MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I've been wanting to do a franchise for a while (I've had the show 12 and now 14, but always stick to RTTS). Every time I tend to start a franchise, I get overwhelmed and just not sure how and where I want to go with it. It just seems a daunting process (I don't know if this is the fact that I play on the Vita, or if it would be the same on the other platforms).

I thoroughly enjoy RTTS, much more so than similar modes in other sports games. When it comes to Madden, I'm all about owner/franchise mode (although I do dislike the new connected franchise).

I have "dreams and aspirations" to run a power house team, a smallball/fundamentals team, and/or a budget team. Starting off, should I let the computer handle much of the day to day roster movements, call ups, scouting? Or should I just take it really slowly and control every aspect of my team? Any tips from others who have felt overwhelmed by the prospect but have figured out their own way?

I know what you mean by being overwhelmed with franchise mode. There area lot more things involved in baseball than there is in running any other sports team. Plus you tend to get that hurry feeling, that you need to hurry because its such a long season and you want to play all or as many as possible games. Then you end up being burnt out because of it and never finish your chise, and by then the next game is out anyway.

I will say with Quick Counts now you dont need to feel rushed in your chise, so imo you can take more time to think along the way, and even put the game down when you struggle for a day or 2.

Also why hurry worried about the next game coming out the folllowing year. If SCEA has taught us anything, its not too buy their game day 1 anymore, or for that matter all games makers have taught that by the way they do things Personally Im going to quit wasting money each yr just to by a game that is flawed from day 1 and not know if it will even be fixed or not. Thise guys who buy every other yr have the right idea.

If you enjoy running the team from a management style, say more than playing, then sim a few game here and there. If you rather play, then run the team management side then you can always set things to auto. I prefer running my team and playing every game, but I knwo that can be a lot for some who may not have as much time too spend.

Good Luck, personally I think MLBTS franchise mode is the best of all sports game's and its all I play. I jyts never have got into RTTS mode, I have tried it, but I like franchise the best and I like keeping injuries and transactions to that of real life, so RTTS I lose interest in quickly.

[kmoser]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Anyone else seeing some odd things in franchise mode with teams that are actually good IRL stinking it up in your chise and bad teams doing well?



I just started a chise and the A's are 0-6, and the Tigers are 0-5. I use the hybrid roster but have it set to openign day with injuries accurate tot hat of real life.



I typically will re sim games to get things close to real life, but dont trust the game stability this yr to do that without it screwing up something, so I have been letting it play out and whoever wins wins.



I do use 30 team control but only play as the Reds but might decide to plays some of teams like the A's and Tigers, and try to get them winning. Dont really want to do that cause I play my minor league teams games, or a lot of them anyway.



Thought about restarting, but hate to do that cause Im OCD about getting my manager and coaches contract close anyway to that of real life as far as years go. Plus I dont want my scouts or farm director to have some weird foreign name, so I tedn to start over until I get normal names for those guys. I have always wondered if Im the only one who does that or if other are like that,lol.

I went 80-82 in my first year of my Astros Chise. I do a lot of simming and play only about a series a month so it wasn't me doing the winning lol. Was kinda mad that I did so good and I wasn't going to get a good pick in the draft but oh well.

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I went 80-82 in my first year of my Astros Chise. I do a lot of simming and play only about a series a month so it wasn't me doing the winning lol. Was kinda mad that I did so good and I wasn't going to get a good pick in the draft but oh well.

I guess atleast Im not the only one seeing weird things with win/loss records. I dont mind some randomness to the game, because you do see a team or 2 surprise people usually every yr, unless its the Cubs, lol. I do wish the simming did play more to the ratings though, so bad teams tend to play poorly and teams that are good tend to do well. Just seem kind of surprising to see both The A's and Tigers start off the season 0-6. If I wasnt afraid of the game getting a glitch or bug I would re sim some teams game, like the A's to make them win and the Cubs to lose. That usually what I have done in the past, espeically when it comes to making the Cubs lose, but I just dont trust the stability of the game this yr, and worry that backing in and out of a chise to re sim might glitch something this yr.

