IMO, I think a good compromise would be letting you purchase tokens with stubs when you first create your player, at the initial points distribution stage, and then having it be entirely progression based once the mode actually starts.
That lets people start with their OP players if they want to, while also letting those who don't create a more realistic progression path.
it also gets around the issue of being unable to create 80 grade players--i.e. someone who starts with 99 speed and high fielding, traits that aren't linear in the way that batting progression might be.