When can drafted players play?

damonrusst · 04-29-2025, 01:19 PM

I'm playing real major leagues startup as a GM only (I watch the manager i hired handle things while I work) and I let my assistant GM handle all the minor league promotions/demotions.

I just did the draft and all the players are stuck in the lowest rookie league even though that season has ended. I promoted them higher but the AI put them back down.

Are they allowed to play the same year they're drafted? I have a fictional league where guys have played right away.

Any advice would be appreciated. I'd rather not handle the promotions/demotions myself but if I have to I will.

Rain King · 04-29-2025, 01:30 PM

They can play right away.

What is strange in what your describing is that the Rookie league season has ended when your draft just completed. Typically, the lower level minor leagues start later specifically because they need the draft to fill out the teams.

Bagpipes5 · 04-29-2025, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain King

They can play right away.

What is strange in what your describing is that the Rookie league season has ended when your draft just completed. Typically, the lower level minor leagues start later specifically because they need the draft to fill out the teams.

MLB changed this a few years ago. The complex leagues start the first week in May and DSL the first week in June. The draft now takes place over All-Star weekend and many teams complain about it because the All-Star Break used to be for everyone and was much needed and deserved, now they have to contend with more work. I also believe this is why the Draft League was created. To give those outcast former Short-Season A clubs a home, and to give draft prospects somewhere to play over the summer.

damonrusst · 05-01-2025, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagpipes5

MLB changed this a few years ago. The complex leagues start the first week in May and DSL the first week in June. The draft now takes place over All-Star weekend and many teams complain about it because the All-Star Break used to be for everyone and was much needed and deserved, now they have to contend with more work. I also believe this is why the Draft League was created. To give those outcast former Short-Season A clubs a home, and to give draft prospects somewhere to play over the summer.

Thanks, so if I place them in higher than the rookie league they'll play right away? Wish the AI would do this for me as I don't want to have to micromanage my minors

XxVols98xX · 05-03-2025, 12:36 AM

It’s like that in real life, most guys aren’t ready for full season ball out of high school and even college. Some are able to handle low A and even fewer high A and on rare instances AA but most will need to prepare over the offseason for their first full season of pro ball

Bagpipes5 · 05-03-2025, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonrusst

Thanks, so if I place them in higher than the rookie league they'll play right away? Wish the AI would do this for me as I don't want to have to micromanage my minors

Yes, when they sign they will be assigned to your lowest team. You can then place them in A ball on up and they will play right away.

DennisDenver · 05-03-2025, 05:39 PM

I don't know if it is something you would want to do but I set my draft date as April 1st. This gets players drafted full year of rookie ball for their service year. Also like that can set my rosters for season without 20+ players coming in mid season. Works well doing this too with international complex

04-29-2025, 01:19 PM	#1
damonrusst Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 470	When can drafted players play? I'm playing real major leagues startup as a GM only (I watch the manager i hired handle things while I work) and I let my assistant GM handle all the minor league promotions/demotions. I just did the draft and all the players are stuck in the lowest rookie league even though that season has ended. I promoted them higher but the AI put them back down. Are they allowed to play the same year they're drafted? I have a fictional league where guys have played right away. Any advice would be appreciated. I'd rather not handle the promotions/demotions myself but if I have to I will.

04-29-2025, 01:30 PM	#2
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,109 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	They can play right away. What is strange in what your describing is that the Rookie league season has ended when your draft just completed. Typically, the lower level minor leagues start later specifically because they need the draft to fill out the teams.

05-03-2025, 12:36 AM	#5
XxVols98xX Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 220	It’s like that in real life, most guys aren’t ready for full season ball out of high school and even college. Some are able to handle low A and even fewer high A and on rare instances AA but most will need to prepare over the offseason for their first full season of pro ball

05-03-2025, 05:39 PM	#7
DennisDenver Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2025 Posts: 35	I don't know if it is something you would want to do but I set my draft date as April 1st. This gets players drafted full year of rookie ball for their service year. Also like that can set my rosters for season without 20+ players coming in mid season. Works well doing this too with international complex