NFBC Weekly Profile - Bill Strickler

[Tom Kessenich]

With a $50,000 grand prize at stake, having one team in contention in the NFBC XII event is an impressive accomplishment with the All-Star break just around the corner.

Having two teams in contention?

That could be the stuff fantasy dream seasons are made of.

Entering action on Tuesday, Bill Strickler was hoping that double the fun meant double the chances for winning this national event. Strickler has two teams in contention in the NFBC XII, ranking fifth and sixth in the event’s overall standings. Both teams were less than 100 points behind the No. 1 team owned by two-time Main Event champ Lindy Hinkelman and his son Gabe.

“The keys to my strong starts with both teams is hitting,” Strickler said. “I have 54 and 52 points in hitting for both teams.”

Depth offensively has proven to be crucial to Strickler’s success. Despite injuries to Troy Tulowitzki and Bryce Harper, he’s still been able to generate plenty of offensive production. That’s been a result of players such as Evan Longoria, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joe Mauer, Howie Kendrick and Dominic Brown stepping up and providing quality production.

“I have been able to keep afloat thanks to them,” Strickler said.

That surplus of offensive talent was done by design. With an early round emphasis on starting pitching in the NFBC this year, Strickler decided to zig when others in his league were zagging. Instead of chasing pitching early as many were doing, Strickler instead opted to go heavy on offense.

“I went with all hitters on both teams in the first four rounds,” he said.

That approach netted him Tulowitzki, Harper, Ellsbury, Longoria, Mauer, Alex Gordon and Mark Trumbo as the foundation of one team. The other was anchored by Andrew McCutcheon, Jose Bautista, Paul Goldschmidt and Dustin Pedroia.

That type of emphasis on offense early meant it was crucial for Strickler to find good value with his starting pitchers later on. He did that by landing Chris Sale and Jordan Zimmerman on one team and Adam Wainwright and Max Scherzer on the other.

“What’s remarkable is the only player I have on both teams is Kevin Gregg, who I actually acquired on FAAB for both teams,” Strickler said.

In addition to Gregg, Strickler has also effectively worked the Waiver Wire with his two teams to add players such as Tyler Corbin, Jose Arenado, Marcel Ozuna, Jeff Locke, Nick Franklin and Heath Bell.

The 47-year-old Strickler has been playing in the NFBC since 2006. A fantasy sports veteran, he knows that while having two teams in strong contention for a national championship in early July is a fine accomplishment, it does not guarantee anything when the season comes to a conclusion in October.

“The competition (in the NFBC XII) is really tough,” he said. “There is a past $100,000 champion (Hinkelman) and other great owners leading the overall event this year. The end of the season is a long way away to say the least.

“I need my teams to stay healthy and hope for some luck. The competition will be tough from here on out.”

[Edwards Kings]

Way to go Bill! Nice to see one of the old Florida gang do so well. Here is hoping that you finish strong!