Standard Draft Strategy (1 Viewer)

[sporthenry]

After exhausting the search function, I've only found strategies for auctions. Wonder what everyone's experience is with standard drafts?

I'm in a 12 team 5x5 H2H. Last year, I punted RBIs and HRs for R, SBs, and Avg. Also went early on pitcher. Needless to say, it didn't work out too well. Managed to sneak into the playoffs with some good fortune but was swimming uphill.

This year, I'm looking at going power early and often. Load up on speed late and go for some upside pitching in between. Also, ignoring positional scarcity for the most part.

 

[guru_007]

Not really a head to head guy, but here are some thoughts...

I never punt one category, let alone two. And the two you punted are the hardest two to acquire after the draft as no one likes trading power for speed/average.

Depending on how the draft unfolds, you always look for values and if there are values in pitching, no reason not to grab a pitcher or two early. But don't go overboard, as with most drafts, players almost always undervalue pitchers.

If you're going to reach for a player, I would recommend a power hitter as there will always be residual trade value somewhere down the line.

Ignoring positional scarcity is a mistake, but don't go overboard on that either. It's tough to win a league where your middle infield is Kelly Johnson and Emilio Bonificio and Macier Itzuris. I am not one to overbid/overdraft a guy due to positional scarcity, however, you definitely should be aware of where the drop offs are and try to get at least solid starters at each position.

If you're going to just go for speed late, you're going to reach for 1 or 2 category guys. Not necessarily awful, especially if you can find a way to squeeze 45 steals out of a Rajah Davis....but if you employ this strategy, I would recommend drafting at least a few guys early that are capable of 20/20 type seasons.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

1. Don't intentionally punt categories in the draft. You are needlessly putting yourself in a hole to begin with without any guarantees the you will get the points you need from the categories you are targeting.

2. For hitters, target power. HRs = Rs and RBIs. So a HR guy is going to translate to 3/5 categories.

3. AVG is tough to predict so don't pay for high averages without any other peripherals. But also don't just draft a team full of Mark Trumbos and Pedro Alavarez.

4. It has become harder in recent years but you can find cheap SBs.

5. If you don't want to draft pitching there are a few ways to exploit it and it depends on the 5x5 category. if it is W/L/ERA/WHIP/Ks, than some people decide to run out Stud Closers and Relievers. Ideally a team full of Kimbrels, Jensens and even high level set ups guys can win you L/ERA/WHIP every week. You punt Ks and Ws.

If you have a category of IPs in the pitching than you can bombard the opponent with 10+ starts every week and just win IPs, W, Ks every week and hope for a ERA or WHIP win depending on the categories.

 

[MAC_32]

In head to head avoid steals only bats. Platoon guys too. Quantity > quality with pitchers, in fact only have th on your bench. Power early and often, emphasis on infield.

Similar approach to roto, but if daily league platoons are your friend. Need a couple- three pitchers to build around, but none in the first half dozen rounds. Closers fends on your league, goal is to get three or four as cheaply as possible, preferably two of them having job security, but if you only have one secure one and have three darts with them that's fine too.

In the end, steals, starters, and saves are the three things you can usually find in season if in a jam - in that order. Put less of an emphasis on these in the draft.

 

[urbanhack]

In the end, steals, starters, and saves are the three things you can usually find in season if in a jam - in that order. Put less of an emphasis on these in the draft.

I've never been able to find saves in season. Tips?

 

[MAC_32]

In the end, steals, starters, and saves are the three things you can usually find in season if in a jam - in that order. Put less of an emphasis on these in the draft.

I've never been able to find saves in season. Tips?

I always have middle relievers on my roto roster. I try to get higher k guys that are currently behind guys I don't trust or based on current play I think may be pitching through an injury. Guilty of drooping them too early sometimes, have to live with it, but usually find one or two throughout the season.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Doing fantasy this year for the first time in several years. H2H, probably 5x5 but don't know for sure yet.

Is there any short-hand statistic I can use for comparing players, the way you would use fantasy points in football?

I first thought about ranking in the category, but that won't be distinct enough. Then I was thinking about the numerical value above the mean or median in each category and adding those up. Or maybe standard deviation away from the mean? And then add those up to give each player a point value?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Doing fantasy this year for the first time in several years. H2H, probably 5x5 but don't know for sure yet.

Is there any short-hand statistic I can use for comparing players, the way you would use fantasy points in football?

I first thought about ranking in the category, but that won't be distinct enough. Then I was thinking about the numerical value above the mean or median in each category and adding those up. Or maybe standard deviation away from the mean? And then add those up to give each player a point value?

Stupid fangraphs beating me to it: http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/value-above-replacement-part-one/