BABS Game Plan – Update No. 5

As the Major League Baseball season begins its fragile return, we have one final pre-season update of the BABS Database and Master Spreadsheet, and some commentary.

KEY CHANGES: Playing time ratings have been updated as appropriate; overall, the distribution of those ratings has flattened. Adjustments to the asset ratings have been driven primarily by the addition of the NL DH (for pitchers) and the geo-centric scheduling (which had a larger impact on some players). On the liabilities side, there have been no adjustments for players who have tested positive for COVID-19 unless they have exhibited symptoms that could affect their play; in those few cases, their injury rating has been dinged slightly. Finally, the ADPs are all from July drafts only.

Good luck during this two month sprint. Like Nolan Arenado, let’s mask up and stay safe please. (We want you back next year!)

(* Asterisked links are for members only. ** Updated for July)

Looking ahead  
During a normal season, we typically publish an update to the database and spreadsheet several times during the year. However, BABS is primarily a draft-prep program because it relies on long-view analysis. Given the shortness of the season and the likely wide spreading of playing time to more players, any in-season small-sample update would be mostly pointless, unfortunately. As such, there will be no in-season updates in 2020.

Hopefully, we’ll have some more normality in 2021.

Have a great 2020 season. Yes, it will be different, but everyone will be facing the same challenges. Since we’ll all be competing on a level playing field, I consider 2020 to be a totally valid fantasy season. Good luck.