New to Fantasy Baseball (1 Viewer)

[Sweet Love]

I have been playing FF for years and my friends invited me to join their Baseball league. They know I am new, so I have to be wary of trades. I am getting to know a little about the "game" (i.e. good Catchers and 3B are pretty rare), but I am not sure of where value sits overall. I will not know where I draft until the 30 mins before, so I really need to prep so I don't blow it. I'll include as much info as possible so you can get a gauge of what I need.

12 teams max, Rotisserie style (basically there are 8 teams as of now, could get a few more).

Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, IF, IF, OF, OF, OF, Util, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL, DL

Now that seems like a big team to me, and I don't get what the "IF" position is when you also have "Util" players...my guess is two extra IFs start and Util can be either IF or OF? Basically, it looks as though we start 20 players.

Batters Scoring: Runs ®, Home Runs (HR), Runs Batted In (RBI), Stolen Bases (SB), Batting Average (AVG)

Pitchers scoring: Wins (W), Saves (SV), Strikeouts (K), Earned Run Average (ERA), (Walks + Hits)/ Innings Pitched (WHIP)

I have seen some leagues called 5x5, or 4x4. Is this a 5x5 (five scoring categories each)? Just will be helpful when I do some research.

Also are there any places to get free rankings? They don't have to be killer, just something that is somewhat current, so I don't select Joe Nathan.

Any help would be appreciated. For example, with so many open positions, do I just go Best Player available, load up on one position, etc.

Thanks!

 

[MAC_32]

Err on the side of over valuing INF's early

Err on the side of over valuing OF's between rounds 4/5 and 11/12

Complete your INF shortly thereafter

Draft at least 3 closers, but none before round 13

For starting pitching...

a) draft an ace, #2 around round 10, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late rounds

b) draft two good ones around round 7ish, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late round

Updated rankings? Got nothing there, but to try and compare position to position value wise there are some good $ projections at both razzball and last player picked. Find an updated rankings sheet and cross reference with those rankings and you have a winner.

Use your bench for pitchers, the more the merrier. If you're going to roster any bench bats make sure they have multiple position eligibility (i.e. Prado).

In-season, it's a lot easier to find P's and OF's on waivers than INF's, especially in this league.

Good value picks imo

Geovany Soto

Garrett Jones

Ian Stewart

Kelly Johnson

Elvis Andrus

Chris Davis

Chase Headley

Nelson Cruz

BJ Upton

Carlos Quentin

Adam Jones

Hunter Pence

Carlos Gonzalez

Wandy Rodriguez

Kevin Slowey

Ted Lilly

Brian Matusz

Jonathan Sanchez

Justin Masterson

Derek Hollans

Colby Lewis

Tim Hudson

 

[Sweet Love]

Mac,

Thanks for the detailed info (much help!). I do have a question about this part you posted:

For starting pitching...

a) draft an ace, #2 around round 10, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late rounds

b) draft two good ones around round 7ish, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late round

Is part A in regards to starting pitching and part B in regards to relief pitchers?

SL

 

[MAC_32]

Mac,

Thanks for the detailed info (much help!). I do have a question about this part you posted:

For starting pitching...

a) draft an ace, #2 around round 10, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late rounds

b) draft two good ones around round 7ish, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late round

Is part A in regards to starting pitching and part B in regards to relief pitchers?

SL

No, it's an either or for starting pitching. Either get one guy from pool A or two guys from pool BPool A

Tim Lincecum

Roy Halladay

Felix Hernandez

Zach Greinke

CC Sabathia

Pool B

Justin Verlander

Jon Lester

Dan Haren

Johan Santana

Cole Hamels

Clayton Kershaw

Josh Johnson

Ricky Nolasco

Adam Wainwright

Josh Beckett

Yovani Gallardo

Chris Carpenter

Chad Billingsley

Ubaldo Jiminez

Tommy Hanson

Cliff Lee (warning - health is a concern here)

If one of the pool B guys slips beyond round 10 adding an additional one of those guys would be fine, just not before round 10.

