Incomplete Set of Minor Leagues - Which to Use?

scefalu · 05-31-2022, 11:41 PM

I am looking to create a smaller fictional league that I can get to know very well. As such, I want the number of players in any organization to be manageable. So, I was thinking about creating a league with a Major League and two minor leagues. I was planning to use a AA and a Short-A league as the minor leagues.

Looking for the groups' thoughts. Do you play with a partial set of minor leagues? What levels do you have?

andyhdz · 06-01-2022, 12:43 PM

The only slight problem with reduced minors is that your draft rounds need to be reduced as well. The rule of thumb is 5 rounds per level (or somewhere close to that). Actually I like the current MLB minor levels once they got rid of Short A. To me 5 levels is very manageable. The multiple rookie teams is a joke though and I made them all 1 rookie team per franchise. Nice and simple.

As far as your actual question once you reduce the levels to two the actual level you use doesn't matter I believe. The AI will see one low level and one high level and move players accordingly.

BBGiovanni · 06-01-2022, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhdz

As far as your actual question once you reduce the levels to two the actual level you use doesn't matter I believe. The AI will see one low level and one high level and move players accordingly.

I think the only difference is the player creation modifiers for each league; those for rookie ball are like .500. But since these are ignored except when auto-filling rosters, it doesn't matter. I always go down in order, if only 1 affiliate it's AAA, if two it's AAA and AA, etc. The game may default to shorter schedules for some levels too I think.

why_though126 · 06-01-2022, 01:25 PM

I mean, I like having a large minor league system (AAA, AA, A+, A, A-, AdvR, R, R, FgnR), but you do you I guess.

Pelican · 06-01-2022, 02:58 PM

The problem I see in only two levels if that you cannot fine-tune the minor league experience for guys who fall between the cracks - too good for the low level but overmatched at the high level. Now, maybe with two levels only, all teams share that problem, and in effect it goes away. It’s a labor of love to have AAA, AA, A+, A-, and rookie levels; but I like the variety of players, and the occasional breakout. If I only had tow levels, effectively AAA and AA, I would probably only draft experienced college stars who were already in their early twenties. I think you lose the ability to nurture the teenagers from high school and international signings. But YMMV.

scefalu · 06-02-2022, 04:19 AM

Thanks for the feedback. This has given me a few thoughts to try and see how things play out over the seasons.

Mat · 06-02-2022, 09:43 AM

I like to play with reduced minors as well but I find you get into trouble if with the AI if there is no clear progression path and place for AAAA players.

I would recommend
AAA, AA, A, R if you want to keep to bare minimum.

BBGiovanni · 06-02-2022, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mat

I like to play with reduced minors as well but I find you get into trouble if with the AI if there is no clear progression path and place for AAAA players.
I would recommend AAA, AA, A, R if you want to keep to bare minimum.

I agree, I didn't mean to suggest 1-2 minor league levels was superior for anything, I only do that to save space when I have a lot of major leagues in a game. 2 levels still works but 4 is superior.

05-31-2022, 11:41 PM	#1
scefalu Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 355	Incomplete Set of Minor Leagues - Which to Use? I am looking to create a smaller fictional league that I can get to know very well. As such, I want the number of players in any organization to be manageable. So, I was thinking about creating a league with a Major League and two minor leagues. I was planning to use a AA and a Short-A league as the minor leagues. Looking for the groups' thoughts. Do you play with a partial set of minor leagues? What levels do you have? __________________ Shawn

06-01-2022, 12:43 PM	#2
andyhdz All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fresno, CA by way of Texas Posts: 1,754	The only slight problem with reduced minors is that your draft rounds need to be reduced as well. The rule of thumb is 5 rounds per level (or somewhere close to that). Actually I like the current MLB minor levels once they got rid of Short A. To me 5 levels is very manageable. The multiple rookie teams is a joke though and I made them all 1 rookie team per franchise. Nice and simple. As far as your actual question once you reduce the levels to two the actual level you use doesn't matter I believe. The AI will see one low level and one high level and move players accordingly. __________________ *************************************** It's your game. Play it how you like it. *************************************** Last edited by andyhdz; 06-01-2022 at 12:45 PM.

06-02-2022, 04:19 AM	#6
scefalu Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 355	Thanks for the feedback. This has given me a few thoughts to try and see how things play out over the seasons. __________________ Shawn

06-01-2022, 01:25 PM	#4
why_though126 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 57	I mean, I like having a large minor league system (AAA, AA, A+, A, A-, AdvR, R, R, FgnR), but you do you I guess.

06-01-2022, 02:58 PM	#5
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,299	The problem I see in only two levels if that you cannot fine-tune the minor league experience for guys who fall between the cracks - too good for the low level but overmatched at the high level. Now, maybe with two levels only, all teams share that problem, and in effect it goes away. It’s a labor of love to have AAA, AA, A+, A-, and rookie levels; but I like the variety of players, and the occasional breakout. If I only had tow levels, effectively AAA and AA, I would probably only draft experienced college stars who were already in their early twenties. I think you lose the ability to nurture the teenagers from high school and international signings. But YMMV.

06-02-2022, 09:43 AM	#7
Mat All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 652	I like to play with reduced minors as well but I find you get into trouble if with the AI if there is no clear progression path and place for AAAA players. I would recommend AAA, AA, A, R if you want to keep to bare minimum.