POSB Draft Strategy

The POSB strategy might be the simplest draft approach to pull off effectively. It prioritizes power and speed above all, treating batting average as an afterthought. The aim? Dominate home runs and stolen bases, with the hope that runs and RBI follow suit. This team-building philosophy shines brightest in self-contained leagues where category dominance can carry you far.

Fading Batting Average

In most drafts, fantasy managers dodge players with shaky batting averages like they’re cursed. This leaves a treasure trove of low-average, high-power hitters languishing in the player pool, overlooked until the later rounds. For the POSB drafter, that’s a jackpot. By scooping up these undervalued pieces, you free up early picks to lock down a solid pitching foundation. The trick is finessing this approach, so your team doesn’t tank completely in batting average. A high-strikeout slugger can still muster a decent average in a breakout year. Plus, in seasons where starting pitching suppresses offense league-wide, batting averages tend to dip—making this strategy even more viable.

Baseline for Batting Average

So, what’s a “bad” batting average? Looking at recent fantasy baseball seasons, a team needs to hit above .260 to climb into the upper tier of the standings. Players batting .240 or lower drag your team down like an anchor. That said, there’s always a chance three or four of these low-average hitters defy the odds and spike in the same season, boosting your batting average unexpectedly. In a trade-heavy league, you could even flip one of these guys if he starts hot. Punting one category entirely is a gamble, but I can still win in 12- or 15-team leagues.

Plus Power Hitters and Speed-Only Players

Executing this strategy means resisting the urge to overreach for flashy names. You’ll lean on weaker, undervalued pieces but must avoid overloading on pure speedsters. One-dimensional speed guys—like those offering little beyond stolen bases—gain value in low-offense years when roster slots can prioritize power hitters instead. I’ve watched managers nail two or three elite sluggers early, only to pivot too hard toward speed and end up with a roster light on home runs. Chasing stolen bases at the expense of power can derail this plan fast.

How to Win

To make POSB a championship strategy, you need an edge in power, speed, and starting pitching while staying in the hunt for saves. The secret sauce is spotting the draft’s falling stars—players with the skills to round out your roster’s backend. Once you’ve mapped out how to fill your lineup’s gaps, you can weigh the tradeoffs and pinpoint which rounds to target pitching. This approach often intersects with the PAPS (Power and Pitching Strategy) style, so stay sharp—those teams might snipe your sleeper picks.

POSB drafters thrive by targeting proven veterans with established track records. While others chase the upside of young breakout candidates in later rounds, this plan stashes reliable, older players. The challenge lies in striking a balance between safe floor options (veterans) and high-potential developing talents.