Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
No Credentials Baseball Draft Review
This past Sunday, the epic 30-round draft for the No Credentials Baseball league took place. This is the first draft for a new keeper league. After this season, each owner will be able to keep five players for their 2012 roster. The cost for each player kept will be losing a draft pick that corresponds with whatever round they were taken in the previous years draft (for example, I took Hanley Ramirez with my first pick. If I decide to keep him for next season, I will give up my 2012 first round pick to keep him). Owners will be able to keep their players up to five seasons, so think of this draft as each team signing players to five year contracts that can be voided at any time (if it sounds cruel, just remember that A) this is a fantasy league, and B) the NFL has been working like this for years).
Here is a round by round review of the draft. I’ll briefly explain my reasoning for each of my selections, and also call out a pick or two by other managers that I thought were great values. I’ll warn you going in that this is the longest post I’ve ever made, so only continue on if you are a serious fantasy baseball nerd.
Round 1 | ||
1. | Hanley Ramírez (Fla - SS) | No Cred At All |
2. | Troy Tulowitzki (Col - SS) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Albert Pujols (StL - 1B) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Joey Votto (Cin - 1B) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Miguel Cabrera (Det - 1B) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Carlos González (Col - OF) | Just the Tip |
7. | Robinson Canó (NYY - 2B) | Go Team |
8. | Evan Longoria (TB - 3B) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Carl Crawford (Bos - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | David Wright (NYM - 3B) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – In a single-year league, I would’ve taken Pujols everyday and twice on Sunday. In a league where my top pick could be on my team for five years however, you have to take a 27-year old who plays arguably the weakest position in all of fantasy baseball.
Great Gets – Snagging Evan Longoria at 8 was a stroke of good luck for Eastbound KP. Even though Tampa will probably be much worse this year than the past few seasons, Longoria still should deliver 30-35 home runs for each of the next five years.
Round 2 | ||
1. | Roy Halladay (Phi - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Adrián González (Bos - 1B) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Jon Lester (Bos - SP) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Álex Rodríguez (NYY - 3B) | Go Team |
5. | Ryan Braun (Mil - OF) | Just the Tip |
6. | Ryan Howard (Phi - 1B) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Tim Lincecum (SF - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Matt Holliday (StL - OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Félix Hernández (Sea - SP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Prince Fielder (Mil - 1B) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Part of my justification for skipping Pujols was the hope that a solid first basemen would be available at the 20th pick. I’m very happy to end up with Fielder in a contract year.
Great Gets – Three picks stand out in this round. Getting Adrian Gonzalez at 12 was ridiculous. A-Rod at 14 isn’t necessarily a great get in terms of where he normally goes, but the fact that Go Team was able to pair Rodriguez with Cano earns an A+ for this selection. I’m not very high on Ryan Braun, but he is a top-10 talent that Just the Tip grabbed with the 15th pick.
Round 3 | ||
1. | Ryan Zimmerman (Was - 3B) | No Cred At All |
2. | Kevin Youkilis (Bos - 1B) | Rascally Rabbits. |
3. | José Bautista (Tor - 3B,OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Josh Hamilton (Tex - OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Matt Kemp (LAD - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Mark Teixeira (NYY - 1B) | Just the Tip |
7. | Nelson Cruz (Tex - OF) | Go Team |
8. | Dustin Pedroia (Bos - 2B) | Eastbound KP |
9. | José Reyes (NYM - SS) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Elvis Andrus (Tex - SS) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – I wasn’t jazzed about Zimmerman, but he’s a good bet to end up with around .300 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. His projected five-year outlook looks great if Washington continues to make additions like Jayson Werth.
Great Gets – Josh Hamilton at 24 stands out, but the clear winner of this round was Just the Tip with Mark Teixeira. There’s no way Teixeira should’ve fallen to the back half of the 3rd round.