Really considered starting over, but I cant bring myself to do that, as I just hate to start over once I get a start into a franchise. Just seems wrong, and espeically if I aint doing well, which Im not, just kind of makes me feel like Im cheating to restart, so Im just going to hope the A's and Tigers pull out of their slow starts, or I might play some of their games on AS to get them winning, even though I dont ever play any games except for Reds and their minor league teams.

[Rollo]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I know what you mean by being overwhelmed with franchise mode. There area lot more things involved in baseball than there is in running any other sports team. Plus you tend to get that hurry feeling, that you need to hurry because its such a long season and you want to play all or as many as possible games. Then you end up being burnt out because of it and never finish your chise, and by then the next game is out anyway.

I will say with Quick Counts now you dont need to feel rushed in your chise, so imo you can take more time to think along the way, and even put the game down when you struggle for a day or 2.

Also why hurry worried about the next game coming out the folllowing year. If SCEA has taught us anything, its not too buy their game day 1 anymore, or for that matter all games makers have taught that by the way they do things Personally Im going to quit wasting money each yr just to by a game that is flawed from day 1 and not know if it will even be fixed or not. Thise guys who buy every other yr have the right idea.

If you enjoy running the team from a management style, say more than playing, then sim a few game here and there. If you rather play, then run the team management side then you can always set things to auto. I prefer running my team and playing every game, but I knwo that can be a lot for some who may not have as much time too spend.

Good Luck, personally I think MLBTS franchise mode is the best of all sports game's and its all I play. I jyts never have got into RTTS mode, I have tried it, but I like franchise the best and I like keeping injuries and transactions to that of real life, so RTTS I lose interest in quickly.

I'm not too concerned about the played game...I'm more of a simulation type player, but I did want to play a few games here and there, or manage games here and there. Quick counts is a god send this here, and the few games I've played outside of RTTS have utilized it.

This is also only the second "The Show" I've purchased. I most likely won't be purchasing next years unless I end up buying a PS4 soon. Otherwise I'll most likely be waiting for MLBTS16.

I guess my biggest concern is the minor system and the 25/40 man roster control. I understand the rules and concepts behind it, just don't know when I should move people along. Is there a progression point to leaving someone in the different levels? Does their playing time help them progress faster at the lower levels?

(Going to preface this saying I know overall's aren't the end all be all...) As an example, say in my organization I have a number of SS's, but two of them are young prospects with decent attributes. My starter is an aged veteran with an overall above 80. My top prospect is in the mid 70's, and the second prospect is in the high 60's. My top prospect is good enough to be a infield backup on my 25man roster, but he most likely wouldn't get much playing time (maybe a few PH or PR opportunity's). I know in a real world situation, he most likely would be called up late in the season to ensure playoff eligibility, and he would most likely stay Triple A the remained of the season as the starter getting all his reps in to progress. My second prospect (being in the high 60's) is maybe 5th or 6th on the SS depth chart for my organization, but the other guys are older/career minor leaguers. Real world situation, he'd most likely be the Double A starter, getting his reps in for the same reason as the above guy. Should I be treating my chise the same way? Does playing time at lower levels help progression, or is progression just a normal occurrence regardless of playing time?

[kmoser]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I guess atleast Im not the only one seeing weird things with win/loss records. I dont mind some randomness to the game, because you do see a team or 2 surprise people usually every yr, unless its the Cubs, lol. I do wish the simming did play more to the ratings though, so bad teams tend to play poorly and teams that are good tend to do well. Just seem kind of surprising to see both The A's and Tigers start off the season 0-6. If I wasnt afraid of the game getting a glitch or bug I would re sim some teams game, like the A's to make them win and the Cubs to lose. That usually what I have done in the past, espeically when it comes to making the Cubs lose, but I just dont trust the stability of the game this yr, and worry that backing in and out of a chise to re sim might glitch something this yr.



