Whether you play in a Yahoo points league with a couple of close friends or a rotisserie league with some guys from work, fantasy baseball gives us the unique ability to become a GM and do whatever it takes to win the championship. Along with winning the respect, praise, and money of your fellow league-members, first place in a league gives you the most coveted currency in sports – bragging rights.
After participating in way too many fantasy leagues, I’ve learned a few things that can aid you in a successful season. Remember, anything that can happen will happen (and usually only to you) so not everything mentioned below will always be the best option.
1.) Know what stats are being counted. Find out sooner rather than later! You will feel like an idiot if you draft a speedy player and the league you’re in doesn’t even count stolen bases.
2.) Be smart – look for players that you know can put up those big numbers. Don’t go wasting your top picks on players that just came off of a career year. (1B Albert Pujols has become a household name when it comes to the first overall pick for a reason, as has P Johan Santana. Be careful when drafting someone like OF Gary Matthews Jr. whose batting average last year was more than 40 points higher than his career BA.)
3.) Although spring training is by no means a 100 percent sure way to scout players, you can pick up a lot of information, ranging from possible injuries to how comfortable the player is looking at the plate.
4.) Look at stats from the last half of the 2006 season. A lot of players who became full-time starters enjoyed tremendous success that could make them great late round pick-ups. The same can be said of players who had a second-half dropoff in their stats. (After an awful first half which landed him in the minors, LF Mark Teahen bounced back with a .318 BA and .582 SLG to close out the season.)
5.) Avoid using high-draft picks on that pitcher who had four Tommy John surgeries in the past three years – injuries can kill even the best teams. (Think the duo of Cubs’ pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.)
6.) Be wary of players (mostly pitchers) who are changing positions. This is another place where spring training could provide insight into how the transition is moving along (i.e. Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation).
7.) Check out players in the last year of their current contract; you’d be amazed by what the prospect of a couple million can do to a player. This year numerous big name players could have even bigger seasons. (Andruw Jones and Ichiro Suzuki would love to get a contract on par with Vernon Well’s $126 million. The same can be said of pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Mariano Rivera.)
8. Generally, start drafting by positions where the talent is least plentiful. This year, influential second basemen and closers are going to be very scarce. (2B Chase Utley will go more quickly than usual due to the lack of power at this position.)
9. Every year seems to be the year where that certain player will have that breakout year – but most times it just turns into a wasted pick. Be very cautious when using high draft picks on unproven young talent. Usually it’s best to wait and pick them up on waivers once the season starts. Let someone else make the mistake draft day.
10. Even if you didn’t draft that stellar team you were looking for, don’t give up on the season. A great trade or free agent pickup can do wonders for your team. On the flipside: be careful! If you did end up drafting an unbelievable team and proceed to neglect it and fail to address key injuries, expect to find yourself at the bottom of the your league come October.
Fantasy baseball is more than a game, it’s more than the money, and by all means it’s more important than any homework assignment your teacher can assign. Good luck with the rest of the season, and see you in October
