Chris Welsh’s Draft Cheat Sheet (2022 Fantasy Baseball)

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:

Complete a mock draft in minutes with our free Draft Simulator

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.

Nail your draft by prepping with our Free Draft Kit. Cheat Sheets, sleepers & more


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

Beyond our fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball draft season.