2022 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Tiers by category, not position, makes for the perfect Roto cheat sheet
Because category scarcity is the driving factor in most 5x5 drafts
By
Scott White
•
8 min read
Position scarcity isn't a defunct concept in Fantasy Baseball -- the current state of third base ensures it -- but in recent years, category scarcity has become much more the driving factor in Rotisserie drafts (points leagues are obviously a different story).
So what I've done here is turn the tiers concept on its head, treating all positions as equal and instead grouping players by expected output in particular categories.
There are some limitations to this approach -- specifically, these four:
- It only makes sense for hitters. So much of pitcher value is tied to volume and risk, which aren't categories in and of themselves, that tiering them in this way would only muddy the waters. Besides, drafting pitchers is less about balancing categories than simply getting the best you can get.
- It mostly makes sense for three of the five hitter categories: stolen bases, home runs and batting average. Runs and RBI are partly a byproduct of those but otherwise beyond a hitter's control, influenced by playing time, lineup spot and supporting cast. Again, I'm not looking to muddy the waters.
- Though maybe not as much as at starting pitcher, volume and risk also influence hitter values in a way that's not easily reflected here. So, yeah ... these waters are a little muddy. I would say the scores of Ronald Acuna and Byron Buxton are most harmed by the expectation of missed time.
- Tiering hitters in this way locks us into one projected outcome for them. It can't account for the full range of outcomes, which is wider for some than for others. Of course I go with what I consider to be the most likely scenario, but even so, it's a limited way to size up a player's value.
What can I say? If you want perfection, this guide isn't for you. But if you want a shortcut -- a cheat sheet, if you will -- for where to meet specific categorical needs at every stage of the draft, then it absolutely is. You can also use it to game plan ahead of your draft. If, for instance, you can still get a B-grade base-stealer at Pick 100, then maybe you can use your first-round pick on an A+ power guy.
That's right: For each of the three categories, I've assigned every hitter a letter grade like some kind of schoolmarm. It works well enough. You'll note that there are far more A-grade home run hitters than base-stealers, which we all know is the state of the game right now. Having an exact count, though, will help you to manage those scarcities.
Grade A stolen base sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
25 | Starling Marte, OF | A | D | A+ |
33 | Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF | B | D | A+ |
68 | Adalberto Mondesi, 3B | C | D | A+ |
1 | Fernando Tatis, SS/OF | B | A+ | A |
2 | Trea Turner, 2B/SS | A+ | B | A |
4 | Jose Ramirez, 3B | C | A | A |
18 | Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP | C | A+ | A |
37 | Cedric Mullins, OF | C | B | A |
102 | Tommy Edman, 2B/OF | C | F | A |
159 | Myles Straw, OF | C | F | A |
284 | Vidal Brujan, 2B | C | F | A |
Grade A home run sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
1 | Fernando Tatis, SS/OF | B | A+ | A |
5 | Vladimir Guerrero, 1B | A | A+ | F |
10 | Mike Trout, OF | A | A+ | D |
18 | Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP | C | A+ | A |
4 | Jose Ramirez, 3B | C | A | A |
