Draft Day Strategy: Dumping Power

Jeremy recently wrote an article discussing a draft day strategy that he has used with success. I wrote an article last year about a strategy an owner in my "big money" NL-Only 5 x 5 re-draft league employs-he dumps power for ace pitchers and speed guys. But he doesn't employ the strategy on draft day, and I am pondering using this strategy in one of my leagues this season. He drafts power and speed guys, with some solid starting pitchers on draft day, but within the first month he is dealing his power hitters for ace-level starting pitchers and SB guys. He has used this post-draft day strategy the last three years in this league.

To be successful using this strategy, fantasy owners have to draft hitters who:

1. hit for a good batting average

2. score runs

3. steal bases

4. get alot of at bats

5. not draft power hitters when a speed guy or solid starting pitcher is available

More Dumping Power strategy after the jump:

Hitters who fit this strategy are:

C-Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez and Brian McCann

1B-Albert Pujols, Joey Votto

2B-a healthy Chase Utley, Chone Figgins, Rickie Weeks

SS-Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes

3B-David Wright and Evan Longoria

OF-Carl Crawford, Andrew McCutchen, Juan Pierre, Michael Bourn, Brett Gardner, and Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Kemp, Jose Tabata

Yes, there are power hitters on this list, but these hitters also hit for a good BA, score runs, and steal some bases. Both Pujols and Votto stole double digit bases in 2011, and hit .300+ and score 100 runs.

In addition to speedy hitters who score runs and hit for a solid BA, the owner must draft pitchers who:

1. are ace-level starters, like Roy Halladay, Josh Johnson, Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw

2. strike out 180+ batters per year, or have a K rate near or above 9.00

3. have ERAs in the mid-low 3's

4. have low WHIPs

5. win double digit games

6. 3 closers-because you need to win saves

Pitchers who fit this strategy are:

SP-Halladay, Lincecum, Kershaw, Jon Lester, Cliff Lee, Jered Weaver, Justin Verlander and Cole Hamels, among others

CL-Mariano Rivera, Brian Wilson, Heath Bell, and a healthy Joe Nathan, among others. Closers like Carlos Marmol, Craig Kimbrel, Jonathan Broxton and Joel Hanrahan will help in the strikeouts category as well.

To win with this strategy, fantasy owners must place in the top 2-3 in batting average, runs scored and win stolen bases. Similarly, since you are drafting solid starting pitchers, you should place in the top 3 in wins, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts, and win saves.