My favorite way to do this is to manage up through the minors. Assuming you don't mind starting your ml career after a couple of years, start as the A+ team's manager. You could even do it by half-years, moving up at midseason. You'll enjoy catching up to the best prospects, and get sick of the AI sticking you with the same roster-filler over amd over. But you'll definitely know your players.
Make sure you "cannot be fired" though
