Chris Welsh is teaming up with Joe Pisapia to co-host Leading Off, our daily in-season podcast where we cover everything fantasy baseball. Welsh is checking in early to share his fantasy baseball draft cheat sheet to help you prepare for the final draft weekend of the offseason.
And check out our other Draft Cheat Sheets:
- Joe Pisapia’s Fantasy Baseball Draft Cheat Sheet
- Chris Clegg’s Fantasy Baseball Draft Cheat Sheet
- KC Bubba’s Fantasy Baseball Draft Cheat Sheet
- Michael Waterloo’s Fantasy Baseball Draft Cheat Sheet
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My Favorite Targets By Position
Catcher: Daulton Varsho (C,OF – AR), Mitch Garver (C – TEX), Tyler Stephenson (C,1B – CIN), Gary Sanchez (C – MIN), Carson Kelly (C – ARI) (15-Team), Joey Bart (C – SF) (15-Team), Max Stassi (C – LAA) (2-catcher leagues)
First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B – TOR), Matt Olson (1B – ATL), Paul Goldschmidt (1B – STL), Cj Cron (1B – COL), Joey Votto (1B – CIN), Luke Voit (1B – SD), Spencer Torkelson (1B,3B – DET)
Second Base: Trea Turner (2B,SS – LAD), Ozzie Albies (2B – ATL), Whit Merrifield (2B,RF – KC), Ketel Marte (2B,CF – ARI), Max Muncy (1B,2B – LAD), Jake Cronenworth (1B,2B,SS – SD), Ty France (1B,2B,3B – SEA), Josh Rojas (UTL – ARI), Jonathan Villar (2B,3B,SS – CHC) (deeper leagues)
Third Base: Jose Ramirez (3B – CLE), Kris Bryant (3B,1B,OF – COL), Anthony Rendon (3B – LAA), Justin Turner (3B – LAD), Josh Donaldson (3B – MIN), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B – PIT)
Shortstop: Trevor Story (SS – BOS), Francisco Lindor (SS – NYM), Wander Franco (SS – TB), Bobby Witt Jr. (SS – KC), Brandon Crawford (SS – SF), Amed Rosario (SS,CF – CLE), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS – NYY), Jeremy Pena (SS – HOU) (deeper leagues)
Outfield: Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF – ATL), Bryce Harper (RF – PHI), Mike Trout (CF – LAA), Luis Robert (CF – CWS), Byron Buxton (CF – MIN), Eloy Jimenez (LF – CWS), Giancarlo Stanton (LF,RF – NYY), Jesse Winker (LF – SEA), Cody Bellinger (CF – LAD), Andrew Benintendi (LF – KC), Charlie Blackmon (RF – COL), Jo Adell (LF,RF – LAA), Lane Thomas (OF – WSH), Julio Rodriguez (RF – SEA)
Utility: Shohei Ohtani (SP,DH – LAA), Franmil Reyes (RF,DH – CLE), Nelson Cruz (DH – CLE)
Starting Pitcher: Jacob deGrom (SP – NYM), Shane Bieber (SP – CLE), Lucas Giolito (SP – CWS), Kevin Gausman (SP – TOR), Joe Musgrove (SP – SD), Yu Darvish (SP – SD), Justin Verlander (SP – HOU), Dylan Cease (SP – CWS), Blake Snell (SP – SD), Clayton Kershaw (SP – LAD), Nathan Eovaldi (SP – BOS), Hyun Jin Ryu (SP – TOR), Jon Gray (SP – TEX)
Relievers for saves: Josh Hader (RP – MIL), Emmanuel Clase (RP – CLE), Jordan Romano (RP – TOR), Giovanny Gallegos (RP – STL), Corey Knebel (RP – PHI), Andrew Kittredge (SP,RP – TB), Dinelson Lamet (SP,RP – SD)
Relievers for starters: Michael Kopech (SP,RP – CWS), Ranger Suarez (SP,RP – PHI), Luis Severino (RP – NYY), Jesus Luzardo (SP,RP – MIA), Aaron Ashby (SP,RP – MIL)
Targets By Round (12 Team League)
1st: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Ronald Acuna Jr. Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper
2nd: Ozzie Albies, Mike Trout, Luis Robert, Jacob deGrom
3rd: Trevor Story, Whit Merrifield, Lucas Giolito
4th: Liam Hendriks (RP – CWS), Josh Hader, Byron Buxton
5th: Kris Bryant, George Springer (CF – TOR), Eloy Jimenez
6th: Joe Musgrove, Emmanuel Clase, Raisel Iglesias (RP – LAA)
7th: Justin Verlander, Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish
8th: Bobby Witt Jr. Cody Bellinger, Jesse Winker
9th: Blake Snell, Kyle Schwarber (LF – WSH), Max Muncy
10th: Joey Votto, Jordan Romano, Nathan Eovaldi
11th-15th: Zac Gallen (SP – ARI), Daulton Varsho, Josh Donaldson, Ty France, Michael Kopech, Andrew Benintendi, Jo Adell
16th-20th: Amed Rosario, Jon Gray, Josh Rojas, Tyler Stephenson,
21st-25th: Jesus Sanchez (LF,RF – MIA), Spencer Torkelson, Bailey Ober (SP – MIN), Lane Thomas, Gary Sanchez
Post-300 ADP: Drew Rasmussen (SP,RP – TB), Jesus Luzardo, Julio Rodriguez, Patrick Corbin (SP – WSH), Dinelson Lamet, Riley Greene (CF – DET), Joey Bart
Players To Avoid Near ADP
Starling Marte (CF – NYM) (24)
Xander Bogaerts (SS – BOS) (30)
Jose Abreu (1B – CWS) (59)
Javier Baez (2B,SS – DET) (65)
Jonathan India (2B – CIN) (81)
Luis Castillo (SP – CIN) (96)
Ryan Mountcastle (1B,LF – BAL) (109)
DJ LeMahieu (1B,2B,3B – NYY) (130)
Chris Sale (SP – BOS) (134)
Strategy/Advice
Things will change based on your format. In points, I want starting pitchers and big power hitters more. In H2H, I might punt categories that everyone else chases. In roto, I just need to build all categories.
I want to get my stolen bases with elite hitters if possible. I find this easier than chasing too many saves later. In roto, this is even more important.
I am willing to wait on starting pitchers if I need to. I can buy as high as DeGrom, as middle as Giolito, or as late as Musgrove to get my first starter. I want to find values if possible (except in points leagues).
I am paying up for saves this year. In roto or H2H, I am prioritizing getting these closers. I’ve never loved paying up, but I found through a lot of mock drafting that my team construction came together best with early closers.
Understand what categories you are building, because there are some great core players post 100 to fill out your categories. Guys like Renfroe for power or Rosario for stolen bases or even Benintendi for a 5×5.
Mock draft, know your league settings, try to know your league mates to take advantage, and have SO MUCH FUN.
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