FPAZ26 CC: Breakout Session Descriptions
These descriptions are mainly for sessions that are taking place concurrently with other sessions and organized in chronological groups. Reference our main program schedule for specific breakout times and for solo Canyon Ballroom sessions.
THURSDAY BREAKOUT #1
Rostering Relievers for Holds, Ratios and Ks
This presentation will talk about a variety of bullpen roles, such as stoppers, bulk relievers, high-leverage guys, and closers. Mike Carter (BaseballHQ, Rotoballer) and Rick Graham (PitcherList) will discuss how to find pitchers who could be in line for valuable holds. They make suggestions on which statistics to mine to find these pitchers who could take a big jump in 2027.
Draft and Hold Primer
Whether you're new to the draft-and-hold format or a veteran player, this presentation should be applicable to all. Experienced high-stakes players James Anderson and Dustin McComas will share their roster construction strategies, approach to drafting prospects, positional cliffs and quotas, and much more! There will be time for questions at the end.
THURSDAY BREAKOUT #2
2026: Statistical Year in Review
What do the 2026 MLB seasonal trends point to in 2027? Join Ray Murphy from BaseballHQ and Kyle Bland from PitcherList as they examine the league-winning developments in HR, SB, W and more that could give you an early edge for 2027.
First Time at First Pitch? A Weekend Q&A
Are you a “red-dot rookie”? Or just someone trying to get the most out of this jam-packed weekend? Join representatives from BaseballHQ as they provide some tips and tricks on planning what to take in, how to get around, and overall logistics to make FPAZ26 an awesome experience. Bring your questions!
THURSDAY EVENING HANGOUTS
Prospect Q&A
Eric Longenhagen (FanGraphs) sees tons of prospects in person throughout the season, and who he’s not seen, he has scouting contacts who have. Bring your player inquires — on overall impressions or specific traits — to this open session Q&A. Whether your focus is 2027 or further down the road, this is your one-stop shop for getting that inside track on prospects to know.
Only-Leagues Focus: AL
What makes playing in an AL-only league so rewarding, challenging and unique? This panel discussion, led by USA TODAY’s Steve Gardner, asks some of the top players in AL LABR and AL Tout Wars how they approach these experts leagues and what their takeaways are from this past season. We’ll also look ahead to trends for 2027.
Why Fantasy Baseball Matters
For all the analytics and strategies, draft plans and waiver scouring, fantasy baseball isn’t just about stats and rosters. It deepens our connection to the sport. It builds community and connection. Come join us for a conversation about why we play - and why we love it so much.
FRIDAY BREAKOUT #1
AI for Content Creators
AI isn't coming; it's here, and it's here to stay. This session will discuss using AI for content creation. We'll share the pitfalls and identify some useful ways AI can be utilized in content creation, and especially editing.
Common Auction Mistakes
This presentation will address the most common auction mistakes made by fantasy managers. Two experienced auction drafters – Ariel Cohen (ATC, Fangraphs) and Mike Mager (FTN) – will discuss the 12 mistakes managers frequently make when doing auctions. The presentation will not only identify these mistakes but will also focus on the underlying auction theory and how to recognize and avoid making these mistakes moving forward. The aim is for attendees to become more self-aware as auction drafters, avoid treacherous pitfalls, and elevate your auction game to greater heights. The mistakes covered in this presentation encompass all facets of an auction from pre-draft strategy, nominations, bidding, managing money, and the end game.
Scoresheet Meetup/Q&A
Scoresheet is a popular simulation format where teams don’t just accumulate stats but actually play out a 162-game season where owners construct and tweak batting orders, pitching staffs and more. For those Scoresheet veterans as well as folks curious to hear more, Scoresheet head John Kracum will answer questions and discuss this unique game format. Note that a Scoresheet league is one of our Drafternoon offerings on Saturday, and there’s always room for first-timers!
Bring-your-own Roster AnalysisA small group of BaseballHQ and industry voices will be on hand to give you a second (or third) opinion on your roster questions. Keepers, potential trades, long-term contracts—all can be on the table; just bring your roster to discuss. Yes, WE CARE about your fantasy team! (Note this session runs twice: Friday at 11:40a and Saturday at 1:15p.)
FRIDAY BREAKOUT #2
Lessons from Shortened MLB Seasons
Elias Sports Bureau's Matt Martingale will look at the history of Spring Trainings and/or regular seasons being delayed by labor stoppage or pandemic, the leaguewide statistical trends in affected seasons, and which types of players have historically performed better or worse without the benefit of playing a full Spring slate.
Ottoneu Meetup/Q&A
We often hear that Ottoneu is an intimidating format. Join us as we debunk that notion with … a professor who assigned an Ottoneu auction draft as a class final. Ottoneu Fantasy Baseball is a unique fantasy experience, with deep rosters, lots of cap space, and roster continuity that is part-keeper, part-dynasty. Come hang out with Professor Andy Andres and Ottoneu’s founder Niv Shah as they discuss the Ottoneu format, its history and future, and answer strategy and team-building questions.
FRIDAY BREAKOUT #3
Bat Speed Gainers
A deep look into the biggest risers and fallers in bat speed between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons. Joe Orrico (FantasyPros/FanGraphs), Erik Halterman (RotoWire) and Britton Allan (Pallazzo Podcast) take a look at how closely this fairly new metric correlates to success at the plate and also highlight some players who could be in for a breakout season in 2027.”
