I have the pleasure of competing in two high-profile industry showcase leagues. LABR drafts in Phoenix in early March, and Tout Wars teams are chosen several weeks later in New York City. Both leagues are 5X5, with the primary difference being that Tout uses on-base percentage while LABR remains with the traditional batting average.
I compete in the National League flavors of both LABR and Tout. In most years, I have the (perceived) benefit of having seen multiple teams in both Arizona and Florida prior to drafting. We catch Cactus League contests before the LABR drafts, and I typically slip into the Sunshine State for Grapefruit League action between LABR and Tout.
However, this year the earlier-starting MLB schedule — designed to provide the players more off-days in-season — threw a monkey wrench into my plans. Because the minor leagues were on their regular schedule, I delayed my Florida trip until just after Tout so I could see both the majors and minors.
I worried that this might leave me less prepared than usual for Tout, but that apparently was not the case.
After six weeks of 2019 league action, I am dead last in NL LABR but first place in NL Tout.
Despite my preparing in a similar manner for both drafts, the early results could not be further apart — almost 50 points! As such, I am convinced that good fortune has meant more to my teams than meticulous preparation. There seems a very fine line between making a hot start and digging a huge hole.
Only six players reside on both rosters — none of whom have been top contributors. They begin with middle infielders Garrett Hampson (on whom I spent an excessive total of $34 across the two leagues chasing rookie upside and steals) and boring Joe Panik. Another is outfielder Adam Eaton, who despite being a good OBP contributor actually cost me a dollar less in Tout than in LABR ($15 vs. $14). The other hitter is Miami backstop Jorge Alfaro, on whom I spent a total of $12.
My two common pitchers are both Cardinals. For a total of $9, Michael Wacha offered the promise of either decent stats or time on the injured list. So far, he has delivered neither, and his teammate Alex Reyes is on the IL in the minors after punching a wall.
In other words, I obviously drafted faster-starting players in Tout, where my offense is no worse than third in all five categories, despite top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. residing on the injured list.
One good measure of fortune occurred when draft day bidding for Marcell Ozuna unexpectedly stopped at $18. Despite saying on-air prior that I would not be buying Ozuna due to concerns over his shoulder, I owned him. So far, so good, with 11 home runs and 34 RBI.
Another outfielder with injury concerns was Pittsburgh’s Gregory Polanco, who opened the season on the IL. I was happy to snare him for $10, and he has already returned eight RBI in 13 games. Their counterparts on my LABR roster are David Dahl and Victor Robles.
Eyebrows were raised when I bid $25 in Tout for versatile and effective Max Muncy, who has plated 28 in 39 games. Another 28 RBI player who has been a pleasant surprise is Arizona’s Ketel Marte. In LABR, I spent comparable money on Matt Carpenter and Nick Senzel.
I worked hard this year being better prepared for the end game, and that has paid off in $2 outfielder Jarrod Dyson (seven steals, .400 OBP) and $1 acquisition Derek Dietrich, whose early-season power showing for Cincinnati makes the other 29 clubs look stupid for not offering him a major league contract as a free agent.
Stepping back, these two apparent role players on draft day who have stepped up in the early going could be the difference-makers for my Tout team. Being honest, they were not targets as much as they were the best remaining players when I drafted them.
On the pitching side, I recovered from losing my only closer, Corey Knebel, by acquiring Jordan Hicks in trade for Hyun-Jin Ryu. I was comfortable making this deal because of a rotation anchored by Stephen Strasburg, backed up by Mike Soroka, Julio Teheran, Sandy Alcantara and free agent acquisition Gio Gonzalez, plus setup men John Brebbia and Junior Guerra. I also have depth in Reyes, Alex Wood, Nick Pivetta, Chase Anderson and Taijuan Walker in waiting.
I have no idea how these teams will finish the season and I will work just as hard to bolster both, but I am convinced that the huge difference between where I reside in the standings so far is due to good fortune more than anything.
But hey, I’d rather be first and last than with two teams in the middle of the pack!
Brian Walton was the 2009 National League Tout Wars champion, having scored the most single-season points in the league’s two decades-plus of history. He also holds the all-time NL Tout single-season records for wins and saves. His work can also be found daily at TheCardinalNation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.
