X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

How To Prep for Fantasy Baseball Drafts - The Do's and Don'ts

Corey Seager - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Mike's advice for how to win fantasy baseball drafts including "do's" and "don'ts". Use Mike's 10 tips and strategies to prep for your fantasy baseball drafts.

We are nearing the end of winter here in the Midwest. This morning, the sun is shining, the coffee is hot and flavorful, and people are preparing their chore lists for the day. But not us. We are continuing the preparations for the coming fantasy baseball season.

Draft season is in full swing for many of us. Is there a better time to be alive than during fantasy baseball season? I think not. But we know we must be ready to go into that draft room and assemble a championship roster.

As we prepare ourselves for the season, there are some guidelines we can use to shape our thought processes. Let's look at some "do's" and "don'ts" as we dive headlong into the best season of the year. Once more into the breach, dear friends.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

DO Know the Exact Scoring System

I say this first before anything else every time I write a piece like this.

Know your scoring system backward and forward. This seems like a foregone conclusion, but many players simply assume they know the scoring system. Make sure you know every way in which you gain, or perhaps lose, points. For example, a friend asked for some assistance to prep for his draft. When asked for the scoring system, he told me it was "standard."

Upon further investigation, it was an on-base percentage league, not a batting average league. That changes your strategy considerably. So, first things first, spend time to fully understand the scoring components. Is it just saves? Saves plus holds? Are you penalized for certain things like batter strikeouts? Rotisserie versus points league?

Know the system! It's the first and easiest way to start preparing.

 

DO Use Tools to Prepare

How do you prepare for your drafts each season? Has your preparation led to success in your leagues?

Some tools that you might consider using in your preparation:

It's important to remember that all projections, by nature, have a degree of imprecision. They are a guide and a roadmap for us but know that the perfect system does not exist. Yet, it's better to have some roadmap than not. Much of it still comes down to your decision-making process in critical moments.

 

DO Some Math

You don't have to do a ton of math, but it might be a good idea to set some soft targets on numbers you might wish to attain, especially for counting statistics. For example, in some leagues, fantasy players will shoot for the 80th percentile in say, home runs, and then find targets to gather those statistics. Your league might have historical data that can easily give you this information. This quick math gives you a potential baseline of where you need to be as you stockpile counting stats.

 

DO Watch for "Cliffs"

Many people draft off the idea of tiers, which is a great strategy. This helps you avoid "falling in love" with certain players. When you sense a cliff coming, the drop-off in players at a specific position becomes palpable. Here's an example: currently drafting in TGFBI, I have historically found it difficult to find saves on the waiver wire. So I wanted to leave the draft with two solid closers.

I drafted Devin Williams in the third round (maybe too early), and by the time we got to the eighth round, many of the closers I felt comfortable with as my No. 2 closer were off the board.

Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees was the last RP before (in my mind) "the cliff" hits. Adbert Alzolay and Kenley Jansen scare me. So instead of rostering a catcher like Salvador Perez or a middle infield option like Ketel Marte, I picked Holmes to try and lock in 60-70 saves on this roster. I will add a third relief pitcher later as a speculative pick for saves; at the very least, another reliever should help me with ratio controls while I hope for potential saves. As you can see below, there is much to like about Holmes.

 

DO Populate a Strong Queue

In a snake draft, a strong queue is your best friend. This is especially important in draft rooms where you only have one minute to decide on your next player. Starting from the beginning, populate a strong queue. Add to it as the draft goes, paying attention to those players dropping that may interest you.

For example, take a pitcher like Braxton Garrett, falling due to the uncertainty of his injury return. Does he represent value to you if he falls to the 20th round like in my TGFBI league? He did to me, and I snagged him there, and now hope he's only missing a week or two at the beginning of the season.

Some people will remove players from the queue after they roster that position. My advice would be not to do that; even if your position seems full, a guy you like falling to you could represent a great opportunity.

In the example above, you see the arbitrary top-five players in my queue for a league I am drafting with my son, Jack. Try to create a queue that has positional flexibility to it so you can pivot as necessary. I also like to add players that I need to remember for later in drafts for the proverbial dart throw at the end.

 

Don't be Married to ADP

My good friend Dave Funnell always reminds me of this mantra with a simple statement: at the end of the day, it's your team. So get your guys. Average Draft Position (ADP) is simply a guide that tells you how other people in similar leagues are drafted. So, if you want to roster a player a round or two before his ADP, do it. Do not be married to ADP; you are only married to your spouse if you have one.

Likewise, if a player falls from his ADP, that doesn't necessarily mean you are getting a "bargain." Be more interested in the construction of your team and what players fit that build. Many fantasy players become animated when talking about a player "falling to them." Why is he falling? Do you have the right information on this player? ADP is just a guide. Treat it as such.

 

Don't Let Bias Influence You

Many times we let our biases impact our decision-making for our team. Let's do a brief experiment.  Think of a player whose struggles when you rostered him cost you a winning season. Is that true?  Is it fair? Are you correct in your assertion, or do you have a discernible bias?

We spend too much time thinking about what a player did last year (recency bias) and not enough about the width and breadth of that player's career, or what he could do next.

Here is an example from one of my rosters, and an example of what not to do. Ha-Seong Kim is a great example of this for me last year. I had several opportunities to roster him but was put off by what I thought would be a low batting average and not enough counting stats in 2023.

I was basing this off a 2022 that saw him hit .251 with 11 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and score a pedestrian 58 runs. Not bad statistics, but I felt I could do better for my middle infield spot. All Kim did was hit .260 with 17 home runs, 38 stolen bases, and score 84 runs. I neglected that he makes contact and that he could grow in only his third full season. I thought taking Nick Gordon would be a better idea. It wasn't.

What I got from Gordon:

That is not meant to disparage Gordon, a fine player, but rather look at my faulty thought process.

An even more egregious example: I am a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan. Reynaldo Lopez looks fantastic this spring for the Atlanta Braves and is believed to be the front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Your old pal Mike Carter can't see that. No, he recalls a floundering Lopez on the mound for his beloved White Sox, unable to command his pitches as a starter years ago.

Should Lopez win that job, he will get wins and strikeouts for perhaps the best team in baseball. Can I see that? Nope. That is bias, my friends. Lopez will not be on any of my teams if I can't shake this trauma response from my head, so learn from me what not to do!

 

Don't Invest in Too Many Leagues

Know your limits. Only play in leagues that are fun, engaging, and challenging. Moreover, know how many leagues are too many for you. I know some fantasy players play in 25-30 leagues or more. My high water mark was 15 two years ago, and it was just too many for me and my current lifestyle. I prefer to be in five or six leagues and at most three NFBC with FAAB. Once I hit that retirement age, look out fantasy world...I will be all over the place!

 

Don't Panic!

At all times, remember this game is about having fun and sharing our hobby with old and new friends. Don't panic if things don't go the way you expected; it never does. Similar to reality, life happens when you are busy making other plans.

Enjoy the drafts, and the parties if that is part of it, and fostering relationships with others in a world where the biggest malady is loneliness. There is always another player to roster if you do not get the player you want. As we change seasons now in many parts of the country, please take care of your mental and physical health, and check in on your friends!



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF