More Than Funny Fantasy Baseball Team Names – A Guide to Fantasy Baseball in the US

Baseball remains one of the ‘big three’ sports in the US, alongside American football and basketball. According to FOX Sports, some 15.8 million tuned in to watch the 2024 World Series between the Dodgers and the Yankees, making it the most watched iteration since the seven-game series in 2017.

Unsurprisingly, more than 15 million people in the US and Canada also participate in fantasy baseball leagues each year. Of course, the best daily fantasy sites now enable you to engage in daily DFS gameplay and wagering, adding another dimension to a thrilling pastime. But how exactly does fantasy baseball work, and what are the funny fantasy baseball team names of all-time?

• What is Fantasy Baseball? A Brief History
• Cool and Funny Fantasy Baseball Names for Modern Players
• Beyond Cool Fantasy Baseball Team Names – How the Game Works
• Creating Your Roster – How to Pick Players and Build Your Squad
• Our Fantasy Baseball Tips – How to Get the Most Out of You Team and Roster

What is Fantasy Baseball? A Brief History

Intriguingly, the history of fantasy baseball games can be traced all the way back to the 19th century. Trailblazing examples like Sebring Parlor Base Ball (which was released in 1866) enabled players to simulate games by propelling a coin into slots on a wooden board, while evolutions of this game determined random sporting outcomes using dice or spinner.

Some future game iterations were even endorsed by professional baseballers, including Clifford Van Beek’s ‘National Pastime’ (which contained customized baseball cards of MLB players). Player cards would be pitted against one another head-to-head, with the outcomes determined by statistical analysis to create the most accurate simulation to date.

The 1960 game ‘Baseball Seminar League’ was the first to feature a type of fantasy draft, laying the foundation for the contemporary formats developed in the 1980s. The first of these was ‘Rotisserie League Baseball’, which was founded by a group of New York journalists in 1980 and featured a modernized draft structure. It was also the first game of its type to use real-time performance data than historical information.

Since this breakthrough, fantasy baseball leagues have evolved markedly, both in terms the swathes of real-time data available and the draft structures used (we’ll touch more on these later in the guide). The advent of daily fantasy sports has also provided accelerated and more intense gameplay, which is based on individual gameweek outcomes rather than the course of an entire season.

Cool and Funny Fantasy Baseball Names for Modern Players

Of course, before you begin to construct your fantasy baseball team, it’s important to come up with a striking name. Make no mistake: the history of the game is littered with some genuinely fun and cool fantasy baseball team names, from puns based on the most popular players to innovative twists on classic monikers. Here are some memorably funny fantasy baseball team names from 2024 to help you on your way!

• Don’t Rain on my Paredes: This name was inspired by Houston star Isaac Paredes, who struck .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.
• Judge Dread: Yankees’ star Aaron Judge struck 144 RBI and a league-high 58 home runs in 2024. So, he’s the unsurprising inspiration for this fun and incredibly popular team name.
• 24 Gerrit Magic: This ingenious name was inspired by Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole. He produced an ERA of 3.41 in 2024 despite suffering from injury, while this was even lower at just 2.63 in 2023.
• It’s Sho-Time: Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani boasted a 0.310 batting average last season, while his tally of 54 home runs was second only to Aaron Judge. So, he has earned this fun play on his name as a popular fantasy baseball moniker.
• Air Yordan: Yordan Alvarez is the designated hitter for Houston Astros, and he ranked 14th for hits in the 2024 campaign (recording 170). He also struck 35 homes runs and posted a batting average of .308, so this name was popular among fantasy players at the beginning of 2025.

These are all examples of relevant and cool fantasy baseball team names, which tap into the leading hitters and pitchers in the MLB. However, there are also some classically funny team names that offer a creative play on words, rather than referencing the best players in the league. Here are some of the best examples:

• Balk This Way
• Game of Throws
• Honey, I Shrunk the Strike Zone
• Error Jordan
• Foul Territory Explorers
• The Mendoza Lion Kings
• Pitch, Please
• Sons of Pitches
• No-Hit Sherlock
• That’s What Speed Doubleheader
• Juiced Balls Conspiracy
• Split Finger Lickers
• Fowl Balls
• Breaking Bats
• Throwing Shade at the Ump

Beyond Cool Fantasy Baseball Team Names – How the Game Works

Outside of funny fantasy baseball team names, the game itself enables you to build your own unique roster of stars from the current MLB. Although the game can be played individually, the most common structure involves collaborative leagues, which may either be operated by organizations or individuals.

In terms of the format, most contemporary leagues feature a head-to-head points scoring format. This particular structure has helped to popularize fantasy baseball in the last decade, as teams go head-to-head against one another in weekly matchups. The team that accumulates the highest number of total points will be declared the winner, while leagues will typically be divided into 25 weekly scoring periods (during which franchises may player more than one match).

