New to fantasy baseball (2 Viewers)

[theToes]

After playing FF for the past 10 years or so I am finally branching out and trying FB for the first time.I am at best what you would call a causal baseball fan and admittedly I am not up on any team in baseball not in Philly.

From what I can tell it's a standard 5x5 head tot head league that also has negative categories for strkie outs and errors.

I know I can pick up a magazine and draft from the top 300 and probably not do too bad but I was looking for a little strategy help from a few people that have played longer than me. Which I'm guessing is mostly everyone.

In FF there is the rb or qb early debate and I was wondering if there is something sinilar in FB. From all of the projections I've been seeing most of them have Pujols at the top.

Can any of you share your strategies for the draft. What positions do you value higher than others? When do you start taking pitchers?

Any help and insight that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pantagrapher]

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on any single position. Obviously, you'll need to have players at every position, so as you go through your draft you'll want to address all of them, but I tend to go with the best players available early on. I usually don't draft pitchers early; I never draft catchers early.

 

[curta269]

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on any single position. Obviously, you'll need to have players at every position, so as you go through your draft you'll want to address all of them, but I tend to go with the best players available early on. I usually don't draft pitchers early; I never draft catchers early.

This is pretty much my strategy. Also, don't give up on a category. I don't draft closers early, but I always try to make sure I have at least 2. To me, saves aren't the most important category, but I draft a couple of closers late as I don't want to finish last in the category.

 

[dparker713]

Well, with the added categories its really a 7x5 league. That GREATLY diminishes the value of pitchers even further. why take a guy thats going to help you in at most 4 categories when you can go after a guy that will help in 7.

It also makes Pujols even more godly. The errors part is mainly important for your infielders - many of the poor plays in the OF are classified as hits if the OFer doesnt get his glove on the ball before it falls, even if he should have made the catch.

If this is a H2H where you simply get a win or a loss for the entire week, you can easily punt certain categories on a weekly basis and be no worse for wear. Simpliest categories to punt are steals and saves, but your categories allow for a few more exotic options.

 

[theToes]

Well, with the added categories its really a 7x5 league. That GREATLY diminishes the value of pitchers even further. why take a guy thats going to help you in at most 4 categories when you can go after a guy that will help in 7. It also makes Pujols even more godly. The errors part is mainly important for your infielders - many of the poor plays in the OF are classified as hits if the OFer doesnt get his glove on the ball before it falls, even if he should have made the catch. If this is a H2H where you simply get a win or a loss for the entire week, you can easily punt certain categories on a weekly basis and be no worse for wear. Simpliest categories to punt are steals and saves, but your categories allow for a few more exotic options.

It's a 14 team H2h format league. I took a look at some of the drafts in previous years and it looks like there is a lot of focus on infield players early and pitchers start to come of the board in the late 3rd.Is middle infield the place to focus in on in the early rounds? I understand taking the best player available is always an option. I do this in FF even if it's a postion I alreay have for soem trade bait down the road.

 

[cheese]

It matters a ton how often you set lineups and how many pickups you get. If you have no bench and no pickups, pitchers would be very important. If you can pickup and start 4 new pitchers every day, much less so. I realize 99% of leagues will fall somewhere in the middle, but I'm using extremes to show you the point.

In general, hitters are way more valuable than pitchers and the elite closers are basically never worth the price. Steals are really valuable in a typical league and I don't think that would change too much even in this format.

 

[Softballguy]

If this is a H2H where you simply get a win or a loss for the entire week, you can easily punt certain categories on a weekly basis and be no worse for wear. Simpliest categories to punt are steals and saves, but your categories allow for a few more exotic options.

Last year was my first year and I did quite well based on the above advice. I didn't draft a pitcher until the 9th round, and he was a reliever. Our categories for pitching included wins, losses, strikeouts, saves, holds, era, and whip. I punted starting pitching, which killed me in wins and strikeouts, but I always won saves and holds. And as long as my relievers did fairly well I also competed in era and whip. Many times I won the pitching side of my matchup, but at worst I'd finish even. With my stacked offense I was able to win many more games than I lost. I also used customer cheatsheets from this site.

 

[Statorama]

Good stuff in here. One thing I'd warn you about is to prepare yourself for the long season. The day to day nature of the baseball season is far more grinding than the football season. It's pretty easy to start losing interest in the middle of the summer, especially if your team is floundering.

I'm a pretty intense baseball fan, and even I have moments in September when my mind starts wandering toward football.

 

[courduroy]

I am in a league that uses errors(hitters) as well as losses(pitchers). These negative categories are a great equalizer for teams/owners that micromanage and shift players in and out everyday especially pitchers trying to boost their Win and Strikeout totals. Granted one category doesn't completely offset 2 others but helps to add some balance.

