Competitive team build strategy (free)

BranchRicky22 · 12-06-2018, 11:33 AM

During the Beta, I discovered quite quickly the best way to go about building a competitive team without spending real money was to pick a team strategy and roll with it.

I designed my team in the Beta to be high contact, high gap power, high avoid K, and speed.

I adjusted my park settings to account for the lack of homeruns my team was likely to produce and increased the Doubles and Triples. I kept the hit factor right around 1.000, I might have adjusted slightly above 1.000.

In terms of pitchers, I targeted high ratings in Stuff and Movement. I tried to keep control around 50, but that is difficult to do with no money added. It was important to me in the Beta to set pitch counts for every pitcher based on stamina. This isn't important at Entry level (shutouts gain PP), but it helped out during the upper tiers.

It is important your starter has at least 3 above average pitchers in his arsenal. Your bullpen should be littered guys with 85+ Stuff at minimum.

My team build:
C: Willins Astadio (61), John Hicks (63)

- as you get more PP understand the higher you climb your catcher position will likely get you around .220 average. Wilson Ramos (83) has provided fine production at a cost efficient level, but I think you can improve this position last.

1B/DH - Kevin Seitzer (67), Matt Olson (66), and George Burns (60)

- I platooned Olson and Burns at 1B and made Seitzer my DH. I batted Seitzer 3rd in the lineup as he hit .300 from Entry thru Bronze levels. As I advanced I found Rafael Palmeiro (79), Mark Teixeira (78), and Mark Grace (71?) to be excellent to fill the position. Each hit both RHP and LHP very well.

2B - Mickey Morandini (61) and Frankie Frisch (60)

- You can platoon this position as well or just ride the hot hand. Moving up I found Placido Polanco (72?) and Eddie Collins (78) to be really effective.

3B - Kevin Seitzer (66) and Al Money (68?)

- Al Money provided some pop and I found Seitzer hit well at 3B but had some trouble fielding. Moving up I used George Kell (76).

SS - Luis Aparicio (60), Mark Belanger (60), Tony Kubek (60), and Mark Grudzielanik (60)

- I platooned Kubek and Grudzielanik in the bronze tier after Aparicio had a fine season in the Entry level and found some success. As you move up I highly recommend Barry Larkin (83).

LF - David Dahl (67)

- Dahl put up great numbers for me in the Entry Level. As I moved up I used Joe Medwick (76), Lonnie Smith (76) and Giancarlo Stanton (75)

CF - Clyde Milan (69) and Willie Wilson (69)

- Milan and Wilson both put up good numbers for me early. As I advanced I used Kenny Lofton (72) and Lorenzo Cain (86).

RF - Paul Waner (66) and Ichiro (69) rookie sensation

- I used Waner at DH vs RHP and let Ichiro play full time in RF. As I went up I've used Stanton in RF as well as Bobby Abreu (82) and I've targeted Mel Ott (83).

SP - Len Barker (78), Larry Dierker (83), Sad Sam Jones (72), Mike Witt (71), Bobo Newsom (68), David Cone (68)

- This is the position that will cost you the most of your resources and frustrate the hell out of you. Due to the simulation settings you can expect pitchers you would think would do well to get rocked and go on strange hot/cold spells. I recommend mixing and matching with pitchers with 3 plus pitches, high stuff ratings, and decent movement ratings. Adjust pitch count limits and quick hook settings if you aren't seeing good results.

RP - Victor Arano (68), Silvino Bracho (66), Sam Freeman (67), Joe Kelly (66), Nate Jones (66), and Taylor Williams (65)

- Target high ratings in stuff and decent ratings in movement. Control doesn't matter as much, don't get discouraged with high ERAs, from time to time your bullpen will get rocked. You want your bullpen arms to give you 4 out of 5 good appearance to start off. If they go 5 straight appearances getting shelled then replace them. As I went up in divisions I targeted Tony Watson (77), Ryan Pressly (76), Brad Hand (73), Joe Jimenez (78), Mariano Rivera (80), Adam Ottavino (83?)

You can build your team however you want. Pick a strategy and fill your team with players that fit you strategy. Adjust your stadium accordingly. High ratings in Contact and Avoid K's seemed to work well in the playoffs as long as you don't live and die by the Home Run.

