It’s my third season being invited to the Tout Wars Draft & Hold league. After coming up just short with a second place finish in 2024, I took a step back in 2025 finishing sixth. I wanted to break the league write up into sections this year since it’s 50 picks each. There are no waivers. The league swaps AVG for OBP. You bring what you draft to the season. Follow along as I Lindsey Vonn my way through the dangerous downhill of drafting without a safety net. I’m drafting from the nine hole. I chose this spot since it’s a 15-teamer and positional runs get bad if you’re far away from the start. You can follow along with the draft board.
1.09 Julio Rodriguez. I almost landed Elly de la Cruz but missed him by one spot. I’m fairly happy getting Julio instead. Here’s hoping he doesn’t wait half a season to turn it on yet again.
2.22 Bryce Harper. This was a tough one. I often chase the younger upside guys like James Wood or Jackson Chourio. I wanted a known commodity and opted for the aging first baseman. I’m counting on his OBP returning to near elite levels and getting 140+ games played.
3.39 Logan Gilbert. I’ve been frozen out of the pitching market in enough Tout leagues to have learned my lesson. Gilbert was the last guy I saw as someone with a track to an ace season.
4.52 Mookie Betts. Another vet I’m taking a risk on. Let’s see if Mookie can stop the slide into mediocrity. Fitting on the same day Grey posted his Schmohawk article.
5.69 Hunter Goodman. I’m not usually interested in catcher this early. The top guys went and Goodman was hanging out. It’s nice having one of those two C slots stable.
6.82 Dylan Cease. I’m typically taking pitching at a discount. Cease slid into the eighties, so I’m willing to put him on my dance card.
7.99 Eugenio Suarez. Folks were staying away here due to his OBP I’m guessing. My squad could use the pop.
8.112 Kevin Gausman. Pitching when it’s discounted.
9.129 Steven Kwan. I jumped ahead of ADP with only one OF rostered and some OBP needs. With the likes of Vlad Sedler and DVR lurking at the turn, you have to take chances. I usually enjoy rostering Kwan since the power/speed expectations are modest, but he gives some production.
10.142 Trevor McGill. Ugh. I was whiffing on relievers all draft and don’t want to be completely locked out for saves. With a little luck on some late dart,s I can stay ahead of the lowest totals.
11.159 Xavier Edwards. Another OBP darling I’m jumping early on. Speed was also a big need.
12.172 Zack Wheeler. With most of the marquee names gone, I rolled the dice on Wheeler and a hope that he has a solid three quarters of a season.
