Some of the fine folks I met last fall through a casual baseball league expressed interest in playing fantasy baseball this season. Most of us had never played it or hadn’t played in years—my first and only time was sophomore year of high school. It turns out that making and running a league with good-natured people and without money on the line is straightforward and made even easier with a smartphone.
I’m the commissioner, and I run the league on ESPN. We have a straightforward virtual draft. There’s no lack of depth with only eight teams and 17 roster spots each.
Since I already follow baseball, I do understand what some people say about other fantasy sports (or sports betting) about having a reason to watch a game I otherwise wouldn’t. While that’s not true in general for me—I haven’t watched any March Madness, for example, despite having a bracket—I’ll have plenty of reason to tune into some additional baseball games during the day or if my preferred Twins or Giants have an off-day. I’m excited to have a small diversion and something to chat about with really nice people who love baseball, too.
As of Opening Day, here’s my team, You’re Killing Me Smalls.
Hitters
C: Will Smith (LAD)
1B: Matt Olson (ATL)
2B: Ozzie Albies (ATL)
3B: Manny Machado (SD)
SS: Elly De La Cruz (CIN)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Christian Yelich (MIL)
OF: Brandon Nimm (NYM)
UTIL: Xander Bogaerts (SD)
UTIL: Maikel Garcia (KC)
Pitchers
SP: Dylan Cease (SD)
SP: Cole Ragans (KC)
SP: Logan Webb (SF)
RP: Felix Bautista (BAL)
RP: Jhoan Duran (MIN)
Bench
Joe Ryan, SP (MIN)