2020 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Re-imagining tiers by grouping players by category, not position

Apr 15, 2020
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6:46 pm ET
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This is an experiment of sorts.

One of the ways I’ve made a name for myself in the Fantasy Baseball world is through the use of positional tiers, which you’ve probably seen before and maybe employ to some degree on Draft Day. But I’ve also been making the case over the past couple years that position scarcity isn’t really a thing anymore. The distribution of talent is fairly equal across all positions, so while positional tiers still help in ensuring you don’t fall too far behind the pack at a position, they don’t highlight the standout picks as clearly as they used to.

What has become scarce during an era of home run proliferation is the shape that a player’s production takes. Now, in something like a Head-to-Head points league where only the extent of the production matters, who cares about the specific ways a player is coming into that production? But in a standard Rotisserie or 5×5 categories league, you need to vary the types of production you’re getting. You’ll need batting average help. You’ll need home run help. You’ll need stolen base help. Those three aren’t available in equal measure.

It’s true you’ll also need RBI help and run help, at least in a standard 5×5 leagues, but those particular contributions are so tied to playing time and batting order and other factors beyond a player’s control that I don’t even want to get sidetracked by them. I want to look at skills, and I want to look at them in a way that reveals the relative scarcity of each. So I’m turning back to the tiers to do it.

For each of my top 150 hitters, I’ve assigned a letter grade for what I consider to be his most likely outcome in the three pivotal categories: batting average, home runs and stolen bases. Some might have the upside for more — looking at you, Vladimir Guerrero — but again, I’m playing to the most-likely scenario here. Within each category, I’ve then grouped players by letter grade while also revealing each player’s average draft position (or ADP, according to FantasyPros) so that you know, say, how late you can still get an A-grade base-stealer. There are far fewer of those than A-grade home run hitters.

And that’s kind of the point. In the heat of the draft, it’s easy to lose sight of how much of each category is still available — and in what quantities — and that, rather than what position you’re looking to fill, is what should be driving your decision-making. It’s where you’re more likely to mess things up.

It doesn’t mean you should totally ignore positional considerations, but maybe these tiers are also ones you should print and bring with you to the draft.

Batting Average

Grade A batting average sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
2	Mike Trout, OF	A	A	B
3	Christian Yelich, OF	A	A	B
4	Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF	A	A	C
6	Mookie Betts, OF	A	B	B
11	Nolan Arenado, 3B	A	A	F
17	Freddie Freeman, 1B	A	A	D
20	Anthony Rendon, 3B	A	B	D
22	J.D. Martinez, OF	A	A	F
26	Rafael Devers, 3B	A	B	D
30	Jose Altuve, 2B	A	C	C
36	Charlie Blackmon, OF	A	B	C
40	Ketel Marte, 2B/OF	A	B	C
45	Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF	A	D	B
59	DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B	A	C	D
86	Jeff McNeil, 2B/3B/OF	A	C	D
103	Tim Anderson, SS	A	D	C
120	Michael Brantley, OF	A	C	D
146	Justin Turner, 3B	A	C	F
179	Bryan Reynolds, OF	A	D	F
218	Gio Urshela, 3B	A	C	F
251	Luis Arraez, 2B/OF	A	F	F

Grade B batting average sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
1	Ronald Acuna, OF	B	A	A
8	Francisco Lindor, SS	B	B	B
9	Trevor Story, SS	B	B	B
10	Trea Turner, SS	B	C	A
12	Juan Soto, OF	B	B	C
13	Alex Bregman, 3B/SS	B	A	C
19	Jose Ramirez, 3B	B	B	B
28	Gleyber Torres, 2B/SS	B	B	D
29	Starling Marte, OF	B	C	B
31	Javier Baez, SS	B	B	C
32	Xander Bogaerts, SS	B	B	D
37	Ozzie Albies, 2B	B	C	C
38	Yordan Alvarez, DH	B	A	F
41	George Springer, OF	B	A	D
44	Austin Meadows, OF	B	B	C
47	Kris Bryant, 3B/OF	B	B	F
49	Keston Hiura, 2B	B	B	B
52	J.T. Realmuto, C	B	C	D
58	Anthony Rizzo, 1B	B	B	D
60	Vladimir Guerrero, 3B	B	C	F
66	Bo Bichette, SS	B	B	C
68	Yoan Moncada, 3B	B	B	C
72	Jose Abreu, 1B	B	B	F
79	Nelson Cruz, DH	B	A	F
80	Tommy Pham, OF	B	C	B
81	Josh Bell, 1B	B	A	F
82	Marcus Semien, SS	B	B	C
87	Eddie Rosario, OF	B	C	D
93	Carlos Correa, SS	B	B	D
95	Nick Castellanos, OF	B	C	F
98	Marcell Ozuna, OF	B	B	D
104	Ramon Laureano, OF	B	C	C
105	Andrew Benintendi, OF	B	D	C
127	Corey Seager, SS	B	C	F
128	Shohei Ohtani, DH	B	B	C
131	Yuli Gurriel, 1B/3B	B	C	F
136	Tommy Edman, 2B/3B	B	D	B
140	Trey Mancini, 1B/OF	B	B	F
141	David Dahl, OF	B	C	D
147	Jorge Polanco, SS	B	C	D
155	Gavin Lux, SS	B	C	D
164	Wilson Ramos, C	B	D	F
166	J.D. Davis, 3B/OF	B	B	F
170	Amed Rosario, SS	B	D	C
181	Lorenzo Cain, OF	B	D	C
198	Jean Segura, SS	B	F	C
202	Adam Eaton, OF	B	D	C
203	Omar Narvaez, C	B	C	F
208	Kevin Newman, 2B/SS	B	F	C
212	Miguel Andujar, DH	B	C	F
216	Avisail Garcia, OF	B	C	D
223	Alex Verdugo, OF	B	D	D
226	Joey Votto, 1B	B	D	D
255	Yandy Diaz, 1B/3B	B	C	F
283	Francisco Mejia, C	B	C	F

