The dictionary defines ‘Auction‘ as “the fact or process of doing something; a thing is done; an act” and I find that appropriate. Auction drafts involve the process of doing the most during the draft and hammering down a strategy to be best prepared for any curveballs (pun intended) that can be thrown your way.
(Editor’s Note: The author defined ‘Action’, not ‘Auction’.)
Lucky for you, I am an expert in fantasy baseball auctions, as well as defining words, so I will walk you through a popular strategy for salary cap leagues: stars and scrubs.
- 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
- Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
- Fantasy Baseball Research & Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Average Draft Position (ADP)
Fantasy Baseball Salary Cap Strategy: Stars & Scrubs (2025)
Let’s start with a general Q&A.
Why the stars and scrubs strategy?
It’s a perfect strategy for players with experience in fantasy baseball and offers opportunities to target specific players within small positional pools while taking shots at lower-cost players later in the draft. If you have a list of sleepers you feel you can build your team around, the stars and scrubs strategy is for you.
Can I use the Stars and Scrubs strategy in a snake draft?
No, not really. Everyone has one pick a round. Salary cap leagues involve bidding on players.
What players should I target?
We’ll get more in-depth, but the goal is elite players where there are large drop-offs within the position.
Can you share an example?
There are three shortstops projected in the top seven and four in the top 12. There are elite shortstops available even if you miss out on the top few.
Conversely, there is one third baseman in the top 10 and two in the top 24. Grabbing a star third baseman is a great cornerstone for a team while snagging value on other positions.
What percentage of my budget should I use on stars?
Wrong question. The question should be, what percentage of my budget should I dedicate to my scrubs?
The standard roster is 25 players that need to be drafted with a $260 budget:
- 11 starters
- 7 pitchers
- 6 bench spots
Now let’s knock out the scrubs
- 3 bench spots: $3-$6
- 1 semi sleeper pitcher: $4
- 1 sleeper pitcher: $1
- Punt a position: $2
- Three utility spots: $3 – $8
- Total: $15-ish
That leaves $245 for 11 spots for you to allocate how you want. Here’s how I would set budget allocation (don’t steal this, Bronx Bombers):
- C – $2
- 1B – $27
- 2B – $2
- 3B – $48
- SS – $40
- OF – $10
- OF – $9
- OF – $1
- UTIL – $3
- UTIL – $2
- UTIL – $1
- P – $41
- P – $27
- P – $17
- P – $11
- P – $6
- P – $4
- P – $1
- Bench – $2
- Bench – $2
- Bench – $1
- Bench – $1
- Bench – $1
- Bench – $1
Punting second base and the utility spots (both will always be available on the waiver wire), while prioritizing third base, one of the top five shortstops and a deep pitching staff is a solid strategy. I’ll use the season scouring the waiver wire for outfield/utility depth and pitching fliers with good matchups.
Now let’s fill it out using FantasyPros’ salary cap projections. I added 10% to each player from their projection because, let’s be real, there’s no such thing as sleepers anymore.
- C – $2: Austin Wells (C – NYY)
- 1B – $27: Matt Olson (1B – ATL)
- 2B – $2 Brandon Lowe (1B, 2B – TB)
- 3B – $48: Jose Ramirez (3B – CLE)
- SS – $40: Francisco Lindor (SS – NYM)
- OF – $10: Jurickson Profar (OF – ATL)
- OF – $9: Mike Trout (OF – LAA)
- OF – $1: Victor Robles (OF – SEA)
- U – $3: Kerry Carpenter (OF – DET)
- U – $2: Evan Carter (OF – TEX)
- U – $1: Colt Keith (2B – DET)
- P – $41: Paul Skenes (SP – PIT)
- P – $27: Tarik Skubal (SP – DET)
- P – $17: George Kirby (SP – SEA)
- P – $11: Zac Gallen (SP – ARI)
- P – $6: Ronel Blanco (SP – HOU)
- P – $4: Ryan Pepiot (SP – TB)
- P – $1: Merrill Kelly (SP – ARI)
- B – $2: Reese Olson (SP – DET)
- B – $2: Max Muncy (3B – LAD)
- B – $1: Jesus Sanchez (OF – MIA)
- B – $1: Ryan Mountcastle (1B – BAL)
- B – $1: Ryan McMahon (3B – COL)
- B – $1: Matt Wallner (OF – MIN)
I Love this team.
Why would anyone want to snake draft when salary cap leagues are available? Set up your board, allocate money to positions and dominate your draft.
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