May the simulations odds forever be in your favor.
- Branchricky (Nashville Expos)

Maddox · 12-06-2018, 11:38 AM

I know that barker Barker and Dierker both seem to sell for gold level prices currently.

BranchRicky22 · 12-06-2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddox

I know that barker Barker and Dierker both seem to sell for gold level prices currently.

Barker has been going for Diamond prices and he's better than most Diamonds and Golds. If somebody ever puts him up for a 2,000 buy now price you should get him asap.

Maddox · 12-06-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BranchRicky22

Barker has been going for Diamond prices and he's better than most Diamonds and Golds. If somebody ever puts him up for a 2,000 buy now price you should get him asap.

Trust me. I have been looking.

BranchRicky22 · 12-06-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddox

Trust me. I have been looking.

Somebody put up a 72 - Sad Sam Jones the other day for 1,000 buy now. I couldn't believe my eyes and just said thank you over and over again. That card always appears at the top of the pitching stats leaderboard early.

Matt Arnold · 12-06-2018, 11:47 AM

I saw him once with a 4k Buy it Now price, but was a little short at the time. Wish I had the money to pull the trigger.

Orcin · 12-06-2018, 11:53 AM

Your Expos team is in the same league with one of my teams. You are doing a great job there. Your team is well balanced and competitive at every spot without a big investment. Well done!

BranchRicky22 · 12-06-2018, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

Your Expos team is in the same league with one of my teams. You are doing a great job there. Your team is well balanced and competitive at every spot without a big investment. Well done!

I love your team build. All Cardinals players. You killed it in the entry level, best of luck to that squad, should be fun to watch.

zrog2000 · 12-06-2018, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddox

I know that barker Barker and Dierker both seem to sell for gold level prices currently.

Dierker is a gold so that makes sense.

Maddox · 12-06-2018, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrog2000

Dierker is a gold so that makes sense.

He wasn't in Beta though right?

Orcin · 12-06-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddox

He wasn't in Beta though right?

It was changed from a silver at some point.

Fyrestorm3 · 12-06-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BranchRicky22

Barker has been going for Diamond prices and he's better than most Diamonds and Golds. If somebody ever puts him up for a 2,000 buy now price you should get him asap.

I had him in Beta... I want him back...

Weaseltail · 12-06-2018, 04:43 PM

In beta, I made two ballpark-specific teams and both did really well.

I think it's harder now that the adjustments have been scaled back. It's tough to design a team around a RH-hitting HR strategy for example when you're limited to .9 and 1.1 adjustments for LH and RH hitters.

I know a lot of people wanted it that way, but I think it makes it harder for low-cost teams to compete. Plus it was a lot of fun to see stacked teams come into my endless expanse of outfield and get shutout, while my pesky, slap-hitting no-names small-balled their way to victory.

chazzycat · 12-06-2018, 04:52 PM

I'm also not spending money (yet) and ended up with a very similar setup to OP. Cranked up the extra base hits and lowered the home runs. Trying to focus on OBP + gap power for the offense, plus defense & pitching of course.

My line of reasoning was that gap power hitters could probably be had much cheaper than home run hitters. Everyone loves home runs, right? So I figured that would translate to auction prices as well.

The modifiers for XBH still go up to 1.5 which is pretty high, no? Coors Field IRL is 1.475 for doubles, highest in MLB. So it's fairly extreme. Triples are too rare to matter that much.

Anyways, it's too early for me to say if it's working. I'm holding steady a bit over .500 so far, which I guess is good for not spending money. But could be better.

Thalion · 12-07-2018, 03:37 PM

Like the OP, I designed my ballpark to be gap hitter friendly.

I also focus on defense as well, but am currently sacrificing some efficiency now by training players to play different positions.

One thing that was odd to me following this strategy happened in beta.

I basically had the same team for three seasons in a row, plus part of the entry pool.

I had my HR factors at .9 for beta and the first season. Both times, I was #1 in defensive efficiency. For A ball, I changed it to .8 because I wanted to make it even more difficult to hit home runs.

What happened was that my team defensive efficiency dropped dramatically. I went from #1 to #13 that season. Same team... basically the same group of other teams (as a lot of us got promoted together).

The following season, the HR factors changed back to .9. That season, my defensive efficiency went back up to #1 again. Once again, same team... a lot of the same other teams in the league.