 

[Sweet Love]

Mac,

Thanks for the detailed info (much help!). I do have a question about this part you posted:

For starting pitching...

a) draft an ace, #2 around round 10, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late rounds

b) draft two good ones around round 7ish, #3 around round 15, and no more until the late round

Is part A in regards to starting pitching and part B in regards to relief pitchers?

SL

No, it's an either or for starting pitching. Either get one guy from pool A or two guys from pool BPool A

Tim Lincecum

Roy Halladay

Felix Hernandez

Zach Greinke

CC Sabathia

Pool B

Justin Verlander

Jon Lester

Dan Haren

Johan Santana

Cole Hamels

Clayton Kershaw

Josh Johnson

Ricky Nolasco

Adam Wainwright

Josh Beckett

Yovani Gallardo

Chris Carpenter

Chad Billingsley

Ubaldo Jiminez

Tommy Hanson

Cliff Lee (warning - health is a concern here)

If one of the pool B guys slips beyond round 10 adding an additional one of those guys would be fine, just not before round 10.

Thanks. The "pitcher" equation has me a little concerned. Given they have their own category of scoring (which is equal to the categories of hitters), I don't want to overshoot (i.e. get two aces in my first two picks), but am scared if I let that position slide, I am in trouble. This almost reminds me of IDP FF. Two separate scoring systems for two "types" of players (offense versus defence). I am curious about the positions like SS, 2B and 3B in regards to scarcity. For example, if I can get an A-Rod in the first and Kinsler in the second, is that a good way to go? Or just out of sheer newbieness, should I go best player available? I don't want to be caught with crappy infielders, yet it seems like there are boatloads of good 1B and OFs. Is that a correct assessment?

 

[MAC_32]

Good, and possibly very good pitchers can be found late in the draft. Good pitchers can also be found in-season if your guys get hurt or end up sucking. It's a lot harder with bats, that's why you emphasize them early. OF's can usually be found in season a little bit more easily than INF's, but most of the ones available aren't anything special, just stopgap types.

1B is deep(er) than the other INF positions but after the top 12-15 (the older guys are a bit scary that early) there are a few wildcards (G Jones, B Butler, etc.) then not much else appealing until late (C Jackson, N Johnson).

2B isn't as shallow as SS and 3B, which are both razor thin, but it's still rather shallow itself. The guys taken between picks 50 and the mid 100's aren't much if any better than the guys you'll find in the later 100's and into the 200's at all 3 positions.

 

[Da Guru]

Good, and possibly very good pitchers can be found late in the draft. Good pitchers can also be found in-season if your guys get hurt or end up sucking. It's a lot harder with bats, that's why you emphasize them early. OF's can usually be found in season a little bit more easily than INF's, but most of the ones available aren't anything special, just stopgap types.1B is deep(er) than the other INF positions but after the top 12-15 (the older guys are a bit scary that early) there are a few wildcards (G Jones, B Butler, etc.) then not much else appealing until late (C Jackson, N Johnson).2B isn't as shallow as SS and 3B, which are both razor thin, but it's still rather shallow itself. The guys taken between picks 50 and the mid 100's aren't much if any better than the guys you'll find in the later 100's and into the 200's at all 3 positions.

Last year I grabbed Brandon Webb late second passing on Longoria and it came back to haunt me. i had a great team but third base killed me all year. This year I am thinking about waiting until the fourth to grab my first starter.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Good, and possibly very good pitchers can be found late in the draft. Good pitchers can also be found in-season if your guys get hurt or end up sucking. It's a lot harder with bats, that's why you emphasize them early. OF's can usually be found in season a little bit more easily than INF's, but most of the ones available aren't anything special, just stopgap types.1B is deep(er) than the other INF positions but after the top 12-15 (the older guys are a bit scary that early) there are a few wildcards (G Jones, B Butler, etc.) then not much else appealing until late (C Jackson, N Johnson).2B isn't as shallow as SS and 3B, which are both razor thin, but it's still rather shallow itself. The guys taken between picks 50 and the mid 100's aren't much if any better than the guys you'll find in the later 100's and into the 200's at all 3 positions.

