Impressive mobile game port, but sadly feels heavily reliant on microtransactions. I just want to hit and throw the baseball as my favorite team with their current roster, not play a collect-a-thon of random players from different years

MLB Rivals is a gacha game that is free-to-play friendly. The game is an exact port of the mobile game, which both have fantastic graphics given the fact that it can be played for free. The gameplay is satisfying and it is overall an easy and fun alternative to the AAA titles.

Its a MLB baseball version of EA Sports HUT MUT FUT (Hockey,Madden,Fifa Ultimate Team). Lots of events, game senarios and card collecting and Card Crafting to level up your team. Decent yet simple game play for Hitting and Pitching (There is no Fielding). Play as little or as much of a game as you want, or just simulate the games like in OOTP baseball. Graphics are good with snappy menus and cutscenes. The UI is a little muddy and confusing, but I'm sure you'll get used to it after awhile. Lots of free goodies, and of course the pay loot boxes. Havent unlocked the PvP gameplay yet, so not sure how that is.
Overall, 10 hours in, I'm enjoying building a fantasy MLB team. Its worth a try if you like Sports Card Collecting.