I'm trying to figure out whether that was an aberration or not. If not, I'm trying to get my head around logically how this would happen.

chazzycat · 12-07-2018, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thalion

Like the OP, I designed my ballpark to be gap hitter friendly.

I also focus on defense as well, but am currently sacrificing some efficiency now by training players to play different positions.

One thing that was odd to me following this strategy happened in beta.

I basically had the same team for three seasons in a row, plus part of the entry pool.

I had my HR factors at .9 for beta and the first season. Both times, I was #1 in defensive efficiency. For A ball, I changed it to .8 because I wanted to make it even more difficult to hit home runs.

What happened was that my team defensive efficiency dropped dramatically. I went from #1 to #13 that season. Same team... basically the same group of other teams (as a lot of us got promoted together).

The following season, the HR factors changed back to .9. That season, my defensive efficiency went back up to #1 again. Once again, same team... a lot of the same other teams in the league.

I'm trying to figure out whether that was an aberration or not. If not, I'm trying to get my head around logically how this would happen.

Defensive Efficiency is like BABIP - home runs don't count against you. Also I'm assuming if the leaguewide offensive modifers weren't changed, less home runs = more singles, to make up the difference in overall output.

I have noticed the same in my game. I've been prioritizing defense and mine is far above average, in terms of UZR. But I'm near last in defensive efficiency thanks to my park factors giving up tons of singles & doubles and less homers.

12-06-2018, 04:52 PM	#14
chazzycat All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,685	I'm also not spending money (yet) and ended up with a very similar setup to OP. Cranked up the extra base hits and lowered the home runs. Trying to focus on OBP + gap power for the offense, plus defense & pitching of course. My line of reasoning was that gap power hitters could probably be had much cheaper than home run hitters. Everyone loves home runs, right? So I figured that would translate to auction prices as well. The modifiers for XBH still go up to 1.5 which is pretty high, no? Coors Field IRL is 1.475 for doubles, highest in MLB. So it's fairly extreme. Triples are too rare to matter that much. Anyways, it's too early for me to say if it's working. I'm holding steady a bit over .500 so far, which I guess is good for not spending money. But could be better. Last edited by chazzycat; 12-06-2018 at 04:54 PM.

