It's easy to get caught up in the myths that have circulated fantasy baseball for many years. But the game is changing. Analytics, new MLB rules, and unique strategies have changed the on-field product, and that means fantasy baseball has also changed. What was perhaps true 15 years ago is likely outdated and irrelevant for drafting and managing a championship-contending team.
Here are five myths that we can debunk to get you ready to dive into the fantasy baseball draft kit and chase a title.
Myth 1: You Can Win Your League on Draft Day
The draft is the single most important (and fun) day on the calendar for your fantasy baseball team. It's why owners participate in so many fantasy baseball mock drafts and study fantasy baseball ADP like it's ACT prep for a high schooler. But it's not the only important day.
Your roster will evolve dozens of times over the course of a 162-game season, either because players you drafted are struggling or injured, or because players on MLB prospect rankings get the call to the Major Leagues. There are a number of reasons why your roster will, and should, change from draft day. It could be chasing stats in a particular category where you're not strong or are close to other teams in, or because you get a great trade offer.
It's certainly possible to lose your league on draft day if players you drafted with high fantasy baseball auction values don't pan out. But the
It's easy to get caught up in the myths that have circulated fantasy baseball for many years. But the game is changing. Analytics, new MLB rules, and unique strategies have changed the on-field product, and that means fantasy baseball has also changed. What was perhaps true 15 years ago is likely outdated and irrelevant for drafting and managing a championship-contending team.
Here are five myths that we can debunk to get you ready to dive into the fantasy baseball draft kit and chase a title.
Myth 1: You Can Win Your League on Draft Day
The draft is the single most important (and fun) day on the calendar for your fantasy baseball team. It's why owners participate in so many fantasy baseball mock drafts and study fantasy baseball ADP like it's ACT prep for a high schooler. But it's not the only important day.
Your roster will evolve dozens of times over the course of a 162-game season, either because players you drafted are struggling or injured, or because players on MLB prospect rankings get the call to the Major Leagues. There are a number of reasons why your roster will, and should, change from draft day. It could be chasing stats in a particular category where you're not strong or are close to other teams in, or because you get a great trade offer.
It's certainly possible to lose your league on draft day if players you drafted with high fantasy baseball auction values don't pan out. But the championship teams tweak their rosters, pick up hot players and prospects, and make trades to strengthen their team from April to September.
Myth 2: Always Target "Closers" in Early Rounds
Remember, the 2026 version, isn't your Dad's bullpen. Bullpen management has changed as much as any aspect of baseball in the last few years. Last season, eight pitchers saved 30 or more games. In 2015, that number was 21 pitchers. This year's MLB projections predict that just four closers will do so.
Bullpens are largely committee now, and players throwing harder than ever unfortunately means injuries are more common. That's a two-fold problem, because MLB managers are saving their main closers' arms or those players are often shelved with arm injuries over the course of the season.
It's no surprise that this year's fantasy baseball rankings don't list a closer until 30th. If you are strong in many spots and can pluck an Edwin Diaz or Andres Munoz, that's great. If you don't grab an elite closer arm, don't panic. You can wait and find plenty of options later in your draft. It's the easiest stat to make up for late in drafts or on the waiver wire.
Myth 3: Batting Average is the Ultimate Hitting Stat
You no longer need to be Billy Beane to realize that batting average is one of the more outdated MLB player stats. It doesn't take into account getting on base (on-base percentage) or power (slugging percentage). The more players get on base, the more opportunities they have to steal bases and score runs. A home run counts the same as a single in batting average, but the former means tallying stats in home runs, runs and RBI.
Many leagues are shifting away from batting average and using either on-base percentage or OPS (on-base + slugging percentage). It's important that managers check their league settings, because it can be a massive swing in value for particular players.
Consider Juan Soto, who batted .263 (tied for 61st last season) last season, but had an on-base percentage of .396 (third in baseball). You may also be able to find some steals in keeper leagues or dynasty leagues using fantasy baseball dynasty rankings by adjusting your thinking.
Myth 4: Only Draft Players on Winning Real-Life Teams
All stats count the same no matter where they're coming from. The Dodgers, Yankees and Cubs may be nationally televised more than the Nationals, Pirates and Royals, but a home run is a home run for all 30 teams. Consider that in last year's final 2025 rankings, 12 of the top 20 fantasy players didn't make the MLB postseason.
In fact, there's an argument that drafting players on poor teams may help down the stretch because they're less likely to rest for upcoming postseason games. That would require a much deeper dive, but the point is that you should be drafting players based on their stats rather than the logos on their caps.
Myth 5: Consider Positional Scarcity When Drafting
Each year, catcher and second base are the two positions where talent drops off considerably after the first few players. For whatever reason, fantasy baseball managers tend to panic and grab one at either or both spots. What happens, in reality, is they bypass better talent just to lock in a spot that they don't need to worry about much for the remainder of the draft.
This is a poor strategy. The goal is always to extract the best value from each of your draft picks, regardless of position. This is especially true early in drafts when the best talent is going off the board.
