When it comes to Fantasy Baseball, my biggest priority is drafting pitching. I’m not really talking about relievers, so more specifically, starting pitching. This is far and away the most important thing for me when I’m building my team.
There are varying strategies of course, and not one of them works each and every time. Furthermore, as the season progresses, based on what cards you’re dealt, you may have to change up your strategy. However, if you have a good base of starting pitching… I think you’re in the best position to succeed. Quality is more important than quantity, however, it’s good to have both. It starts at the top. As you isolate your targets at varying positions on the field, including starting pitching, you will most likely have to make a choice; you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Sure, there are guys who go “all in” on a handful of guys, then the rest of their team is shit; I’m not a proponent of that strategy, although… you could make it work. You’d really have to know your stuff; your big guys have to stay healthy and you have to hit on many of your cheap players, AND you have to be active on the wire; of course, we’re talking auction here. This seems to be the “easy way out” for some. Maybe you don’t have enough time to sit through a multiple hour auction draft, and say screw it, I’m going to blow my wad early and ride the auto picks the rest of the way out; not me. Draft day is the best day of the season, and it’s not close. I’m going to be there for every last minute, so yeah, that doesn’t work for me. Back to my plan…
As you list the targets at each position on your roster, you have to look at the big picture; again, you can’t get everybody you want. So… how deep is each position, as far as your “wish list”? Are you fine with your 2nd, 3rd, and beyond tier guys at a certain position? For example, I rarely pay any money for an outfielder. Sure, you need more of them than any other position player, but there are also 3x as many OFs than any other position player; you’ll be OK… unless you’re absolutely in love with someone and/or you get a steal deal. That limits what I’m looking at right out of the gate. Which position is the thinnest per your wants/rankings? That goes to the top… right next to your top starting pitchers.
Draft time rolls around, and… it’s decision time. This year, like most years, I choose starting pitching as my big bang. This year it was Tarik Skubal for $42; I also drafted him in the first round of the family league, which is a snake draft, taking him ahead of a position player. And on this day, Skubal threw a complete game shutout, which is huge points. He lead me to victory in both leagues. THIS is why I prioritize starting pitching; I love it when a plan comes together.
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