12-06-2018, 11:33 AM	#1
BranchRicky22 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 21	Competitive team build strategy (free) During the Beta, I discovered quite quickly the best way to go about building a competitive team without spending real money was to pick a team strategy and roll with it. I designed my team in the Beta to be high contact, high gap power, high avoid K, and speed. I adjusted my park settings to account for the lack of homeruns my team was likely to produce and increased the Doubles and Triples. I kept the hit factor right around 1.000, I might have adjusted slightly above 1.000. In terms of pitchers, I targeted high ratings in Stuff and Movement. I tried to keep control around 50, but that is difficult to do with no money added. It was important to me in the Beta to set pitch counts for every pitcher based on stamina. This isn't important at Entry level (shutouts gain PP), but it helped out during the upper tiers. It is important your starter has at least 3 above average pitchers in his arsenal. Your bullpen should be littered guys with 85+ Stuff at minimum. My team build: C: Willins Astadio (61), John Hicks (63) - as you get more PP understand the higher you climb your catcher position will likely get you around .220 average. Wilson Ramos (83) has provided fine production at a cost efficient level, but I think you can improve this position last. 1B/DH - Kevin Seitzer (67), Matt Olson (66), and George Burns (60) - I platooned Olson and Burns at 1B and made Seitzer my DH. I batted Seitzer 3rd in the lineup as he hit .300 from Entry thru Bronze levels. As I advanced I found Rafael Palmeiro (79), Mark Teixeira (78), and Mark Grace (71?) to be excellent to fill the position. Each hit both RHP and LHP very well. 2B - Mickey Morandini (61) and Frankie Frisch (60) - You can platoon this position as well or just ride the hot hand. Moving up I found Placido Polanco (72?) and Eddie Collins (78) to be really effective. 3B - Kevin Seitzer (66) and Al Money (68?) - Al Money provided some pop and I found Seitzer hit well at 3B but had some trouble fielding. Moving up I used George Kell (76). SS - Luis Aparicio (60), Mark Belanger (60), Tony Kubek (60), and Mark Grudzielanik (60) - I platooned Kubek and Grudzielanik in the bronze tier after Aparicio had a fine season in the Entry level and found some success. As you move up I highly recommend Barry Larkin (83). LF - David Dahl (67) - Dahl put up great numbers for me in the Entry Level. As I moved up I used Joe Medwick (76), Lonnie Smith (76) and Giancarlo Stanton (75) CF - Clyde Milan (69) and Willie Wilson (69) - Milan and Wilson both put up good numbers for me early. As I advanced I used Kenny Lofton (72) and Lorenzo Cain (86). RF - Paul Waner (66) and Ichiro (69) rookie sensation - I used Waner at DH vs RHP and let Ichiro play full time in RF. As I went up I've used Stanton in RF as well as Bobby Abreu (82) and I've targeted Mel Ott (83). SP - Len Barker (78), Larry Dierker (83), Sad Sam Jones (72), Mike Witt (71), Bobo Newsom (68), David Cone (68) - This is the position that will cost you the most of your resources and frustrate the hell out of you. Due to the simulation settings you can expect pitchers you would think would do well to get rocked and go on strange hot/cold spells. I recommend mixing and matching with pitchers with 3 plus pitches, high stuff ratings, and decent movement ratings. Adjust pitch count limits and quick hook settings if you aren't seeing good results. RP - Victor Arano (68), Silvino Bracho (66), Sam Freeman (67), Joe Kelly (66), Nate Jones (66), and Taylor Williams (65) - Target high ratings in stuff and decent ratings in movement. Control doesn't matter as much, don't get discouraged with high ERAs, from time to time your bullpen will get rocked. You want your bullpen arms to give you 4 out of 5 good appearance to start off. If they go 5 straight appearances getting shelled then replace them. As I went up in divisions I targeted Tony Watson (77), Ryan Pressly (76), Brad Hand (73), Joe Jimenez (78), Mariano Rivera (80), Adam Ottavino (83?) You can build your team however you want. Pick a strategy and fill your team with players that fit you strategy. Adjust your stadium accordingly. High ratings in Contact and Avoid K's seemed to work well in the playoffs as long as you don't live and die by the Home Run. May the simulations odds forever be in your favor. - Branchricky (Nashville Expos) Last edited by BranchRicky22; 12-06-2018 at 11:35 AM.

12-06-2018, 11:38 AM	#2
Maddox All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 903	I know that barker Barker and Dierker both seem to sell for gold level prices currently.

12-06-2018, 11:47 AM	#6
Matt Arnold OOTP Developer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 16,244	I saw him once with a 4k Buy it Now price, but was a little short at the time. Wish I had the money to pull the trigger.

12-06-2018, 11:53 AM	#7
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,884	Your Expos team is in the same league with one of my teams. You are doing a great job there. Your team is well balanced and competitive at every spot without a big investment. Well done!

12-06-2018, 04:43 PM	#13
Weaseltail Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 127	In beta, I made two ballpark-specific teams and both did really well. I think it's harder now that the adjustments have been scaled back. It's tough to design a team around a RH-hitting HR strategy for example when you're limited to .9 and 1.1 adjustments for LH and RH hitters. I know a lot of people wanted it that way, but I think it makes it harder for low-cost teams to compete. Plus it was a lot of fun to see stacked teams come into my endless expanse of outfield and get shutout, while my pesky, slap-hitting no-names small-balled their way to victory.

12-07-2018, 03:37 PM	#15
Thalion Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 413	Like the OP, I designed my ballpark to be gap hitter friendly. I also focus on defense as well, but am currently sacrificing some efficiency now by training players to play different positions. One thing that was odd to me following this strategy happened in beta. I basically had the same team for three seasons in a row, plus part of the entry pool. I had my HR factors at .9 for beta and the first season. Both times, I was #1 in defensive efficiency. For A ball, I changed it to .8 because I wanted to make it even more difficult to hit home runs. What happened was that my team defensive efficiency dropped dramatically. I went from #1 to #13 that season. Same team... basically the same group of other teams (as a lot of us got promoted together). The following season, the HR factors changed back to .9. That season, my defensive efficiency went back up to #1 again. Once again, same team... a lot of the same other teams in the league. I'm trying to figure out whether that was an aberration or not. If not, I'm trying to get my head around logically how this would happen.