Most important position(s) as you level up

[bc_irish]

Newer player here - two weeks in. Having a blast with PT, and appreciate all the good tips from reading the forums. Couple questions:

1. What are the best Non-pitching positions to upgrade first as you level up? is it better to find a solid balance across the team or go with 1-2 stars? Also, Are certain certain positions in the field More important to focus on (SS? C?)?

2. Similar question for pitching - are you better off nabbing 1-2 Diamond SPs vs a solid five man rotation vs other strategy?

[mofowitdahat]

Hey buddy, new here as well. On my 4th week. At the moment I'm doing no money spent and I was lucky to pull a Live Manny Machado and a Live Miguel Sano so I would say upgrading to solid corner fielder/power bats.

I haven't nabbed a Diamond SP yet so I am about to try a rotation of 1- Mike Soroka, 2- German Marquez, 3- Patrick Corbin, 4- Jose Berrios, 5- Shohei Ohtani.

This can completely backfire but let's see

[Canadaleaf]

Originally Posted by bc_irish

Newer player here - two weeks in. Having a blast with PT, and appreciate all the good tips from reading the forums. Couple questions:

1. What are the best Non-pitching positions to upgrade first as you level up? is it better to find a solid balance across the team or go with 1-2 stars? Also, Are certain certain positions in the field More important to focus on (SS? C?)?

2. Similar question for pitching - are you better off nabbing 1-2 Diamond SPs vs a solid five man rotation vs other strategy?

Your best best is to do the live missions to improve your team. A couple of the players you will receive will even be players you can keep for the entirety of the game.



The two most important positions in the field to focus on are SS and CF. Make sure you get guys there that can play defence (atleast 80+). A guy who can't hit a lick there, but that has great defense, is often times better than a great hitter with terrible defense.

[DonMattingly]

I think a lot depends on what's available. I agree with what was said above about getting a good SS and CF.

But, if you find a really good deal on the AH at a different position, you should jump on it.

[Lemandria]

Up the middle is definitely important to your defense (s
SS, CF, 2B (order somewhat ootional).

Next tier is the OF corners, next the IF corners (3B > 1B).

The only argument you're likely to have is where C fits. I like to grab them early, because the good ones are very expensive.

DH is a good stick with a glove of stone, they're common.

[bc_irish]

Originally Posted by DonMattingly

I think a lot depends on what's available. I agree with what was said above about getting a good SS and CF.

But, if you find a really good deal on the AH at a different position, you should jump on it.

Yeah, this makes sense. But it’s tough because I don’t have much PP to work with!

Does it make sense to go after “lease guys” just over 80/90 OVR and priced a little over the Quick Sell value of 1,000 / 4,000 or should I save up to get a better player with more longevity and possibly less resell value?

[bc_irish]

Originally Posted by Lemandria

Up the middle is definitely important to your defense (s
SS, CF, 2B (order somewhat ootional).

Next tier is the OF corners, next the IF corners (3B > 1B).

The only argument you're likely to have is where C fits. I like to grab them early, because the good ones are very expensive.

DH is a good stick with a glove of stone, they're common.

Got it. I splurged big on C last night and nabbed 89 Bob Boone for just under his 7 day avg (8k). He’s a huge upgrade over my prior C and should improve both my offense and defense from that position.

[mayday10]

Priority for me would be to upgrade a position you determine to be severely lagging, as you seem to maybe have done with Boone at C.

But parroting everybody else, looking for long-term anchors for your team, or any team in baseball would be up the middle. SS, CF, and 2B. Then for me comes RF and C. You can get cute at 1B, 3B, and LF and not worry too much about DEF

Finish the live collections as well. It is pretty much a 'starter kit' for everything you need to get up to Gold Level. I would say the weakest 2 positions for the standpoint of the Live Missions is SS and C, so longer term solutions need to be identified for that.

Remember too, you can train players for different positions. So if you end up with Cano at 2B from the Live Missions, and pull a Joe Morgan or something, and Cano is better than your current 3B (or even can try to move your 3B to 1B)... have Cano play there a season or 2.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by mayday10

I would say the weakest 2 positions for the standpoint of the Live Missions is SS and C, so longer term solutions need to be identified for that.

A catching tandem of Berra and either Piazza or Kendall is weaker than a platoon of Mathews and Longoria at 3B?

[chazzycat]

There's not really one position that is more important than others. Just try to get as much of a WAR upgrade for your PP as you can manage.

[mayday10]

Originally Posted by Orcin

A catching tandem of Berra and either Piazza or Kendall is weaker than a platoon of Mathews and Longoria at 3B?

Ah yeah. Forgot about Berra. Backup C though is tough. Not a big fan of Kendall and Piazza is trash behind the dish.

Forgot about 3B too as I trained Cano there.

[DonMattingly]

Originally Posted by bc_irish

Yeah, this makes sense. But it’s tough because I don’t have much PP to work with!

Does it make sense to go after “lease guys” just over 80/90 OVR and priced a little over the Quick Sell value of 1,000 / 4,000 or should I save up to get a better player with more longevity and possibly less resell value?

I think it absolutely does make sense because those guys will produce a ton of PP for you, especially in the lower levels. They will help you earn PP more quickly, and you can instantly turn them back in to PP by quick selling them whenever you need to - ie when you see a card you really want at the right price on the AH.

[IanIachimoe]

Originally Posted by mayday10

Priority for me would be to upgrade a position you determine to be severely lagging, as you seem to maybe have done with Boone at C.

But parroting everybody else, looking for long-term anchors for your team, or any team in baseball would be up the middle. SS, CF, and 2B. Then for me comes RF and C. You can get cute at 1B, 3B, and LF and not worry too much about DEF

Finish the live collections as well. It is pretty much a 'starter kit' for everything you need to get up to Gold Level. I would say the weakest 2 positions for the standpoint of the Live Missions is SS and C, so longer term solutions need to be identified for that.

Remember too, you can train players for different positions. So if you end up with Cano at 2B from the Live Missions, and pull a Joe Morgan or something, and Cano is better than your current 3B (or even can try to move your 3B to 1B)... have Cano play there a season or 2.

This^. I used live missions to fill holes & it has worked great so far.

[IanIachimoe]

my best advice would be to try & win now.

I've been playing for 5 weeks & it's been a pretty quick rise thanks to some lucky pulls & the live missions. I'm starting to feel the battle along the way will be much more enjoyable than once you actually get there. it's now (in Silver) starting to appear like it's the same lineups & staff on most teams in the league & I'm already losing a little interest.

enjoy the journey. I resisted PT for the last couple years & only started playing the last month or so in 21. it's been a GREAT time so far, but not sure the high will last.

[mayday10]

Originally Posted by IanIachimoe

my best advice would be to try & win now.

I've been playing for 5 weeks & it's been a pretty quick rise thanks to some lucky pulls & the live missions. I'm starting to feel the battle along the way will be much more enjoyable than once you actually get there. it's now (in Silver) starting to appear like it's the same lineups & staff on most teams in the league & I'm already losing a little interest.

enjoy the journey. I resisted PT for the last couple years & only started playing the last month or so in 21. it's been a GREAT time so far, but not sure the high will last.

Its nice in the early leagues, but I find that it is really easy to win and be promoted for the most part every week if you know what you are doing.

You are near the stagnant phase of the game. Near Diamond Level. I found the ramp up was pretty gradual, then Diamond is a semi truck of perfects. At your stage, lots of people have the same cards. Many earned from the Live Missions, with likely a few live diamonds and perfects mixed in. Some lucky-pull players mixed in, but not too many. Lots of Bagwell, Ichiro, Maddox, Blyleven, Carlton, etc. It isnt too bad of a stage because you can still be competitive.

Its the biggest flaw, and Im not sure how it could be altered/fixed. I like the Live Missions. There are a lot of other missions, but the only ones really worthwhile after the Live Missions are extremely cost prohibitive. If they were affordable, you would have the same problem above later, with another tier of players.

So you kind of grind tournaments and try to earn packs to hope for a lucky pull here and there to someday upgrade a position. Hitting on a card (I got a McGuire last week who became a starter) is a great feeling/rush. If it were common, it wouldnt be that special, and everyone would have monster teams.


I find tournaments are fun, but I feel like the interface of making changes, lineups, and stuff is terrible (and timed). So many sanity popups, 25 clicks to deactivate and activate a player, etc. Next year, they should create some sort of mode that is detached from the tournament where you can create your lineups in a laboratory atmosphere. Then save them as lineup files for tournament use.

[RobWarwick]

Originally Posted by mayday10

Priority for me would be to upgrade a position you determine to be severely lagging, as you seem to maybe have done with Boone at C.

But parroting everybody else, looking for long-term anchors for your team, or any team in baseball would be up the middle. SS, CF, and 2B. Then for me comes RF and C. You can get cute at 1B, 3B, and LF and not worry too much about DEF

Finish the live collections as well. It is pretty much a 'starter kit' for everything you need to get up to Gold Level. I would say the weakest 2 positions for the standpoint of the Live Missions is SS and C, so longer term solutions need to be identified for that.

