Draft Guide

Draft Day Guide

League: MLB Freaks (ID: 2)

Context

I won’t be at the draft and won’t have the draft tool. You’re running our team with pen and paper. This summarizes the prep we ran so you have one place to work from.

League at a Glance

  • Format: 10-team rotisserie auction
  • Budget: $275 per team
  • Roster: 24 players — 9 hitting (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, 3×OF, Util), 7 pitching (2×SP, 2×RP, 3×P), 8 bench
  • Hitting categories: R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP
  • Pitching categories: W, K, ERA, WHIP, SV+H
  • Pitching target: Aim for ~1,300 IP over the season (avoids ratio risk and maxes counting stats)

The One Number That Matters: Value

  • Value = our dollar price for each player based on our league settings and projections (SGP → dollars). It’s the fair bid for that player in this league.
  • Yahoo $ (or any site AAV) is what others may use; Value is our number. When someone is nominated, compare the likely winning bid to Value—if it’s below Value, we’re buying at a discount; if it’s above, we’re overpaying unless we have a reason.
  • Use the Player values list below (or print this page) so you can look up a player quickly and see our Value and Yahoo $.

How to Use the Prep

  1. Value list: Don’t bid more than Value unless we’re filling a must-have slot and have budget to burn.
  2. Position needs: Fill 1 C, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 SS, 1 3B, 3 OF, 1 Util, 2 SP, 2 RP, 3 P, plus 8 bench. Save at least $1 for every open spot.
  3. Budget math: Max you can bid = remaining $ − (remaining spots − 1). Example: $200 left and 10 spots → max bid = $191.
  4. Pitching volume: Target ~1,300 IP. Mix of starters (160+ IP) and relievers for SV+H.

Draft Night Tactics

  • Track our roster: Write down each pick (player, position, price). Update remaining $ and open spots after every pick.
  • Track the room (optional): Note who has filled C, SS, etc. and who’s low on $.
  • Stars vs. value: If a star goes for more than our Value, sit out and use the $ on two players whose combined Value beats that star.
  • Endgame: Save a few dollars for the last 5–7 picks. Bench at $1–2 is fine; don’t blow the last $50 on one mid-tier guy.

What to Avoid

  • Bidding above our Value without a clear reason.
  • Running out of budget before filling all 24 spots.
  • Ending up way under ~1,300 IP (e.g. all relievers, no workhorse starters).
  • Leaving any starting slot empty (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, 3×OF, Util, 2×SP, 2×RP, 3×P).

One-Sheet Cheat Sheet

Keep in front of you: (1) Our budget: $275; after each pick note Remaining $ and Open spots. (2) Rule: Max bid = Remaining $ − (Open spots − 1). (3) Value list below—use it before every bid. (4) Roster grid: 24 lines; write player name and price as you draft.

Thanks for repping the team. Stick to the Value list and budget math. If something’s unclear: don’t overpay vs our Value, and don’t run out of money before filling the roster.