You get what you get, and you have to live with it. We've all heard that phrase more times than we'd like, and in fantasy baseball, it rings especially true. It may not be ideal, but it's the reality of the game.

That doesn’t mean you’re powerless, though. Before and during the draft, you have full control over shaping your roster. This is your chance to build a team that can withstand the inevitable challenges of a long season.

 

 

 

But once the marathon of 50 rounds is over, your roster is locked in. Beyond setting your lineup each week, there are no trades, no free agency, and no waiver wire to rely on. What you draft is what you have for the season.

So, how should you approach the draft? Let’s break it down.

Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Draft & Hold

There will always be exceptions to any rule, but certain principles can guide your draft strategy. Success in these leagues often comes down to process, depth, and risk management.

Since you don’t have the ability to replace players due to injury or poor performance, specific player attributes become even more critical. This is particularly true for positions that carry higher injury risks or fluctuating playing time, such as catcher. Understanding how each position functions within your roster can give you an edge.

Depth is crucial, and for several reasons. First, you need enough healthy players to fill all 23 starting spots each week. But beyond that, you also want flexibility—having multiple options ensures you’re never stuck scrambling to fill a position.

 

 

 

While you want to treat this as closely as possible to a traditional draft, you also need to account for the format’s unique challenges. You’re still drafting the best players available, but with an added emphasis on durability and versatility. Since your roster is final after the draft, covering each position multiple times is essential. With 27 bench spots available, how do you distribute them?

A good starting point is to split your bench roughly in half between hitters and pitchers. While the starting roster consists of 14 hitters and 9 pitchers, pitchers tend to be more volatile due to matchups, injuries, and role changes. A hitter relegated to the bench still gets some playing time, but a demoted starting pitcher or closer loses significant fantasy value.

To balance things out, consider allocating around 12 bench spots to hitters and 12 to pitchers, leaving three remaining slots for high-upside picks, injury stashes, or value plays.

For hitters, doubling up on each infield position and securing at least one backup catcher leaves room for a few extra outfielders. Ideally, you’d want even more outfield depth, but utilizing multi-position players can help with roster flexibility.

For pitchers, keep in mind the law of diminishing returns—the deeper you go into the player pool, the more risk you take on. Sometimes, a below-average starter can do more harm than good.

 

 

 

Drafting Offense

The primary focus is always talent and production, but versatility is a valuable tiebreaker. If two players are closely ranked, favor the one with multi-position eligibility or a safer skill set.

Without trades or waiver pickups, minimizing risk is essential. You want upside, but too much volatility without a strong foundation can backfire. Look for players with a stable role, consistent skills, and a history of durability. Since at-bats and playing time are at a premium in this format, avoiding injury-prone players can prevent early-season struggles.

While it’s tempting to punt certain categories, this format makes it a dangerous strategy. If you rely too heavily on a single player for a specific stat and they get injured or underperform, you’re left with no way to recover. A balanced approach across all categories gives you the best chance at success.

 

 

 

Drafting Pitching

For pitchers, a typical structure involves drafting six or seven starters and two or three closers. On the bench, the general rule is around seven to eight starting pitchers and four to five relievers, but flexibility is key.

You’ll want multiple relievers capable of earning saves since bullpen roles can shift quickly. Even if a reliever isn’t initially slotted as a closer, having high-leverage arms can pay dividends. Additionally, middle relievers can provide stability, helping to smooth over rough patches caused by injuries, bad matchups, or underperforming starters.

When selecting pitchers, draft based on skills rather than roles. A talented pitcher will often find their way into valuable opportunities, whereas chasing shaky role-based options can lead to disappointment.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts: 2025 MLB Fantasy Baseball

Balance and depth are critical in this format. What you draft is what you have for the entire season, so plan accordingly. 

Prioritize versatility, minimize risk, and ensure your roster can withstand the inevitable ups and downs of a full fantasy baseball season.