Grade C batting average sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
18	Fernando Tatis, SS	C	B	B
21	Bryce Harper. OF	C	A	C
27	Pete Alonso, 1B	C	A	F
46	Aaron Judge, OF	C	A+	D
53	Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS	C	D	A
57	Manny Machado, 3B/SS	C	B	D
61	Eloy Jimenez, OF	C	B	F
62	Paul Goldschmidt, 1B	C	B	D
64	Matt Olson, 1B	C	A	F
70	Max Muncy, 1B/2B/3B	C	A	F
75	Giancarlo Stanton, OF	C	A	F
76	Victor Robles, OF	C	D	B
78	Eugenio Suarez, 3B	C	A	F
84	Jorge Soler, OF	C	A	F
88	Matt Chapman, 3B	C	B	F
89	Josh Donaldson, 3B	C	A	F
96	Mike Moustakas, 2B/3B	C	B	F
107	Willson Contreras, C	C	C	F
109	Eduardo Escobar, 2B/3B	C	B	F
112	Mitch Garver, C	C	A	F
113	Carlos Santana, 1B	C	B	F
115	Michael Conforto, OF	C	B	D
130	Max Kepler, OF	C	B	F
132	Franmil Reyes, OF	C	A	F
135	Danny Santana, 1B/OF	C	C	C
143	Oscar Mercado, OF	C	D	C
149	Lourdes Gurriel, OF	C	B	D
151	Elvis Andrus, SS	C	F	B
161	Kyle Tucker, OF	C	B	B
171	Mallex Smith, OF	C	F	A
173	Hunter Dozier, 3B/OF	C	C	F
176	Byron Buxton, OF	C	C	B
178	Willie Calhoun, OF	C	B	F
182	Scott Kingery, 3B/OF	C	C	B
184	Yasiel Puig, OF	C	C	C
193	Ryan McMahon, 2B/3B	C	C	D
195	Garrett Hampson, 2B/OF	C	D	A
196	Christian Vazquez, C	C	C	F
197	Luke Voit, 1B	C	B	F
199	Christian Walker, 1B	C	B	D
201	Didi Gregorius, SS	C	C	D
209	Mark Canha, OF	C	B	F
217	Shin-Soo Choo, OF	C	C	C
219	Nick Senzel, OF	C	D	C
220	Kolten Wong, 2B	C	F	B
222	Yadier Molina, C	C	D	D
225	Joc Pederson, 1B/OF	C	B	F
227	Andrew McCutchen, OF	C	D	C
235	Jo Adell, OF	C	C	C
252	Sean Murphy, C	C	C	F
261	Jon Berti, 3B/SS/OF	C	F	A
292	Mike Yastrzemski, OF	C	B	F
294	Nick Solak, DH	C	D	C
300	Trent Grisham, OF	C	D	C

