How Is Fantasy Baseball Scored?
How Is Fantasy Baseball Scored? – A Comprehensive Guide
Fantasy baseball scoring can be confusing at first, but it really is not that difficult once you understand the basics. Here is a comprehensive guide on how fantasy baseball is scored.
Introduction
Fantasy baseball is a game in which people manage imaginary teams of real players. In most fantasy baseball leagues, each team’s fantasy roster is composed of real-life Major League Baseball players. Points are then compiled based on each player’s statistical performance in actual games. The team owner with the most points at the end of the fantasy season is declared the winner.
A player’s fantasy value is largely determined by the specific scoring system used by the league in which he or she is playing. Many different scoring systems exist, but most are variations on a common theme. Typically, a player receives points for batting statistics such as runs, hits and home runs, and pitching statistics such as wins, strikeouts and earned run average. Some leagues also award points for less conventional statistics such as stolen bases or catches made by outfielders.
Hitting Categories
In order to score points, fantasy baseball owners need to track their players’ real-life statistics. These statistics are then compiled and compared against other fantasy teams in the league. The team with the most points at the end of the season is declared the winner.
There are a variety of ways to score points in fantasy baseball, but hitting categories are by far the most popular. In a hitting categories league, points are awarded for each statistical category, such as home runs, runs scored, and RBIs. The fantasy owner whose team accumulates the most points in each category at the end of the season is declared the winner.
There are a few different variations of hitting categories leagues, but the most common one is 5x5. In a 5x5 league, Points are awarded for five offensive statistical categories (batting average, home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and stolen bases) and five pitching statistical categories (earned run average, wins, saves, strikeouts, and walks plus hits per innings pitched). The fantasy owner whose team accumulates the most points in each category at the end of the season is declared the winner.
Other variations of hitting categories leagues include 6x6 (which adds two additional statistical categories: on-base percentage and slugging percentage) and 7x7 (which adds three additional statistical categories: OPS+, WHIP%, and quality starts).
Pitching Categories
In most Fantasy Baseball leagues, pitching categories include wins, losses, saves, strikeouts, and earned run average (ERA). You receives points based on how your pitchers do in these categories in comparison to the other teams in your league. For example, if you have the pitcher who strikes out the most batters in your league, you will receive more points than the team who has the pitcher who strikes out the second most batters. The number of points you receive depends on how your league is set up.
Some leagues also use quality starts (a pitcher earns a quality start if he pitches at least six innings and gives up three runs or fewer) and whip (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) as pitching categories. These two stats can be useful in evaluating pitchers, but they are not as important as wins, losses, saves, and strikeouts.
Fielding Categories
To provide extra incentive for owners to focus on all aspects of the game, beyond just offense, fantasy baseball has five primary categories for pitchers (Earned Run Average, or ERA; strikeouts, wins, walks plus hits per inning pitched, or WHIP; and saves) and six for hitters (batting average on balls in play, or BABIP; home runs; RBIs; runs scored; stolen bases; and walks).
Conclusion
Now that you know how fantasy baseball is scored, you can start putting together your own team and see how they stack up against the competition. There are a variety of ways to score points in fantasy baseball, so it’s important to understand the scoring system before drafting your team. With a little practice, you’ll be able to put together a winning team in no time.
