When to promote minor league prospects?

vonbonds · 05-19-2012, 11:29 AM

Hello all,

I have tried the search function to look for a FAQ or guide on how to handle minor leaguers. I saw something about leaving them down for too long but I didn't see a general guide on when is the approximate right time to promote a legitimate (according to the ratings) highly coveted prospect.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

iowahawkeyedave · 05-20-2012, 12:08 AM

I am wondering the same thing. Right now what i do with position players is usually wait until their contact rating is around 50 unless the got tons of power.

With pitchers its harder to tell though since there is no stats to go on, so i usually wait until their morale starts to lower to where their expectations are that they be in the big leagues. Them i bring them up.

One other thing i look for is their age. Closer they are to 23 or 24 seems more likely that they will reach potential, but i had a 2B do very well as a 20 year old, so looking at ratings might be better.

Ive had some success with these methods, with having 2 5 star potential players fully developed, but as is the nature of this game nothing will work 100% of the time.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

magicspeedo · 05-21-2012, 09:16 AM

It depends on the player. Pull up your worst prospects in their first 2 or 3 years in the league and let them play in the 40 man roster. This will help them develop enough to show you if they will ever be a quality player. I've had numerous 3-5th round draft picks turn into every day starters this way.

With your top prospects, call them up in September if they have at least yellow color for contact. Give them till they hit 1 1/2 star at least before you call them up for a full season. In their first year in the show, put them as a back up and see if they can hit 300+. For power hitters, look for 10 HRs at least from a back up duty or a slugging over 600. If they can do that from a back up role, they are ready to start. Once they are starting, their numbers will not be as good until they reach their potential.

Pitchers are different. I usually wait until a pitcher has his stuff 80% developed before I bring him up. If he's got more than 2 pitches, even if the 3rd pitch is terrible, he could still develop into a starter. Control is the last thing to develop, so even if they have terrible control, they could still be worthwhile in the bullpen. Once a SP has at least 2 stars for current ability, thats when he's ready to get into the rotation. Of course, they are better if you wait till they have 3 stars for current ability, but 2 will work if you are desperate.

05-19-2012, 11:29 AM	#1
vonbonds Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 5	When to promote minor league prospects? Hello all, I have tried the search function to look for a FAQ or guide on how to handle minor leaguers. I saw something about leaving them down for too long but I didn't see a general guide on when is the approximate right time to promote a legitimate (according to the ratings) highly coveted prospect. Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

05-20-2012, 12:08 AM	#2
iowahawkeyedave Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 49	I am wondering the same thing. Right now what i do with position players is usually wait until their contact rating is around 50 unless the got tons of power. With pitchers its harder to tell though since there is no stats to go on, so i usually wait until their morale starts to lower to where their expectations are that they be in the big leagues. Them i bring them up. One other thing i look for is their age. Closer they are to 23 or 24 seems more likely that they will reach potential, but i had a 2B do very well as a 20 year old, so looking at ratings might be better. Ive had some success with these methods, with having 2 5 star potential players fully developed, but as is the nature of this game nothing will work 100% of the time. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

05-21-2012, 09:16 AM	#3
magicspeedo Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 240	It depends on the player. Pull up your worst prospects in their first 2 or 3 years in the league and let them play in the 40 man roster. This will help them develop enough to show you if they will ever be a quality player. I've had numerous 3-5th round draft picks turn into every day starters this way. With your top prospects, call them up in September if they have at least yellow color for contact. Give them till they hit 1 1/2 star at least before you call them up for a full season. In their first year in the show, put them as a back up and see if they can hit 300+. For power hitters, look for 10 HRs at least from a back up duty or a slugging over 600. If they can do that from a back up role, they are ready to start. Once they are starting, their numbers will not be as good until they reach their potential. Pitchers are different. I usually wait until a pitcher has his stuff 80% developed before I bring him up. If he's got more than 2 pitches, even if the 3rd pitch is terrible, he could still develop into a starter. Control is the last thing to develop, so even if they have terrible control, they could still be worthwhile in the bullpen. Once a SP has at least 2 stars for current ability, thats when he's ready to get into the rotation. Of course, they are better if you wait till they have 3 stars for current ability, but 2 will work if you are desperate.