What We Did Wrong in 2026 … and What to Do About It
Are you still haunted by your lingering fantasy baseball mistakes from 2026? Then we want you to join our panel! Join Chris Towers, Greg Jewett & Michael Govier as they dissect the areas that tripped them up and what can be done about it in 2027!
FRIDAY BREAKOUT #4
What Actually Wins a Fantasy Baseball Auction?
When should you spend aggressively, and when does it pay to wait? Drawing on 1,823 completed simulated auctions, David Nickell, PhD., examines when bargains emerge, how spending and roster needs shape bidding, and how projection systems, valuation methods, and auction strategies compare. We’ll also explore what happens when several managers pursue the same perceived bargains and whether utility-only players offer overlooked value. The emphasis is on practical decisions you can apply at your next auction.
How I Break Down a Starting Pitcher
After writing the daily SP Roundup for 12 years, PitcherList’s Nick Pollack will pull back the curtain and reveal his trade secrets with simple rules you can follow. Join him as he outlines his entire process for breaking down a pitcher, from basic lessons to the best resources for uncovering hidden details.
2027 Prospect Breakout Candidates
Dynasty leagues aren't just about bringing home one championship, they're about putting together a roster built for sustained success over the years. Sometimes the hardest part of that can be stocking and restocking your farm system. In this session, Kyle Sonntag and Taylor Corso are going to help you identify 10 prospects who could see a significant improvement in their value next season, giving you a head start on stocking up your minor league slots.
FRIDAY BREAKOUT #5
ADP: When to Listen, When to Ignore
“Get your guys, don’t be a slave to ADP if you want to win!”
“He fell so far, I had no choice but to take him, I set a new max.”
We all hear it, some of us say it. But how does it actually work out? Join Rob Silver (Launch Angle podcast) as he unveils a new methodology and attacks all kinds of conventional wisdoms. Will some new winning draft strategy emerge?
Only-Leagues Focus: NL
With participants from two established NL-only league experts competitions — LABR and Tout Wars — this panel discussion, led by USA TODAY’s Steve Gardner, dives into the successes and struggles of these unique leagues. Panelists will share how they chose to navigate the deep player pool and active owner list and will share tips relevant to both 2026 and for those in NL-only leagues going forward.
Are We Looking at Pitching Command All Wrong?
Does a pitcher who throws strikes actually help your fantasy team? Eric Samulski of Rotoworld looked at the way we typically view pitcher command to see if that actually equates to fantasy value. Do we need to look at command in another way? He’ll also explore what stats might actually project WHIP and which command stats could help identify future fantasy value.
Strat-O-Matic Meetup/Q&A
Strat-O-Matic is a baseball simulation game based on real life player data, where you’re the manager. Developed in 1962, players now available from 1871 through the current year, including hall of famers. See how the game has progressed and survived since, get your questions answered and join a league to experience the fun.
FRIDAY EVENING HANGOUTS
AI Office Hours
This workshop session (bring your laptop!) will give folks the chance to try out various AI prompts. If you’ve dipped your toe into the water, would like to, or are just curious about how your potential leaguemates MIGHT be using AI, drop in for a bit or a while. BaseballHQ’s Ray Murphy will help orient and get you started on this emerging trend.
2026 NFBC Takeaways
This presentation will cover the major lessons and trends from the 2026 season in National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) contests. Three experienced NFBC drafters – Jeff Zimmerman (FanGraphs, The Process), Rob Silver (Launch Angle Podcast), and Mike Mager (FTN) – will discuss a number of the major trends and lessons learned from the 2026 season and how to apply those lessons to 2027 NFBC contests.
The Dynasty Blueprint / Q&A
Let's explore every aspect that goes into winning a dynasty league! James Anderson of Baseball America and Taylor Corso and Kyle Sonntag of Dynasty Baseball Pickups go through their preferred strategies in dynasty startup drafts, first-year player drafts, trading, free agent pickups, roster construction and more.
SATURDAY BREAKOUTS #1
Bullpen Hour
Join longtime BaseballHQ bullpen writer Doug Dennis and Reliever Recon founder Greg Jewett as they look back to 2026 and ahead to 2027 for all things relievers. With a skills-based approach, identify hidden gems among the ever-changing closer landscape that takes players, managers, and MLB team philosophies into account when looking for that next reliable source of saves (and holds, too!).
Build Your Own Player Comparison Tool
In this presentation/workshop, Jeff Zimmerman of FanGraphs will show you the steps to set up a customizable Google Sheet to find similarly talented players. This has several uses, such as finding similar pitches, major league success for prospects, or breakout players. Bring your own laptop; participants must have a Google Sheets account.
SUNDAY BREAKOUT
Rules Forum / Q&A
This session, from First Pitch co-founder and longtime BaseballHQ and Baseball Forecaster publisher Ron Shandler discusses several rule proposals that the XFL league considered this year. Plus a brainstorming session on how to find more immediate gratification in full-season leagues.
2027 Sophomore Starters Outlook
Small sample size or not, rookie pitchers are difficult to analyze, producing discordant discourse and variance in future projections. Jake Crumpler and Eric Samulski will break down 2026's class of first-year pitchers and determine whether they should be trusted in their sophomore campaigns.
Creating a Weekly FAAB List
What tools and resources should you use to build a shortlist of potential waiver-wire pickups? What are the most helpful stats to sort your free-agent leaderboard by, and which can be misleading? And how do you decide which player on your list should be your top priority? RotoWire’s Erik Halterman and Ariel Cohen of FanGraphs take you through their processes and answer your questions on the essential element of weekly league play.