Guide to Points-Based Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Pitching Timing: Don't Wait Too Long

You also don’t want to wait too long to start choosing some starting pitching, perhaps two of the first five rounds is the sweet spot for roster construction. Those later round picks are where you start to shoot for big upside, perhaps even stashing a high-profile player that will start in the minor leagues, but is pretty certain not to be down there for more than a few weeks before being called to the Majors.

Closers in Points Leagues: Value Check Required

Closers are going to be based on your point system. Most likely, with your roster breakdown, you will have to have at least two on your team. But how valuable they are will be based on your point system. If they are fairly undervalued, like in a lot of points leagues, I would carry the minimum number on my roster. Likely others will do the same, and there will usually be a couple to choose from on the waiver wire if yours get injured or replaced. However, there are also some leagues that will reward you for holds, so keep that in mind when analyzing the scoring system to see if guys like Abner Uribe or Jason Adam could have enhanced value.

Prioritize Well-Rounded Players Over Specialists

When it comes to points league, remember you don’t need Victor Scott or someone like him who will steal you 35 bases but also hit .210 to keep up in a certain category. Dylan Cease and his 215 strikeouts are nice, but you are also going to lose points for his walks and runs allowed. Joe Ryan may have had 30 fewer strikeouts, but he also had half the walks, and his runs allowed were also much lower.

Keep repeating to yourself that you are not committed to any one category, and the more well-rounded a player’s skill set is, the better.

Mock Drafts: Fine-Tune Your Approach

More than most styles of leagues, I feel like doing some mock drafts for points leagues can be a very valuable tool. Running through some practice drafts to see how a real draft is likely to go can be helpful to pay attention to when certain types of players are taken, and what you might be able to expect in your real draft. At the end, you can see how your season point total would look given a site’s projections against others in the mock draft, and that can give you an idea of how to edit your strategy, and the more mocks that you do, the more you can fine-tune what you want to do when the draft is for real.

In-Season Tactics: Streaming for Extra Points

Now that you are ready to draft, don’t forget some good in-season tactics as well. Pitchers with two starts scheduled for a scoring week can be game changers. What is better than having your starting pitchers score for you once a week? Having them score twice, of course! However, it is important to check how good a pitcher is and their matchups for the week. Picking up a low-level starter who is set to face the Dodgers and Yankees might end up making you lose points instead of gaining them. You don’t want to have a pitching line of 2.1 innings, allowing seven runs and walking three batters. And you definitely don’t want that twice in a week. Just using anyone is not recommended.

Remember, we have all of the best strategies if you want to dominate Fantasy Baseball. Be sure to check these out:

• Win Your Fantasy Baseball League: A Beginner’s Guide to the SMART System and The Rules of Engagement
• The New Stolen Base Economy: How to Draft for Speed in Fantasy Baseball (Without Overpaying)
• The Modern Power Blueprint: How to Draft for Home Runs in Fantasy Baseball (2026 Strategy Guide)

Final Thoughts: Stay True to Your System

Points leagues are my favorite kind of leagues, and we have laid out a number of factors to consider when getting ready for a draft, and after that, should keep you towards the top of the standings from April to September. Remember the tactics listed above, and one last time, remember that you don’t have to focus on the different categories to stay competitive. Analyze your point system and stay true to what it reveals.

People Also Ask:

• Q: What's the biggest difference between points and roto fantasy baseball leagues?
  A: Points reward total production from well-rounded players, not category wins; no need for specialists like pure speed guys.
• Q: How do I prepare for a points league draft?
  A: Check last season's player points on your platform; run mocks to test strategies.
• Q: Should I prioritize starting pitchers early in points leagues?
  A: Yes, aim for two in the first five rounds for steady points; balance with hitters.
• Q: Are closers worth drafting high in points leagues?
  A: Usually not; roster the minimum (two) unless holds boost value, like for setup men.