Today, as part of our cheat sheets series by our writers and analysts, we share Joe Pisapia’s favorite targets and players to avoid.
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My Favorite Targets By Position
Catcher: Salvador Perez, Daulton Varsho, Tyler Stephenson, Mitch Garver, Omar Narvaez (two-catcher leagues), Elias Diaz (two-catcher leagues)
First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Paul Goldschmidt, Jared Walsh, Rhys Hoskins, Joey Votto, C.J. Cron, Alex Kirilloff
Second Base: Ozzie Albies, Whit Merrifield, Brandon Lowe, Jorge Polanco, Brendan Rodgers, Kolten Wong
Third Base: Rafael Devers, Austin Riley, Wander Franco, Nolan Arenado, Alex Bregman, Matt Chapman, Ke’Bryan Hayes
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Wander Franco, Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Bobby Witt Jr., Willy Adames, Brendan Rodgers, Brandon Crawford
Outfield: Juan Soto, Bryce Harper, Kyle Tucker, Luis Robert, Yordan Alvarez, Nick Castellanos,
Eloy Jimenez, Bryan Reynolds, Kyle Schwarber, Hunter Renfroe, Alex Kirilloff, Jo Adell, Julio Rodriguez, Brandon Nimmo (OBP), Tyler Naquin
Utility: Shohei Ohtani, Franmil Reyes, Nelson Cruz
Starting Pitcher: Corbin Burnes, Shohei Ohtani, Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, Robbie Ray, Freddy Peralta, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, Frankie Montas, Alek Manoah, Trevor Rogers, Justin Verlander, Shane McClanahan, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Mike Clevinger, Patrick Sandoval, Joe Ryan, Jon Gray, Bailey Ober, Luis Patino
Reliever: Josh Hader, Liam Hendriks, Edwin Diaz, Ryan Pressly, Blake Treinen, Gregory Soto, Michael Kopech (RP-Eligible), Cristian Javier (RP-Eligible), Tanner Houck (RP-Eligible)
Targets By Round (12 Team League)
1st: Top-five hitters in Fantasy Pros ADP, Juan Soto, Vlad Guerrero, Trea Turner,
2nd: Luis Robert, Ozzie Albies, Rafael Devers, Luis Robert
3rd: Yordan Alvarez, Matt Olson, Whit Merrifield, Sal Perez
4th: Xander Bogaerts, Robbie Ray, Lucas Giolito, Robbie Ray, Paul Goldschmidt
5th: Wander Franco, Freddy Peralta, Nolan Arenado, Nick Castellanos
6th: Randy Arozarena, Alex Bregman, Brandon Lowe, Jose Berrios
7th: Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, Jorge Polanco, Frankie Montas, Edwin Diaz
8th: Bryan Reynolds, Yu Darvish, Alek Manoah
9th: Trevor Rogers, Justin Verlander, Bobby Witt Jr., Shane McClanahan
10th: Jared Walsh, Kyle Schwarber, Dalton Varsho
11th-15th: Chris Bassitt, Blake Treinen, Eduardo Rodriguez, Willy Adames, Sean Manaea, C.J. Cron, Matt Chapman, Nelson Cruz, Luis Severino, Hunter Renfroe, Mike Clevinger, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Michael Kopech
16th-20th: Brendan Rodgers, Alex Kirilloff, Patrick Sandoval, Jo Adell, Jon Gray, Julio Rodriguez
21st-25th: Christian Javier, Brandon Nimmo, Bailey Ober
Post-300 ADP: Luis Patino, Taijuan Walker
Players To Avoid Near ADP
Jacob deGrom (18)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (22)
Zack Wheeler (26)
Byron Buxton (54)
Javier Baez (69)
Adalberto Mondesi (69)
Chris Sale (76)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (86)
Jack Flaherty (89)
Jesse Winker (104)
Ryan Mountcastle (112)
DJ LeMahieu (119)
Strategy/Advice
Strategy is based on league style, active roster depth, and relative position value. It’s essential to understand the nuances of the formats you’re playing in and exploit them.
Overall, the 1A starting pitcher pool composed of veterans like Justin Verlander and Charlie Morton combined with youth like Alek Manoah and Trevor Rogers is where I want to be building rotations in 2022.
In roto, I’m fading the top of the SP board for impact hitters, attaching pitching soon after, and then building the rest from there.
Don’t be afraid of the younger players as they continue to make significant contributions.
The outfield and third base markets are also abnormally light, so have a plan there. This is especially true in leagues with 5 OF and CINF spots.
When it comes to closers, go great or late. Don’t waste picks in the middle on guys who have little job security.
Use a cheat sheet, or you can create your own right here at FantasyPros.
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Thanks for stopping by to read my cheat sheet. I wish you all a happy draft season and the most success in all of your leagues in 2022!
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