The BALC Draft Strategy: Building a Balanced Championship Team

The strategy I lean on most seasons when chasing an overall fantasy baseball championship is what I call BALC—short for Balanced Approach with a premium on one strong catcher. It’s all about constructing a roster that’s strong across the board, with a particular emphasis on not getting crushed at the catcher position. Early in my fantasy career, I aimed for balance by the end of round three, but the shifting tides of the player pool often push my first three hitters to rounds four or five, depending on my draft slot.

I prefer to anchor my lineup with strength at one middle infield spot, though the options there can thin out year to year—I won’t force a pick just to fit the plan. Here’s how I break it down into key building blocks:

Core Hitting Pieces

· Elite Bat: I target a premium hitter who slots into the 3rd or 4th spot in a real-world lineup. This player needs to deliver big power and a strong batting average—think first basemen (Vladimir Guerrero/Freddie Freeman) or outfielders (Aaron Judge/Juan Soto). They’re one of my offensive cornerstones.

· Balance Player: Next, I grab a high-floor 20/20 guy (home runs/stolen bases) with a solid average. Sometimes, this is my first pick if the value’s right, offering even more pop or speed. Outfielders dominate this category, but snagging one from the middle infield gives me a massive edge. Ronald Acuña Jr. rewrote the script in 2023 with 41 homers and a league-leading 73 steals. Last year, Shohei Ohtani also had an all-time great season (.310/134/54/130/59), creating a massive edge for a foundation bat. Bobby Witt Jr. has been a tremendous player over the past two years.

· Edge Base Stealer with Pop: This piece used to be the toughest player to nail down, but the 2023 rule changes sparked a stolen base boom, deepening the pool. My original profile of his skill set was Carl Crawford (.305/18/77/58 in 2006) or José Reyes (.300/19/81/64 in 2006)—guys with enough power to complement the elite speed and, ideally, a decent average. Corbin Carroll’s my 2024 poster child (.285/1116/25/76/54 over 565 at-bats), blending average, power, and speed seamlessly. Unfortunately, he tripped up last year, handing the baton to Elly De La Cruz (.259/105/25/76/67 over 618 at-bats) despite having more batting average risk due to his high strikeout total (218).

First Three Hitters: Power and Speed Goals

I aim to lock in 75 home runs and 75 stolen bases across my first three or four bats. Hitting that mark early sets me up to outmaneuver opponents at thinner positions later. Flexibility is key—I won’t reach for a skill set if the player pool doesn’t fit my game style. I'll pivot if a higher-upside talent emerges, even if it tweaks the blueprint. Knowing when to snag these pieces depends on draft position and round-by-round value.

This approach often lands me a stud middle infielder, which might mean settling for a weaker first or third-baseman. By round five, I’m typically sitting with a 1B, MI, and OF, with two ace upside starters.

Catcher: Don’t Get Burned

Catcher’s a linchpin in this plan. With speed driving the strategy, home run totals might not dazzle after my first few hitters. I can’t skimp here unless a late-round catcher gem emerges. The goal? Two catchers combining for 40+ homers. That’s tricky if the top-tier options vanish early, leaving a shallow pool. I don’t need to dominate catcher stats, but I can’t afford an empty power slot at catcher. In 15-team leagues, I usually grab one within the first 10 rounds.

Skip One-Dimensional Speed Early

I steer clear of early base stealers who bring zero power. With BALC, I can’t stomach a goose egg in homers from any spot. That said, if a speed demon pops up at the right price, I’ll consider it—player values shift yearly with power ebbs and flows. In a low-power season, a speed-only guy gets more leeway, but my 75-homer target with my first three bats keeps me disciplined. A misstep here can crater my power totals.

Late-round speedsters with everyday playing time—like Esteury Ruiz (3 HR, 33 SB in 468 ABs)—make sense as bench stashes. Play them when they’re hot and running, and they’re gold if I’ve built the winning core of power hitters.

Pitching: Foundation Aces

It’s tempting to delay pitching when my lineup’s light on power, especially with juicy bats dangling in rounds 1-4. But a strong starting pitching base is non-negotiable. Today’s elite aces pack more punch than in the steroid era, so I prioritize them early to compete across all 10 categories. Timing depends on league size and competition—home leagues with trading often see only a couple of top arms get drafted early while second-tier starters slide. In high-stakes drafts, the dual-ace trend has elevated pitching’s importance, and the hitter quality in rounds 4-6 makes trading off bats for arms less painful.

Roster Shape After 10 Rounds

Historically, I’ve forced a shaky middle infielder by round 10. I aim for C, 1B, 3B, MI, OF, OF, SP, SP, SP, and CL. Early in high-stakes play, I’d exit round 10 with just two starters, banking on a volatile pitching pool. But recent seasons show starters carrying more weight, forcing adjustments. The thin closer market argues for two SPs and two CLs by round 10—dodging the “closer-in-waiting” trap saves roster spots and FAAB cash. After skimping early, I’ve chased saves via waivers, but that grind wears thin in no-trade formats. I’m sharpening my approach here.

Making It Work

BALC thrives on balance. Snagging the right pieces early—elite bat, balance player, edge stealer—sets the tone. Draft position can throw curveballs, so creativity’s a must when I’m not in an ideal slot. Post-round 10, I tweak my plan based on player flow. Success hinges on a foundation that contends in all categories—stronger base, bigger payoff. Where I’ve stumbled? Waiting too long for a power bat and over-indexing on speed early. It’s a tightrope—building balance is more challenging than it seems.