Last year I grabbed Brandon Webb late second passing on Longoria and it came back to haunt me. i had a great team but third base killed me all year. This year I am thinking about waiting until the fourth to grab my first starter.

I wouldn't grab a starter until the 5th. Too much offensive talent left in the 4th.SS is pretty scarce. HanRam = Uberstud, Tulo = great when healthy, Rollins = okay for the position, Jeter = nothing special imo....last year was amazing but I doubt it happening again, Reyes = I have no idea, then you've got a lot of upside.3b scares me. I will make sure to have either A-Rod, Longo, Wright, Zimm, or Youk, in that order. The others scare me, including Reynolds, Panda, and Aramis.2b is interesting.....I don't think it's as thin as some think, especially since it now looks like Figgins will be joining Beckham in a position switch. It looks as if both will be 2b eligible early in the season. Figgins is moving to 2nd while Lopez is moving to 3rd in Seattle.1b is deep and A Laroche and Chris Davis are later names to consider along with N Johnson and C. Jackson.

 

[Finless]

Take pitchers with your first 6 picks and then look to unload for bats in the first few weeks of the season.

 

[Sweet Love]

Out of curiousity, do you guys load up on players that you know could win a category week in/week out? For example, if I drafted Crawford, Ellsbury and Pierre (of course at roughly their given ADP) and load them up in my lineup (which has a good deal of flexibility), I am guessing I would "win" that category the majority of the time. If you did something like that and reached a bit for the two best closers (say a Rivera and Papelbon), that would give me two out of ten categories, I know I am pretty much going to win each week. Do people do that (successfully) or am I overthinking it?

 

[dparker713]

Out of curiousity, do you guys load up on players that you know could win a category week in/week out? For example, if I drafted Crawford, Ellsbury and Pierre (of course at roughly their given ADP) and load them up in my lineup (which has a good deal of flexibility), I am guessing I would "win" that category the majority of the time. If you did something like that and reached a bit for the two best closers (say a Rivera and Papelbon), that would give me two out of ten categories, I know I am pretty much going to win each week. Do people do that (successfully) or am I overthinking it?

Unless you have atleast 4 closers, you cant really be confident in winning saves each week. In fact, each pitching category is highly volitile - Ks is probably the most consistent week to week. The offensive stats are generally more reliable in a H2H league. But yes, it is more desireable to crush the competition in a category in H2H than roto, just dont go too overboard because it will hurt you else where

 

[Sweet Love]

Thanks for you help! Just had my draft (ended up being only 8 teams with about 28 positions). I think I got smoked, but I can't really tell...

C - Suzuki,

1B - Howard

2B - Pedroia,

SS - Bartlett

3B - A-Rod

IF - Sandoval, Youkilis

Util - Weeks

Bench - Escobar, Doumit

Waited on OF, this looks pretty thin...

OF - J Upton, Span, Bourn, Borbon

Bench - Morgan, R Davis

SP - JJohnson, Vasquez, U Jimenez, W Rodriguez, Oswalt, E Jackson, Kazmir, Hudson, Kuroda

RP: Fuentez, Papelbon, Nunez

Bench - there are four bench spots so I need to determine who is riding pine to start the year

 

[MAC_32]

