Question on the rookie leagues.

[Libid21]

I have a question regarding the rookie leagues in the game. I don't understand them much in real life either, so this can probably help me with the game and to better my understanding in real life. Anyways, if you have two summer leagues, which one is the higher rank / with the better competition? For example, the Braves have two rookie teams: Danville and GCL Braves. Which one do rookies play in and if they are ready to take a step forward, which way would they go? Are they the same level of competition? If they are ready, do they go to Myrtle Beach - A or Rome Short Season - A? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[Le Grande Orange]

The heirarchy of minor league classifications goes like this, from highest to lowest:

Class AAA
Class AA
Class A-Advanced (a.k.a. "High A")
Class A (a.k.a. "Low A")
Class A-Short Season
Rookie Advanced
Rookie

Note that OOTP does not differentiate between High A and Low A; it just has a Class A level which combines both. Likewise, it does not differentiate between Rookie Advanced and Rookie; it just has a Rookie classification which combines both.

Rookie Advanced level consists of the Appalachian League and Pioneer League. Rookie consists of the Arizona League and Gulf Coast League (along with the foreign-based Dominican Summer League and Venezuelan Summer League).

One difference which separates the Rookie Advanced and Rookie classes is this: Rookie Advanced is a 'traditional' league level in that the leagues' member clubs play in specific city/towns, representing them, and charge admission for games. The Rookie level leagues are different—they play their games at the major league parent club's spring training facility, and thus don't represent a city/town per se. In addition, admission is not charged. Rookie leagues are sometimes referred to as "complex leagues" in that they are played at the spring training complexes of the major league clubs.

[Libid21]

So what you're saying is, if I have a player doing very well in the "Low A", I don't have to really bump him up to "High A" and instead I can just bring him straight up to AA? Because you said the game doesn't differentiate between them. Do you also say that in terms of the talent in each level?

Also, if I had just drafted a player that year and he is about to play, can I already put him in Rookie Advanced instead of putting him in Atlanta's GCL Braves? If you were to make a list of the levels that most prospects must stop at for each level, what would it look like? For example... he must experience the GCL Braves, Myrtle Beach, Missisippi, and Gwinnett.

I'm just seeing if any player can play on any team of that level. For example, does it matter if I move my "Low A" to "High A"? Or if I move my rookie from the Rookie League to the Rookie Advanced league? Will there be any consequences to that? Because sometimes I have two studs at the GCL level, and sometimes I want one of them to play at the other rookie league but I wasn't sure if they'd be ready or not.

[Libid21]

Also, how come my GCL Braves' roster starts out with a handful of catchers and first basemen only? And LOTS of relievers? Am I supposed to fill that roster up with the draft anyways? And when I do draft about 30 players and put them on my GCL Braves' roster, that means I should probably cut a lot of my old GCL players right? Because you can't really have 60 players on one rookie roster...

[WarFisch]

Originally Posted by Libid21

So what you're saying is, if I have a player doing very well in the "Low A", I don't have to really bump him up to "High A" and instead I can just bring him straight up to AA? Because you said the game doesn't differentiate between them. Do you also say that in terms of the talent in each level?

Correct. He does not need to go to "High A" first. Talent will be roughly the same in each A affiliate.

Also, if I had just drafted a player that year and he is about to play, can I already put him in Rookie Advanced instead of putting him in Atlanta's GCL Braves? If you were to make a list of the levels that most prospects must stop at for each level, what would it look like? For example... he must experience the GCL Braves, Myrtle Beach, Missisippi, and Gwinnett.

There is no level a rookie "must" start at. You can put a draftee immediately onto your ML team if you want to. The question is where "should" he start. Compare his talent to others at that level and decide which fits best. My suggestion: Start him in Rookie and see how he does. After a month or so, if he is tearing it up, promote him to SA. Wait another month, etc. If a player is truly ML ready it won't take him long to work his way up, but this way you can make sure that you don't push him too far up the chain and cause him to struggle.

I'm just seeing if any player can play on any team of that level. For example, does it matter if I move my "Low A" to "High A"? Or if I move my rookie from the Rookie League to the Rookie Advanced league? Will there be any consequences to that? Because sometimes I have two studs at the GCL level, and sometimes I want one of them to play at the other rookie league but I wasn't sure if they'd be ready or not.

Completely ignore the Low/High and Advanced labels. They mean absolutely nothing. You have 2 A teams. One is not actually higher than the other, and if a player is ready to advance he should go to AA regardless of which A team he was on.