MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

[underdog13]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

After making a pitcher in for 5 out of 6 years from 07-12, I did something radical and made a hitter of the second year in a row. Like many, I've struggled with hitting. Even when I've done well, I've still had a lot of trouble with pitch recognition. And for the first 50 pas or so, this year was no different. I had 2 walks in those 50 PAs and that was par for the course with me. But something finally just clicked and in my last 100 PAs or so, I've gotten 9 walks. And I don't feel as though it's a fluke because I'm seeing the ball much better. I'm still getting fooled on occasion by a ball that I think is going to curve but stays straight and vice versa, but I don't feel as though I'm blindly swinging anymore.

Sometimes it just clicks

[underdog13]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

My cf went 1 for 25 to start the year and now i'm on a 12 game hitting streak with 4 homeruns.

[Kirkel13]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Just completed my showcases for my RTTS characters: I created a starting pitcher and a catcher for this years RTTS mode. Using his repertoire of running fastball, splitter and slider: my starting pitcher (57 overall) dominated the showcase (17 k's in 9IP 0.00 ERA) in route to being selected third overall and signing with the White Sox as an 18 year old with A potential.

My catcher started off as a 58 overall, but I used the 500 pts to get him up to 60 before the first showcase game. In the first two games he finished: 3-4 2 doubles and 4-5, but after a 1-4 performance with a bad throwing decision and 3 dropped balls in the final game I ended with B potential and being a 2nd round pick to the Brewers. I read a lot of people saying going to school wasn't worth it, but I hate the Brewers so went JUCO for one season. In my 2nd showcase attempt I already started with B potential and was listed A after the first game I maintained that threw the final games and was just selected first overall by the Astros as a 19yo with A potential.

I have seen a lot of negative comments about choosing the school option, but in my experience; if you do respectable the first time around, then 1 year of JUCO should get you A potential. Also, I hit better in my first attempt as I didn't hit a HR in my second showcase and only had 3 RBI's in 3 games, but every at bat was at least "good" and I didn't make the same fielding mistakes. Which indicates the quality of at bats and decision making out way offensive output, hope that helps.

[Timmer015]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Probably too soon to answer this, but does anyone know if free agency in RTTS has been fixed so that teams actually compete to sign you?

[BSUFAN]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Probably too soon to answer this, but does anyone know if free agency in RTTS has been fixed so that teams actually compete to sign you?

I did a test sim on one of my players to FA, He was I think 81 or 83. Turns out that there were contracts galore offered from the parent club to everyone one else. Right from the start of FA in November every couple of days and or the next week there were at least 1 to 4 offers on the table from 2, 3 and 4 years which was awesome. Now all the contracts where in the 5-6 million a year range and some negotiation will be involved and might be more depending on how high your potential or number might be. So hold on the choices will be many

[olig23]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

I used to watch lots of baseball until 2008 when it sadly moved from standard British TV, but got back into it over the past two seasons and I've been waiting for this game to come out for a while now. It's the first iteration of The Show I have played and it's excellent.

Anyway, I decided to go with Road To The Show since it seemed a more practical way of completing a season than a full franchise with the Brewers. Plus, I don't have to feel guilty every time Ryan Braun comes up to bat... but I digress.

So, I created Left-Handed, Centre Fielder, Oliver Thornton (of the International region, naturally). A taller, more chiselled and all round better human than myself. However, our appearance at the Amateur Showcase did highlight one thing my alter-ego shares with his creator... a lack of baseball experience and ability.

We nonetheless toiled ahead, having never played the game before I made a bit of a mess of the event with a few errors and some highly unusual base-running. To be fair, I was playing with dynamic difficulty on "Experienced" (because even though I am the definition of a beginner I have not played a game on easy for decades and I won't be now!). Although, it did clearly say Rookie, beginner, ******* or something at the top of the screen to ensure I knew I should be doing better.

Alas, I was drafted near the foot of the fourth round by the Oakland Athletics. Not too shabby that. A good organization. Billy Beane. Moneyball and all that stuff. Awful stadium, not sure I want to live in Oakland - maybe he'll commute. Then everything changed. This message asking me if I want to go back to school appears. I have no idea what this does. But I want to find out. Plus, I'm a big advocate for education and my athlete will be a damned scholar too!!! But only for a year...