Remember too, you can train players for different positions. So if you end up with Cano at 2B from the Live Missions, and pull a Joe Morgan or something, and Cano is better than your current 3B (or even can try to move your 3B to 1B)... have Cano play there a season or 2.

I've seen some others mention "training" players....what is that all about??

I just started my gold level league....and right off the bat i noticed its got MUCH harder. I cruised up to this point. But, can someone explain training? when...how, etc?

[kq76]

Originally Posted by mayday10

I find tournaments are fun, but I feel like the interface of making changes, lineups, and stuff is terrible (and timed). So many sanity popups, 25 clicks to deactivate and activate a player, etc. Next year, they should create some sort of mode that is detached from the tournament where you can create your lineups in a laboratory atmosphere. Then save them as lineup files for tournament use.

I agree, a "lab" or manager white board of some sort, would go a long way. I don't like how the only way to tinker with say our bronze league teams is to join a tournament that won't start for awhile.

Another thing that's really struck me as well past necessary is a "force start/use at position vs LHP" pull down and another for vs RHP. I don't care where in the lineup a guy plays, but I do care very much care that player X plays against lefties in RF whereas player Y plays against lefties in RF.

[mayday10]

Originally Posted by RobWarwick

I've seen some others mention "training" players....what is that all about??

I just started my gold level league....and right off the bat i noticed its got MUCH harder. I cruised up to this point. But, can someone explain training? when...how, etc?

Based on a player's fielding ratings you can train them at a new position. You just play them there for a long time and watch the rating grow. I got cano trained at 3b to like 86 def or something like that. Early on I had baez trained at 2b for 96 def. Be careful though. Dont want a ss who cant turn dp, a 2b with no range, or a rf with a noodle arm

Best to do this in lower levels or a lost season.

[IanIachimoe]

Originally Posted by mayday10

Its nice in the early leagues, but I find that it is really easy to win and be promoted for the most part every week if you know what you are doing.

You are near the stagnant phase of the game. Near Diamond Level. I found the ramp up was pretty gradual, then Diamond is a semi truck of perfects. At your stage, lots of people have the same cards. Many earned from the Live Missions, with likely a few live diamonds and perfects mixed in. Some lucky-pull players mixed in, but not too many. Lots of Bagwell, Ichiro, Maddox, Blyleven, Carlton, etc. It isnt too bad of a stage because you can still be competitive.

Its the biggest flaw, and Im not sure how it could be altered/fixed. I like the Live Missions. There are a lot of other missions, but the only ones really worthwhile after the Live Missions are extremely cost prohibitive. If they were affordable, you would have the same problem above later, with another tier of players.

So you kind of grind tournaments and try to earn packs to hope for a lucky pull here and there to someday upgrade a position. Hitting on a card (I got a McGuire last week who became a starter) is a great feeling/rush. If it were common, it wouldnt be that special, and everyone would have monster teams.


I find tournaments are fun, but I feel like the interface of making changes, lineups, and stuff is terrible (and timed). So many sanity popups, 25 clicks to deactivate and activate a player, etc. Next year, they should create some sort of mode that is detached from the tournament where you can create your lineups in a laboratory atmosphere. Then save them as lineup files for tournament use.

well said, thanks! I can't imagine what the upper levels are like considering how similar Silver level is. I just can't bring myself to part with any of the live collection rewards & that will probably hold me back.

I really enjoyed seeing the odd cards here & there, players I had long forgotten, etc. not it is almost all the same pitching staffs (mostly rewards - Unit, Carlton, Blyleven, Maddux, etc). the thrill of finding a hidden gem is gone.

I did happen to pull a PEAK Henderson & 100 Acuna last week on some reward packs. STOKED. should probably sell for PP, but Henderson is one of my favorite players. Acuna is holding his own in Silver. Monte Irvin as well,, PEAK Grace - I've had some good luck with packs lately that I hope helps.

PT is a lot of fun, the card collecting is surprisingly addictive, just kinda miss the variety in teams.

[kq76]

Originally Posted by IanIachimoe

PT is a lot of fun, the card collecting is surprisingly addictive, just kinda miss the variety in teams.

I agree. Even playing in tourneys I'm annoyed by how many people play the same cards. I think more highly of the odd tourney winner who doesn't play all the usual suspects.

One thing I was thinking would really add to the variety would be fictional players. Imagine if you paid say $2 and the game created you say 3 fictional players and you got to pick the one you liked most. And that player would be the only player like him in all of PT. That'd be interesting!