This needs an update...coming soon in 2009

What's important?

For drafting purposes, these are the important pieces of the picture:

Batters

• Hits
• Total Bases (in this case will include BB, HBP, and SB)
• Runs
• RBI
• Home Runs
• These items are all multiplied by something and added together to reach a raw hitting score.
  • Batting order is important - hitters at the top of the lineup have a higher multiplying factor for total bases and runs, while those in the middle have a higher factor for RBI.

Pitchers

• Number of innings pitched (starter lasts as long as he does in real life)
• Earned runs
• Strikeouts
• ERA for relievers
• Saves for top 2 relievers
  • Relief pitching is a pool of all relievers - averaged over a five-game span.  The number of pitchers needed depends on how long the starter lasts.

The Scoring Method

• The actual formula will get posted here soon, but it essentially averages the hitting score with the opponent's pitching score + additional value for home runs + additional value for the opponent's errors.
• The home team gets an additional half run.
• Superior pitching performances take additional runs away from the opposition.
• Scores are then rounded to the nearest integer.

Strategy

• Try to pick players who will actually play a lot.  If they don't get into the game, they don't get into your lineup.
• Obviously, the guys who can rack up the stats above are important - I found from experience that if I didn't have a big RBI or homer guy that I ended up in the cellar.
• Starters should log a lot of innings, but still have a decent ERA.
• The top reliever should be a saves guy.  The second guy should be able to get them too.  Try for a lower-tier closer.
• Saves never count for relievers 3-5  -- only their earned runs.  That doesn't mean that someone w/ save potential is a bad pick.
• Spot starters only help you if they record some starts during the season.  Relief appearances don't count.  Cheap #4 or 5 guys in rotations can help here.
• With only 5 reserves, flexibility in positions is important.
• Although you probably won't get all 40 players right off the bat in the draft, I'd still fill it out as though you would.  You can always fill in the holes after the first round.
• Taxi squad and minor leaguers are OPTIONAL.  Depending on how well you know the young players, you may want to wait on those parts of the roster and use all 42 million on the mandatory spots.
• However, building for the future can be important.  This may be your chance to get that young phenom.