2023 BABS Game Plan Preview

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Welcome to the 2023 BABS Game Plan series. This is the Preview Installment to help you get a head start on the mega-content that begins shortly and extends over the draft season. The Game Plan is four updates -- two in February and two in March.

This four-part publication calendar provides you with intensive, comprehensive content so you can make the best use of the BABS system. We've been likening it to moving from network TV (where you have to wait for content according to their schedule) to a Netflix model (where we publish it all at once and you can binge-read). Opening Day is March 30 this year.

This is where you will find your BABS DASHBOARD, beginning on February 9. Links to all active content will be here.

(* Asterisked links are free content.)

It all starts here, with The BABS Project 3.1. It's your FREE reference tool. (All are PDF files.)
*Book 1 - Why we need a new system
*Book 2 - The Broad Assessment Balance Sheet
*Book 3 - BABS in practice

BABS 2023: What's New and On Deck?
For BABS rookies and veterans, here is a summary of what to look forward to in 2023*. And how will BABS handle the new MLB rules? It's all detailed here.

BABS Tutorial 
How to use the Database and Spreadsheet Reports*. Bookmark this page; you'll come back to it often.

BABS Database  
A preliminary version of the database is online now. There are still a few data issues to iron out, including some injury designations and some playing time anomalies, and technical issues with some of the risk costs, so I strongly advise you to hold off using these for planning purposes until the official launch on February 9 (especially if you are new to BABS). I'm posting this version of the database just so you can get a taste for how the asset groups are shaking out. A better use now would be to run historical reports for overall rankings and individual player scans.

For BABS veterans, you should know your way around, but here is a tutorial on how to analyze the player history scans*. For newbies, here is the Report Key* and a blank roster grid*, but the heavy duty analysis to help you navigate better will begin on February 9.

BABS Master Spreadsheet 
All the fine-tuning will spill into the ratings and rankings here as well. Launch date is February 9.

Risk Analysis
For newbies, for those who may have been away from BABS for awhile, and for veterans in need of a refresher, here is a description of our methodology for handling liabilities* and setting a risk budget.

Minor League Analysis
We've calculated 2022 BABS ratings from Major League Equivalent stats for most AA and AAA minor leaguers. Those files have been added to the last four years of MLE ratings on this page. History is revealing.

The FISH List
This popular draft sheet integrates the BABS ratings and the marketplace into a list that provides the optimal rounds to target players. Here is a description*. The live list will launch on February 9.

BABS in RotoLab 
The industry's best draft management software has a module just for BABS. The software is sold separately but your BABSbaseball.com membership gets you the BABS unlock key. Make sure to check out the FAQ section.

Average Draft Position Rankings
Our source for how the marketplace views player value, we use the ADPs from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship*.

Mailbag
Do you have a question that would be best answered by one of our experts and benefit everyone? Submit it on our Contact Page and put MAILBAG in the Subject Line*. I'll select the best ones to respond to in each of the four Game Plan installments.

Reader forums
It's your community of really smart BABSians. Ask questions, offer insights, vent – it’s your neighborhood. Quiet since last summer, let's reopen the doors now!

BABS Baseball Leagues (BABL)
A fantasy competition based on BABS philosophies. 10-team leagues, 50-man rosters
The BABL Concept* | Details and Signup Info*
(First drafts begin February 20. To allow for a minimum of three weeks for the draft, the signup deadline is March 10.)

Okay, that's enough to get you started. We'll jump in with both feet on February 9. Not yet a member? JOIN HERE!