Was going to try and make 80s style smallball team in 2018

Xogo · 06-02-2018, 07:35 PM

With all this talk about HRs, Ks, etc I was going to start a new 2018 and pick some team at random and try and turn it into a 80s style team where SBs, hit and run, sacrifices, going 1st to 3rd, and defense, etc were the keys just to see how it would do.

Any suggestions?

Dyzalot · 06-02-2018, 08:29 PM

My suggestion would be to make sure you spend money on pitching and defense since you aren't going to score as many runs with that strategy. It can work but it isn't easy and I think you are subject to a bit more "randomness" since this style lends itself to playing a lot more close games.

DJP53916 · 06-02-2018, 08:33 PM

I guess before I'd offer up some suggestions, I'd like to know more about what you have in mind.

What suggestions are you looking for? Players to target in trade, free agency, and the draft? Coaches and their philosophies? Are you looking to mostly put this team together for your major league roster, or is this something you're looking to do all the way from the major leagues to your lowest level rookie league team? Is payroll size something you have flexibility with, or are you pretty limited with your finances?

BBGiovanni · 06-03-2018, 03:50 AM

Be careful which team you use; this strategy in ballparks like Cincinnati or Philadelphia will be a disaster.

3RunHomer · 06-03-2018, 07:53 AM

Tampa Bay. They play better when you turn up steals and aggressive baserunning. And their players don’t have a lot of power.

The Yurpman · 06-04-2018, 12:06 AM

I've never tried this but it sounds like an interesting experiment. Are you playing as GM, Manager or both? If you're playing as both, which I assume you are since you want to implement this strategy yourself, make sure you adjust the "strategy" setting to your liking. "Overall" and individual "player" strategy. Turn up steals, baserunning aggressiveness, bunt for hit, hit & run, etc.

On offense, since you're not looking for power hitters, look for very solid defensive/speed/contact players. Contact is important. Speed/Defense will only get you so far if your guys can't get on base. The defense will come in to play for the pitching, which...

For pitchers, I'd look for groundball pitchers. Flyball pitchers give up more HR typically, obviously. Since a lot of your games will probably be low scoring for your offense (with no power hitters) giving up HRs will be your kryptonite. Go for groundball pitchers and pick a ballpark where that will be enhanced. You can check the ballpark settings under "Home" and then "Settings". It will tell you the amount of doubles, triples, HR, etc. hit in that park versus every other park.

As far as a broader outlook, I would still draft the best available players. If they fit your system, even better. But I would never pass up on a huge potential player for a lesser one that fits your team's style of play. You can always trade the prospects for ML players that fit your team. Always draft the best available. (ie. draft the 60/70 flyball pitcher instead of the 40/40 groundball pitcher.)

Hope that helps a little, at least. Like I said I've never tried what you're attempting to do, I'm just giving advice based on what has worked for me. Especially the pitching part. I play in Fenway as the Sox and I always want groundball pitchers on my ML team. (But I'll draft the best available.)

ra24mpa · 06-04-2018, 02:16 PM

I should point out that trying to create a 1980s smallball team doesn't preclude you from having a power hitter or two on the team. Even the Cardinals had Jack Clark for a few seasons, and they wouldn't have been nearly as good in 1985 & 1987 without him.

06-02-2018, 07:35 PM	#1
Xogo Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 216	Was going to try and make 80s style smallball team in 2018 With all this talk about HRs, Ks, etc I was going to start a new 2018 and pick some team at random and try and turn it into a 80s style team where SBs, hit and run, sacrifices, going 1st to 3rd, and defense, etc were the keys just to see how it would do. Any suggestions?

06-03-2018, 03:50 AM	#4
BBGiovanni All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Republic of California Posts: 1,910	Be careful which team you use; this strategy in ballparks like Cincinnati or Philadelphia will be a disaster. __________________ Let's Go (San Jose) Giants, Let's Go Mets! Current Project: WBAT/AABBA: Organized Base Ball And the "New Normal" World Baseball Aid Tournament 2023 trophy round underway!

06-02-2018, 08:29 PM	#2
Dyzalot All Star Starter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,735	My suggestion would be to make sure you spend money on pitching and defense since you aren't going to score as many runs with that strategy. It can work but it isn't easy and I think you are subject to a bit more "randomness" since this style lends itself to playing a lot more close games.

06-02-2018, 08:33 PM	#3
DJP53916 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 175	I guess before I'd offer up some suggestions, I'd like to know more about what you have in mind. What suggestions are you looking for? Players to target in trade, free agency, and the draft? Coaches and their philosophies? Are you looking to mostly put this team together for your major league roster, or is this something you're looking to do all the way from the major leagues to your lowest level rookie league team? Is payroll size something you have flexibility with, or are you pretty limited with your finances?

06-03-2018, 07:53 AM	#5
3RunHomer Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 23	Tampa Bay. They play better when you turn up steals and aggressive baserunning. And their players don’t have a lot of power.

06-04-2018, 12:06 AM	#6
The Yurpman Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 320	I've never tried this but it sounds like an interesting experiment. Are you playing as GM, Manager or both? If you're playing as both, which I assume you are since you want to implement this strategy yourself, make sure you adjust the "strategy" setting to your liking. "Overall" and individual "player" strategy. Turn up steals, baserunning aggressiveness, bunt for hit, hit & run, etc. On offense, since you're not looking for power hitters, look for very solid defensive/speed/contact players. Contact is important. Speed/Defense will only get you so far if your guys can't get on base. The defense will come in to play for the pitching, which... For pitchers, I'd look for groundball pitchers. Flyball pitchers give up more HR typically, obviously. Since a lot of your games will probably be low scoring for your offense (with no power hitters) giving up HRs will be your kryptonite. Go for groundball pitchers and pick a ballpark where that will be enhanced. You can check the ballpark settings under "Home" and then "Settings". It will tell you the amount of doubles, triples, HR, etc. hit in that park versus every other park. As far as a broader outlook, I would still draft the best available players. If they fit your system, even better. But I would never pass up on a huge potential player for a lesser one that fits your team's style of play. You can always trade the prospects for ML players that fit your team. Always draft the best available. (ie. draft the 60/70 flyball pitcher instead of the 40/40 groundball pitcher.) Hope that helps a little, at least. Like I said I've never tried what you're attempting to do, I'm just giving advice based on what has worked for me. Especially the pitching part. I play in Fenway as the Sox and I always want groundball pitchers on my ML team. (But I'll draft the best available.)

06-04-2018, 02:16 PM	#7
ra24mpa Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: STL Posts: 238	I should point out that trying to create a 1980s smallball team doesn't preclude you from having a power hitter or two on the team. Even the Cardinals had Jack Clark for a few seasons, and they wouldn't have been nearly as good in 1985 & 1987 without him.