7 | Bryce Harper, OF | A | A | C |
15 | Rafael Devers, 3B | B | A | F |
16 | Freddie Freeman, 1B | A | A | D |
27 | Yordan Alvarez, OF | B | A | F |
28 | Aaron Judge, OF | B | A | D |
31 | Matt Olson, 1B | C | A | F |
32 | Salvador Perez, C | C | A | F |
44 | Austin Riley, 3B | B | A | F |
47 | Pete Alonso, 1B | C | A | F |
55 | George Springer, OF | C | A | D |
64 | Tyler O'Neill, OF | C | A | C |
69 | Brandon Lowe, 2B | D | A | D |
83 | Giancarlo Stanton, OF | C | A | F |
98 | Mitch Haniger, OF | C | A | F |
108 | Max Muncy, 1B/2B | D | A | F |
111 | Franmil Reyes, DH | D | A | F |
117 | Kyle Schwarber, OF | C | A | F |
135 | Joey Gallo, OF | F | A | D |
180 | Jorge Soler, OF | C | A | F |
210 | Adam Duvall, OF | D | A | F |
274 | Patrick Wisdom, 3B | F | A | D |
Grade A batting average sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
2 | Trea Turner, 2B/SS | A+ | B | A |
3 | Juan Soto, OF | A+ | B | D |
38 | Tim Anderson, SS | A+ | C | B |
5 | Vladimir Guerrero, 1B | A | A+ | F |
6 | Bo Bichette, SS | A | B | B |
7 | Bryce Harper, OF | A | A | C |
10 | Mike Trout, OF | A | A+ | D |
14 | Kyle Tucker, OF | A | B | C |
16 | Freddie Freeman, 1B | A | A | D |
25 | Starling Marte, OF | A | D | A+ |
34 | Xander Bogaerts, SS | A | B | D |
45 | Wander Franco, SS | A | C | D |
49 | Paul Goldschmidt, 1B | A | B | D |
63 | Corey Seager, SS | A | B | F |
76 | Ketel Marte, 2B/OF | A | C | F |
93 | Bryan Reynolds , OF | A | C | D |
192 | Michael Brantley, OF | A | F | F |
195 | Yuli Gurriel, 1B | A | D | F |
265 | Nicky Lopez, SS | A | F | B |
309 | Luis Arraez, 2B/3B/OF | A | F | F |
339 | Nick Madrigal, 2B | A | F | D |
Grade B stolen base sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
6 | Bo Bichette, SS | A | B | B |
9 | Ronald Acuna, OF | B | B | B |
12 | Mookie Betts, OF | B | B | B |
19 | Ozzie Albies, 2B | C | B | B |
20 | Luis Robert, OF | B | B | B |
38 | Tim Anderson, SS | A+ | C | B |
39 | Trevor Story, SS | C | B | B |
52 | Randy Arozarena, OF | C | C | B |
89 | Jazz Chisholm, 2B/SS | D | C | B |
100 | Bobby Witt, SS | C | B | B |
181 | Robbie Grossman, OF | D | C | B |
194 | Akil Baddoo, OF | C | D | B |
246 | Raimel Tapia, OF | B | F | B |
265 | Nicky Lopez, SS | A | F | B |
282 | Andres Gimenez, 2B/SS | C | F | B |
295 | Jonathan Villar, 3B/SS | D | D | B |
Grade B home run sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
2 | Trea Turner, 2B/SS | A+ | B | A |
3 | Juan Soto, OF | A+ | B | D |
6 | Bo Bichette, SS | A | B | B |
9 | Ronald Acuna, OF | B | B | B |
12 | Mookie Betts, OF | B | B | B |
14 | Kyle Tucker, OF | A | B | C |
19 | Ozzie Albies, 2B | C | B | B |
20 | Luis Robert, OF | B | B | B |
23 | Manny Machado, 3B | B | B | D |
30 | Marcus Semien, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
34 | Xander Bogaerts, SS | A | B | D |
35 | Teoscar Hernandez, OF | B | B | C |
37 | Cedric Mullins, OF | C | B | A |
39 | Trevor Story, SS | C | B | B |
46 | Francisco Lindor, SS | C | B | C |
49 | Paul Goldschmidt, 1B | A | B | D |
51 | Nolan Arenado, 3B | C | B | F |
56 | Nick Castellanos, OF | B | B | F |
59 | Jose Altuve, 2B | B | B | D |
61 | Byron Buxton, OF | B | B | C |
62 | Eloy Jimenez, OF | C | B | F |
63 | Corey Seager, SS | A | B | F |
67 | Jose Abreu, 1B | C | B | F |
72 | Javier Baez, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
77 | J.D. Martinez, OF | B | B | F |
79 | Carlos Correa, SS | B | B | F |
84 | Cody Bellinger, OF | D | B | D |
86 | Jorge Polanco, 2B/SS | C | B | D |
100 | Bobby Witt, SS | C | B | B |
