You’ve made it nearly halfway through the draft, and you’ve enacted a flawless Fantasy Baseball draft strategy. Whether you are following mine to the tee or not, doesn’t matter (I hope you are though), but now you are literally to the point of the drafts where you mold your championship squad.
Knowing which positions to prioritize, which players to avoid, or wait on is critical.
Utilizing your studying, tiers, and monitoring your rivals’ Fantasy Teams is also imperative, if time allow, of course.
Be sure to go back and read my earlier works if you haven’t already, and ask questions via twitter, or email if you have them prior to your draft, or even during it and I will try to help!
- 2014 Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Early Rounds
- Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy II
- 7 steps fantasy baseball draft strategy
A reminder that the players listed below are based on NFBC ADP as well as personal draft results from my recent FSWA draft.
Draft Strategy: ROUND 9
At this point in the draft, and if you’ve been following my strategy, your hitting lineup should be nearly full. You should have at least two pitchers, hopefully three pitchers by Round 9.The next few rounds are needs based rounds. If you need a second baseman for example, there are players such as Jose Altuve, Daniel Murphy, and Jedd Gyorko who are likely still around. If you need outfielders or pitching, they are plentiful. Go with value and whatever you may need here.
Picks 96-100
With 13 wins and over 180 strikeouts and 200 innings, Mike Minor ended up as a top-10 SP in Head-to-Head leagues last year. Photo Credit: FantasyAlarm.com
Picks 102-107
Typical Players Selected: Jose Altuve, Mike Minor, Brandon Phillips, Mat Latos, Domonic Brown, Daniel Murphy.
Picks 108-111
Typical Players Selected: Aaron Hill, Julio Teheran, Glen Perkins, Billy Butler, Sonny Gray, Shane Victorino, Kyle Seager
Draft Strategy: ROUND 10
Same as Round 9. Utilize Tiers and ADP to determine best available and fill your needs.
Picks 114-118
Typical Players Selected: Everth Cabrera, Hisashi Iwakuma, Manny Machado, David Robertson, Shelby Miller, Doug Fister, Chase Utley
Picks 119-124
Typical Players Selected: Michael Cuddyer, Starlin Castro, Evan Gattis, Alfonso Soriano, Sergio Romo, J.J. Hardy
Draft Strategy: ROUND 11
This is a good round to draft high upside players, or young pitchers. Players like Xander Bogaerts, Danny Salazar, and one of my favorites, Leonys Martin, have been going in this round frequently. If your roster is relatively full, you know pitchers are still out there, so why not start targeting guys you like for your lineups now?
Brandon Belt, is another young, potential breakout player. If you have been waiting on first base until now, then Belt or slugger Matt Adams are both great late options.
Matt Adams has a full-time role for now, and plenty of power in his bat. Photo Credit: BeGreen90
Picks 125-128
Typical Players Selected: Xander Bogaerts, Brett Lawrie, Danny Salazar, Matt Adams, Leonys Martin, Matt Moore, Brandon Belt, Jim Johnson
Picks 131- 135
Typical Players Selected: Brandon Belt, Joe Nathan, Asdrubal Cabrera, Chase Headley, Wilson Ramos, Jered Weaver, Addison Reed, Mike Napoli
Draft Strategy: ROUND 12
Essentially the same as Round 11. Draft on needs, but also keep an eye on other owners rosters. Pitching is plump this round, and closers could be nice targets now as well. Go with your gut.
Picks 138-141
Typical Players Selected: Tony Cingrani, Brandon Moss, Rafael Soriano, Wilson Ramos, Matt Moore, Andrew Cashner, Jeff Samardzija
Picks 142-147
Typical Players Selected: Victor Martinez, Alexei Ramirez, Sergio Romo, John Lester, R.A. Dickey, Jonathan Papelbon, Coco Crisp, Andeltron Simmons, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Austin Jackson
Draft Strategy: Round 13
Some solid aging veterans are typically lingering in this round. If you need a final Outfield spot filled, or want some cheap power there are definitely some options in this round. Closers are also available if you would like to go that route.