Round 4 | ||
1. | Cliff Lee (Phi - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Joe Mauer (Min - C) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Buster Posey (SF - C,1B) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Andrew McCutchen (Pit - OF) | Go Team |
5. | Ian Kinsler (Tex - 2B) | Just the Tip |
6. | Clayton Kershaw (LAD - SP) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Jason Heyward (Atl - OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Shin-Soo Choo (Cle - OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | CC Sabathia (NYY - SP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Cole Hamels (Phi - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Hamels is only 27, and has the talent to be the anchor of my team’s rotation for the next few seasons.
Great Gets – As far as keeper leagues go, grabbing Buster Posey and Jason Heyward in the 4th round is about as good as it gets. Clayton Kershaw was the starter I was hoping would make it to me for the 40th pick.
Round 5 | ||
1. | Brandon Phillips (Cin - 2B) | No Cred At All |
2. | Dan Uggla (Atl - 2B) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Josh Johnson (Fla - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | David Price (TB - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Justin Upton (Ari - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Jimmy Rollins (Phi - SS) | Just the Tip |
7. | Adam Dunn (CWS - 1B) | Go Team |
8. | Ubaldo Jiménez (Col - SP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Rickie Weeks (Mil - 2B) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Jacoby Ellsbury (Bos - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Phillips is the first player I took that I had already snagged on my other team. I thought long and hard about taking Justin Upton here, but decided it would be better to fill my infield instead.
Great Gets – All of these selections were par for the course. Not one stands out above the other at this point. We’ll see if that changes when we review this in July.
Round 6 | ||
1. | Chone Figgins (Sea - 2B) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Adrián Béltre (Tex - 3B) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Justin Morneau (Min - 1B) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Zack Greinke (Mil - SP) | Go Team |
5. | Víctor Martínez (Det - C,1B) | Just the Tip |
6. | Ichiro Suzuki (Sea - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Justin Verlander (Det - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Brian McCann (Atl - C) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Carlos Santana (Cle - C) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Tommy Hanson (Atl - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – At only 24 years old, Hanson has already established himself as a pitcher capable of carrying a major league rotation.
Great Gets – Carlos Santana was taken a lot earlier than he would normally go in a redraft league, but his advanced plate discipline should make him one of the top-3 catchers in fantasy for the next five seasons.
Round 7 | ||
1. | Carlos Mármol (ChC - RP) | No Cred At All |
2. | Jayson Werth (Was - OF) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Alexei Ramírez (CWS - SS) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Michael Young (Tex - 3B) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Yovani Gallardo (Mil - SP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Jay Bruce (Cin - OF) | Just the Tip |
7. | Mariano Rivera (NYY - RP) | Go Team |
8. | Brian Wilson (SF - RP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Francisco Liriano (Min - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Heath Bell (SD - RP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – None of the starters or position players were really interesting to me at this point, so I figured I’d begin the run on closers. Marmol’s strikeout totals make him useful for more than just saves.
Great Gets – Jay Bruce will have a 40-homer season within the next five years. It might even happen this year.
Round 8 | ||
1. | Jonathan Papelbon (Bos - RP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Jered Weaver (LAA - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Álex Ríos (CWS - OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Neftali Feliz (Tex - RP) | Go Team |
5. | Andre Ethier (LAD - OF) | Just the Tip |
6. | Martín Prado (Atl - 2B,3B) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Derek Jeter (NYY - SS) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Chris Carpenter (StL - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Billy Butler (KC - 1B) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Mike Stanton (Fla - OF) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Stanton might strikeout 200 times this year, but I’ll live with it if he hits 40 home runs. At age 21, Stanton has as much raw power as any other player in baseball.
Great Gets – Neftali Feliz might switch to the rotation at some point, but he is capable of being elite whether he starts or closes games.
Round 9 | ||
1. | B.J. Upton (TB - OF) | No Cred At All |
2. | Pablo Sandoval (SF - 1B,3B) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Kelly Johnson (Ari - 2B) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Ben Zobrist (TB - 1B,2B,OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Joakim Soria (KC - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Aramis Ramírez (ChC - 3B) | Just the Tip |
7. | Matt Cain (SF - SP) | Go Team |
8. | Roy Oswalt (Phi - SP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Hunter Pence (Hou - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Paul Konerko (CWS - 1B) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – I felt like I was a little short on steals, so I grabbed at least 40 of them with Upton. If he can raise his batting average to .260, we could be looking at 25 home runs and 50 steals.
