As I’ve always said, if you’ve got questions, comments, thoughts or suggestions, I am always listening. Over the past week I’ve received a few emails requesting cheat sheets for AL and NL Only leagues. Well, ask and ye shall receive. If there’s one thing I can stress to you if you’re playing in an AL or NL only league, it’s position scarcity. Mixed leagues, there are plenty of guys you can downgrade based on the size of the player pool, but in leagues that are restricted to either AL or NL rosters, players at thin positions like second base, shortstop and even the outfield definitely get a boost in their overall rankings.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been following your advice and have now used my rankings in several mock drafts. Here is my problem. My league’s roster is different from standard ROTO in that we have 2 players at each infield position with no U or DH and only 8 pitchers.
I am finding no trouble getting my offense when I want it but pitching seems to fly off the board in mock drafts. Do you think this is because of the different roster requirements or have I pushed my pitching too far down the draft? I have them slotted at 5- 7-9-11-12-16-17-23. Thanks for your help.
In a leaue that has a different style of set-up like you have, the problem with mock drafts is that not everyone is drafting with your rules in mind. While you might need an overly potent offense to compete within your league, most standardized leagues give pitching a greater weight. Not more than offense, but, realistically, more than your league.
Starting pitching runs are common, so don’t panic if the first few top starters get plucked off the board. You’ll be able to see who is panicking and who isn’t as you”ll start to see people reaching for starters that shouldn’t be taken as high like, in my opinion, Josh Beckett or Adam Wainwright or Cliff Lee. You don’t want to waste a 3rd round pick on one of those guys. But if the top starters are being taken early and you have the chance to grab a Felix Hernandez or a Justin Verlander or a Danny Haren then you might want to grab one of them and then continue building your offense.
But again, with the offensive needs like you have in your league, I think you’re fine building up on the offense first. Just make sure you are able to adjust your strategy mid draft. You don’t want to say that these are the rounds you’re taking your pitching regardless of what’s happening with the other teams’ selections.
Thanks for reading!