Picks 151-154
Typical Players Selected: Nelson Cruz, Curtis Granderson, Pablo Sandoval, Aramis Ramirez, Casey Janssen,
Picks 155-159
Typical Players Selected: Jurickson Profar, Jed Lowrie, Hiroki Kuroda, Jason Castro, Grant Balfour, Mark Teixeira
Draft Strategy: Round 14
Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado hit close to .300 at home last season, while also slugging .459 in the thin air. Photo Credit: Keith Allison
You may also notice some owners scrambling to fill their 2B or SS positions, if they missed the top-tier guys. They will likely be reaching for players like Brian Dozier, or Brad Miller at this point. Keep that in mind, if you want one of these guys as well. I do not like to draft defensively, BUT if I can get a player I like for bench depth I will do it.
Picks 161-165
Typical Players Selected: Francisco Liriano, Jim Henderson, Patrick Corbin, Huston Street, Brett Gardner,
Picks 166-171
Typical Players Selected: Brett Gardner, Nolan Arenado, Johnny Cueto, Fernando Rodney, CC Sabathia, Michael Bourn, Zach Wheeler, Khris Davis
Draft Strategy: Round 15
Should realistically have only a few spots left of your active roster. Go with needs and value from here on out.
Picks 172-177
Typical Players Selected: Lance Lynn, Will Middlebrooks, Christian Yelich, C.J. Wilson, Khris Davis, Nolan Arenado, Howie Kendrick
Picks 178-182
Typical Players Selected: Alejandro De Aza, A.J. Pierzynski, Torii Hunter, Bobby Parnell, Austin Jackson, Dan Haren
Draft Strategy: Round 16
Same as Round 15. Fill your roster, or take some valuable pitching for your bench if your hitting lineup is full.
Picks 183-188
Typical Players Selected: Justin Materson, Chris Carter, Nori Aoki, Carl Crawford, Jhonny Peralta, Kendrys Morales, Brad Miller
Picks 189-194
Typical Players Selected: B.J. Upton, Matt Garza, Ben Revere, Brian Dozier, Adam Eaton, Jarrod Parker, Yan Gomes, Neftali Feliz
Potential Roster Through 16 Rounds
PICK 2
Miguel Cabrera-1B/3B, David Wright-3B, Ian Desmond-SS, Chris Sale-SP, Starling Marte-OF, Cole Hamels-SP, Jason Heyward-OF, Alex Cobb-SP, Jose Altuve-2B, Doug Fister-SP, Matt Adams-UT/1B, Victor Martinez-UT, Sergio Romo-RP, Francisco Liriano-SP, Fernando Rodney-RP,
Pick 7
Robinson Cano-2B, Adrian Beltre-3B, Jean Segura-SS, Justin Verlander-SP, Matt Kemp-OF, Zach Greinke-SP, Adrian Gonzalez-1B, Ben Zobrist-OF/SS/2B, Gerrit Cole-SP, Shelby Miller-SP, Leonys Martin-OF, Andrew Cashner-SP, Casey Jansenn- RP, Jim Henderson-RP, Lance Lynn-SP, Brian Dozier-UT/2B
Pick 12
Hanley Ramirez-SS/3B, Evan Longoria-3B, Justin Upton-OF, Felix Hernandez-SP, Anibal Sanchez-SP, Mark Trumbo-1B/OF, Josh Hamilton-OF, Jayson Werth-OF, Aaron Hill-2B. Julio Teheran-SP, Wilson Ramos-C, Jered Weaver-SP, Jurickson Profar-UT, Grant Balfour-RP, Will Middlebrooks-UT/3B, Justin Masterson-SP
Hopefully, this review of what might happen between Rounds 9-16 will continue to help you get an idea of how you should build your roster. Stay tuned for the final Fantasy Baseball draft strategy articles!
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