Great Gets – Roy Oswalt is older, so he might not be a five-year option, but getting him in round 9 was solid. This was probably a case of his age creating a discount.
Round 10 | ||
1. | Shane Victorino (Phi - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Drew Stubbs (Cin - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Stephen Drew (Ari - SS) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Dan Haren (LAA - SP) | Go Team |
5. | Mat Latos (SD - SP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Max Scherzer (Det - SP) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Clay Buchholz (Bos - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Ryan Dempster (ChC - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Jeremy Hellickson (TB - SP,RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Matt Wieters (Bal - C) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Even though Wieters stunk last year, this is still a guy that was projected to hit 31 home runs last year by Baseball Prospectus. The 10th round is a good spot to see if he finally figures it out.
Great Gets – Mat Latos went about two or three rounds too late. Even with his brief DL stint he will have to start this year, he projects to be an ace for years to come.
Round 11 | ||
1. | Brett Anderson (Oak - SP) | No Cred At All |
2. | Chris Young (Ari - OF) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Brett Gardner (NYY - OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Carlos Quentin (CWS - OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Chad Billingsley (LAD - SP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Shaun Marcum (Mil - SP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Corey Hart (Mil - OF) | Go Team |
8. | Tim Hudson (Atl - SP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Francisco Rodríguez (NYM - RP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Jonathan Sánchez (SF - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – I have a soft spot for Brett Anderson. Health is the only thing that will hold him back.
Great Gets – Brett Gardner presents great value for an 11th round pick. He will be batting leadoff when the Yankees are facing a right-handed starter to start the year. If he performs in that role, he should score well over 100 runs.
Round 12 | ||
1. | Vladimir Guerrero (Bal - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | José Valverde (Det - RP) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Delmon Young (Min - OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Rafael Furcal (LAD - SS) | Go Team |
5. | Wandy Rodríguez (Hou - SP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Ian Desmond (Was - SS) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Joe Nathan (Min - RP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Aubrey Huff (SF - 1B,OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Pedro Alvarez (Pit - 3B) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Colby Rasmus (StL - OF) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – fantasy writers from both ESPN and Yahoo have tabbed Rasmus as a potential break out candidate. I’ll be happy with 25 home runs and 10 steals, but don’t be surprised if he delivers 30-15.
Great Gets – Pedro Alvarez is essentially a slightly lesser version of Mike Stanton offensively, except he is able to play third base. He’s a steal in Round 12.
Round 13 | ||
1. | Gio González (Oak - SP) | No Cred At All |
2. | Ángel Pagán (NYM - OF) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | J.J. Putz (Ari - RP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Ervin Santana (LAA - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Jonathan Broxton (LAD - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Brandon Morrow (Tor - SP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Mike Napoli (Tex - C,1B) | Go Team |
8. | Andrew Bailey (Oak - RP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Vernon Wells (LAA - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Nick Markakis (Bal - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Gonzalez has the best raw stuff of any member of the Athletics rotation. A sub 3.00 ERA with over 200 strikeouts isn’t totally out of the question.
Great Gets – Even though he is dealing with an elbow issue right now, drafting a pitcher with Brandon Morrow’s talent at this point is pretty awesome.
Round 14 | ||
1. | Colby Lewis (Tex - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Bobby Abreu (LAA - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Grady Sizemore (Cle - OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Curtis Granderson (NYY - OF) | Go Team |
5. | Ricky Romero (Tor - SP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Brian Roberts (Bal - 2B) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Geovany Soto (ChC - C) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Trevor Cahill (Oak - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Jhoulys Chacin (Col - SP,RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Chris Pérez (Cle - RP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Perez was lights out as the Indians closer in 2010, and this year he won’t have to share the gig with Kerry Wood.
