MLB SHOWDOWN 2018 SET -- San Francisco Giants

WHEW Matt's been on absolute fire lately, which means the San Francisco Giants are here for us all! The Giants limped to 73 wins (and a 70-92 Pythagorean record) in a year many were hoping the dynasty of the 2010s would recapture that "even year magic" after challenging the Cubs in the 2016 NLDS and winning the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Unfortunately, age caught up to San Fran and the lineup was extremely underwhelming. Injuries also crippled the team, with only five players making 100 starts or more (including Yankee Andrew McCutchin). However, from a Showdown perspective, there's a lot of affordable and interesting cards on this team that managers will undoubtedly be snatching up in their drafts! So without further ado, the 2018 San Francisco Giants!

Lineup:

All Time Colorado Rockies

All Time Colorado Rockies

Next up for the All Time Team Series is the Colorado Rockies. I figured I’d keep it in the NL West, and went with a team I’ve always enjoyed watching for one reason or another. The Rockies came about in 1991 after much support for the Denver Bears/Zephyrs minor league baseball teams and after a bit of an owners scandal got running in 1993. They have reached the playoffs five times, each and every time as the wild card team. In 2007 they were able to advance to the World Series after an unbelieve run only to lose to the Red Sox. They have no members in the hall of fame…yet. Larry Walker is knocking on the door with 54.6% this past year and Todd Helton is also registered 16.5% in his first year on the ballot.

All Time San Diego Padres

ALL TIME SAN DIEGO PADRES

As mentioned in my last post, I am going to be putting out the best team possible based on my metrics, regardless of points or era. The card just needs to have been part of the OG sets or made on this site. Instead of doing a traditional showdown roster I’m going to do a more traditional MLB Roster with 5 starters, a fielder at each position, and then will break it down based on how I see fit from there (I will almost definitely be using more than 25 spots but will do when two players are close in value so you can compare on your own). I will only allow one card per player, so no stacking lineups with multiple iterations of one player and only include full season cards for players. No all-star game cards, as we want a full year representation. 

MLB SHOWDOWN 2018 SET -- TEXAS RANGERS

Who the **** is writing this! Bob he's still alive? YUP! sorry been a long time busy with family and work. But coming back strong with a podcast a team. We have a podcast recapping the Marlins, Padres, and the Rangers. Rangers below are not an exceptional good team. Though they have a few fun cards that are draft-able. Seems like a fun team to play as a team squad versus a drafting league. 

Best Outfielder Comparison

Best Outfielders Comparison

So after a very long lay off, I’m back to finish my best players at each position (by my calculations at least), and we’re onto the Outfield. I was debating breaking this up to corner outfielders and centerfielders, but the long and short of it is, it’s Barry Bonds, Barry Bonds, more Barry Bonds and some more Barry Bonds. Of course, he is the individual who changed the way our beloved game was played. Aside from him there is an unbelievable amount of talent in the outfield and a lot of fun cards to be had.

ALL-TIME SAN DIEGO PADRES

One of the projects I have been working on with our deep collection of cards on this site, along with others, and the original 2000 and 2001 Showdown cards is making ALL-TIME teams for each franchise. Peter and I always go back and forth on how stacked some teams would be and what strengths would carry a team past another. I figured the first team I show off would be the most recent released from the 2018 set, the San Diego Padres. Originally I had the thought of most points for each, but then went to break it down a little more, making multiple categories to qualify for the team. So i made rosters under each category listed below:
Starting Pitchers:
Top 4 in Points = 2 Points
Top 4 in Control = 1 Point
Top 4 in Strikeouts = 1 Point
Top 4 in Tier = 1 Point

Relief Pitchers:
Top 5 in Control = 1 Point
Top 5 in Strikeouts = 1 Point
Top 5 in Tier = 1 Point

Batters: Filled a lineup at each position for each
Points = 2 Points
On-Base = 1 Point
Speed = 1 Point
Defense = 1 Point
OB+HR (Power) = 1 Point

I did the points getting more points because I do want the best of the best, but this also gives some defensive speed guys a chance to sneak onto the roster. I didn't rank by points for relievers because of the 2001 set where they raised the points on all the bullpen people. Without further adieu here are the ALL-Time San Diego Padres.

MLB SHOWDOWN 2018 SET -- San Diego Padres

WHEW -- we are almost through the worst of the worst teams remaining in the 2018 set (and 25/30 teams done overall now... that's approximately 450 free MLB Showdown cards for y'all!!). I had a BUNCH of help from Matthew on this team, so major shoutout to him for this squad! Thankfully, the Padres will be much improved in 2019 (and get a sweet brown uniform and corresponding card color in 2020), but if nothing else, this squad looks sharp! While it's no secret that I think MLB Showdown sets tend to be oversaturated with navy and red, I love the way the white pops with the navy for the Padres logo/background, and it's really fun to work in some camo-jersey players. That said..... for drafting purposes, look to the Padres for bullpen help and maybe some affordable power/bench guys late in the draft. Maybe a punt position with plus defense if you're desperate. That said, I think we can all hope the rookie phenom below can actually earn this card one day (stats based on "peak potential" assigned from the milb.com prospect ratings).

Without further ado, the 2018 Padres: