Minor Leagues

Romagoth · 09-07-2017, 01:47 AM

I'm finding it incredibly tedious managing my minor league system (9 teams). I don't coach games or set lineups, all I do is check the teams a few times per season to determine if guys need promotion/demotion or release. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, until you think about 9 teams with 30 players per team. Add to that an amateur draft (all players default to the DSL team), and free agent signings throughout the season.

It becomes, at least for me, more work keeping track of my prospects than running the MLB team.

I realize there is an "auto" feature using the AI, but I don't usually trust that to put guys where they belong. What do the rest of you do with your minor leagues and prospects? How do you keep them cleaned up and the right players promoted at the right time without going crazy?

Mr. Marlin · 09-07-2017, 08:33 AM

It's a little easier for me. I only use four levels so each ML team has just four affiliates. I use roster limits and a firm "up or out" personnel policy. Every player is playing for his job against the next best player on his team or the level below every game. That makes it both easier and more interesting to be hands on with affiliate teams.

Rosco Peabody · 09-07-2017, 11:40 AM

I usually just let the computer auto function everything, then look through and make small changes when I want specific prospect to get more playing time, etc.

BIG17EASY · 09-07-2017, 01:30 PM

It sounds to me like your best best is to allow the AI to handle all minor league moves, but identify the prospects you want to control. Then use the player strategy screen to disable AI promotion/demotion and force start them at the position you want them to play. That way you'll have control of the top prospects and the AI will take care of the rest.

byzeil · 09-07-2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG17EASY

It sounds to me like your best best is to allow the AI to handle all minor league moves, but identify the prospects you want to control. Then use the player strategy screen to disable AI promotion/demotion and force start them at the position you want them to play. That way you'll have control of the top prospects and the AI will take care of the rest.

This.

I also create a prospects short list to track the players that I deem to be important. Can even do multiple short lists to identify top prospects and lesser prospects. Lock these identified prospects to the level you want them at and force start them at positions you want them at. Then let the AI handle promotions/demotions and line ups of the players you haven't locked in at a level or force started.

One thing I never to is give the AI the ability to sign or release players.

RchW · 09-07-2017, 02:02 PM

A slight variation of the above two very good posts is to retain control of the minor leagues, do all of the same things, they said but use the in-game "ask AI to set up complete minor league system". By doing that I can see who else is a candidate for a lock icon. I usually end up with half the players in AA and A locked

FWIW

NoOne · 09-07-2017, 10:17 PM

i'd control anything you intend to use or that has value in potential trades. after any promotion, i click the "ask ai to setup mil" too. as long as you delegate, the managers should set them by the next game played, if not mistaken. sometimes it's just nice to see.

i am going back to this way of doing things...i've been micro-managing the mil for a while now... and it's just not worth it anymore. it's a necessary evil from my point of view, so i need to cut back.

nhuet · 09-08-2017, 11:49 PM

i think real gm's probably pay a lot of attention to their whole system

slugger922cubs · 09-09-2017, 01:53 PM

I've found the best way for me to handle minors is to set the assistant to handle promotions and demotions and then manually locking 10-20 prospects whose development I think is critical in place so only I can promote them.

09-07-2017, 01:47 AM	#1
Romagoth Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 365	Minor Leagues I'm finding it incredibly tedious managing my minor league system (9 teams). I don't coach games or set lineups, all I do is check the teams a few times per season to determine if guys need promotion/demotion or release. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, until you think about 9 teams with 30 players per team. Add to that an amateur draft (all players default to the DSL team), and free agent signings throughout the season. It becomes, at least for me, more work keeping track of my prospects than running the MLB team. I realize there is an "auto" feature using the AI, but I don't usually trust that to put guys where they belong. What do the rest of you do with your minor leagues and prospects? How do you keep them cleaned up and the right players promoted at the right time without going crazy?

09-07-2017, 02:02 PM	#6
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	A slight variation of the above two very good posts is to retain control of the minor leagues, do all of the same things, they said but use the in-game "ask AI to set up complete minor league system". By doing that I can see who else is a candidate for a lock icon. I usually end up with half the players in AA and A locked FWIW __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

09-07-2017, 10:17 PM	#7
NoOne Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,273 Infractions: 0/1 (3)	i'd control anything you intend to use or that has value in potential trades. after any promotion, i click the "ask ai to setup mil" too. as long as you delegate, the managers should set them by the next game played, if not mistaken. sometimes it's just nice to see. i am going back to this way of doing things...i've been micro-managing the mil for a while now... and it's just not worth it anymore. it's a necessary evil from my point of view, so i need to cut back. Last edited by NoOne; 09-07-2017 at 10:20 PM.

09-07-2017, 08:33 AM	#2
Mr. Marlin All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,274	It's a little easier for me. I only use four levels so each ML team has just four affiliates. I use roster limits and a firm "up or out" personnel policy. Every player is playing for his job against the next best player on his team or the level below every game. That makes it both easier and more interesting to be hands on with affiliate teams.

09-07-2017, 11:40 AM	#3
Rosco Peabody All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South of Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 1,092	I usually just let the computer auto function everything, then look through and make small changes when I want specific prospect to get more playing time, etc.

09-07-2017, 01:30 PM	#4
BIG17EASY Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,291	It sounds to me like your best best is to allow the AI to handle all minor league moves, but identify the prospects you want to control. Then use the player strategy screen to disable AI promotion/demotion and force start them at the position you want them to play. That way you'll have control of the top prospects and the AI will take care of the rest.

09-08-2017, 11:49 PM	#8
nhuet Bat Boy Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 16	i think real gm's probably pay a lot of attention to their whole system

09-09-2017, 01:53 PM	#9
slugger922cubs Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 314	I've found the best way for me to handle minors is to set the assistant to handle promotions and demotions and then manually locking 10-20 prospects whose development I think is critical in place so only I can promote them.