116 | Austin Meadows, OF | D | B | F |
130 | Rhys Hoskins, 1B | D | B | F |
131 | Josh Bell, 1B | C | B | F |
132 | C.J. Cron, 1B | B | B | F |
138 | Willy Adames, SS | C | B | D |
143 | Joey Votto, 1B | C | B | F |
144 | Nelson Cruz, DH | C | B | F |
149 | Adolis Garcia, OF | D | B | C |
156 | Matt Chapman, 3B | D | B | F |
170 | Hunter Renfroe, OF | C | B | F |
173 | Marcell Ozuna, OF | C | B | F |
177 | Eugenio Suarez, 3B/SS | F | B | F |
207 | Ian Happ, OF | D | B | D |
208 | Spencer Torkelson, 1B | C | B | F |
228 | Luke Voit, 1B | C | B | F |
234 | Oneil Cruz, SS | D | B | C |
237 | Bobby Dalbec, 1B | D | B | F |
238 | Mike Zunino, C | F | B | F |
260 | Jesus Sanchez, OF | D | B | F |
264 | Miguel Sano, 1B | F | B | F |
320 | Julio Rodriguez, OF | B | B | C |
376 | Nolan Gorman, 2B | C | B | D |
Grade B batting average sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
1 | Fernando Tatis, SS/OF | B | A+ | A |
9 | Ronald Acuna, OF | B | B | B |
12 | Mookie Betts, OF | B | B | B |
15 | Rafael Devers, 3B | B | A | F |
20 | Luis Robert, OF | B | B | B |
23 | Manny Machado, 3B | B | B | D |
27 | Yordan Alvarez, OF | B | A | F |
28 | Aaron Judge, OF | B | A | D |
33 | Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF | B | D | A+ |
35 | Teoscar Hernandez, OF | B | B | C |
44 | Austin Riley, 3B | B | A | F |
56 | Nick Castellanos, OF | B | B | F |
59 | Jose Altuve, 2B | B | B | D |
61 | Byron Buxton, OF | B | B | C |
66 | Alex Bregman, 3B | B | C | F |
77 | J.D. Martinez, OF | B | B | F |
79 | Carlos Correa, SS | B | B | F |
97 | Jonathan India, 2B | B | C | D |
99 | Anthony Rendon, 3B | B | C | F |
103 | Jesse Winker, OF | B | C | F |
113 | DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B | B | F | F |
121 | Jake Cronenworth, 1B/2B/SS | B | D | D |
132 | C.J. Cron, 1B | B | B | F |
141 | Lourdes Gurriel, OF | B | C | F |
147 | Justin Turner, 3B | B | C | F |
151 | Alex Verdugo, OF | B | D | D |
158 | Ty France, 1B/2B | B | D | F |
160 | Keibert Ruiz, C | B | D | F |
166 | Adley Rutschman, C | B | C | F |
172 | Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS | B | C | F |
178 | Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF | B | C | F |
200 | Charlie Blackmon, OF | B | D | F |
203 | Jean Segura, 2B | B | D | D |
205 | Frank Schwindel, 1B | B | C | F |
220 | Amed Rosario, SS | B | F | C |
227 | A.J. Pollock, OF | B | C | D |
246 | Raimel Tapia, OF | B | F | B |
255 | Alejandro Kirk, C | B | D | F |
257 | Gio Urshela, 3B/SS | B | D | F |
291 | Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF | B | F | F |
304 | David Fletcher, 2B/SS | B | F | C |
320 | Julio Rodriguez, OF | B | B | C |
323 | Nico Hoerner, 2B | B | F | C |
346 | Brandon Nimmo, OF | B | D | D |
365 | Connor Joe, OF | B | D | F |
418 | Jose Miranda, 3B | B | C | F |
429 | Triston Casas, 1B | B | C | D |
451 | Alek Thomas, OF | B | D | C |
460 | Robinson Cano, 2B | B | D | F |
Grade C stolen base sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
7 | Bryce Harper, OF | A | A | C |
14 | Kyle Tucker, OF | A | B | C |
30 | Marcus Semien, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
35 | Teoscar Hernandez, OF | B | B | C |
46 | Francisco Lindor, SS | C | B | C |
61 | Byron Buxton, OF | B | B | C |
64 | Tyler O'Neill, OF | C | A | C |
72 | Javier Baez, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
81 | Christian Yelich, OF | C | D | C |
118 | Daulton Varsho, C/OF | C | C | C |
128 | Jarred Kelenic, OF | D | C | C |
129 | Trent Grisham, OF | D | D | C |
