As we have discussed in this space, the best way to field a championship foundation at your 12-team, head-to-head drafts is to load up on offense with your first eight picks and then grab two second-tier closers in rounds nine and 10.

Our work is not done in the save department at that point because the perfect formula is three closers, while the rest of your staff–and every single bench spot–is a starting pitcher. Your third closer should be drafted somewhere in rounds 11-15.

Starting pitchers come last in my draft model due to the volatility and unpredictability at that fragile position. Face it, folks, starting pitchers are as whimsical as a groupie for Motley Crue.

Some refer to this as “punting” starting pitchers. I refer to it as “fading” starting pitchers, because I am still very aggressive in accumulating wins, strikeouts and saves, while trying my best to also win the ratios every week with a non-brand-name rotation. Similarly, we are not “punting” closers, we are just gently fading them into the middle rounds, where there are several studs for the taking–if we time it just right.

I prioritize closers over starters because of position scarcity. I am usually satisfied with the starters that are still on the board late in drafts, but that is not the case with closers. There are closers who lose their jobs or get traded into an eighth-inning role, but I have found that closers are more stable and reliable than starters. Again, if you draft the right ones.

Furthermore, the starting pitcher market on waivers during the season is way more fertile than the closer market. Yes, there are ninth-inning changes that occur, but there is a lot more popcorn popping with the ebbs and flows and ins-and-outs of starting pitchers.

My fantasy baseball specialty is lily pad hopping from streamer starter to streamer starter during the season. It’s my summertime labor of love. For my draft model to work for your team, you must also grab your pole and head to the pond for some starter fishing–every day of the season! Most leagues have between 5-7 moves per week, so use them.

Let’s dive into my closer tiers so you can see who to fade and who to target. I will start with the first tier of closers as well as the offensive players I would rather have in that range of the draft.

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