Breaking Down the Snake Draft

photo © 2007 Keith Allison | more info (via: Wylio)
The majority of Fantasy Baseball leagues use a snake format for drafting players. It may not be the more exciting format, but it’s a great way to ensure parity. There are strategies to employ during these types of drafts: be prepared for positional runs, pay attention to others’ rosters and draft who you love, among others.

1. Prepare for the run on closers. Last year I was in a 12 team league in which a team kicked off the Eleventh Round by taking Chris Davis. Between his Eleventh Round and Twelfth Round picks, there were eleven Closers taken. Not surprisingly the team that drafted Davis was in need of Saves by late May. He even went so far as to rename his team “Seeking Relief”. The run on Closers is usually not that drastic, but they play an important role in every draft. Predicting positional runs is never easy, the best thing you can do is be prepared for them and to not overreact. Selecting Bob Wickman in Round 13, after the top tier Closers are gone, is not a wise move.

2. Don't be the first person to draft a Closer. While each draft is different from the rest, the most common mistake I've seen is someone injuring their arm while reaching for Saves. Generally, you can build a quality bullpen of second tier Closers between Rounds Ten and Fourteen. There is no need to reach any earlier for a Pitcher who only accounts for 60 Innings. It takes three Closers to have the same affect on your ERA and WHIP as a Starting Pitcher. You can also find Saves on the waiver wire, although you may need a quick trigger finger to acquire a newly anointed Closer. You can find plenty of Saves after Round 10, there is absolutely no need to be the guy reaching for Brian Wilson or Mariano Rivera.

3. If you’re near the end of a Round, pay attention to others’ rosters. Drafting near the turn presents challenges, but it also has it’s advantages. If there is one person making two selections between your picks and he already has Joe Mauer, the choice between Adam Dunn and Victor Martinez is a no-brainer. Take Dunn this round and wait let VMart come back to you. These minor details can provide big advantages, pay attention to your opponents' rosters.

4. If you have the first or last pick, get players you love with your two choices. If there is a place where you reach for a player, it’s when a pick won’t be coming back to you for 23 more selections. Our opinions may differ by five or ten players, but that gap is usually not very large. Be that guy who makes everyone complain when they step to the podium with their pick. Don’t be afraid to extend your arm and reach for the players you love.

5. Tie breaker goes to O-Rank. Regardless of knowledge, owners in doubt will always take the player that is ranked higher by whatever system (Yahoo, ESPN, Fox, etc.) that is conducting the draft. If you are drafting in the middle of the snake, it is possible one of the two players you want will come back around. If all things are equal, take the one that is ranked higher by the system and hope for the best.