16 team Draft!!! WHIR

[RowdyRed]

I am participating in a 16 team H2H both AL and NL league tomorrow. I have never participated in a league other than a 12 team league. What are the strategy differences for a 16 team draft as compared to a 12 team draft? I don't know my draft spot yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice at all!

[oxhammer]

Like you, most I've ever done is a 12. My advice to you would be that you're going to have to take risks on sleepers. Like, for instance, you know what A.J. Pierzynski is going to give you every year. Do you know what Pablo Sandoval is going to give you? Is picking Pierzynski really going to put your team over the top in a 16 team league? Doubtful. A late pick on Sandoval could help give you that edge. That's just an example, and maybe not a good one since we're talking about catchers, but you get the idea. I think taking safe picks in a 16 team league puts you in the middle of the pack. Risky players might put you at the bottom, but I think it's the only way to get to the top as well.

[boma]

Like you, most I've ever done is a 12. My advice to you would be that you're going to have to take risks on sleepers. Like, for instance, you know what A.J. Pierzynski is going to give you every year. Do you know what Pablo Sandoval is going to give you? Is picking Pierzynski really going to put your team over the top in a 16 team league? Doubtful. A late pick on Sandoval could help give you that edge. That's just an example, and maybe not a good one since we're talking about catchers, but you get the idea. I think taking safe picks in a 16 team league puts you in the middle of the pack. Risky players might put you at the bottom, but I think it's the only way to get to the top as well.

I don't know about Baseball but I'm in a 20 team Fantasy Basketball league this year and like oxhammer said, one has to take risks on sleepers and potential starters.
I think you win in large leagues by playing the FA pool better than other owners. In the basketball league, any new players of any worth would be picked up in less than two hours.

[rentz]

as others said, in a deep league you've got to identify the risky sleeper type players and target them in certain rounds.
the best plan is to take best player available the first few rounds, then start looking at when closers go.
when they first closer goes you better snag a top one first or find yourself last in saves.

2 good high risk / sleeper players can sometimes carry you in a league this deep

[Bjorne Greece]

I've never been in a baseball league bigger than 12 teams. But I am in a 16 team hoops league. There, I've found what boma said to be true, you've got to be sure to play the free agent pool well because players will be picked up as soon as they've had 1-2 good games. In my 12 team baseball league I picked Carlos Quentin and Mark Reynolds up as free agents last year when HR's were the only category I was struggling in - I went on a long winning streak around that time.

In your draft be sure to make note of players that you can draft late(r) that will play like the guys taken 2-3-4 rounds earlier and draft in accordance with that. That would be the best draft advice I could give.

[NY Knights]

I played in a 16 team league last year. It's not so much about sleepers, it's about getting the fundamental players. The stud hitters disappear really quickly, and it takes FOREVER for it to get around to you. So my suggestion is to think seriously about going around the horn, get your 1B, 2B, SS, and 3B and a stud OF, becuse 5 picks in a 16 teamer takes up the first 90 players. Pitching will still be there later, but wrap up your stud hitters early. Good luck.

[Southern Illinois Cardinals Fan]

I played in a 16 team league last year. It's not so much about sleepers, it's about getting the fundamental players. The stud hitters disappear really quickly, and it takes FOREVER for it to get around to you. So my suggestion is to think seriously about going around the horn, get your 1B, 2B, SS, and 3B and a stud OF, becuse 5 picks in a 16 teamer takes up the first 90 players. Pitching will still be there later, but wrap up your stud hitters early. Good luck.

I think you hit it on the head.

To the OP: Thanks for your help. You've got to grab good hitting as soon as you can. Pitchers can always be found later. While they may not be an ace, your hitting should get you through.

[aramis16]

Thanks for the help on mine.

I've never done anything over 16, but I think it would be kinda fun to do one once.

My strategy would be to focus my first 3-4 picks on sure thing hitters: players like Cabrera, Teixeira, Berkman, Carlos Lee, etc. In a league that size, you can't risk taking a Longoria in the first or second round and have him be a bust. The players above might not perform up to expectations, but they won't collapse on you.

I also like the strategy to round out the infield before getting pitching. I'd definitely WAIT on closers - pick up some sleeper/underrated guys like Motte, Morrow, Ray, Corpas, Gregg near the end of the draft. If you get two guys who end up closing, you'll be fine. If not, just work the wire for another one and you'll be fine. But don't use a 3rd rounder (probably what it'd take) on someone like Rivera or Papelbon. Just cant have that be your 3rd pick.

Lastly, use your late picks on UPSIDE: hyped prospects (Andrus, LaPorta, Gamel), post-hype prospects (Delmon Young), young pitchers (Hanson, Zimmermann). A couple of these panning out and you can compete. Taking old veterans like Omar Vizquel won't cut it - they might be getting PT on Opening Day, but won't help you get out of the middle of the pack.

[Amazinz]

One thing to keep in mind in deeper leagues is that after the 10th round or so, managers are willing to reach earlier than normal on high upside pics (Justin Upton or Wieters, for example). So don't rely too heavily on ADP later in the draft and be prepared to reach for a guy you really like. I am personally very conservative prior to that point though.

[krunchyfrogg]

I won my 20 team league last year.

I never drafted any relievers, and added them as the season went on.

You could consider streaming, it's very useful in this format.

I'd also value pitchers less than usual. Even if you draft Johan Santana or CC Sabathia, their ERA and WHIP will be ruined because you'll also be starting Livan Hernandez and Sidney Ponson.