Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

[RogueHominid]

I'm still learning baseball and in the past have never played Spring Training in The Show. This year I want to play it all the way through and use stats rather than overalls to dictate who makes my team.

The problem is that I've never watched or studied ST to know how teams manage the roster during this time. I'm especially confused about how pitchers are scheduled to start, how many innings they pitch, and such, as I know that two starters will sometimes pitch in the same game.

I'm also unsure of how much time regular starters in the field get, etc.

If someone could give me a layman's breakdown of how ST roster management works, or their own philosophy in pretty specific terms, I'd be grateful. I love how smart and helpful The Show fans are as a group, so thanks in advance for the insight and help!

[Cubfan]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

For me the regular starts each get 2 at bats and then i sub them out on their 3rd at bat to get back ups some at bats. Starting pitchers i just have them go 3 innings then i just have a new pitcher every inning. I would maybe have my closers pitch much earlier in the game since the AI is going to sub everybody out during the 7th inning.

[My993C2]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

You can watch and emulate how the CPU opponents manage their rosters in Spring Training. Here is what they did in MLB 13.

For the first couple of weeks, the starting pitchers pitched 3 innings, then the next day's starter came in for one inning, followed by a new reliever coming in in each new inning (unless of course they got into trouble and then the game would call on someone from the bullpen).

In the middle weeks of Spring Training, the starters would do four innings instead of the original three before being subbed, and the next day's starter would not be put in the game. Everything else was the same with a new relief pitchers coming in every inning.

In the closing days of Spring Training, the starters would play five innings before being subbed, but once again everything else was the same with a new relief pitchers coming in every inning.

As far as the positional players, they play a little longer and more frequent than they would in a real world Spring Training game. In MLB 13 The Show, the positional players would all play the first six innings of the game. Then when it was their time to bat after the sixth inning, another player would be subbed in as a pinch hitter for them. Plus some times the game would sub in a different fielder after the defensive players took the field.

I usually emulated this play, though sometimes I did deviate if I wanted to evaluate the play of several players who were on the bubble for making or not making the Opening Day 25 man rosters.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

Awesome replies so far, guys! This is why I love The Show forums!

[bibibanax]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

I do the same as the others and I cut one position player and one pitcher each day off.

[BrianM207]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

I'll have to echo these statements...

I usually have my starter go 3 innings for his first 2 starts. Then a reliever for 2, then another reliever each inning after. I don't use the next days starter. After the first 2 starts I have them go 5 innings.

As for position players...I give them 2 ab's for the first couple weeks and sub someone in for their 3rd ab. After a couple weeks I give them 3 ab's. Every 4th or 5th day(sometimes with me depending on who is starting, who I'm playing etc)I'll give all my starters the "day off"(sometimes I bring them in in the late innings).

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

You can watch and emulate how the CPU opponents manage their rosters in Spring Training. Here is what they did in MLB 13.

Someone mentioned that for MLB 14, the AI would leave in their regulars for the entire game. Believe this was prior to the 1.08 update?

[RogueHominid]

Re: Spring Training Roster Management (Noob Question)

Awesome stuff! I really want to make ST "count" this year, so figuring out how to get enough guys the PT they need for me to make informed decisions is critical.

Such helpful answers, guys, thanks a million and keep-em coming!