139 | Chris Taylor, 2B/SS/OF | C | D | C |
148 | Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B | C | D | C |
149 | Adolis Garcia, OF | D | B | C |
214 | Jo Adell, OF | D | C | C |
220 | Amed Rosario, SS | B | F | C |
222 | Kolten Wong, 2B | C | D | C |
229 | Mark Canha, OF | D | D | C |
234 | Oneil Cruz, SS | D | B | C |
235 | Ramon Laureano, OF | D | D | C |
249 | Riley Greene, OF | C | C | C |
287 | Tommy Pham, OF | D | D | C |
290 | Garrett Hampson, 2B/OF | D | F | C |
299 | Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS | C | F | C |
304 | David Fletcher, 2B/SS | B | F | C |
315 | Jarren Duran, OF | D | D | C |
320 | Julio Rodriguez, OF | B | B | C |
321 | Lorenzo Cain, OF | C | D | C |
323 | Nico Hoerner, 2B | B | F | C |
333 | Harrison Bader, OF | C | C | C |
334 | Kyle Lewis, OF | D | D | C |
343 | Lane Thomas, OF | C | D | C |
350 | Rafael Ortega, OF | C | D | C |
372 | Brandon Marsh, OF | C | D | C |
378 | Manuel Margot, OF | D | F | C |
436 | Victor Robles, OF | F | F | C |
451 | Alek Thomas, OF | B | D | C |
552 | Tyrone Taylor, OF | D | C | C |
Grade C home run sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
38 | Tim Anderson, SS | A+ | C | B |
45 | Wander Franco, SS | A | C | D |
52 | Randy Arozarena, OF | C | C | B |
66 | Alex Bregman, 3B | B | C | F |
71 | Will Smith, C | D | C | F |
76 | Ketel Marte, 2B/OF | A | C | F |
85 | Kris Bryant, 3B/OF | C | C | D |
89 | Jazz Chisholm, 2B/SS | D | C | B |
93 | Bryan Reynolds , OF | A | C | D |
97 | Jonathan India, 2B | B | C | D |
99 | Anthony Rendon, 3B | B | C | F |
103 | Jesse Winker, OF | B | C | F |
107 | Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/OF | C | C | F |
110 | Yasmani Grandal, C | D | C | F |
114 | Jared Walsh, 1B | C | C | F |
115 | Dansby Swanson, SS | C | C | D |
118 | Daulton Varsho, C/OF | C | C | C |
124 | Willson Contreras, C | D | C | F |
128 | Jarred Kelenic, OF | D | C | C |
141 | Lourdes Gurriel, OF | B | C | F |
147 | Justin Turner, 3B | B | C | F |
163 | Anthony Rizzo, 1B | C | C | D |
164 | Michael Conforto, OF | C | C | F |
166 | Adley Rutschman, C | B | C | F |
172 | Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS | B | C | F |
175 | Avisail Garcia, OF | C | C | D |
176 | Ryan McMahon, 2B/3B | D | C | F |
178 | Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF | B | C | F |
181 | Robbie Grossman, OF | D | C | B |
183 | Josh Donaldson, 3B | D | C | F |
188 | Eduardo Escobar, 2B/3B | D | C | F |
189 | Eddie Rosario, OF | C | C | D |
190 | Trey Mancini, 1B | C | C | F |
199 | Brandon Crawford, SS | C | C | D |
201 | Andrew Vaughn, OF | C | C | F |
202 | Gary Sanchez, C | F | C | F |
205 | Frank Schwindel, 1B | B | C | F |
206 | Mitch Garver, C | C | C | F |
214 | Jo Adell, OF | D | C | C |
218 | Luis Urias, 2B/3B/SS | C | C | F |
227 | A.J. Pollock, OF | B | C | D |
230 | Jonathan Schoop, 1B/2B | C | C | F |
240 | Brandon Belt, 1B | C | C | F |
241 | Austin Hays, OF | D | C | F |
249 | Riley Greene, OF | C | C | C |
251 | Mike Yastrzemski, OF | C | C | F |
253 | Joey Bart, C | D | C | F |
269 | Anthony Santander, OF | D | C | F |
276 | Jesus Aguilar, 1B | C | C | F |
288 | Eric Haase, C/OF | F | C | F |
301 | Andrew McCutchen, OF | D | C | D |
328 | Randal Grichuk, OF | D | C | F |
333 | Harrison Bader, OF | C | C | C |
337 | Paul DeJong, SS | F | C | D |
338 | Joc Pederson, OF | D | C | F |
344 | Max Kepler, OF | F | C | D |
390 | Gavin Sheets, DH | C | C | F |
418 | Jose Miranda, 3B | B | C | F |
429 | Triston Casas, 1B | B | C | D |