Really considered starting over, but I cant bring myself to do that, as I just hate to start over once I get a start into a franchise. Just seems wrong, and espeically if I aint doing well, which Im not, just kind of makes me feel like Im cheating to restart, so Im just going to hope the A's and Tigers pull out of their slow starts, or I might play some of their games on AS to get them winning, even though I dont ever play any games except for Reds and their minor league teams.

If it were me, I wouldn't start over. 0-5 and 0-6 isn't that many games so I would just wait and see if they turn it around. If the A's are 0-6 they have 156 games left that they can win (obviously not all of them lol). Maybe you can save, then sim ahead and see if they turn it around.

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

If it were me, I wouldn't start over. 0-5 and 0-6 isn't that many games so I would just wait and see if they turn it around. If the A's are 0-6 they have 156 games left that they can win (obviously not all of them lol). Maybe you can save, then sim ahead and see if they turn it around.

Well I ended up deleting my chise and going to start over. Juts really bugged me to see the A's 1-7, Tigers 0-7, and the Phillies were 7-0,lol. I think Im going to go thru and do some more rerates before I restart. I just didnt want to get to far in and then be mad cause teas like the A's and Tigers were sucking it up, and a team like the Phillies was running away with their division.

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I'm not too concerned about the played game...I'm more of a simulation type player, but I did want to play a few games here and there, or manage games here and there. Quick counts is a god send this here, and the few games I've played outside of RTTS have utilized it.

This is also only the second "The Show" I've purchased. I most likely won't be purchasing next years unless I end up buying a PS4 soon. Otherwise I'll most likely be waiting for MLBTS16.

I guess my biggest concern is the minor system and the 25/40 man roster control. I understand the rules and concepts behind it, just don't know when I should move people along. Is there a progression point to leaving someone in the different levels? Does their playing time help them progress faster at the lower levels?

(Going to preface this saying I know overall's aren't the end all be all...) As an example, say in my organization I have a number of SS's, but two of them are young prospects with decent attributes. My starter is an aged veteran with an overall above 80. My top prospect is in the mid 70's, and the second prospect is in the high 60's. My top prospect is good enough to be a infield backup on my 25man roster, but he most likely wouldn't get much playing time (maybe a few PH or PR opportunity's). I know in a real world situation, he most likely would be called up late in the season to ensure playoff eligibility, and he would most likely stay Triple A the remained of the season as the starter getting all his reps in to progress. My second prospect (being in the high 60's) is maybe 5th or 6th on the SS depth chart for my organization, but the other guys are older/career minor leaguers. Real world situation, he'd most likely be the Double A starter, getting his reps in for the same reason as the above guy. Should I be treating my chise the same way? Does playing time at lower levels help progression, or is progression just a normal occurrence regardless of playing time?

I follow real life transactions, and injuries. I do know if a player gets hot he can go up in potential, and if he struggles, he can lose potential. I dont know how much playing time will help develop a player in the game, like it would IRL. I would say if you were to call up someone or move them up a level and they struggle it will or can cause them to lose potential. You will get notifications in your email if a player is doing well, or struggling.

I have never got more than a couple years into a chise with MLBTS, and havent got past a year since 09. I wont be buying this game day 1 anymore, and probably wont be buying it every year anymore either. Until I get a PS4 I wont be buying another game for the PS3, and I doubt I will be able to buy a PS4 for atelast a couple years, so Im planning on getting several years into my chise with 14. I have basically come to the conclusion that its really a waste of money for me to buy a new game every year, when Im a franchise guy only, and Im going to start keeping games longer so I can get deep into my franchise's with games. Plus with SCEA screwing us over this yr on not fixing the PS3 version, budget issue, yet they did for the PS4 just rubbed me the wrong way, so after them doing that, I have decided Im really wasting my money not just buying games day 1 but buying them each yr as well. I know they have added franchise carry over, but Im not sure I trust them to not have that flawed and bugged, as Im sure that is a tricky thing to code. I hope it goes flawless for them, but I can see it having some issues for a yr or 2 anyway.

