Dynasty baseball has a collection of different scoring systems and league structures that each create their own strategy landscape. Whether you're joining your first dynasty league or looking to understand how different formats shape player value, this guide breaks down the four most common scoring styles: Points, Roto, Category, and Ottoneu.

Each format rewards different types of players, creates unique roster-building strategies, and makes managers think differently about pitching volume, prospect value, and positional strength. Understanding these formats is key to building a team that can compete for years.

Points Leagues

Points leagues are straightforward: every on-field action is worth a point value, and teams compete for the highest total score each week or season.

How Points Scoring Works

Each league has its own scoring settings, but common examples include:

• Singles, doubles, triples, home runs
• Walks and hit-by-pitch
• Strikeouts (batter strikeouts may be negative)
• Stolen bases and caught stealing
• Pitcher strikeouts
• Wins, quality starts, saves, holds
• Earned runs allowed (often negative)

Because every statistic translates directly into a point value, players with strong plate discipline, good on-base skills, and reliable power tend to rise in value. "Single category" players (E.g. a player who leads the league steals, without much power or on-base) can still be valuable in Points scoring.

Starting Pitchers vs. Relief Pitchers

Points leagues often favor volume pitching:

• High-inning starters
• Strikeout-heavy arms
• Pitchers who consistently go 6+ innings

Relievers tend to be less valuable unless the scoring gives strong bonuses for saves or holds.

Start Limits and Innings Caps

Most dynasty points leagues use:

• Weekly start limits (ex: max 7 SP starts per week)
• Innings caps for the season
• RP slots that allow SP-eligible pitchers (SP/RP dual eligibility)

These rules heavily influence strategy. If SP/RP pitchers are allowed in RP slots, managers can gain an advantage by streaming starters. Leagues often restrict this by:

• Limiting total pitching starts
• Requiring true RPs
• Imposing innings caps

Dynasty Implications

In points leagues:

• Young SPs with strong K/BB rates skyrocket in value
• Walk-heavy hitters drop
• OBP monsters outperform batting-average specialists
• Closers lose value unless scoring inflates saves, or true RPs are required

Points formats reward stability and volume. This makes pitcher aging curves extremely important.

Roto (Rotisserie) Leagues

Roto is one of the oldest fantasy baseball formats and remains extremely popular in dynasty.

Teams compete across a fixed set of categories, earning points or rankings within each category. Common categories include:

• Hitters: AVG, OBP, HR, R, RBI, SB
• Pitchers: ERA, WHIP, K, W, SV, sometimes QS

Your goal isn't to "score points" but to finish as high as possible in every category.

Strategy in Dynasty Roto

Roster building must be balanced, not power-heavy or speed-heavy. Aging curves matter:

• Fast players lose value earlier
• Power peaks later
• Pitchers are volatile

Prospects who project to deliver across multiple categories are gold.

Start & Inning Restrictions

Roto leagues typically use:

• Season-long innings caps (ex: 1,400–1,500 IP)
• Sometimes start limits to reduce SP streaming
• RP slots that may require true relievers

Because ERA and WHIP matter, high-volume SP streaming can be risky.

Dynasty Implications

Roto dynasty managers focus on:

• Category coverage
• Predictable production
• Long-term offensive cores
• Stable pitching ratios

Young players who fill multiple categories carry high trade value.

Category H2H Leagues (Head-to-Head Categories)

H2H Categories blends elements of Roto and weekly matchups.

Each week, you compete against one opponent in a set of categories. Winning more categories = winning the matchup.

Example Weekly Setup:

• Hitters: HR, R, RBI, SB, AVG/OBP
• Pitchers: K, ERA, WHIP, QS, SV

This format introduces week-to-week variance, which makes roster depth and matchups extremely important.

Start Limits and RP Rules

Most H2H Category leagues include:

• Weekly SP start caps (ex: 7 starts/week)
• RP-only slots or RP-preferred slots
• Limits on SP in RP positions

Some allow SP/RP flexibility, which can lead to streaming advantages, so leagues often tighten rules as they evolve.

Dynasty Implications

H2H Categories rewards:

• Consistent SPs with predictable matchups
• High-floor hitters
• Multicategory contributors
• Closers and setup men (holds leagues)

Because week-to-week performance matters, players with streaky profiles can be more frustrating in this format.

Ottoneu (FanGraphs)

Ottoneu is a unique dynasty-style fantasy system built around long-term economics, linear weights scoring, and deep rosters. It's a hybrid between fantasy baseball and running an MLB front office.

What Makes Ottoneu Different?

• Teams have a salary cap (usually $400).
• Players have individual salaries that increase annually.
• Teams participate in an offseason arbitration process.
• Rosters are large (40+ players), emphasizing depth.
• Scoring uses advanced metrics like linear weights or SABR-style scoring.

Ottoneu Scoring Systems

Ottoneu supports multiple formats, but the most popular are:

• FanGraphs Points (FGPTS) – heavily rewards plate discipline, extra-base hits, and pitcher strikeouts
• SABR Points – rewards pitchers for limiting runs, not wins

Because walks and doubles matter more, traditional fantasy "stars" don't always align with Ottoneu stars.

Start Limits and RP Eligibility

Most Ottoneu leagues use:

• Season-long innings caps (not weekly)
• Flexible RP slots, which drive interest in high-K middle relievers
• Strict roster budgeting that discourages constant SP streaming

Dynasty Implications

Ottoneu dynasty strategy revolves around:

• Salary efficiency
• Identifying players before breakouts
• Managing contract inflation
• Building depth rather than top-heavy rosters

Prospects can be incredibly valuable, but only if their projected production justifies long-term salary increases.

Which Format Is Best for You?

Each dynasty format appeals to different types of players:

• Points: Great for players who prefer numerical clarity and predictability. Most natural if coming from a Fantasy Football background.
• Roto: Great for managers who enjoy balanced roster construction and traditional fantasy play.
• H2H Categories: Perfect for players who want competition with weekly matchups.
• Ottoneu: Ideal for deep thinkers who like economics, advanced stats, and long-term planning.

If you're starting or joining a new dynasty league, it's worth reviewing scoring, innings caps, and RP/SP rules before drafting, because they dramatically shape player value and long-term strategy.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the dynasty format your league uses is one of the biggest competitive advantages you can have. Scoring systems, positional flexibility, innings limits, and roster economics all shape player value differently, and the best dynasty managers tailor their strategies to the format.

From straightforward Points formats to the advanced, salary-based structure of Ottoneu, every dynasty league offers a unique layer of strategy and year-round involvement.

Want to see how player values stack up across formats? Explore the latest dynasty rankings at HarryKnowsBall.