Home Runs

Grade A home run sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
46	Aaron Judge, OF	C	A+	D
71	Joey Gallo, OF	D	A+	D
114	Miguel Sano, 3B	D	A+	F
1	Ronald Acuna, OF	B	A	A
2	Mike Trout, OF	A	A	B
3	Christian Yelich, OF	A	A	B
4	Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF	A	A	C
11	Nolan Arenado, 3B	A	A	F
13	Alex Bregman, 3B/SS	B	A	C
17	Freddie Freeman, 1B	A	A	D
21	Bryce Harper. OF	C	A	C
22	J.D. Martinez, OF	A	A	F
27	Pete Alonso, 1B	C	A	F
38	Yordan Alvarez, DH	B	A	F
41	George Springer, OF	B	A	D
64	Matt Olson, 1B	C	A	F
70	Max Muncy, 1B/2B/3B	C	A	F
74	Gary Sanchez, C	D	A	F
75	Giancarlo Stanton, OF	C	A	F
78	Eugenio Suarez, 3B	C	A	F
79	Nelson Cruz, DH	B	A	F
81	Josh Bell, 1B	B	A	F
84	Jorge Soler, OF	C	A	F
89	Josh Donaldson, 3B	C	A	F
112	Mitch Garver, C	C	A	F
132	Franmil Reyes, OF	C	A	F
158	Will Smith, C	D	A	D
229	Hunter Renfroe, OF	D	A	D

Grade B home run sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
6	Mookie Betts, OF	A	B	B
8	Francisco Lindor, SS	B	B	B
9	Trevor Story, SS	B	B	B
12	Juan Soto, OF	B	B	C
18	Fernando Tatis, SS	C	B	B
19	Jose Ramirez, 3B	B	B	B
20	Anthony Rendon, 3B	A	B	D
26	Rafael Devers, 3B	A	B	D
28	Gleyber Torres, 2B/SS	B	B	D
31	Javier Baez, SS	B	B	C
32	Xander Bogaerts, SS	B	B	D
36	Charlie Blackmon, OF	A	B	C
40	Ketel Marte, 2B/OF	A	B	C
44	Austin Meadows, OF	B	B	C
47	Kris Bryant, 3B/OF	B	B	F
49	Keston Hiura, 2B	B	B	B
57	Manny Machado, 3B/SS	C	B	D
58	Anthony Rizzo, 1B	B	B	D
61	Eloy Jimenez, OF	C	B	F
62	Paul Goldschmidt, 1B	C	B	D
66	Bo Bichette, SS	B	B	C
68	Yoan Moncada, 3B	B	B	C
72	Jose Abreu, 1B	B	B	F
82	Marcus Semien, SS	B	B	C
88	Matt Chapman, 3B	C	B	F
90	Luis Robert, OF	D	B	C
93	Carlos Correa, SS	B	B	D
96	Mike Moustakas, 2B/3B	C	B	F
98	Marcell Ozuna, OF	B	B	D
108	Rhys Hoskins, OF	D	B	F
109	Eduardo Escobar, 2B/3B	C	B	F
113	Carlos Santana, 1B	C	B	F
115	Michael Conforto, OF	C	B	D
128	Shohei Ohtani, DH	B	B	C
130	Max Kepler, OF	C	B	F
140	Trey Mancini, 1B/OF	B	B	F
142	Kyle Schwarber, OF	D	B	F
149	Lourdes Gurriel, OF	C	B	D
154	Edwin Encarnacion, 1B	D	B	F
161	Kyle Tucker, OF	C	B	B
166	J.D. Davis, 3B/OF	B	B	F
174	Khris Davis, DH	D	B	F
178	Willie Calhoun, OF	C	B	F
190	Brandon Lowe, 2B	D	B	C
191	Justin Upton, OF	D	B	D
197	Luke Voit, 1B	C	B	F
199	Christian Walker, 1B	C	B	D
207	Carson Kelly, C	D	B	F
209	Mark Canha, OF	C	B	F
225	Joc Pederson, 1B/OF	C	B	F
253	Tom Murphy, C	D	B	F
271	Kole Calhoun, OF	D	B	D
292	Mike Yastrzemski, OF	C	B	F
369	Sam Hilliard, OF	D	B	C