[Rollo]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I follow real life transactions, and injuries. I do know if a player gets hot he can go up in potential, and if he struggles, he can lose potential. I dont know how much playing time will help develop a player in the game, like it would IRL. I would say if you were to call up someone or move them up a level and they struggle it will or can cause them to lose potential. You will get notifications in your email if a player is doing well, or struggling.

I have never got more than a couple years into a chise with MLBTS, and havent got past a year since 09. I wont be buying this game day 1 anymore, and probably wont be buying it every year anymore either. Until I get a PS4 I wont be buying another game for the PS3, and I doubt I will be able to buy a PS4 for atelast a couple years, so Im planning on getting several years into my chise with 14. I have basically come to the conclusion that its really a waste of money for me to buy a new game every year, when Im a franchise guy only, and Im going to start keeping games longer so I can get deep into my franchise's with games. Plus with SCEA screwing us over this yr on not fixing the PS3 version, budget issue, yet they did for the PS4 just rubbed me the wrong way, so after them doing that, I have decided Im really wasting my money not just buying games day 1 but buying them each yr as well. I know they have added franchise carry over, but Im not sure I trust them to not have that flawed and bugged, as Im sure that is a tricky thing to code. I hope it goes flawless for them, but I can see it having some issues for a yr or 2 anyway.

I feel ya. The only reason why I bought this years copy for my Vita was because my copy of 12 was bugging out. I was good continuing my RTTs from that for the foreseeable future. I'm not a HUGE baseball fan like I am with football. I follow my local A's and Giants, go to a couple games every so often, know the 'important' players in the league, but aside from that...I could care less what rosters look like. For me, I have an issue playing an older football game because of the rosters. That doesn't exist for me in The Show.

Anyways, I decided to go manager mode and micromanage my team. I usually go with my A's, but I have a hard time moving players I follow outside of the virtual world. I ended up picking the Padres (through a random generator), and they definitely fit my criteria. They are in California, they aren't my local A's or Giants, and they aren't from Los Angeles!

'Played' a couple of the spring training games to see if I liked the manage game or sportscast manager more. I also did a bunch of small roster moves. In total, I released ~20 AA/AAA caliber players and picked up players from FA with the same or lesser overall, but a higher potential. The best guy I picked up ended up being Juan Pierre. He'll be sitting my bench as a pinch runner and maybe a few pinch hits here and there as well. After him, the next best I grabbed was a 59 rated RP, wight he worst being a 44 RP.

This won't change my immediate game play, and may not affect my gameplay at all depending on how long I stick with the 'chise. I mostly did it to get my prospects slightly younger, slightly lower in overall (but with more potential), but to also close in on my budget for the year. I didn't want to sign someone to a ridiculous contract to fill in that void, and I didn't want to go and sign a number of FA starters either.

The Dodgers ended up sweeping me in my first series of the regular season. I lost the first game 4-5, second game 2-3, and the final game 3-12, before notching my first victory of the year with a 6-5 win over the Marlins. I'm following a modified rule set put up by a poster some 4 years ago. The post referenced Highheat's house rules. While I don't physically play my games, I'll be following his pitcher rules for when to pull guys out and whom to put in, as well as his off the field rules. This way I have some structural flow during my first season and I can see what worked well and what didn't.