Many fantasy league formats cover both regular and postseason games. The fantasy teams that accumulate the highest points tallies during the regular season will progress to the playoffs, which assumes the form of a single-elimination tournament to determine the eventual champion. In some leagues, the winning team may earn a cash prize or payout.

OK, we hear you ask, but how are points scored in a head-to-head fantasy baseball league? In truth, this may vary from one league or organizer to another, but most will follow a similar point system based on baseball’s key performance metrics. Here’s a summary of the system deployed by ESPN to provide some context:

Others Fantasy Baseball Formats

You may also encounter some funny MLB fantasy names when playing alternative baseball league formats. But what other structures are commonly found in the US and Canada? Here’s a brief overview of the main formats available and precisely how they work:

• Traditional or Rotisserie Baseball: As we’ve already touched on, Rotisserie League Baseball first launched in New York in the 1980s. The original fantasy baseball format, it compares teams’ seasonal totals to one another in a number of key statistical categories (such as total bases or innings pitched). The best performing team in a particular category will then be awarded a commensurate number of points, with points awarded in descending order across all participants. The team that performs the best overall will win the league.
• Head-to-Head Each Category: This blends the previous two formats, using the various categories of rotisserie leagues within a head-to-head format. In this system, matches aren’t won by the team with the highest number of total points scored, but instead according to performances in a predetermined selection of statistical categories. This format is not commonly found online, with most operators preferring more straightforward structures.
• Head-to-Head Most Categories: Another variation of the classic H2H format, this determines winners based on which team performs best in the highest number of categories. This means that outcomes aren’t determined by scoring each statistical category individually. So, if a team outscores their opponent in five categories but is defeated in another three, they’ll be awarded the win. Playoff and postseason results are determined in the same way as other head-to-head formats.

Creating Your Roster – How to Pick Players and Build Your Squad

Beyond your funny fantasy baseball names, you’ll have a roster of players for the duration of each gameweek or season (depending on whether you play daily or traditional fantasy sports). However, the precise squad structure and roster selection will vary depending on the type of league you select.

For example, the traditional rotisserie baseball league allows for a 23-man roster, which comprises 14 hitters. These include two catchers and one batter apiece at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, corner infielder, middle infielder, five outfielders and one designated hitter (or utility man). The remaining nine players are pitchers.

Leagues may also include two or three additional bench spots. These can include players who may be rotated as part of your team but won’t score eligible points during gameweeks when they fill the bench spots. It’s important to understand a league’s roster format and composition in full before you build your team.

If you’re a fantasy baseball beginner, it’s best to opt for leagues with a standard 23 (or 22) man roster. The 23-man lineup allows for two catchers, included within a 14-9 split between hitters and pitchers. Ideally, you should also opt for leagues that incorporate two or three bench places, as this affords you greater flexibility in your squad without creating a large and unmanageable player pool.

Our Fantasy Baseball Tips – How to Get the Most Out of You Team and Roster

In terms of maximizing your player roster and building the best possible fantasy squad, it’s important to think strategically and formulate a detailed plan of action. Below, you’ll find some handy tips on how get the absolute most out of your playing squad and build a side that’s befitting of all funny fantasy baseball names!

• Focus on Averages and Pick the Best Batters Early: Typically, the best batters aren’t available after the early draft rounds, so it’s important to select two or three of your star hitters as quickly as possible. When identifying the best and most productive hitters, focus on averages and performances over several seasons. Usually, players who produce an average of 30 home runs per campaign and a batting average of .280 or higher are the most coveted.
• Pick a Selection of Utility Players: Although you can select 14 hitters based solely on their form or batting numbers, this can be a risky strategy. After all, even the best batters can become redundant if this is their singular skillset and they temporarily lose form or confidence. So, it’s better to select at least two utility players who can value, depth and a balanced contribution. Take Brandon Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, for example, who has now produced three consecutive years with a 115 wRC+ and a batting average above .275.
• Remember That the 2025 Catcher Pool is Deep: Whether you’re playing in a one or two catcher league, the pool of potential players in deep in the 2025 season. So, you don’t need to rush to make a selection, despite the appeal of players like William Contreras. Instead, focus on picking hitters and your preferred pitchers before choosing one or two catchers, with performers like J.T. Realmuto and Shea Langeliers offering value later in the draft.
• Look Out for Auction Leagues: So-called “auction” leagues require you to bid for players when building a roster. You’ll usually have $260 to buy 14 hitters and nine pitchers, with each player boasting a specified value. When participating in an auction format, it’s important to pursue key players as quickly as possible, rather than being overly cautious in a misguided attempt to hold onto your funds for late draft rounds. Just be sure to develop an overview of player values when planning your auction strategy, so that you can distribute funds as efficiently as possible.