How do you plan your minor leagues

[jarmenia]

I've always had a hard time figuring out where my holes are in my minor league system. OOTP has this nice player development chart but I've always found it difficult to use because it lists the same player in multiple positions. How do you identify weaknesses in your organization?

[battists]

Honestly, I keep a spreadsheet. My focus is on "up the middle." Best prospects go to C, SS, CF if they can play there. Then I worry about 3B and RF (needs STRONG arm), and then 2B and LF. 1B I really don't worry about at all. I very rarely end up using game-generated 1Bs as 1Bs, unless they have ridiculous batting ability, because pretty much anyone can play first in a pinch.

I also try to set the "primary position" for each player to the main position I want them to play. For example, if I have a SS who I want to train at short, I tend to change their position to 2B, because it's just easier for me to remember that way.

[jarmenia]

Originally Posted by battists

I also try to set the "primary position" for each player to the main position I want them to play. For example, if I have a SS who I want to train at short, I tend to change their position to 2B, because it's just easier for me to remember that way.

Good to see you back around here Steve. I'm assuming that was a typo and you meant if you wanted to train a guy at SS you set his position to SS, correct?

[battists]

Originally Posted by jarmenia

Good to see you back around here Steve. I'm assuming that was a typo and you meant if you wanted to train a guy at SS you set his position to SS, correct?

Yup

[kingtut313]

Every spring I re-order my minors. I start with AAA and work down. So if I have an opening at C in AAA, I will look at AA and maybe A if a guy is ready. I do the same to fill the rest of the positions at every other team/level. However, I won't just promote a guy because there's a hole to fill. If, for instance, AA has a need for a 1B and nobody can really play there, instead of promoting a guy from A who isn't quite ready, I would go sign a veteran to play at AA until a guy is ready to be promoted.

Pitching is tricky because injuries can sometimes force you to make some moves. That's why at every level I like to keep at least one guy who can spot start for a couple weeks if need be.

[boogeyboard1]

Originally Posted by kingtut313

Every spring I re-order my minors. I start with AAA and work down. So if I have an opening at C in AAA, I will look at AA and maybe A if a guy is ready. I do the same to fill the rest of the positions at every other team/level. However, I won't just promote a guy because there's a hole to fill. If, for instance, AA has a need for a 1B and nobody can really play there, instead of promoting a guy from A who isn't quite ready, I would go sign a veteran to play at AA until a guy is ready to be promoted.

How do you determine whether a guy is ready to be promoted or not?

Do you only do promotions/demotions in the spring, or do you do it during the year too?

[kingtut313]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

How do you determine whether a guy is ready to be promoted or not?

Do you only do promotions/demotions in the spring, or do you do it during the year too?

I look at their numbers and then look at their ratings and then their age. I use age mainly as a tilt, like if I'm on the fence about promoting a guy and he's only 20 I'll leave him or if he's 26 I'll promote him.

I promote during the year if a guy is crushing it or struggling. I really hate to demote guys so I tend to wait until I'm sure they will be able to perform at the desired level.

[olivertheorem]

Originally Posted by battists

Honestly, I keep a spreadsheet. My focus is on "up the middle." Best prospects go to C, SS, CF if they can play there. Then I worry about 3B and RF (needs STRONG arm), and then 2B and LF. 1B I really don't worry about at all. I very rarely end up using game-generated 1Bs as 1Bs, unless they have ridiculous batting ability, because pretty much anyone can play first in a pinch.

I also try to set the "primary position" for each player to the main position I want them to play. For example, if I have a SS who I want to train at short, I tend to change their position to 2B, because it's just easier for me to remember that way.

I more or less do the same thing, and I update it at every player dev report (monthly) and a couple times in the offseason. I just wish the game would quit messing with my pitcher roles (why must my desired SP's always be changed to RP's....).