[Rollo]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Made my way to a 5-5 record, winning my last 3 in inter league play (3-1 overall). I feel like I'm getting into the swing of manager mode, and using my player position effectively. In all, I've only scored 44 runs, but only allowed 44 runs. I've outscored my opponents 21-10 in the first 2 innings, but I've been outscored 5-13 in the final 2 innings. Of those 10 games, only 3 have had outcomes decided in the final 2 innings. My first win of the season (against the Marlins) came in the 9th inning to break a 5-5 tie (I won 6-5). The following game, we were tied 4-4 going into the 8th, where I allowed 3 runs and ended up losing 4-7. My last loss happened against the Indians. I was actually down 2-3 going into the 8th, and I tied it up, but then surrendered a walk off home run to Raburn.

[Bluejaysfan65]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Just started up an Angels fantasy draft franchise. Roster looks like this:

Rotation:
1. Jon Lester (83)
2. Clay Buchholz (81)
3. Noah Syndergaard (75)
4. Henderson Alvarez (75)
5. Brett Anderson (75)

Bullpen:
Jason Frasor (68)
Jeremy Jeffress (68)
Jose Valverde (70)
Chase Whitley (70)
Yoervis Medina (68)
Andrew Bailey (71)
Junichi Tazawa (86)
Rafael Soriano (72)

Starters:
LF - Christian Yelich (73)
RF - Giancarlo Stanton (84)
CF - Austin Jackson (71)
C - Buster Posey (92)
1B - Juan Francisco (72)
2B - Brian Dozier (78)
SS - Xander Bogaerts (78)
3B - Adeiny Hechavarria (67)

[DarthRambo]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

In my Oakland A's chise I am at August 29th date. Battling back n forth with Texas for the AL West. In the month of August alone I was up 2 games, went through a stretch in the middle while the Rangers won 12 straight while I struggled scoring. They had a full 3 game lead on me.

I then and am now on a seven game win streak as Texas was swept by KC. We are now tied with identical records headed into September. I'm in store for a helluva season stretch into the playoffs for the division. Will come down to the last series against Texas late September.

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

After deciding to restart my chise after starting and seeing the A's and Tigers get off too 1-8 and 0-8 starts along with the Phillies starting the season 7-0, I finally go going again. I had put the game away for a few weeks after that happen because of frustration, but decided I better get going, so I did a few touch ups to some ratings and played a couple practice games and then got going with my Reds once again.

Well Opening day in the virtual world didnt treat Cueto near as good as IRL, and he gave up 5 runs in 6 innings. I ended up losing I think it was 5-3. Cingrani pitched surprisingly well thru 7 innings and I was able to take game 2. In the rubber match Homer Bailey started out really well, but then fell apart and we lose to start the season 1-2.

Oddly enough I downgraded Votto from where they had him in the Hybrid roster with dropping his hitting and power along with his clutch, and he has started the yr on a roll go figure,lol. He hit a Hr on OD then in game 2 of the season he hit 2 HR's. Weird how you can lower a guy down and he hits even better. For some reason I have usually struggled with Votto in the past, and now I lower him down and I start tearing it up with him.

Up next I head to NY to play the Mets. Also have Opening day for the minor league's. I like to play quite a few of my minor league games, and typcially play all my minor league teams games thru the 1st time thru the rotation, then I will pick and choose the minor league games here and there to play. With QC's I plan on playing even more of my minor league teams games this yr, plus I wont be buying next yrs game after they screwed us on fixing the game this yr, so I dont have the need to try and rush games in to get thru a season or more before next yrs game comes out.

[Rollo]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

I managed a decent stretch into my Padres season (17-15), but I feel like i have messed it up and may start over. I made a very lopsided trade only 32 games into the season. I might revert the trade, as I saved directly afterwards and stopped my franchise progression, or I may add a few more people to the trade to even it out. Josh Johnson, Alexi Amarista and Rene Rivera for Michael Wacha, Matt Holiday and Alexander Reyes. I think I did it just to see what the Cardinals would end up doing with the trade logic. They gave up a 22 and 19 year old A potential pitchers and an aging fielder for an aged 3-4 slot starting pitcher, a career minor league catcher, and a young backup middle infielder who had been struggling at the plate.