Thanks for you help! Just had my draft (ended up being only 8 teams with about 28 positions). I think I got smoked, but I can't really tell...C - Suzuki, 1B - Howard2B - Pedroia, SS - Bartlett3B - A-RodIF - Sandoval, YoukilisUtil - WeeksBench - Escobar, DoumitWaited on OF, this looks pretty thin...OF - J Upton, Span, Bourn, BorbonBench - Morgan, R DavisSP - JJohnson, Vasquez, U Jimenez, W Rodriguez, Oswalt, E Jackson, Kazmir, Hudson, KurodaRP: Fuentez, Papelbon, NunezBench - there are four bench spots so I need to determine who is riding pine to start the year

You're very thin on power, if anything happens to A Rod or Howard you're done. You're very speed heavy, too speed heavy. I'd move at least one of Bourn, Borbon, Morgan, and R Davis and preferably two. I'd inquire with the owners of Carlos Quentin, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones, Hunter Pence, Carlos Pena, Ian Stewart, Garrett Jones, and Chris Davis.I would decide between Doumit and Suzuki and dump the other, no need for a backup catcher in an 8 team league. There's more upside available at other positions.Pitching's solid, but I would keep a close eye on waivers because another closer will be necessary.

 

[Sweet Love]

Thanks for you help! Just had my draft (ended up being only 8 teams with about 28 positions). I think I got smoked, but I can't really tell...C - Suzuki, 1B - Howard2B - Pedroia, SS - Bartlett3B - A-RodIF - Sandoval, YoukilisUtil - WeeksBench - Escobar, DoumitWaited on OF, this looks pretty thin...OF - J Upton, Span, Bourn, BorbonBench - Morgan, R DavisSP - JJohnson, Vasquez, U Jimenez, W Rodriguez, Oswalt, E Jackson, Kazmir, Hudson, KurodaRP: Fuentez, Papelbon, NunezBench - there are four bench spots so I need to determine who is riding pine to start the year

You're very thin on power, if anything happens to A Rod or Howard you're done. You're very speed heavy, too speed heavy. I'd move at least one of Bourn, Borbon, Morgan, and R Davis and preferably two. I'd inquire with the owners of Carlos Quentin, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones, Hunter Pence, Carlos Pena, Ian Stewart, Garrett Jones, and Chris Davis.I would decide between Doumit and Suzuki and dump the other, no need for a backup catcher in an 8 team league. There's more upside available at other positions.Pitching's solid, but I would keep a close eye on waivers because another closer will be necessary.

Mac,Thanks for the feedback on this...I used your advice on the Pitechers and it did help some. As you mentioned, my biggest error may have been that I seemed to load up on leadoff hitters. I do have to say that I thought Sandoval and Youk covered power (they actually start in my lineup under the IF designation), but I will take a look in regards to moving a leadoff guy for a big bat...

 

[Sweet Love]

So far, my team is teh suck. Julio Borbon seems to be the main culprit 0-12 now, and unfortunately, we can only change lineups 1X per week.

Anyone have any thoughts on who I should drop?

Here is my roster:

C - Suzuki,

1B - Howard

2B - Pedroia,

SS - Bartlett

3B - A-Rod

IF - Sandoval, Youkilis

Util - Escobar

Bench - Weeks, Doumit

OF - J Upton, Span, Bourn, Borbon

Bench - Morgan, R Davis, Blanks

SP - JJohnson, Vasquez, U Jimenez, W Rodriguez, Oswalt, E Jackson, Kazmir (DL), Hudson (Bench), Kuroda (bench)

RP: Fuentez, Papelbon, Nunez (Bench)

The following are available, but I don't want to drop the wrong guy...

Pitchers:

Chris Young, Barry Zito, Sean Marshall, Pavano, Aceves, Braden, Hochevar

Batters:

McGehee, Kelly Johnson, D Young, Hardy, Matsui, Headley, Uribe, Carlos Gomez, Chris Young

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[cheese]

Overall, I think you're still OK.

I would probably look at Headley or McGehee over Weeks and possibly even Escobar. Maybe Chris Young over Kuroda.

Don't be afraid to get Doumit active for next week IMO he looks ready to hit this year.