I just finished (well eliminated) my first ever SIM league season, can't say enough to @DoctorKz for providing me some insights beyond the newbie thread content.

One thing I am wondering about is lead-off batters. I noticed that some players in my league had success even though their #OBP was not stellar or they had a high strikeout rate.

Obviously, I understand ballpark can factor in but it has me wondering who the true lead-off studs are for 80M cap. I am considering a new build for my next year and spending up for either 99 Vizquel or a high OBP Reyes year. Am I on the right track or am I missing something pursuing #OBP, Speed, 66% Steal Rate (more than 30 RL attempts)?

In a league with only 1971 players OF Ralph Garr 5.7 mil 382/416/432. 16;SB. Team salary total 83.7 mil. He is the best I’ve had, but this is not an open League. It a progressive in 1971.

1996 Eric Young or 2019 Ketel Marte.

‘87 King Kelly, play at 2B. Has the PA to support a full season at leadoff and great AVG, OBP, and decent SLG. I don’t ever let mine steal, but he also has good speed for taking extra bases.

I don’t let anybody under a 75% success rate even attempt a steal, and they gotta make it 4 times out of 5 before I put them above a 3.

As for leadoff men, basically any Billy Hamilton season

Posted by Got_Worms on 9/26/2021 2:04:00 PM (view original):
1996 Eric Young or 2019 Ketel Marte.

Right now my build is 2019 Marte followed by 2011 Reyes...

people are mostly just listing cookies but if you want general things to look for, guys with high OBP and very low SLG tend to be pretty cheap, although a lot of the known cookies had big price increases.

base stealing is a bit overrated, it can be so easily neutralized by an A+ catcher that it's very risky to build your team around it. speed is hugely important but leadoff is actually the spot where you need it the least, it comes in the most handy in avoiding double plays and your leadoff man will have the fewest opportunities to hit into double plays.

also if you're drafting a 700+ PA guy it's generally not good value to get someone who's great on defense, because you're paying a lot extra for that defense and you could get the exact same defense for cheaper by drafting a guy with 550 PA and batting him 8th.

I like bunching my best hitters together. Leadoff follows the pitcher, my worst hitter by far. Don't necessarily want my best hitters here. He only leads off for sure in the1st inning. Also you want leadoff to be your highest PA guy unless you have suitable backup.
I often go against type by having a slow player leading off. The reason is low speed guys hit into more double plays in the Sim. Leadoff has fewer DP opportunities to hurt you.

Exactly why I just draft Billy Hamilton. He follows the pitcher, who usually just sac bunts. Don’t need to waste money on a bunch of XBHs if the guy’s already on second or third. Get a cheap singles hitter with PAs, then if nobody’s on, well he just walks a ton anyways

Posted by WarLeagle on 9/26/2021 6:14:00 PM (view original):

Posted by Got_Worms on 9/26/2021 2:04:00 PM (view original):
1996 Eric Young or 2019 Ketel Marte.

Right now my build is 2019 Marte followed by 2011 Reyes...

2019 Ketel Marte is becoming a staple on most of my SIM teams. He actually has some pop so don't be afraid to bat him 3-5.

Another terrible Mariners trade!

He may not be a great bargain in an $80 million league but I have tremendous success with 1998 John Olerud. Much more than his 1993 season even.

Reyes at $7M+, under 600PA, and only B-/B- defense isn't ideal when you don't have AAA...That's a lot to spend on a guy that can't play 162 games. At best that leaves you $35M for 7 other bats. My 2 cents

Why doesn't Lou Brock get any love?

I first picked him up off waivers in my first OL team when I first joined the site, and now that I only play progressives, I will try to draft him whenever I can. And he's reasonably priced (for those who play OLs), with his most expensive season being 1971 (5.14M). Even his 1974 season, where he stole 118 bases, is only 4.78M.

Another guy I've had a lot of luck with is Gene Richards. His most expensive season is 1980, where he stole 61 bases, and is only 4.81M. Nowhere near as many seasons as Brock, but a good value.

Brock plays terrible defense, which is surprising given his stature in MLB history.

Another player I really like, especially at $80 million cap, is 1989 Carney Lansford, goggles included!