Instead of the franchise, I decided to do a sim RTTS, got about 5 or 6 years deep (wanted to see arbitration in action) and got a lot of useful information. A good amount of the roster changes in my Padres franchise (picking up young B prospects prior to spring training) developed decently in the RTTS. With that in mind, as well as the trade I made, I'm more inclined to hit the reset button (and not get the young potential) than to revert or modify the trade and continue.

[CaseIH]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress

Well things arent going so good to start the season as Im now 1-4 to start the season after dropping the 1st 2 games of a 3 game series vs the Mets. Pitching has been solid, even the bullpen to start the season, but the offense is really struggling. Other than Votto no one is really swinging it real well.

I have started out 2-1 with Louisville to start the season against the Mudhens. Pennsacola hasnt been as fortunate as I have dropped 2 of 3 vs the Smokies, which really sucks cause I hate the Cubs and anything associated with them, so I even hate losing to their farm teams Blue Wahoos got off to a rough start from on OD with Matt Latos making that start on rehab assignment I felt good going into that game but he got roughed up for 6 runs in the 1st 2 innings, bu then settled down and was able to get thru 4 with him, and Tim Crabbe cam in and did a nice job but ended up losing 6-3.

So far I have played all my minor league games along with the Reds games, but after the 1st time thru the rotation I will probably only play 1 out of every 5 of my minor league games, while playing all my Reds games.

Got Cueto going for me in the final game against the Mets, so hopefully he can shut them down and I can get some runs. I will be acitvating Mez from the DL after this game, so i will have him for the cardinal series, so hopefully that will boost my offense some.

[sink4ever]

Re: MLB 14 The Show Franchise Progress



49-41 (3rd AL West, 4.5 GB)

2014 Mid-Season Stats


Offensive Stats


The offense has been quite solid with Donaldson, Moss, and Cespedes anchoring the lineup. Crisp, Fuld, and Gentry have battled injury and Lowrie's performance has been a bit uneven. The catcher platoon of Jaso and Norris has been solid for the most part, and Callaspo is having a very good year at 2B.

Pitching Stats


Griffin has been the ace of the staff so far, although Milone has been equally as excellent. Gray has bounced back after a slow start as has Parker, and Kazmir is pitching better after his own cold spell. The bullpen has been steady for the most part with O'Flaherty being the surprising standout.

Minor League Update
SS Addison Russell - .295/.352/.490, 9 2B, 6 HR, 3 SB in 149 AAA AB, .364/.422/.539, 10 2B, 5 HR, 6 SB in 154 AA AB
1B Nate Freiman (AAA) - .267/.349/.416, 9 HR
SP Arnold Leon (AAA) - 9-3, 1.95 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7.8 K/9
SP Dan Straily (AAA) - 8-9, 3.47 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 7.8 K/9
SP Drew Pomeranz (AAA) - 3-8, 4.33 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 8.8 K/9
SP Josh Lindblom (AAA) - 7-4, 3.51 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 8.6 K/9
1B Max Muncy (AA) - .260/.336/.389, 8 HR
C Bruce Maxwell (AA) - .272/.350/.392 in 125 AB
SP Drew Granier (AA) - 7-5, 3.02 ERA 1.19 WHIP, 10.2 K/9
SP Raul Alcantara (AA) - 8-1, 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 8.2 K/9
SP Michael Ynoa (AA) - 3-3, 4.59 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 10.4 K/9

Shortstop phenom Addison Russell has certainly lived up to the hype so far. After doing very well in AA early the season, he earned a promotion to AAA. He struggled at first but has been on fire lately and may be putting himself in position to compete for a spot on the major league roster in 2015. Unfortunately, there aren't many other top notch position prospects in the system, something the A's tried to address in this past draft.

The strength of the system is definitely in the pitching. Straily and Lindblom in particular are looking to compete for spots next season, while Alcantara is doing everything he can to earn a promotion to AAA.