So we go back to The Showcase. It goes a bit better. I did not try to move to second on a shallow base-hit to Left Field this time. I also made more friends from "the international region" which seemed to consist entirely of Japanese people and the odd guy from Dominica. Sushi was nice though. Get drafted in the 4th round again. Hoping to go #10 to Milwaukee. But no... It is the Seattle Mariners! Pretty good. Rain? I'm British fool. Good food (I hear). Pretty views. Might get to see some whales. Hang out with Richard Sherman - just not immediately after a game. People seem to like Seattle. I quite liked Fraiser. On the other hand... Grunge was over-rated. Aside from Pearl Jam's - Ten. Oh I think the fans are tad self-celebratory next door at Century Link. 12th Man!!! Stolen from Texas A&M. Overall, I am happy. Feeling pretty hipster-ish and sign my contract.

BTW I was clearly too diligent a student and did not play much baseball because my going back to school for a year only netted my 200 training points. At the time I was perfectly happy with that. That was until I learned I could double that in a 5 minute training session in field. Bit of a waste that year. But if it all goes wrong at the Mariners at least I'll have 1/4th of a degree to fall back on...

I can't wait to get to Seattle. I can taste the Sushi. But no... what's this... I'm where? Double-A Jackson... Where the **** is that?? Not a sashimi in sight, However, I then discover Jackson is not only in Tennessee (which I know nothing about) but it is in Madison County... The one with all the bridges? I don't know, don't check. Lets just assume it's one and the same. Potential romance, beautiful landscapes and southern food... it could be worse.

Things start out a bit rough for Oliver in the first few games but then quickly pick-up. In field things were rough initially but after a few games it s clear that I am basically a Gold-Glove Centre Fielder if the ball is hit high and in front of him. If it goes over his head things are far from certain. If it reaches the wall forget it. Some weird target appears. I stand in said target and the ball hits the wall. I toyed with R1 and R2 in these situations but that only makes matters worse.

After 20-30 games things are coming along beautifully. I've moved up form #7 to #4 in the lineup. I'm hitting between .309 and .327 depending on the ebb and flow of form. With 1 homer and 24 RBIs. Can't steal bases for toffee though. Must have made a league leading number of attempts but only have one success to my name.

Just before the All-Star break I took another moment to review my progress. My boy is now 67 with potential still a C. He has 60 Contact vs RHP and 62 Power. Cannot hit lefties if his life depends on it though. I find I can usually steal the odd hit but usually end up fouling off as much as possible to tire the bitch out and hopefully he'll be gone by my next AB. The rest of my hard-earned training points have gone to Plate Discipline, Plate Vision, Range, Arm Strength, Speed and Stealing. I'm hitting .320 with 6 homers and 41 RBIs. 3 Stolen bases!!!! Boom!!! I also lead the team in Doubles and Strikeouts, so... mixed bag there

With no fanfare, or warning for that matter, I wake up one day and I'm not in Jackson. Not even a minute to say goodbye to Meryl Streep. I never even knew on the drive to the stadium. It all looked the same until I noticed my teal helmet... then my new jersey logo... then the mountains past CF as I took batting practice. Turns out I'm in Tacoma. I don't know either. Seriously, does no message appear telling me I got promoted? I may have accidentally clicked through it. Who knows.

I struggled mightily in my first few games at AAA. The Dynamic Difficulty now reads "Veteren+ ++++". They did insist on playing me Left-Field and my first game was a catastrophic defensive performance in replacement for some injured bloke whom I have not taken the time to find out his identity.

But things are beginning to turn around after about 10 games. I'm hitting .270 now (I was .190 after 4 games) and upon the return of injured player x they kept me on the roster. I am playing DH now. I don't blame them really. I'm not a good left-fielder. The turning point seems to have been around my 5th game. I was 0-3 and smacked a nice ground-rule double. In my next AB I was inches from a HR hitting that yellow strip but turned that bad boy into an RBI triple that won the game... I got one of those nice cards. Sweet.

And that's it for Oliver Thornton's short career to date. I have started adding points to Contact vs LHP because those crafty AAA folk keep making me face them. I'm also learning to take more walks which makes me feel all Moneyball. But really I just want to hit more Home Runs and steal some bases. That's how you get to sushi.

[ckittle2518]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

olig23,

that was brilliant. hope you keep us up to date with sir oliver thornton's career.

[Berserker2020]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Started a career at 2nd base and got drafted in the 3rd round by the Cubs. Not to upset they have a good crop of youngsters coming up. 16 games into my first year in double-A and BOOM torn ACL. I was showing some major promise hitting over .300 with 5hr and 18rbi. Season over.

