As the pitchers and catchers are reporting for spring training in their respective camps, it is time to set your strategy for your fantasy baseball season. Below is a few tips to think about when constructing your roster through your draft. As always, the more practice, the better handle you will have on the value of each player. It is highly recommended to participate in several fantasy baseball mock drafts; ESPN has a easily accessible Mock Draft Lobby HERE.
1. LOAD UP ON POWER HITTING OUTFIELDERS EARLY AND SPEED LATE
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Most fantasy baseball league settings include five or more outfield roster spots. Taking advantage of a surprisingly thin outfield group will be the difference in a winning record this season. Having 3-4 major power bats in your everyday lineup will ensure you keep your HR and RBI numbers among the best in your league. That would include slightly reaching for big bats like Giancarlo Stanton, Yoenis Cespedes, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Gonzalez, among others.
While on the other hand, there are plenty of options to add steals and runs to your stat line very late in the draft. Billy Hamilton has been the quintessential base-stealer in baseball since being called up, but has seen his value fall in fantasy baseball due to his mediocre average and absolutely no power. The same can go for Ben Revere, who will now be playing in a better lineup with the Nationals, so he should score significantly more, while keeping his pace of 40 stolen bases a season. In the last couple rounds of your draft, taking a flyer on young players like Byron Buxton or Delino DeShields for your bench could net 30-40 steals and 85-100 runs by the end of the season.
2. BE PATIENT ON CATCHERS AND SECOND BASEMAN
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Though it is always nice to have a top flight catcher like Buster Posey in your lineup, you would be better off waiting late in the draft. Only one team will have Posey and everyone else has about equal value behind the plate. The difference between Salvadore Perez or Russell Martin is very slim compared to late round options like Yan Gomes, Derek Norris or even Yadier Molina (who plans to be ready for the start of the season).
The same would go for second baseman, as there is a lot of depth at the position. Players like Anthony Rendon, Josh Harrison and Dustin Pedroia will be just as productive overall as Robinson Cano and Ian Kinsler. While later in the draft, bench players that can fill a hole at either 2B or SS include Starlin Castro and Addison Russell, are solid options in case of an injury.
3. IF YOU DO NOT DRAFT A TOP 3 SS, YOU FAILED
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Where fantasy baseball is deep at second base, it is extremely thin at shortstop. The top three options are Carlos Correa, Troy Tulowitzki and Xander Boegarts. They are the only complete offensive shortstops that will provide value at AVG, OBP, HRs and RBI. So it is of utter importance that you reach for one of those players, as the rest will leave you struggling to fill that role all season.
The next seven shortstops all include: Corey Seagar, Francisco Lindor, Jose Reyes, Elvis Andrus, Ian Desmond, Brandon Crawford and Jung Ho Kang. Each has major question marks with Seagar, Lindor and Kang’s experience, Andrus and Desmond’s decline in production and Reyes’ off field suspension concerns. The secondary options at shortstop could cost you a spot in the playoffs in the long term.
4. VALUE ACES OVER CLOSERS
Courtesy: Fox Sports
The closer position has become overvalued in fantasy baseball over the past couple years. With the specialization of the bullpen, most teams will have a player reach 30 saves in the season and with only have to pitch one inning, typically they keep a low ERA. Reaching for players like Kenley Jansen, Wade Davis, Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman could cost you value at other positions, namely starting pitching.
If you have the chance to load up on front on the line starters, your ERA, WHIP and SO stats will only benefit. Having a pitching staff that includes David Price, Jose Fernandez, Cole Hamels and Shelby Miller could dominate the league. While you will still find your saves with late round options like Jonathan Papelbon, Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger.
