Questions and answers

Fantasy Baseball Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the ins and outs of fantasy baseball is key to victory. We’ve compiled the most important questions from the fantasy community and provided expert answers. If your question isn’t covered, our support team is ready to step in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does drafting work? A: Drafting is how you build your initial team. Common draft types include Snake drafts (draft order reverses each round) and Auction drafts (managers bid on players using a set budget). Preparation is key – understand player values, position scarcity, and your league’s specific settings before the draft starts.

Q: What are the common scoring formats in fantasy baseball? A: The most common formats are Rotisserie (Roto), Head-to-Head (H2H) Categories, and Points Leagues. Roto ranks teams based on cumulative stats in categories like Home Runs, RBIs, Wins, and ERA. H2H Categories pits teams against each other weekly, competing to win more categories. Points leagues assign point values to stats (e.g., Single = 1 point, Strikeout = 1 point) and the team with the most points wins.

Q: What are innings pitched (IP) limits or starts limits? A: Some leagues limit the number of innings your pitchers can accrue or the number of games started to prevent managers from streaming pitchers excessively. Understand these limits, as exceeding them can result in penalties or stats not counting.

Q: How do trades work? A: You can propose trades with other managers in your league. Successful trades require negotiation and finding deals that benefit both teams. Most leagues have a trade deadline near the end of the season.

Q: How do I get started with fantasy baseball? A: Getting started is simple! Download our app or sign up on the website, create your account, and join a league. Most leagues start with a draft where you select players for your team. Our platform offers mock drafts and guides to help you prepare for draft day and understand basic roster construction.

Q: Should I draft prospects? A: Drafting prospects (young players in the minor leagues) depends on your league type. In keeper or dynasty leagues where you keep players year-to-year, prospects are valuable. In redraft leagues (new teams each year), prospects usually only have value if they are expected to be called up and contribute during the current season.

Q: What are Injured List (IL) spots? A: IL spots allow you to temporarily remove injured players from your active roster without having to drop them. This opens up a roster spot to add a replacement player while your injured star recovers. Rules for IL eligibility vary by league.

Q: What’s the difference between SP and RP? A: SP stands for Starting Pitcher, who typically pitch every 5 days. RP stands for Relief Pitcher, who pitch more frequently but usually for fewer innings, often in specialized roles like closers (who get Saves) or setup men.

Q: What is the Waiver Wire and Free Agency? A: Players not on any team roster are available either as Free Agents (can be added immediately) or on Waivers. Waiver claims usually process after a set period (e.g., 1-2 days), often using a priority system or a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) where managers bid for players.

Strategic Tips for Fantasy Baseball Success

Step up your game with these essential tips:

• Monitor playing time battles and lineup positions.
• Be patient with slumping stars, but know when to cut bait on underperformers.
• Don’t neglect pitching; aim for a mix of reliable starters and potential strikeout upside.
• In Roto leagues, stay competitive in all categories; don’t punt any.
• Know the difference between Saves and Holds for relief pitchers.
• Pay attention to ballpark factors and player home/road splits.
• Balance your offense across hitting categories (Power, Speed, Average).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t strike out! Avoid these common fantasy baseball pitfalls:

• Chasing last week’s stats on the waiver wire.
• Drafting based on name recognition instead of current projections/stats.
• Ignoring stolen bases or other scarce categories.
• Underestimating the impact of ballpark factors on player performance.
• Making panic trades after a slow start.
• Neglecting bench spots or using IL spots inefficiently.

Fantasy Baseball Glossary

Talk the talk with these key fantasy baseball terms:

QS: Quality Start. A statistic awarded when a starting pitcher completes 6+ innings allowing 3 or fewer earned runs. FAAB: Free Agent Acquisition Budget. A fictional budget used to bid on waiver wire players. H2H: Head-to-Head scoring, where teams compete against one opponent each week. Roto: Rotisserie scoring, where teams are ranked based on cumulative stats in set categories. IL / DL: Injured List (formerly Disabled List). A spot to stash injured players. SP / RP: Starting Pitcher / Relief Pitcher. Designations for pitcher roles.

Need More Help?

We’re here to support your fantasy baseball season! Here’s how to get assistance:

In-App Help Desk: Access FAQs and submit support tickets directly within the app.

Email Support: Get detailed answers to your questions within 24-48 hours.

Community Forums: Discuss strategy, ask questions, and interact with fellow fantasy managers.

Still Have Questions?

Our support team and community forums are great resources for any other questions. Whether you’re navigating your first season or managing multiple leagues, we’re here to help you succeed. Good luck this season!