Crafting the Draft: Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide – Part III

  

164565 comments so far (is that a lot?)http://www.parcbench.com/2010/03/10/crafting-the-draft-fantasy-baseball-draft-guide-part-iii/Crafting+the+Draft%3A++Fantasy+Baseball+Draft+Guide+-+Part+III2010-03-10+10%3A00%3A34Geoff+Burch

Written by Geoff BurchcloseAuthor: Geoff Burch Name: Geoff Burch
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About: Geoff enjoys talking to strangers, spoiling his appetite, listening to loud music, dating girls, and doing everything else his mother once warned against. He has written short stories, poems, and a screenplay. He loves sports: athletic and political. Geoff lives by his own philosophy: When life gives you two choices, take the one that will make a better story.See Authors Posts (19) on March 10, 2010

Continued from Part 2

Third Base – Know Your Enemy

Sure, you have to know your league’s rules.  You have to know the rules if you want to strategize accordingly, or if you want to curve them like a pitch by Josh Beckett.  But, it’s more than knowing how many bench players you’re afforded.  The key to knowing your league is knowing the managers.  And knowing your managers is an important key to success.

Fantasy baseball managers love to drop names and brag about their knowledge of America’s pastime.  They love sports.  Those who love sports never hold back their opinions, especially those in New England.  If you’ve ever talked debated shouted about sports with New Englanders, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.  Seriously, the next time you’re in Boston, ask anyone on the street about the Sox.  Don’t be fooled.  They are not, in fact, the manager.

Note what fellow league managers have said about certain teams or players.  Perhaps they have an affinity for a certain batter or a passion for a particular strategy.  Use that knowledge to your advantage to predict their draft picks and choose your players more wisely.  You could also get the upper hand in future trades by holding one of their favorites hostage.

For example, you’re in the draft and miss out on one of your targets.  Before you smash your computer to bits (pun intended), look at who is left.  You see a certain chubby first baseman of the Brewers available.  If you know another manager loves Prince “More to Love” Fielder, then you might want to snatch him and flip him to acquire the position you missed.

If it comes to your pick and there’s nothing that can help you, select a player that will help another team.  Keep track of the needs of other teams throughout the draft.  Then, try to make a trade later to help yourself.

Home Plate – Touch ‘em All

You’ve touched three of them:  Be a Good Student.  Draft Wisely.  Know Your Enemy.  Now, you’re only ninety feet from touching them all.  But, don’t take too big of a lead.  You can put in all the extra time researching, planning, and strategizing, but you have to follow through the entire season.

Be patient, be smart, and be attentive.  Remember that if you draft well, then you’ll save yourself from costly moves down the road.

Now, it’s up to you.  Only you can claim the crown.  Only you can charge into home plate.  Just make sure Carlton Fisk isn’t blocking it.

Batter up!

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