The last two mock drafts I have done (which can be found here and here) were for category leagues. This mock draft was based on points scoring. The strategy is drastically different as instead of having to worry about filling a number of categories, you can focus more solely on drafting the best player available and who will score the most points as opposed to drafting based on who might help you in a specific category your team is weak in.
In previous years, starting pitchers have generally dominated in points leagues. With the new rule changes being implemented in the MLB this season, we are also seeing some platforms, such as ESPN, change up the default settings from the roster set-up to the scoring. ESPN is cutting down the starting lineup from 22 players to 16 players while also dropping the number of points a pitcher gets for a win from five points to two points and adding two points for holds. This limits the dominance that starting pitchers once held in points leagues while also adding more relevance to middle relievers as they become more important parts of certain teams with strong bullpens.
The roster is as follows: C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, three OF, UTIL, seven pitchers (starters or relievers), and four BN and was conducted using the FantasyPros Draft simulator.
Other Mock Drafts
Categories
Points
2023 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Early Pick
1.03: Aaron Judge (OF – NYY)
2.10: Rafael Devers (3B – BOS)
3.03: Spencer Strider (SP – ATL)
4.10: Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)
5.03: Starling Marte (OF – NYM)
In points leagues, power hitters who rack up home runs and RBIs generally hold more value which led to Judge and Devers being my first two selections. That was followed by my anchor starting pitchers in Strider and Rodon, as well as Marte, who has a mix of power and speed.
6.10: Ryan Pressly (RP – HOU)
7.03: Tim Anderson (SS- CWS)
8.10: Triston McKenzie (SP – CLE)
9.03: Vinnie Pasquantino (1B – KC)
10.10: Logan Gilbert (SP – SEA)
As I mentioned in my two-category mock drafts, I generally tend to target one anchor reliever pitcher early and then wait on the position. That is especially the case now in ESPN leagues where you get points for holds to where you can find those value middle relief pitchers in the double-digit rounds, and that’s what I did here, grabbing Pressly early and then waiting on the position.
McKenzie is one of my favorite starting pitcher targets at or near the double-digit rounds this season. I’m expecting another strong campaign after a breakout season last year.
11.03: Clay Holmes (RP – NYY)
12.10: Ty France (1B – SEA)
13.03: Pablo Lopez (SP – MIN)
14.10: Tyler Stephenson (C – CIN)
15.03: Paul Sewald (RP – SEA)
16.10: Ian Happ (OF – CHC)
17.03: Mitch Haniger (OF – SF)
18.10: Martin Perez (SP – TEX)
19.03: Joey Meneses (1B – WSH)
20.10: Brendan Rodgers (2B – COL)
France is one of my favorite double-digit round targets this season. After a super strong start last season that led to him being an All-Star game replacement, he suffered a wrist injury in the final week of July that ultimately led to his drop-off in production throughout the second half of the season. If France did not suffer the injury and finished how he started, I see him easily going in the single-digit rounds this year, and he should be fully healthy come spring training.
Overall, my biggest strategy in points leagues is targeting power hitters to go along with strong starting pitching. I tend to target one anchor closer and then wait on the position. In the double-digit rounds, as is the case for any fantasy sport, it is all about the upside.
My next mock draft will also be based on points scoring but with a late pick, so the players you’ll be able to target, particularly in the early rounds, will be a little different.
Full Draft Results
See all of the draft results here
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