Draft Secrets

jpeters1734 · 01-26-2015, 12:34 PM

I'm curious if anyone would like to share their draft method. Has anyone come up with a formula to help them draft?

clist123abc · 01-26-2015, 01:41 PM

I'm a stats only player so i don't see ratings other than potential star ratings and scouting reports. I see the draft as a great opportunity to save money. I never pay overslot and look for players who are easy to sign or normal when it comes to signing with my team. The way i see it , the faster they get into my minor leagues the faster they can start developing and i can determine if i can count them in next season's plans or not.

The first five rounds of the draft (i play a default 30 round draft) are 'negotiated picks' meaning you have to negotiate with the player and you have to be mindful of his demands etc. After 5 rounds you're free to draft anyone and they immediately sign into your organization.

First thing i do is make a list of pitchers/batters with high potential who are willing to sign with me. I almost always prefer picking two starting pitchers (preferably lefties) with my first two picks (anyone with four or more pitches). The problem is that for someone like me who hates spending a lot of $ in the draft (i would rather have an excellent bench and spend that $2 or 3 mill on a decent middle reliever (instead of the countless 'mop up guys' i have in the minors) than give it to a guy who's 4 years away. If i can find a starting pitcher who also has stamina above 50 i take him. If i can't i go for batters and pick the highest potential rated batter.

I read my scouting report and focus on defense, walk and contact potential and positional flexibility. If he's can play short or centerfield he's a premium position. Toward round 4 and 5 you'll see that there aren't too many 4 or 5 star guys left who are at normal slot and want to sign with you so i look for great relievers and try to get some guys i can groom for shut down roles.

After round 5 it's a free for all, you can finally get whoever you want but you still have to avoid the players with bonus demands. I try to again first see if any 4 or more pitch arsenal guys are left (they wont' be), then i stock up on position players. Quite a few of the ones left with have certain flaws (for instance a great first baseman who's a mediocre power hitter but makes great contact and gets a ton of walk) but who can be useful pieces. Around round 8 or 9 i draft two more relievers who are top of the line talents because they will go fast by this time.

After round 15 there are not many 3 star players left so i focus on finding defensive replacement/position flexible players, guys who can be great utility supersub types (2 star guys). Maybe one of these guys can make it to AAA and develop into a September call up type.

After round 20 i look for arms. All things being equal i prefer college guys as they move faster than high school guys. I tend to be more patient with hitters than pitchers so i draft more arms than bats each time. I stock up on arms and hope a few will be able to make it up to single A (most don't).

I also hide my injury rating so i don't draft only 'durable' types to make it harder for me to stock up talent. If anyone has any other tips i'd love to hear them.

01-26-2015, 12:34 PM	#1
jpeters1734 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Juust a bit outside... Posts: 6,236	Draft Secrets I'm curious if anyone would like to share their draft method. Has anyone come up with a formula to help them draft? __________________ "Cannonball Coming!" Go Bucs!! Founder and League Caretaker of the Professional Baseball Circuit, www.probaseballcircuit.com An Un-Official Guide to Minor League Management in OOTP 21 Ratings Scale Conversion Cross-Reference Cheat Sheet

01-26-2015, 01:41 PM	#2
clist123abc Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 8	I'm a stats only player so i don't see ratings other than potential star ratings and scouting reports. I see the draft as a great opportunity to save money. I never pay overslot and look for players who are easy to sign or normal when it comes to signing with my team. The way i see it , the faster they get into my minor leagues the faster they can start developing and i can determine if i can count them in next season's plans or not. The first five rounds of the draft (i play a default 30 round draft) are 'negotiated picks' meaning you have to negotiate with the player and you have to be mindful of his demands etc. After 5 rounds you're free to draft anyone and they immediately sign into your organization. First thing i do is make a list of pitchers/batters with high potential who are willing to sign with me. I almost always prefer picking two starting pitchers (preferably lefties) with my first two picks (anyone with four or more pitches). The problem is that for someone like me who hates spending a lot of $ in the draft (i would rather have an excellent bench and spend that $2 or 3 mill on a decent middle reliever (instead of the countless 'mop up guys' i have in the minors) than give it to a guy who's 4 years away. If i can find a starting pitcher who also has stamina above 50 i take him. If i can't i go for batters and pick the highest potential rated batter. I read my scouting report and focus on defense, walk and contact potential and positional flexibility. If he's can play short or centerfield he's a premium position. Toward round 4 and 5 you'll see that there aren't too many 4 or 5 star guys left who are at normal slot and want to sign with you so i look for great relievers and try to get some guys i can groom for shut down roles. After round 5 it's a free for all, you can finally get whoever you want but you still have to avoid the players with bonus demands. I try to again first see if any 4 or more pitch arsenal guys are left (they wont' be), then i stock up on position players. Quite a few of the ones left with have certain flaws (for instance a great first baseman who's a mediocre power hitter but makes great contact and gets a ton of walk) but who can be useful pieces. Around round 8 or 9 i draft two more relievers who are top of the line talents because they will go fast by this time. After round 15 there are not many 3 star players left so i focus on finding defensive replacement/position flexible players, guys who can be great utility supersub types (2 star guys). Maybe one of these guys can make it to AAA and develop into a September call up type. After round 20 i look for arms. All things being equal i prefer college guys as they move faster than high school guys. I tend to be more patient with hitters than pitchers so i draft more arms than bats each time. I stock up on arms and hope a few will be able to make it up to single A (most don't). I also hide my injury rating so i don't draft only 'durable' types to make it harder for me to stock up talent. If anyone has any other tips i'd love to hear them.