489 | Seth Beer, 1B | C | C | F |
552 | Tyrone Taylor, OF | D | C | C |
Grade C batting average sources
ADP | Player | BA | HR | SB |
4 | Jose Ramirez, 3B | C | A | A |
18 | Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP | C | A+ | A |
19 | Ozzie Albies, 2B | C | B | B |
30 | Marcus Semien, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
31 | Matt Olson, 1B | C | A | F |
32 | Salvador Perez, C | C | A | F |
37 | Cedric Mullins, OF | C | B | A |
39 | Trevor Story, SS | C | B | B |
46 | Francisco Lindor, SS | C | B | C |
47 | Pete Alonso, 1B | C | A | F |
51 | Nolan Arenado, 3B | C | B | F |
52 | Randy Arozarena, OF | C | C | B |
55 | George Springer, OF | C | A | D |
57 | J.T. Realmuto, C | C | D | D |
62 | Eloy Jimenez, OF | C | B | F |
64 | Tyler O'Neill, OF | C | A | C |
67 | Jose Abreu, 1B | C | B | F |
68 | Adalberto Mondesi, 3B | C | D | A+ |
72 | Javier Baez, 2B/SS | C | B | C |
81 | Christian Yelich, OF | C | D | C |
83 | Giancarlo Stanton, OF | C | A | F |
85 | Kris Bryant, 3B/OF | C | C | D |
86 | Jorge Polanco, 2B/SS | C | B | D |
98 | Mitch Haniger, OF | C | A | F |
100 | Bobby Witt, SS | C | B | B |
102 | Tommy Edman, 2B/OF | C | F | A |
107 | Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/OF | C | C | F |
114 | Jared Walsh, 1B | C | C | F |
115 | Dansby Swanson, SS | C | C | D |
117 | Kyle Schwarber, OF | C | A | F |
118 | Daulton Varsho, C/OF | C | C | C |
131 | Josh Bell, 1B | C | B | F |
138 | Willy Adames, SS | C | B | D |
139 | Chris Taylor, 2B/SS/OF | C | D | C |
140 | Yoan Moncada, 3B | C | D | D |
143 | Joey Votto, 1B | C | B | F |
144 | Nelson Cruz, DH | C | B | F |
146 | Gleyber Torres, SS | C | D | D |
148 | Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B | C | D | C |
152 | Dylan Carlson, OF | C | D | F |
159 | Myles Straw, OF | C | F | A |
163 | Anthony Rizzo, 1B | C | C | D |
164 | Michael Conforto, OF | C | C | F |
167 | Tyler Stephenson, C/1B | C | D | F |
170 | Hunter Renfroe, OF | C | B | F |
173 | Marcell Ozuna, OF | C | B | F |
175 | Avisail Garcia, OF | C | C | D |
180 | Jorge Soler, OF | C | A | F |
189 | Eddie Rosario, OF | C | C | D |
190 | Trey Mancini, 1B | C | C | F |
194 | Akil Baddoo, OF | C | D | B |
198 | Andrew Benintendi, OF | C | D | D |
199 | Brandon Crawford, SS | C | C | D |
201 | Andrew Vaughn, OF | C | C | F |
206 | Mitch Garver, C | C | C | F |
208 | Spencer Torkelson, 1B | C | B | F |
218 | Luis Urias, 2B/3B/SS | C | C | F |
222 | Kolten Wong, 2B | C | D | C |
228 | Luke Voit, 1B | C | B | F |
230 | Jonathan Schoop, 1B/2B | C | C | F |
240 | Brandon Belt, 1B | C | C | F |
245 | Gavin Lux, 2B/SS | C | D | D |
249 | Riley Greene, OF | C | C | C |
251 | Mike Yastrzemski, OF | C | C | F |
252 | Jeimer Candelario, 3B | C | D | F |
268 | Alec Bohm, 3B | C | D | D |
276 | Jesus Aguilar, 1B | C | C | F |
282 | Andres Gimenez, 2B/SS | C | F | B |
283 | Omar Narvaez, C | C | D | F |
284 | Vidal Brujan, 2B | C | F | A |
299 | Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS | C | F | C |
312 | Eric Hosmer, 1B | C | D | D |
314 | Didi Gregorius, SS | C | D | F |
318 | Dominic Smith, OF | C | D | F |
321 | Lorenzo Cain, OF | C | D | C |
322 | Evan Longoria, 3B | C | D | F |
333 | Harrison Bader, OF | C | C | C |
343 | Lane Thomas, OF | C | D | C |
350 | Rafael Ortega, OF | C | D | C |
372 | Brandon Marsh, OF | C | D | C |
376 | Nolan Gorman, 2B | C | B | D |
390 | Gavin Sheets, DH | C | C | F |
405 | Nate Lowe, 1B | C | D | D |
437 | Kyle Farmer, SS | C | D | F |
489 | Seth Beer, 1B | C | C | F |
