Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes Major League Baseball. Players are reporting to camps, trying out new pitches, meeting new teammates and getting ready for the 2011 campaign. If you’re like me though, you don’t play in the majors. I can’t throw a 95 mph fastball or hit a major-league curveball, so instead I play fantasy baseball. And just like playing in the majors, preparing in the spring can set you up nicely for a championship run in the fall.
To start out, let’s talk about pitching. If you follow baseball regularly, I’m willing to bet you’ve heard the old saying “pitching wins championships.” This idea may work in the pros, but it has a different meaning for fantasy baseball. In my opinion, one of the worst things you can do in a fantasy draft is reach for a top starting pitcher, especially in the first few rounds. For example, let’s take a look at Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. Halladay is ranked ninth overall by ESPN, which means that ESPN is projecting he’ll be drafted near the end of the first round. But does he deserve to be taken that high? I don’t think so, or at least I wouldn’t take him there.
I’m not taking anything away from Halladay. He won the NL Cy Young last year, racked up 219 strikeouts, won 21 games, and pitched to a 2.44 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Those are phenomenal stats, and it’s more than likely he’ll put up great numbers again in 2011. In fantasy baseball, however, you need saves to win your league. No matter how well Halladay pitches this year, he will not get enough saves (if any) for me to call him a “five-category” player. With your first pick in a fantasy draft, you should pick someone who will contribute in all five categories, and no pitcher can do that.
Mets third baseman David Wright and Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki are ranked right behind Halladay at No. 10 and No. 11. Both of them are “five-category” players, which means that either of them will give you runs, home runs, RBIs, a good batting average and stolen bases. Or, you could try and grab new Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who should be insanely productive in his first season at Fenway. My point is there are still plenty of five-category players available late in the first round, meaning you’ll be playing catch-up for the rest of the draft if you reach for an ace too early.
Another factor that keeps me from drafting pitchers early is injuries. Keep in mind that baseball pitchers are repeating an unnatural body motion by throwing a baseball, and even the smallest of injuries can drastically affect a pitcher’s performance. I’m aware that injuries happen to everyone, not just pitchers; but you’re already taking a risk in the first round by drafting a player who, at his best, will only produce in four of five pitching categories. A prime example is St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright. Wainwright pitched 230 or more innings the last two seasons, and was one of the game’s best pitchers. He now needs Tommy John surgery to replace damaged ligaments in his elbow, and will not play in 2011. Not even the best pitchers are immune to serious injuries.
So when you’re sitting in your draft room with your buddies, and someone like Roy Halladay is still on the board at No. 9, take a step back and think your pick over. Take a five-category player ranked below him, like Wright or Tulowitzki, and know that you’re setting yourself up to take home the trophy in October, just like the players down in Florida and Arizona right now.