Second year in double-A and my guy was pumped to get back into action. Spent the long time off recovering and getting back in major shape. Struggled over the first week getting back into game shape and then things started to click. Made it passed the 16 games that i made it to the previous year and was actually performing better to that point. Before i know it i am at the double-A all-star break and make the team. Fast forward a couple more weeks and before i know it I get the call up to the show.

I leave my minor league career behind while batting over .300 - 28hr - 109rbi. Ryan Roberts is the starting 2nd baseman and is quickly replaced by the up and coming 19 year old who with his size (5'10) shows early flashes of Dustin Pedroia but with more power. Again while struggling for the first week or so to get accustomed to major league pitching things start to come together and after about a month and a half I'm hitting over .300 with 12hr and 30 rbi. That's when lightning strikes again and while hustling out a double and sliding feet first I come up in pain and find myself grabbing at my ankle.

Dislocated ankle. OUT FOR SEASON. Here we go again. The youngster now being labeled as possibly injury prone looks to make another strong come back.

Season 3 begins and I find myself looking for revenge on the diamond, I will succeed. Opening day has arrived and I take my revenge with a 5-6 day with an inside the park home 3rbi and 4sb. I receive player of the game and look forward to tomorrows game.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Bruinboy]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

olig23 ... didn't want to quote your entire post, but loved, loved it. Great sense of humor. I think Jackson is actually Jackson, MS so you were lucky to spend so little time there. Also, Madison County, is in Iowa ... don't ask how I know ... even if you ask I won't tell you I read the book and saw the movie ... if I did my man card would be revoked.

But I digress. Hope you keep us posted on Oliver.

[jbrsanders13]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Created a hard-throwing starting pitcher and did fairly well in the showcase with an ERA under 2 and lots of strikeouts. I was a B potential and went in the 4th round so I decided to JUCO for one year. I had another good showing in the showcase but still was only B potential and went in the late first round. Decided to go to JUCO for yet another year and I completely dominated the showcase. I went 9 innings with a 1.00 ERA, 17 strikeouts and 8 walks. It was enough to get drafted #1 overall by the Astros with A potential.

Not sure I want to play on the Astros so I'm hoping I get traded.

[Madden's Jowels]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

I used to watch lots of baseball until 2008 when it sadly moved from standard British TV, but got back into it over the past two seasons and I've been waiting for this game to come out for a while now. It's the first iteration of The Show I have played and it's excellent.

Anyway, I decided to go with Road To The Show since it seemed a more practical way of completing a season than a full franchise with the Brewers. Plus, I don't have to feel guilty every time Ryan Braun comes up to bat... but I digress.

So, I created Left-Handed, Centre Fielder, Oliver Thornton (of the International region, naturally). A taller, more chiselled and all round better human than myself. However, our appearance at the Amateur Showcase did highlight one thing my alter-ego shares with his creator... a lack of baseball experience and ability.

We nonetheless toiled ahead, having never played the game before I made a bit of a mess of the event with a few errors and some highly unusual base-running. To be fair, I was playing with dynamic difficulty on "Experienced" (because even though I am the definition of a beginner I have not played a game on easy for decades and I won't be now!). Although, it did clearly say Rookie, beginner, ******* or something at the top of the screen to ensure I knew I should be doing better.

Alas, I was drafted near the foot of the fourth round by the Oakland Athletics. Not too shabby that. A good organization. Billy Beane. Moneyball and all that stuff. Awful stadium, not sure I want to live in Oakland - maybe he'll commute. Then everything changed. This message asking me if I want to go back to school appears. I have no idea what this does. But I want to find out. Plus, I'm a big advocate for education and my athlete will be a damned scholar too!!! But only for a year...

So we go back to The Showcase. It goes a bit better. I did not try to move to second on a shallow base-hit to Left Field this time. I also made more friends from "the international region" which seemed to consist entirely of Japanese people and the odd guy from Dominica. Sushi was nice though. Get drafted in the 4th round again. Hoping to go #10 to Milwaukee. But no... It is the Seattle Mariners! Pretty good. Rain? I'm British fool. Good food (I hear). Pretty views. Might get to see some whales. Hang out with Richard Sherman - just not immediately after a game. People seem to like Seattle. I quite liked Fraiser. On the other hand... Grunge was over-rated. Aside from Pearl Jam's - Ten. Oh I think the fans are tad self-celebratory next door at Century Link. 12th Man!!! Stolen from Texas A&M. Overall, I am happy. Feeling pretty hipster-ish and sign my contract.

