Fantasy Baseball Draft Review: Tout Wars

SI Fantasy’s Jen Piacenti had the 12th pick in this experts league. Here’s how she made out.

The Tout Wars 12-team roto league had its annual draft last week and I was fortunate to participate for the third year. This experts league was founded in 1997 by Ron Shandler and was the subject of the book, Fantasyland.

We were able to choose our draft spots via KDS, and I chose to pick 12th. As I mentioned in my first-round breakdown, I really like the possibilities this year of what I can build from that spot.

This particular 12-team league uses a not-so-standard 5X5 roto scoring system that uses on-base percentage instead of batting average, innings pitched instead of wins, and saves-plus-holds instead of simply saves.

That led me to adjust my strategy going into the draft. I planned to target pitchers that could handle plenty of volume and also only to roster one elite closer, leaving pitchers with strong ratios that could log holds for the end of the draft (i.e. Aaron Bummer, Hector Neris, Rafael Montero).

Yordan Alvarez :: Erik Williams/USA Today Sports

Entering the draft, I knew I would be looking to target an outfielder in the first round, and that I would be waiting on starting pitching. I expected to start with either Mookie Betts or possibly first basemen Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Freddie Freeman and then grab Mike Trout on the turn. As it turned out, both Betts and Trout were long gone by the 12th pick, in what I believe to be a very fortunate turn of luck for me. I was able to grab Yordan Alvarez at 1.12! It seems news of the Astros slugger’s hand soreness has begun to spook drafters, but I could not turn down the chance to roster the only player that is in Aaron Judge’s league, according to statcast. Not only that, but Alvarez is one of the players expected to be even better with the new rules banning the shift.

I grabbed Guerrero on the turn, so my power and my average look to be in great shape. I did panic a little when Vlad was removed from Friday’s spring training game with knee soreness. Luckily, the MRI showed inflammation but no structural damage. He won’t be going to the World Baseball Classic, so I am hopeful he will have ample time to get healthy.

In the third round, I was looking for a third baseman or possibly Jose Altuve, since second base is so atrocious, but neither option was available. Instead, I grabbed shortstop Francisco Lindor, who should contribute nicely to all categories, including speed, which I had yet to address. Shortstop is a deeper position this season, but I knew I also wanted to roster a SS at MI, so getting one in the third round felt like the right pick. On the turn, I then executed my pitching strategy. Shane Bieber was one of only eight pitchers to reach 200 innings last season.

Starling Marte :: Darren Yamashita/USA Today Sports

At this point, I knew I would have to punt both third base and second base and hope I could find some sleepers at the end of the draft. I decided to continue focusing on outfield and starting pitchers, rostering Adolis Garcia, Framber Valdez and Starling Marte. Both outfielders have the ability to contribute in five categories, while Valdez set an MLB record last season with 25 consecutive quality starts. Volume should not be a problem. Strikeouts? Well, they could be.

Next up, I didn’t want to miss out on a top 10 catcher in this two-catcher league, so I grabbed Willson Contreras. I followed that pick with Josh Hader in Round 9, hoping to grab some Ks and about 35 saves.

After a somewhat disappointing 2022, I gave outfielder Kris Bryant another chance in Round 10. As mentioned, outfield is not deep this season and I love the possibilities for Bryant this late. Bryant hit two home runs in just seven at-bats right after this draft, so I am hopeful. The World Series MVP Jeremey Pena slotted in at MI next in Round 11, and now I just had to figure out what in the world to do at 2B and 3B. My new targets became Anthony Rendon, Josh Rojas, Brandon Lowe, Justin Turner and DJ LeMahieu. As it turned out, I was able to get four of the five in very late rounds. Rojas and LeMahieu also have a lot of positional flexibility, allowing me to move pieces around.

Some other late picks included outfielder Oscar Gonzales, shortstop Javier Baez, starter Merrill Kelly, reliever Kendall Graveman, first baseman Wil Meyers and first baseman Spencer Torkelson.

All in all, I like the way the team came together and I expect it to be competitive. My projections currently have this team as a fourth-place finisher. I’ll need to be sure to protect my ERA and accumulate more Ks, but I am pleased with my hitting. Hopefully, some well-timed trades and well-planned FAAB bids will keep me in the hunt.

• Here is the link to the final draft board.

• Here are the participants:

1 Matt Truss, Razzball
2 Sara Sanchez, Bleed Cubbie Blue
3 John Laghezza, The Athletic
4 Jeff Boggis, Fantasy Football Empire
5 Chris Towers, CBS Fantasy
6 Andy Behrens, Yahoo Fantasy Sports
7 Alex Fast, Pitcher List
8 Brian Entrenkin, Fantasy Pros, Baseball HQ
9 Carlos Marcano, Triple Play Fantasy
10 Dylan White, Baseball America
11 Chris Clegg, Pitcher’s List
12 Jen Piacenti, Sports Illustrated 

• Here’s my complete draft:

1. Yordan Alvarez, OF
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
3. Francisco Lindor, SS
4. Shane Biever, SP
5. Adolis Garcia, OF
6. Framber Valdez, SP
7. Starling Marte, OF
8. Willson Contreras, C
9. Josh Hader, RP
10. Kris Bryant, OF
11. Jeremy Pena, MI
12. Oscar Gonzalez, OF
13. Brandon Lowe, 2B
14. Wil Myers, 1B
15. Merrill Kelly, P
16. Javier Baez, UT
17. Anthony Rendon, 3B
18. Miles Nikolas, P
19. Josh Rohas, 3B
20. Kendall Graveman, P
21. Adam Wainwright, P
22. Martin Perez, P
23. DJ LeMahieu, 3B
24. Tyler Anderson, P
25. Michael Brantley, OF
26. Mike Zunino, C
27. Rafael Montero, P
28. Spencer Torkelson, 1B
29. Chas McCormick, OF