The Path to Fantasy Success: Balancing Your Draft
In an ideal world, fantasy baseball managers would draft a roster of players with perfectly balanced skill sets, steadily working toward overall category targets. However, the journey to draft-day success is rarely that smooth. More often than not, the best value picks are players who excel in one category more than the others. Once a manager snags one of these specialists, they need to balance their selections to round out their team. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season to experience this dynamic firsthand.
Home Run Powerhouses: Marcell Ozuna
When it comes to power hitting, Marcell Ozuna is a name that shouldn’t be overlooked. Among the 11 players who hit at least 35 home runs last season, Ozuna has the latest Average Draft Position (ADP) at 58.3. This is particularly surprising given that Ozuna smacked 40 home runs in 2023 and ranks sixth among all players in long balls over the past two years. For managers starting their draft with a speedster like Elly De La Cruz or Corbin Carroll, Ozuna represents an undervalued pick in Round 5, providing a significant home run boost.
RBI Machines: Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has proven to be a formidable RBI machine. Over the past two seasons, he ranked seventh in baseball with 205 runs batted in. The Canadian slugger’s move to Arizona is promising, as the Diamondbacks’ lineup led the majors in runs scored last year. This environment should only enhance Naylor’s RBI potential, making him a valuable pick at an ADP of 70.0.
Run Producers: Steven Kwan
Steven Kwan, the Cleveland Guardians’ leadoff man, is a perfect example of a low-ceiling middle-round pick whose value lies in his ability to get on base and score runs. In his initial two seasons, Kwan averaged 91 runs, and last year, he needed just 122 games to score 83 times. Kwan’s power has also been on the rise, with 14 home runs last season, and he has 20-steal upside. At an ADP of 141.5, Kwan is an excellent mid-round fit for a team that has already loaded up on sluggers.
Stolen Base Specialists: Xavier Edwards
Xavier Edwards, a 25-year-old speedster for the Miami Marlins, is a category specialist with a high stolen base potential. Despite struggling to hit the ball hard, Edwards excels by keeping most of his batted balls on the ground and using his fleet feet to advantage. Last year, he stole 31 bases in just 265 at-bats, placing him among the league leaders. At an ADP of 120.2, Edwards is a steal for managers looking to bolster their stolen base totals.
Batting Average Experts: Yainer Díaz
While Luis Arráez is often the go-to pick for batting average, Yainer Díaz of the Houston Astros offers a more under-the-radar option. Díaz is likely to hit for a high average, posting a .299 batting average and .299 expected batting average (xBA) in 2024. His batting mark will also be far ahead of most catchers, making him a valuable asset in this category. At an ADP of 102.9, Díaz provides significant value and flexibility for managers.
Pitching Specialists: Wins, Strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and Saves
Wins: Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
Predicting wins is often a guessing game, but Logan Webb is a strong candidate. The veteran pitcher leads the majors in innings pitched over the past three seasons and has maintained an impressive 3.22 ERA during that time. Webb’s combination of durability and effectiveness makes him a reliable pick for wins, especially at an ADP of 79.7.
Strikeouts: Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
Hunter Greene, a 25-year-old right-hander, is a hidden gem with significant upside. Last year, Greene made 26 starts and posted excellent ratios, including a 2.75 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He’s one of baseball’s hardest throwers, with a fastball averaging 97.6 mph, and his 29.6% whiff rate suggests he has 200-strikeout potential. At an ADP of 110.2, Greene is a steal for managers looking to boost their strikeout totals.
ERA: Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
Cade Smith is a unique find, as he is a reliever who can have a significant impact on ERA. Last year, Smith posted an ultra-low 1.91 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, driven by exceptional skills (103:17 K:BB ratio) rather than luck. Even at an ADP of 247.2, Smith’s impact on ERA and WHIP is well worth the late-round pick.
WHIP: Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners
Bryan Woo, a rising starter, offers a balanced approach to pitching. With a 2.8% walk rate in 2024, Woo demonstrates exceptional control. Despite a .211 batting average against last year, his .220 expected batting average against (xBAA) suggests his performance is sustainable. At an ADP of 139.7, Woo is a valuable pick for managers seeking to improve their WHIP.
Saves: Jeff Hoffman, Toronto Blue Jays
Jeff Hoffman, the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer, is a standout reliever with a firm grip on the closer’s role following a three-year contract. Despite his abilities, Hoffman is the 17th reliever off the board in Yahoo drafts, likely due to concerns about his long-term health. However, managers can enjoy the 35 saves Hoffman is expected to accumulate this year at an ADP of 145.2, making him a high-value pick in the closer category.
By strategically selecting category specialists, managers can build a well-rounded and competitive fantasy baseball team. Balancing these specialists with players who offer more balanced production is key to drafting success and achieving your overall category targets.