BTW I was clearly too diligent a student and did not play much baseball because my going back to school for a year only netted my 200 training points. At the time I was perfectly happy with that. That was until I learned I could double that in a 5 minute training session in field. Bit of a waste that year. But if it all goes wrong at the Mariners at least I'll have 1/4th of a degree to fall back on...

I can't wait to get to Seattle. I can taste the Sushi. But no... what's this... I'm where? Double-A Jackson... Where the **** is that?? Not a sashimi in sight, However, I then discover Jackson is not only in Tennessee (which I know nothing about) but it is in Madison County... The one with all the bridges? I don't know, don't check. Lets just assume it's one and the same. Potential romance, beautiful landscapes and southern food... it could be worse.

Things start out a bit rough for Oliver in the first few games but then quickly pick-up. In field things were rough initially but after a few games it s clear that I am basically a Gold-Glove Centre Fielder if the ball is hit high and in front of him. If it goes over his head things are far from certain. If it reaches the wall forget it. Some weird target appears. I stand in said target and the ball hits the wall. I toyed with R1 and R2 in these situations but that only makes matters worse.

After 20-30 games things are coming along beautifully. I've moved up form #7 to #4 in the lineup. I'm hitting between .309 and .327 depending on the ebb and flow of form. With 1 homer and 24 RBIs. Can't steal bases for toffee though. Must have made a league leading number of attempts but only have one success to my name.

Just before the All-Star break I took another moment to review my progress. My boy is now 67 with potential still a C. He has 60 Contact vs RHP and 62 Power. Cannot hit lefties if his life depends on it though. I find I can usually steal the odd hit but usually end up fouling off as much as possible to tire the bitch out and hopefully he'll be gone by my next AB. The rest of my hard-earned training points have gone to Plate Discipline, Plate Vision, Range, Arm Strength, Speed and Stealing. I'm hitting .320 with 6 homers and 41 RBIs. 3 Stolen bases!!!! Boom!!! I also lead the team in Doubles and Strikeouts, so... mixed bag there

With no fanfare, or warning for that matter, I wake up one day and I'm not in Jackson. Not even a minute to say goodbye to Meryl Streep. I never even knew on the drive to the stadium. It all looked the same until I noticed my teal helmet... then my new jersey logo... then the mountains past CF as I took batting practice. Turns out I'm in Tacoma. I don't know either. Seriously, does no message appear telling me I got promoted? I may have accidentally clicked through it. Who knows.

I struggled mightily in my first few games at AAA. The Dynamic Difficulty now reads "Veteren+ ++++". They did insist on playing me Left-Field and my first game was a catastrophic defensive performance in replacement for some injured bloke whom I have not taken the time to find out his identity.

But things are beginning to turn around after about 10 games. I'm hitting .270 now (I was .190 after 4 games) and upon the return of injured player x they kept me on the roster. I am playing DH now. I don't blame them really. I'm not a good left-fielder. The turning point seems to have been around my 5th game. I was 0-3 and smacked a nice ground-rule double. In my next AB I was inches from a HR hitting that yellow strip but turned that bad boy into an RBI triple that won the game... I got one of those nice cards. Sweet.

And that's it for Oliver Thornton's short career to date. I have started adding points to Contact vs LHP because those crafty AAA folk keep making me face them. I'm also learning to take more walks which makes me feel all Moneyball. But really I just want to hit more Home Runs and steal some bases. That's how you get to sushi.

British people are awesome.

[Brandwin]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

A few questions - the money you get on contracts doesn't mean anything right?
Plate vision and discipline, pretty important to build up early on?

I've thought about creating a pitcher, but not sure what attributes to work on and what pitchers to go with. Probably want to be a power pitcher.

[PadresFan]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Have a question too... Apologies if this has been asked/answered already...

If you create a catcher, do you still have to call pitches/play defense?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

[Mabster]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

Have a question too... Apologies if this has been asked/answered already...

If you create a catcher, do you still have to call pitches/play defense?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

I haven't done it myself by I've read No.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

[zomgerd]

Re: MLB 14 The Show: Road to the Show Thread

A few questions - the money you get on contracts doesn't mean anything right?
Plate vision and discipline, pretty important to build up early on?

I've thought about creating a pitcher, but not sure what attributes to work on and what pitchers to go with. Probably want to be a power pitcher.

1. Money means nothing really.

2. I would say Plate vision more so than Discipline but yeah I'd work on both.