2021 MLB Draft Guide: Best Ball Draft Strategy

We are now entering the third season in which, I would consider, MLB Best Ball leagues to have gone mainstream. Sure, RealTime Fantasy Sports (RTSports) and the National Fantasy Baseball Championships (NFBC) have had their forms for longer, but they were more of a niche market. Nowadays, regular fantasy players are learning to scratch that draft itch with a multitude of platforms and price-points. If you have yet to give one a try, there’s no time like the present.

The first thing you need to do is identify the right platform. The four main options are RTSports Draft Masters, NFBC Cutlines, BB10s, or Fantrax Trax10s (25s, 50s, or 100s). I will break down each with some specific strategy tips. In my opinion, the things you need to master for best ball success are points-formats strategies, roster construction, and Value Above Replacement (VAR).

RTSports Draft Masters

This is one of my favorite formats for fantasy baseball draft prep. They feature tight roster sizes that force tough decisions and keep drafts moving. The starting rosters are well-balanced, and so is the scoring. These are fun and accessible, yet challenging.

Roster: 26 total (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OFx3, UTIL, Px7, BENCHx10), Multi-position eligibility

Scoring:

• A 10-player bench is considered small for best ball. This format forces you to use them wisely. I prefer five pitchers on the bench so some of your position players will need to qualify at multiple positions to cover a back-up at each. Better still is, if they potentially cover more than two spots. Layer flexibility throughout your roster. I’ll add $2-7 of value to my player valuation for covering extra spots depending on the position’s scarcity.
• The scoring skews to power and on-base ability for hitting. Projectable pitching scores the most VAR and goes fast. Keep an eye towards team context for pitchers, as losses are a minus-5.
• Try not to fall in love with the early hitter bargains. That just lets your competition stock up on the most useful pitching while taking value at positions later. You need to force yourself to stay with the pack on pitching.
• Be careful not to overload on OFs. The position is deep and with only 3 starting spots you can get into a situation where you’re forced to pass on values later with no room for more on your roster. This applies somewhat to every position. Aim to build evenly so you can take advantage of some sleepers.
• As with most formats, catchers get a VAR bump. You’ll want a good one with only one back up on your roster. At-bats are a hot commodity at the position.

NFBC Cutlines

One of the original of MLB best ball formats. Entry is not cheap at $150 per team. Payouts are geared toward the overall prize pool so returns are lessened for winning a league. That shiny overall prize is certainly tempting, though.

Roster: 42 total (Cx2, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, MI, CI, OFx5, UTIL, Px9, BENCHx19), Multi-position eligibility, 2 FAAB periods (April & June)

Scoring:

• This is probably the most balanced scoring system of the bunch. They designed it to play as close to a roto league as possible.
• Pitching drops off quickly and you will need a lot of it. I want 17-19 pitchers but even go 20 sometimes. You’ll be taking names you barely recognize by the end. Don’t get stuck scrambling. The league winner won’t. They also won’t let up on the pace of pitchers drafted either.
• Closers can compete with second-tier starters *if* they manage to hold the job all season. That job risk makes them a profile I tend to minimize in the early rounds. As the later rounds arrive the less sexy names can be bargains, though.
• Catcher is more valuable here than anywhere with two starting spots. You want one of the top guys whenever possible. My personal approach is to wait for the first to go and make my coming selection a catcher if it seems right. If you’re on the turn and get nervous the sixth round is generally early enough to start the run.
• You have to win your league first and foremost but if your goal isn’t placing in the overall you’re on the wrong platform. Don’t stock your team with guys who won’t have much of a chance to out-earn their cost. The NFBC offered straight best balls in the same format but no overall prizes last year. They’re your high-end, stand-alone option.
• You’ll want to take a stab at a few rookies with the huge benches. The important thing to consider here is whether the rookie is a likely call up. Players in the upper levels that have pedigrees, and are age-appropriate for 2020 call ups are the target.
• As the only format with a FAAB period, the deep rosters are an excellent place to string together back ends of uncertain rotations. Take the two (or even three) guys competing for a coveted job and the loser can be your first cut.
• I strongly encourage setting calendar reminders for the two FAAB deadlines. There are surprise rookies and unforeseen starting pitching available at both. Just don’t be overly impatient cutting someone you were high in the draft who’s hurt or slumping.

BB10

BB10s are one of the more unique formats. I don’t know what was behind the decision to only start 2 outfielders but it alters the VAR drastically. Catcher values are also pushed up considerably. Outfielders are virtually worthless due to the depth of the position. It’s a format that could use a tweak but is an easy draft, which is the 10’s platform end-goal.

Roster: 32 total (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OFx2, UTIL, Px4, BENCHx20), Multi-position eligibility

Scoring:

• Catcher is a top priority. I’m not advising taking one in the second round but that’s where VAR says they belong. I want one of the top 3 or 4 by the fifth round at latest.
• Pitching is important but with less slots it’s not the mad scramble of other platforms. I like some high-end arms backfilled with solid depth.
• I aim for 8-10 pitchers on the bench here. You want as many bites at two-start weeks as you can jam in.

Fantrax

Trax10 leagues are a go-to for tuning your ADP ranks. They’re a great price point and tend to play out close to what you can expect from your home league draft. Consider opting for more of the 50/50 payouts if you prefer less risk on your return.

Roster: 40 total (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OFx5, UTILx3, Px9, BENCHx18), no multi-position

Scoring:

• Optimal roster construction is the name of the game on Fantrax. Without multi-position eligibility, you’ll need to back up each spot and be shrewd about it. The places to forego a third man are at catcher and shortstop and pray for good health. The talent pool will generally be dried up when you’re looking to draft a third. They typically offer less points than another pitcher can earn you, with less breakout potential.
• Speaking of pitching, your target here is at least 17 total. If you feel comfortable leaving an extra position or two thin you can run that up to 18 or 19.
• As usual, catcher is important here, too. You can get away with a little more since you’re only starting one in a deep roster, though. Well placed gambles late in drafts can pay off.
• Injuries in this format hurt more than anywhere. If you plan to only take two shortstops, don’t make one of them a guy coming off of a serious injury. You’ll also be surprised how hard it is to field 9 pitchers by August despite having double that number on your roster.
• Trax10s give you the most avenues to cashing in a wide open sandbox. The price point is affordable to put some volume under your belt, as well.

This should get you pointed in the right direction for MLB best balls. Continue honing your craft even while drafting. Use projections (like Fantasy Alarm’s) to figure out the best value in a points league and adjust your existing base from roto-leagues. Fantasy Alarm is also a great news resource. Few things are as satisfying as catching the news of the day and seeing you happen to be on the clock with the player of note still available. Good luck best balling.