FYI If you are starting a new league CBS is offering 1/2 promo

http://cbssports.com/ref/38747310

 

[scrumptrulescent]

After playing FF for the past 10 years or so I am finally branching out and trying FB for the first time.

Any help and insight that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

My story is similar. Just over 10 years in FF but 2 years ago tried FB for the first time. I had no idea where to begin. The baseball league I joined was a 10 team league with probably 8 of those guys having past FB experience, so they knew what they were doing. I found Razzball and have been dependant on it ever since. In fantasy football I would never trust the advice of anyone on any site over my own knowledge but the guys/guy (Grey Albright) at Razzball know 110% more about the sport and the game of FB than I do. Rankings and projections are given......not rankings that are churned out of a computer formula.....rankings with actual thought behind them. They aren't always right but they hit more than they miss, and in the forum section, you can ask anything and will always get an answer.Both years I've played in that league I've won. I've learned a ton about the game (baseball and FB) and love it now, almost as much as FF.

I only tell you this because I'm positive no one in my league will read it here. Some of them may have found Razzball though. Hopefully not.

You should check it out.

 

[theToes]

Thanks for all of the responses.

I just found out that I have the 14th pick in a 14 team league. Any thoughts on strategy from the bottom of the draft order? I know some of you said to wait on pitching in a 7x5 league but should I consider Lincicum or Halladay here with the best position player on the board or take the 2 best position players available and wait until later on pitching? There are an awful lot of players coming off the board betweeen my 2nd and 3rd picks.

 

[hooter311]

Thanks for all of the responses.I just found out that I have the 14th pick in a 14 team league. Any thoughts on strategy from the bottom of the draft order? I know some of you said to wait on pitching in a 7x5 league but should I consider Lincicum or Halladay here with the best position player on the board or take the 2 best position players available and wait until later on pitching? There are an awful lot of players coming off the board betweeen my 2nd and 3rd picks.

At the turn I would be looking to match 2 hitters that are going to give you a minimum of 50 hrs and 30 steals.I'd be looking to land 2 of these: Kinsler, Crawford, Howard, Holliday, Reyes

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Thanks for all of the responses.I just found out that I have the 14th pick in a 14 team league. Any thoughts on strategy from the bottom of the draft order? I know some of you said to wait on pitching in a 7x5 league but should I consider Lincicum or Halladay here with the best position player on the board or take the 2 best position players available and wait until later on pitching? There are an awful lot of players coming off the board betweeen my 2nd and 3rd picks.

At the turn I would be looking to match 2 hitters that are going to give you a minimum of 50 hrs and 30 steals.I'd be looking to land 2 of these: Kinsler, Crawford, Howard, Holliday, Reyes

I'd be looking at Tulo over Reyes, plus Kinsler and Howard. If an elite 3b falls like Longoria or Wright, I wouldn't hesitate. Or if one of the other 1b's fall....Teixeira, Miggy, Prince, I'd consider any of them over Howard. Speed is easier to find than power later in the draft imo.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Look to maximize Power at the turn and I would not be afraid to take a top notch starer but only if one way farther than you were expecting. I think the above poster is right that Speed is much easier to find late than Power. I personally have found Rotoworld.com to have a good online product for not much $ and a good forum as well.

 

[theToes]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

 

[pantagrapher]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

Definitely too high for Mauer and Halladay; an argument can be made for Lincecum, but I personally wouldn't go pitcher that high.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

Definitely too high for Mauer and Halladay; an argument can be made for Lincecum, but I personally wouldn't go pitcher that high.

Depends on who drops to you I guess. I've done a lot of mocks and someone usually falls in love with Mauer and may grab him before you. If so I'd give thanks because that probably means a stud 1b has dropped to you.Who are you using for your league? Yahoo? ESPN? CBS? It may matter because it could effect 1st round choices.Your league is 7 x 5 I believe you mentioned. It's weighted toward offense.If you're at 14th and a Tulo/Howard duo is staring you in the face, that's what I'd do. Then hope for a 3b to come back around because I'd assume Wright and Longoria are gone.

 

[theToes]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

Definitely too high for Mauer and Halladay; an argument can be made for Lincecum, but I personally wouldn't go pitcher that high.

Depends on who drops to you I guess. I've done a lot of mocks and someone usually falls in love with Mauer and may grab him before you. If so I'd give thanks because that probably means a stud 1b has dropped to you.Who are you using for your league? Yahoo? ESPN? CBS? It may matter because it could effect 1st round choices.Your league is 7 x 5 I believe you mentioned. It's weighted toward offense.If you're at 14th and a Tulo/Howard duo is staring you in the face, that's what I'd do. Then hope for a 3b to come back around because I'd assume Wright and Longoria are gone.

We use Yahoo for the league. Why would that matter?

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

Definitely too high for Mauer and Halladay; an argument can be made for Lincecum, but I personally wouldn't go pitcher that high.

