[krownroyal83]

Originally Posted by pgjocki

Think about the standard 26 Man Roster with 13 Pitchers and 13 Position Players then go down the list ensuring you get one of each. Additionally it depends on the “focus” of the team and the available players but I really look for the following to build a team:

Priority 1: Ace pitcher and number 2

Priority 2: Best available position player

Priority 3: Holy Trinity + Plus 1: Holy Trinity is SS/2B/CF and Plus 1 is a Catcher but only if he is >65 out of 80 on Defense and above average hitter

Priority 4: Best Slugging Corner Infield and Outfield

Priority 5: Starters 3-5

Priority 6: Catcher unless picked up in Priority 2 or 3

Priority 7: Closer and Set-up

Priority 8: Super utility and pitching specialists

Priority 9: Long relievers, another starter

Priority 10: Organizational depth

With that you can add guys and go down the checklist to make sure you hit all the positions and here is a purely hypothetical:

Round 1: Starting Pitcher 1
Round 2: Stud 3B
Round 3: Starting Pitcher 2
Round 4: CF
Round 5: SS
Round 6: Good C
Round 7: 2B
Round 8: LF
Round 9: 1B
Round 10: Starting Pitcher 3
Round 11: RF
Round 12: Closer
Round 13: Starting Pitcher 4
Round 14: Left Handed Reliever specialist
Round 15: 4th Outfielder (opposite bat hand of starter)
Round 16: Starting Pitcher 5
Round 17: Set-up
Round 18: 2B/SS utility guy
Round 19: Long Reliever (spot starter)
Round 20: Reliever
Round 21: 1B/DH big power guy
Round 22: Reliever
Round 23: Reliever
Round 24: Reliever
Round 25: 1B/OF utility
Round 26: Back-up Catcher

That's what I've done when building an expansion team and I also use this to prioritize Free Agents and Trades so I have a "plan" for building and maintaining my core team design.

Great post