Grade C home run sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
10	Trea Turner, SS	B	C	A
29	Starling Marte, OF	B	C	B
30	Jose Altuve, 2B	A	C	C
37	Ozzie Albies, 2B	B	C	C
52	J.T. Realmuto, C	B	C	D
59	DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B	A	C	D
60	Vladimir Guerrero, 3B	B	C	F
80	Tommy Pham, OF	B	C	B
86	Jeff McNeil, 2B/3B/OF	A	C	D
87	Eddie Rosario, OF	B	C	D
95	Nick Castellanos, OF	B	C	F
97	Yasmani Grandal, C/1B	D	C	F
104	Ramon Laureano, OF	B	C	C
107	Willson Contreras, C	C	C	F
120	Michael Brantley, OF	A	C	D
125	Cavan Biggio, 2B	D	C	B
127	Corey Seager, SS	B	C	F
131	Yuli Gurriel, 1B/3B	B	C	F
135	Danny Santana, 1B/OF	C	C	C
141	David Dahl, OF	B	C	D
146	Justin Turner, 3B	A	C	F
147	Jorge Polanco, SS	B	C	D
155	Gavin Lux, SS	B	C	D
162	Salvador Perez, C	D	C	F
173	Hunter Dozier, 3B/OF	C	C	F
176	Byron Buxton, OF	C	C	B
182	Scott Kingery, 3B/OF	C	C	B
184	Yasiel Puig, OF	C	C	C
188	Paul DeJong, SS	D	C	D
193	Ryan McMahon, 2B/3B	C	C	D
196	Christian Vazquez, C	C	C	F
201	Didi Gregorius, SS	C	C	D
203	Omar Narvaez, C	B	C	F
212	Miguel Andujar, DH	B	C	F
216	Avisail Garcia, OF	B	C	D
217	Shin-Soo Choo, OF	C	C	C
218	Gio Urshela, 3B	A	C	F
235	Jo Adell, OF	C	C	C
252	Sean Murphy, C	C	C	F
255	Yandy Diaz, 1B/3B	B	C	F
283	Francisco Mejia, C	B	C	F

Stolen Bases

Grade A stolen base sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
1	Ronald Acuna, OF	B	A	A
10	Trea Turner, SS	B	C	A
43	Adalberto Mondesi, SS	D	D	A
53	Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS	C	D	A
171	Mallex Smith, OF	C	F	A
195	Garrett Hampson, 2B/OF	C	D	A
261	Jon Berti, 3B/SS/OF	C	F	A

Grade B stolen base sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
2	Mike Trout, OF	A	A	B
3	Christian Yelich, OF	A	A	B
6	Mookie Betts, OF	A	B	B
8	Francisco Lindor, SS	B	B	B
9	Trevor Story, SS	B	B	B
18	Fernando Tatis, SS	C	B	B
19	Jose Ramirez, 3B	B	B	B
29	Starling Marte, OF	B	C	B
45	Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF	A	D	B
49	Keston Hiura, 2B	B	B	B
76	Victor Robles, OF	C	D	B
80	Tommy Pham, OF	B	C	B
125	Cavan Biggio, 2B	D	C	B
136	Tommy Edman, 2B/3B	B	D	B
151	Elvis Andrus, SS	C	F	B
161	Kyle Tucker, OF	C	B	B
176	Byron Buxton, OF	C	C	B
182	Scott Kingery, 3B/OF	C	C	B
220	Kolten Wong, 2B	C	F	B

Grade C stolen base sources

ADP	Player	BA	HR	SB
4	Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF	A	A	C
12	Juan Soto, OF	B	B	C
13	Alex Bregman, 3B/SS	B	A	C
21	Bryce Harper. OF	C	A	C
30	Jose Altuve, 2B	A	C	C
31	Javier Baez, SS	B	B	C
36	Charlie Blackmon, OF	A	B	C
37	Ozzie Albies, 2B	B	C	C
40	Ketel Marte, 2B/OF	A	B	C
44	Austin Meadows, OF	B	B	C
66	Bo Bichette, SS	B	B	C
68	Yoan Moncada, 3B	B	B	C
82	Marcus Semien, SS	B	B	C
90	Luis Robert, OF	D	B	C
103	Tim Anderson, SS	A	D	C
104	Ramon Laureano, OF	B	C	C
105	Andrew Benintendi, OF	B	D	C
128	Shohei Ohtani, DH	B	B	C
135	Danny Santana, 1B/OF	C	C	C
143	Oscar Mercado, OF	C	D	C
170	Amed Rosario, SS	B	D	C
181	Lorenzo Cain, OF	B	D	C
184	Yasiel Puig, OF	C	C	C
190	Brandon Lowe, 2B	D	B	C
198	Jean Segura, SS	B	F	C
202	Adam Eaton, OF	B	D	C
208	Kevin Newman, 2B/SS	B	F	C
217	Shin-Soo Choo, OF	C	C	C
219	Nick Senzel, OF	C	D	C
227	Andrew McCutchen, OF	C	D	C
235	Jo Adell, OF	C	C	C
294	Nick Solak, DH	C	D	C
300	Trent Grisham, OF	C	D	C
369	Sam Hilliard, OF	D	B	C

So which sleepers should you snatch in your draft? And which undervalued first baseman can help you win a championship? Visit SportsLine now to get rankings for every single position, all from the model that called Kenta Maeda’s huge breakout last season, and find out.

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