Wednesday, March 05, 2008
ROTO RULES
Over the ten plus years of playing Roto Fantasy Baseball, I’ve made many mistakes. I like to think that I’ve learned from them, but probably not as it’s been two years now since my last Championship - no dynasty for this guy. Anyway, here are some of my roto rules/common things overlooked.
1) One size does not fit all.
In some cases, the guide you are using in your draft or auction is not set for your league. The magazine or web site could be for a 5x5, 12 team, nine hitter/seven pitcher, MLB universe eligible league and you are playing in a 4x4, 10 team, nine hitter/nine pitcher, AL-only league.
2) Understand your relationship between roster make up and categories.
If you have seven pitchers on your roster and nine hitters in a customary 5X5 league – the default yahoo setting, than one pitching roster spot can earn more than one hitter. Without factoring in position scarcity, performance risk, and starter versus reliever categories, the average pitcher should be worth more than an average hitter in this example.
3) Weighted average.
Both David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez hit 332 last year, but Hanley had more hits. He would have impacted your team’s avg more than Big Papi. All things being equal draft the hitter that is projected to walks less since he will carry more weight when calculating your team’s batting average. The same principle holds true for pitchers, but go with the guy with more innings. He will lower your team’s E.R.A. and WHIP.
Over the ten plus years of playing Roto Fantasy Baseball, I’ve made many mistakes. I like to think that I’ve learned from them, but probably not as it’s been two years now since my last Championship - no dynasty for this guy. Anyway, here are some of my roto rules/common things overlooked.
1) One size does not fit all.
In some cases, the guide you are using in your draft or auction is not set for your league. The magazine or web site could be for a 5x5, 12 team, nine hitter/seven pitcher, MLB universe eligible league and you are playing in a 4x4, 10 team, nine hitter/nine pitcher, AL-only league.
2) Understand your relationship between roster make up and categories.
If you have seven pitchers on your roster and nine hitters in a customary 5X5 league – the default yahoo setting, than one pitching roster spot can earn more than one hitter. Without factoring in position scarcity, performance risk, and starter versus reliever categories, the average pitcher should be worth more than an average hitter in this example.
3) Weighted average.
Both David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez hit 332 last year, but Hanley had more hits. He would have impacted your team’s avg more than Big Papi. All things being equal draft the hitter that is projected to walks less since he will carry more weight when calculating your team’s batting average. The same principle holds true for pitchers, but go with the guy with more innings. He will lower your team’s E.R.A. and WHIP.