MLB 15 The Show: Quick Guide to Franchise Mode

Feature Article

Submitted on: 04/10/2015 by Ben Vollmer

MLB: The Show 15's franchise mode is tremendously deep this year. Most of the legacy issues within the series have been ironed out and balancing budgets with winning is now the mode's biggest concern. This adds a unique twist: Do you go after the star who will almost certainly be attached to a mega-sized contract? Or do you build through the draft and prioritize development? These are things that have to be considered before starting your franchise. So without further adieu, here is our quick guide to franchise mode:

Pick Your Team Carefully: Budgets are reflective of teams that spend lots of money in real life, so be careful before picking someone like the Houston Astros or Oakland A's. That being said, don't let it dictate your pick. Consider things like the appeal of the stadium, whether their roster is young or old, and whether or not you see a way to win with them in three years - which leads right into the next part of the guide.

Be a Proactive GM: You pretty much have three years to win, as that's how long your GM contract will span. In a simulated franchise with the Phillies, three straight years of missing the playoffs ended with me looking for a new team. Make sure that you don't blast your budget away, but at the same time, you're going to need players that can help you win now. Even if you're in the process of rebuilding, consider signing a player or two that can carry you to a few extra wins.

Monitor Your Best Prospects: In the past, throwing your best prospects up and down your roster made a lot of sense. You get a quick look at them and if they happen to catch fire, you keep them up. If they get cold, you sent them back down with no issues. Well in MLB: The Show 15, progression and development correlates with positive play. So keep your best prospects down in the minors until their development begins to slow or for when you absolutely need them.

Find Players That Fit: Likewise to the above, finding players that fit your roster should be a priority. For instance, signing a lowly rated platoon hitter might translate to a budding position player who can either a) be used as a trade chip or b) emerge as a regular.

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Member Comments

# 1 coreyerb @ 04/11/15 12:26 AM

Nice summary. I'm probably going to roll as the D'backs and I hope their small budget doesn't give me too many issues. I'll have a super young roster so shouldn't be too hard.

Is there a summary of the differences in franchise and season?

(Side note: it should be "without further ado" not "adieu" - http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/ado-versus-adieu )

# 2 BaylorBearBryant @ 04/11/15 01:18 PM

Going with the Mets or the Marlins. There's only a few guys I'd give major contracts too. Trout, Stanton, and Harvey. I want a cornerstone to build around.

# 3 JayD @ 04/11/15 01:24 PM

I'm having a fun time building the Braves back up. I love their young roster and their solid pitching rotation.

# 4 Jakeness23 @ 04/11/15 03:55 PM

Okay, so I took the Cubs to 3 straight playoff runs (lost in the NLDS in the first 2, NLCS in the 3rd season). Not bad for the Cubs, you'd think they'd be okay with 3 straight playoff appearances, especially forcing a game 7 in the NLCS and losing by 2 in nail biting fashion. My GM rating was a B. NOPE, that wasn't good enough, they decided not to make me an offer to bring me back, because the long-term goal was a pennant and we came up short by 2 runs. Seriously? That's just annoying.

BTW, couple gameplay thoughts, the catchers get up out of their stances, grab the ball, and are ready to throw before the hitter gets out of the batter's box.... ummm, what?

And foul balls like disappear through the crowd, the camera just keeps zooming in and in and in until it finally "lands." Kind of annoying, especially when the commentator says, "Oh, and it barely clears the wall," while the defender keeps trying to run through the wall.

Game is still great, but I would've liked to continue my franchise with the Cubs (I know I can turn off the contracts, but that's only at the beginning). Guess I should've saved it twice. Oh well, ya live and ya learn.

# 5 BenGerman @ 04/11/15 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyerb


	Nice summary. I'm probably going to roll as the D'backs and I hope their small budget doesn't give me too many issues. I'll have a super young roster so shouldn't be too hard. Is there a summary of the differences in franchise and season? (Side note: it should be "without further ado" not "adieu" - http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/edu...o-versus-adieu )

Thanks! And yep, you're right. I overthink that one every time when it's really just the simple "ado". Appreciate it

# 6 xCULLO @ 04/14/15 11:48 AM

I am actually gunna go with the Rangers this year.. But in a Fantasy world where there players can actually stay in one piece for most of the year..

With a push in the right direction this time can do great things, when on the offense can be one of the best in the majors. I'm excited to hit a bunch of Home Runs since I usually play with my dodgers and they can't hit 'em outside of Puig and A-Gon.

# 7 Jakeness23 @ 04/14/15 05:04 PM

There should be an option like in 2K to block CPU-CPU trades. I've seen Cutch, Harper, Freeman, Harvey, and Stanton traded in the same season.

# 8 dtg2k15 @ 04/20/15 01:22 PM

Regarding the "win within 3 years or else"... when you're fired, does the owner fire the USER (you) with you having to start over, or does the owner fire the GM, with the owner being the user?

For example, in Madden 15's franchise mode, you have the option of playing as the owner, the coach or a player. If you're the owner and finances go south, you'll get kicked out of the franchise mode altogether and must start over from scratch. (Your team funds always go south, because the developers didn't design this correctly).

# 9 canuckle17 @ 04/24/15 02:06 AM

Is the 3 year win rule for every MLB team including the lower rated teams? That doesn't sound very fair if you take control of the lousiest MLB team and take a patient approach to a rebuild via the draft and scouting young free agents and trying to turn them into stars down the road.

Is there a spreadsheet with the rosters on it? I'm not totally knowledgeable with every single player in MLB and the minors, but I know how to evaluate talent and I know the kind of roster I'd like to work with. It'd be handy if there was a quick depth chart on this site with each teams 25-man roster, along with the vital details (age & potential) of the players.

How are some people already so far into their franchise mode? What's the point of simulating all the way? It's not nearly as fun to me. Day by day is more authentic.

# 10 geisterhome @ 05/09/15 02:33 AM

The GM mode in The Show definitely still needs a lot of polishing at least, right now it's very bareboned and has a lot of flaws.

# 11 sra9888 @ 05/12/15 06:47 PM

Here's a quicker guide to franchise mode. Don't bother. The game freezes about 75% of the time if you play a game out. If it freezes it deletes the save and your entire franchise is gone. I am completely unable to get more than a few games into a franchise. I guess maybe sim only?

# 12 Moonripple @ 05/12/15 07:04 PM

I can only speak for myself, but I haven't had a single game freeze in franchise mode. I've played out 30 at least, and simmed about 60-70.

# 13 king_brandon_23 @ 05/24/15 10:51 AM

I just sent a 75 Ovr A potential Starting Pitcher that I just drafted into the Majors because I thought he was good enough to use and would still develop? Does this mean he won't be progressing or should I send him back down to the minors immediately?

# 14 Peedy14 @ 06/10/15 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakeness23


	There should be an option like in 2K to block CPU-CPU trades. I've seen Cutch, Harper, Freeman, Harvey, and Stanton traded in the same season.

There is! After u select what team u want to play with the option screen will come up. From there u go down too CPU TRADING and turn it to no!

However, this makes the game very unrealistic. If your the only team allowed to trade then it wont be like in the REAL MAJORS where anyone can be traded for any reason! If you do decide to do this, you are an idiot. Your losing the fun of watching an entire season unfold. I think they should take this option out.

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