to come by in drafts and Bannon projects as a genuine beast as a closer who could move up very quickly. Also very pleased with Cardenas, who could DH until his fielding catches up with his bat and legs.

Wow you passed on two guys that both sound like they have serious potential to become the next Trout for a closer? That must have been a tough choice. That might really hurt later on in your Franchise if you keep going that far.

[KBLover]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

"Crack in the door. That's been our motto as hitters for years. Today, everyone saw it again, " Winter commented, "We don't quit. We keep battling. We know eventually it will turn our way."

Indeed, the Marlins looked to have their early win streak snapped as they faced the Dodgers after Loren Rasmussen added another terrible start to the pile. He gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, allowing 11 hits in the process. The bulk of all of that misery came in the first inning where he gave up 7 hits and 4 runs.

As bad as the line was, it could have been far worse. He escaped the first thanks to Arturo Gonzales making a diving stop on the opposing pitcher's lined shot near the right field line. Rasmussen made it through the 5th by inducing a double play on a hard grounder to SS Jay Craft. Rasmussen also got another double play in the third.

Meanwhile, the Marlins offense was non-existent. After an early run on back-to-back doubles, the team could do nothing at the plate...except work the opposing starter. Despite just one run and one walk, the bats coaxed 90 pitches out of Dodgers starter Copen and the hurler couldn't come back out for the 5th inning.

As has been the case to start, the Marlins bullpen saved the day. Though down 5-4, the relievers performed as stoppers and kept the score right there for the next two innings.

The Marlins got the bases loaded in the top of the 8th and PH Andres Gutierrez hit a sac fly to center to tie up the game. The Marlins couldn't take the lead as Javeri grounded out to end the inning.

The Dodgers made a late push in the 8th. Guerra came in and gave up a walk and a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. After issuing an intentional walk, the Marlins brought their closer in, Miguel Ramirez.

The move paid off as the bullpen ace picked up back-to-back strikeouts to retire the Dodgers and keep the game tied at 5.

The Marlins bats then completed the come back with Ortega and Winter picking up their first home runs of the season to give the Marlins an 8-5 lead. Ramirez stayed on to finish the game with ease and secure the come-from-behind victory.

The Marlins ran their win streak to six games in early April action.

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Wow you passed on two guys that both sound like they have serious potential to become the next Trout for a closer? That must have been a tough choice. That might really hurt later on in your Franchise if you keep going that far.

Yeah I know, but there always seems to be great outfielders in the draft and I already have some great young outfielders, so I really didn't have a hole for them. Still tough to leave such a monster though, especially a switch hitter who was only 18 as well like Morales. But I needed relievers and honestly don't think I'll ever find a better one than Brannon, so hopefully he's my closer for a decade and it all works out, otherwise I'll be kicking myself

[KBLover]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Yeah I know, but there always seems to be great outfielders in the draft and I already have some great young outfielders, so I really didn't have a hole for them. Still tough to leave such a monster though, especially a switch hitter who was only 18 as well like Morales. But I needed relievers and honestly don't think I'll ever find a better one than Brannon, so hopefully he's my closer for a decade and it all works out, otherwise I'll be kicking myself

Hard to bet against Brannon panning out. He's already big-league bullpen ready so as he refines his command and his mental toughness (clutch) through experience, he should become that closer you're wanting.

That H/9 and Velocity will make him a monster if he gets any "intangible" skill at all.

Cardenas looks like the aggressive pick. I like where the bat could go (pure power monster like Gallo or round out like Devers), but that glove and arm...that scares me for a 3B.

[ktd1976]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Yeah I know, but there always seems to be great outfielders in the draft and I already have some great young outfielders, so I really didn't have a hole for them. Still tough to leave such a monster though, especially a switch hitter who was only 18 as well like Morales. But I needed relievers and honestly don't think I'll ever find a better one than Brannon, so hopefully he's my closer for a decade and it all works out, otherwise I'll be kicking myself

I would have taken one of the outfielders. Too much potential and immediate ability to leave on the table.

Just don't see how, with the first overall pick, passing up on a potential superstar position player for a closer makes any sense.

Much easier to fill the closer hole with a free agent, or a trade, than it is to acquire a position player with talent and potential like that....

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

We continue to struggle. We split a 2 game series with the Red Sox and won the 2nd game thanks to a walkoff by Kolten Wong. We have split the first 2 of a 4 game series with the Dodgers. Jose De Leon shut us down in the first game and then in the second game we knock Kershaw out after 4 innings.

We are 4 1/2 games behind the Reds who have caught some fire here and are threatening to run away and hide as they lead the division by 4 games over the Brewers (We're 4 1/2 out, Cubs are 5 out and the Pirates are 8 out)

We just removed Marco Gonzales from the rotation and he's currently on optional assignment waivers. We have brought up Top 10 prospect in baseball, Alex Reyes to replace him.

Still searching for that 7 out of 10 stretch.