Depends on who drops to you I guess. I've done a lot of mocks and someone usually falls in love with Mauer and may grab him before you. If so I'd give thanks because that probably means a stud 1b has dropped to you.Who are you using for your league? Yahoo? ESPN? CBS? It may matter because it could effect 1st round choices.Your league is 7 x 5 I believe you mentioned. It's weighted toward offense.If you're at 14th and a Tulo/Howard duo is staring you in the face, that's what I'd do. Then hope for a 3b to come back around because I'd assume Wright and Longoria are gone.

We use Yahoo for the league. Why would that matter?

If fellow league members follow Yahoo's default rankings, it matters a lot I'd think. Some of Yahoo's rankings are laughable. If your league-mates follow the default rankings you're staring a combo of Fielder/Kinsler, Fielder/Holliday, Fielder/Kinsler, Fielder/Crawford in the face, or if you're feeling adventurous Fielder/M Cabrera which would be so tempting to me.Different sites have different rankings and they all seem to have a few faults in overrating and underrating players. In this case I think Yahoo really underrates Prince Fielder.

 

[PIK95]

Look to maximize Power at the turn and I would not be afraid to take a top notch starer but only if one way farther than you were expecting. I think the above poster is right that Speed is much easier to find late than Power. I personally have found Rotoworld.com to have a good online product for not much $ and a good forum as well.

 

[theToes]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.

I appreciate the suggestions already given.

Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me.

Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

 

[hooter311]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.I appreciate the suggestions already given.Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me. Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

If there are 2 more hitting categories than pitching, I wouldn't even touch a pitcher until round 5 or 6 at the earliest.

 

[Oh Yes!]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.I appreciate the suggestions already given.Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me. Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

If there are 2 more hitting categories than pitching, I wouldn't even touch a pitcher until round 5 or 6 at the earliest.

this for sure. grab the 2 biggest power bats there is. maybe longoria will make it to ya? miguel cabrera? mauer would be nice, but you can get a guy like mccann a bit later, or even a montero even later than that would be fine.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.I appreciate the suggestions already given.Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me. Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

If there are 2 more hitting categories than pitching, I wouldn't even touch a pitcher until round 5 or 6 at the earliest.

this for sure. grab the 2 biggest power bats there is. maybe longoria will make it to ya? miguel cabrera? mauer would be nice, but you can get a guy like mccann a bit later, or even a montero even later than that would be fine.

I wouldn't go with Mauer. If you want a catcher, wait a round and get McCann. Like Oh Yes said, get the power numbers while you can, or 5 toolers. At 14, one of the stud 1b's may drop, as well as Longoria, but I'd consider OF if needed too. Guys like Holliday and J Upton will be staring you in the face. That may be early for "potential" with Upton, but that's up to you I guess. And again, Tulo may not be a bad option. His manager stated in ST that he sees no reason why Tulo won't keep running, so there's potential for 15-20 SB's there.

 

[hooter311]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.I appreciate the suggestions already given.Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me. Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

If there are 2 more hitting categories than pitching, I wouldn't even touch a pitcher until round 5 or 6 at the earliest.

this for sure. grab the 2 biggest power bats there is. maybe longoria will make it to ya? miguel cabrera? mauer would be nice, but you can get a guy like mccann a bit later, or even a montero even later than that would be fine.

I wouldn't go with Mauer. If you want a catcher, wait a round and get McCann. Like Oh Yes said, get the power numbers while you can, or 5 toolers. At 14, one of the stud 1b's may drop, as well as Longoria, but I'd consider OF if needed too. Guys like Holliday and J Upton will be staring you in the face. That may be early for "potential" with Upton, but that's up to you I guess. And again, Tulo may not be a bad option. His manager stated in ST that he sees no reason why Tulo won't keep running, so there's potential for 15-20 SB's there.

Holliday would be a great pick with your 1st or 2nd round. He is a stud in every hitting category and the sky is the limit in front of Pujols. He is being undervalued in every draft this year by about 5 picks, and he is about as safe of a 2nd round pick as there is.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I just wanted to bump this to see if there are any other opinions on what would be a good strategy for a new guy to follow with the 14th pick in a 14 team 7x5 league.I appreciate the suggestions already given.Mauer just seems to be a tempting pick along with either of Lincecum or Halladay. All of this assumes that one of the stud 1st base guys don't make it down to me. Going with Mauer and a stud sp would give me a good start right?

If there are 2 more hitting categories than pitching, I wouldn't even touch a pitcher until round 5 or 6 at the earliest.

this for sure. grab the 2 biggest power bats there is. maybe longoria will make it to ya? miguel cabrera? mauer would be nice, but you can get a guy like mccann a bit later, or even a montero even later than that would be fine.

