How do you build a . . .

battists · 07-12-2005, 12:37 PM

I'm starting a new league tonight in which I get rid of EVERYONE on my team and start by drafting only amateurs. I like to see how long it takes me to make them competitive.

So, just to get some opinions, if you were drafting amateurs who you hoped to turn into the following types of players, what would you look for in terms of stats/talent ratings?

Leadoff hitter
Slugger
Ace pitcher
Dominant closer
Passable utility infielder
Stud catcher

Ideas welcomed!

Skywalker76 · 07-12-2005, 12:40 PM

I'd go with Ace pitcher.

If you only choose players with blue stars you'll be dominating your league in 2-4 years from the draft. It's a well known sort of easy way to build a champ. But it's fun.

ChuckB · 07-12-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker76

I'd go with Ace pitcher.

If you only choose players with blue stars you'll be dominating your league in 2-4 years from the draft. It's a well known sort of easy way to build a champ. But it's fun.

It's easy but it also gets challenging later on as these guys become arbitration eligible and then go FA. If you have finances on and a cap, you most likely won't be able to sign them all, and your team will dip in talent. Then the question becomes: who to trade away before they go FA, and who's worth the huge salary to resign?

Skywalker76 · 07-12-2005, 12:57 PM

I'm not trying to spoil anything. That's the way I started too and like I mentioned before it's fun. You won't win the World Series every year but you're sure to be winning your division year after year this way.

Also ChuckB you know even if you have a cap you can always trade one or two of your studs (if they get too expensive) for three or four cheap and good prospects.

abailey3313 · 07-12-2005, 02:09 PM

When I first started OOTP, I went with an initial draft for my league. I drafted all big-time prospect pitchers at first. For the first two or three seasons, my team was garbage.

After that, it was pure dominance. The top three guys in my rotation finished in the top 3 of every major pitching category for years, and we won pennant after pennant. It was extremely easy.

But, as mentioned in this thread, all three guys eventually became free agent and arbitration eligible. I had to lose one of them to afford the other two. The rest of my team even suffered because I had to spend so much money to keep these amazing pitchers on my roster.

So, yes, it's an easy strategy if you draft all ace pitchers. But down the road, it gets harder. It all depends if you want the surrealism of six or seven seasons of dominance by not only these players, but your team.

jeheinz72 · 07-12-2005, 02:44 PM

Yeah, in my solo league I've just hit the "decision" time, forcing myself to deal away an 18-7, 2.45 ERA pitcher due to money problems, a year after losing my 5-time .310/35HR/100RBI guy to FA.

This is the best part...of course I'm still winning my division...but only by 4 games in July.

ChuckB · 07-12-2005, 03:17 PM

I've always found that it's better to trade offense than pitching, so I've let my big hitters walk and still won. Keep those arms.

07-12-2005, 12:37 PM	#1
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506	How do you build a . . . I'm starting a new league tonight in which I get rid of EVERYONE on my team and start by drafting only amateurs. I like to see how long it takes me to make them competitive. So, just to get some opinions, if you were drafting amateurs who you hoped to turn into the following types of players, what would you look for in terms of stats/talent ratings? Leadoff hitter Slugger Ace pitcher Dominant closer Passable utility infielder Stud catcher Ideas welcomed!

07-12-2005, 02:09 PM	#5
abailey3313 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,718	When I first started OOTP, I went with an initial draft for my league. I drafted all big-time prospect pitchers at first. For the first two or three seasons, my team was garbage. After that, it was pure dominance. The top three guys in my rotation finished in the top 3 of every major pitching category for years, and we won pennant after pennant. It was extremely easy. But, as mentioned in this thread, all three guys eventually became free agent and arbitration eligible. I had to lose one of them to afford the other two. The rest of my team even suffered because I had to spend so much money to keep these amazing pitchers on my roster. So, yes, it's an easy strategy if you draft all ace pitchers. But down the road, it gets harder. It all depends if you want the surrealism of six or seven seasons of dominance by not only these players, but your team. __________________

07-12-2005, 02:44 PM	#6
jeheinz72 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 2,164	Yeah, in my solo league I've just hit the "decision" time, forcing myself to deal away an 18-7, 2.45 ERA pitcher due to money problems, a year after losing my 5-time .310/35HR/100RBI guy to FA. This is the best part...of course I'm still winning my division...but only by 4 games in July. __________________ Join The Dugout!

07-12-2005, 12:40 PM	#2
Skywalker76 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 833	I'd go with Ace pitcher. If you only choose players with blue stars you'll be dominating your league in 2-4 years from the draft. It's a well known sort of easy way to build a champ. But it's fun.

07-12-2005, 12:57 PM	#4
Skywalker76 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 833	I'm not trying to spoil anything. That's the way I started too and like I mentioned before it's fun. You won't win the World Series every year but you're sure to be winning your division year after year this way. Also ChuckB you know even if you have a cap you can always trade one or two of your studs (if they get too expensive) for three or four cheap and good prospects.

07-12-2005, 03:17 PM	#7
ChuckB Minors (Single A) Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 67	I've always found that it's better to trade offense than pitching, so I've let my big hitters walk and still won. Keep those arms.