There are better BABS options for some high-priced players

by Doug Gruber

The BABS roster construction plan comes with a set of well-defined asset targets. BABS sets the bar at a minimum of 35 hitter assets, which equates to 2 1/2 assets per hitter. For pitchers, the goal is 14 assets, of which 12 come from our SPs and two save assets from our RPs. That makes 49 assets across 23 total roster positions.

These aggressive objectives force you to focus on players with strong, multiple asset profiles, yet the market often pushes up players who are not as helpful. BABS believes it is perhaps more important to know what NOT to buy. Let’s look at those players in the first 10 rounds (top 150 ADP) where BABS says “No thank you” as they don’t sufficiently fill our asset goals.

Beginning with the hitters, Francisco Lindor, Alex Bregman and Manny Machado are all being selected towards the end of round 1, and all belong to the (p,AV) asset group. While all three are very good players, BABS has provided more than 20 asset classes of hitters listed above the (p,AV) group, many providing extreme assets with less risk. BABS prefers 1st round players who contribute 3-4 assets towards our goals.

Andrew Benintendi (s,AV) goes in the 2nd round, but BABS favors several higher groups, such as (SB,AV). Players such as Whit Merrifield, Starling Marte and Lorenzo Cain offer superior speed skills with comparable AV, and generally are available after Benintendi is off the board.

In early round 3, Kris Bryant (PW,a), coming off an injury ruined season, is being selected ahead of players from the higher ranked (P+,a) and (PW,AV) classes. Players like Rhys Hoskins, Matt Carpenter and Jesus Aguilar offer extreme power skills and similar batting effectiveness and are obtainable well after Bryant’s ADP.

BABS rates Carlos Correa (pictured) as a single, moderate asset player (a), yet he continues to be over-drafted…this year going around ADP 50. BABS persuasively reminds us that we cannot meet our overall roster targets if we select single asset players, especially as early as round 4.

Gleyber Torres, George Springer and Marcell Ozuna are members of the (p,a) class, and are being taken in the 5th. BABS has identifies more than 20 players who have a superior combination of power and BA skills, with ADPs beyond round 5. For example; Nick Castellanos and David Dahl from the (PW,AV) class; Travis Shaw and Nelson Cruz in (PW,a); and Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu and A.J. Pollock as (p,AV), to name a few.

Speed is certainly a scarce asset, which might explain why Jonathan Villar (SB) is being selected in round 6. BABS has identified several players who possess the coveted (S+) skill as well as add an asset in BA, and can be had after Villar’s ADP. BABS says it’s a no brainer to target players like Dee Gordon (S+,AV), or Mallex Smith and Amed Rosario from the (S+,a) class, who offer additional skills at a discounted price.

Other single, moderate asset players who are being drafted within the top 10 rounds include Jurickson Profar (a), Rougned Odor (p), Andrew McCutcheon (p) and Rafael Devers (p). BABS provides an extensive shopping list of double-asset hitters, several with extreme or significant skills, that are readily available in the 10th round and beyond.

Turning to the pitchers, Aaron Nola is a mid-2nd round selection, currently shown as the No. 6 starting pitcher being chosen. While BABS says Nola’s skills (ER,k) are very good, she lists 20 other SPs with superior skills, of which 13 are listed as full time. BABS prefers options such as Blake Snell, Trevor Bauer or Luis Severino along with their (ER,KK) skill sets.

There are four pitchers from the (e,k) asset group who are being picked in rounds 4-6. Mike Clevinger, Jose Berrios, German Marquez and Mike Foltynewicz are all solid pitchers, each enjoying periods of success during 2018. BABS has identified 16 double-asset SPs who possess at least one significant skill that can be selected during these rounds or later. Examples such as Jack Flaherty (e,KK), Charlie Morton (ER,KK), Zack Greinke (ER,k) or Masahiro Tanaka (ER,k).

BABS is not buying the skill set of Jameson Taillon and Madison Bumgarner, both members of the single asset (e) group. The market believes this pair is worthy of a 4-5 selection. BABS says pass, especially at these lofty values.

Regarding relief pitchers, Ron’s article from earlier this week covers the closers in detail. There are several extreme skilled closers being selected in the first 10 rounds. Blake Treinen (E+,KK) is generally the second closer being selected, coming off a great 2018 season. BABS however rates Treinen’s skills slightly behind nine other relief pitchers with (E+,K+) skills who can be taken in ensuing rounds.

BABS provided us a set of asset goals for one key reason…she wants us to acquire rosters that compete for fantasy league championships. When it is your turn to shop, it’s often important to know when to say No!