I wouldn't go with Mauer. If you want a catcher, wait a round and get McCann. Like Oh Yes said, get the power numbers while you can, or 5 toolers. At 14, one of the stud 1b's may drop, as well as Longoria, but I'd consider OF if needed too. Guys like Holliday and J Upton will be staring you in the face. That may be early for "potential" with Upton, but that's up to you I guess. And again, Tulo may not be a bad option. His manager stated in ST that he sees no reason why Tulo won't keep running, so there's potential for 15-20 SB's there.

Holliday would be a great pick with your 1st or 2nd round. He is a stud in every hitting category and the sky is the limit in front of Pujols. He is being undervalued in every draft this year by about 5 picks, and he is about as safe of a 2nd round pick as there is.

I was pretty sure Holliday was batting 4th after Pujols. Have they switched up the order?

 

[dparker713]

I was pretty sure Holliday was batting 4th after Pujols. Have they switched up the order?

LaRussa would sooner give up drinking than he would bat Pujols lower than 3rd.

 

[curta269]

I'm with everyone else here, don't take a Pitcher that early. Just take the 2 best hitters available. Mauer may be gone by then. I'm in a 13-team league, and he went midway through the 1st round.

 

[hooter311]

I was pretty sure Holliday was batting 4th after Pujols. Have they switched up the order?

LaRussa would sooner give up drinking than he would bat Pujols lower than 3rd.

You guys are right, I was typing too fast.1. Skip Schumaker 2. Brandan Ryan 3. Albert Pujols 4. Matt Holliday 5. Ryan Ludwick 6. Colby Rasmus 7. Yadier Molina 8. David Freese

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I was pretty sure Holliday was batting 4th after Pujols. Have they switched up the order?

LaRussa would sooner give up drinking than he would bat Pujols lower than 3rd.

You guys are right, I was typing too fast.1. Skip Schumaker 2. Brandan Ryan 3. Albert Pujols 4. Matt Holliday 5. Ryan Ludwick 6. Colby Rasmus 7. Yadier Molina 8. David Freese

I've heard Rasmus in the 2 hole against righties? Could that be correct?

 

[Oh Yes!]

ESPN top 40 for what its worth

1 Albert Pujols, StL 1B

2 Hanley Ramirez, Fla SS

3 Alex Rodriguez, NYY 3B

4 Ryan Braun, Mil OF

5 Chase Utley, Phi 2B

6 Matt Kemp, LAD OF

7 Prince Fielder, Mil 1B

8 Carl Crawford, TB OF

9 Miguel Cabrera, Det 1B

10 Mark Teixeira, NYY 1B

11 David Wright, NYM 3B

12 Evan Longoria, TB 3B

13 Ryan Howard, Phi 1B

14 Joe Mauer, Min C, DH

15 Justin Upton, Ari OF

16 Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos OF

17 Troy Tulowitzki, Col SS

18 Matt Holliday, StL OF

19 Ian Kinsler, Tex 2B

20 Ichiro Suzuki, Sea OF

21 Derek Jeter, NYY SS

22 Grady Sizemore, Cle OF

23 Jimmy Rollins, Phi SS

24 Adrian Gonzalez, SD 1B

25 Robinson Cano, NYY 2B

26 Dustin Pedroia, Bos 2B

27 Pablo Sandoval, SF 3B, 1B

28 Ryan Zimmerman, Was 3B

29 Brian Roberts, Bal 2B

30 Joey Votto, Cin 1B

31 Jayson Werth, Phi OF

32 Kevin Youkilis, Bos 3B, 1B

33 Brandon Phillips, Cin 2B

34 Adam Lind, Tor OF, DH

35 Jason Bay, NYM OF

36 Mark Reynolds, Ari 3B, 1B

37 Brian McCann, Atl C

38 B.J. Upton, TB OF

39 Victor Martinez, Bos C, 1B

40 Justin Morneau, Min 1B

 

[Buffaloes]

Is the end of the 1st too early to take someone like Mauer and either Lincecum or Halladay?

Definitely too high for Mauer

oops My homer draft pick of Mauer 2nd overall was pretty stupid then, eh?

 

[hooter311]

I was pretty sure Holliday was batting 4th after Pujols. Have they switched up the order?

LaRussa would sooner give up drinking than he would bat Pujols lower than 3rd.

You guys are right, I was typing too fast.1. Skip Schumaker 2. Brandan Ryan 3. Albert Pujols 4. Matt Holliday 5. Ryan Ludwick 6. Colby Rasmus 7. Yadier Molina 8. David Freese

I've heard Rasmus in the 2 hole against righties? Could that be correct?

Good chance of that, I just took this list off of Sportsline's projected lineups.Nobody likes to juggle a lineup liek LaRussa, I think the only thing set in stone is 3,4,5. I think Freese has a lot of potential to move up as well.