Great Gets – Drafting a catcher with Soto’s ceiling at this point in the draft was huge for Pine Tree Rotary.
Round 15 | ||
1. | Jose Tabata (Pit - OF) | No Cred At All |
2. | Torii Hunter (LAA - OF) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Josh Beckett (Bos - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Carlos Peña (ChC - 1B) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | John Axford (Mil - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Huston Street (Col - RP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Nick Swisher (NYY - OF) | Go Team |
8. | Phil Hughes (NYY - SP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | John Danks (CWS - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Drew Storen (Was - RP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – At only 22 years old, Tabata has the talent to deliver 35+ steals along with 10 home runs.
Great Gets – Phil Hughes provides solid value for Eastbound KP. Drew Storen also projects to be a great option for saves for the next five years.
Round 16 | ||
1. | Matt Garza (ChC - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Brett Myers (Hou - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Michael Bourn (Hou - OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Madison Bumgarner (SF - SP) | Go Team |
5. | Brad Lidge (Phi - RP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Miguel Montero (Ari - C) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Jake Peavy (CWS - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Gavin Floyd (CWS - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Starlin Castro (ChC - SS) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Brian Matusz (Bal - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – I’m all in on Matusz this season. I was very happy he fell this far to me. In retrospect, I should’ve chosen him a round later to lower his cost in the event that I keep him next season.
Great Gets – There was a fair amount of potential impact players here. Brett Myers probably won’t be considered as a player to be kept for a second year, but he provides great value for one season from the 16th round. Michael Bourn is as good a bet for 40 steals as there is. Madison Bumgarner is only 21 years old. Starlin Castro gives Rascally Rabbits lots of flexibility. If his team is floundering, he could probably trade Tulowitzki for a boatload of prospects and have Castro locked in for five seasons as a replacement.
Round 17 | ||
1. | Matt Thornton (CWS - RP) | No Cred At All |
2. | Daniel Hudson (Ari - SP) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Rajai Davis (Tor - OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | C.J. Wilson (Tex - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Casey McGehee (Mil - 3B) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Kendrys Morales (LAA - 1B) | Just the Tip |
7. | Aroldis Chapman (Cin - RP) | Go Team |
8. | Jason Bay (NYM - OF) | Eastbound KP |
9. | David Ortiz (Bos - Util) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Juan Pierre (CWS - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Thornton was the first player I chose that was over the age of 30, but I don’t plan on keeping any relievers anyway.
Great Gets – Kendrys Morales is hurt to start the year, but a guy with proven 30 homer power shouldn’t of gone this late.
Round 18 | ||
1. | Jaime García (StL - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Carlos Lee (Hou - 1B,OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Francisco Cordero (Cin - RP) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Yunel Escobar (Tor - SS) | Go Team |
5. | Aaron Hill (Tor - 2B) | Just the Tip |
6. | Mark Reynolds (Bal - 3B) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Leo Núñez (Fla - RP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Michael Cuddyer (Min - 1B,3B,OF) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Joel Hanrahan (Pit - RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Ted Lilly (LAD - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Another guy I don’t plan on keeping, but I expect Lilly to be good for my ratios and contribute at least 180 strikeouts in 2011.
Great Gets – Joel Hanrahan has the capability to be a poor man’s Carlos Marmol. If he doesn’t implode with the closer role, he should get somewhere around 100 Ks with 30+ saves.
Round 19 | ||
1. | Adam Lind (Tor - 1B,OF) | No Cred At All |
2. | Mike Aviles (KC - 2B,SS) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Tyler Clippard (Was - RP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Jeremy Guthrie (Bal - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Adam Jones (Bal - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Gordon Beckham (CWS - 2B) | Just the Tip |
7. | Kurt Suzuki (Oak - C) | Go Team |
8. | Chase Utley (Phi - 2B) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Craig Kimbrel (Atl - RP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Stephen Strasburg (Was - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – I don’t expect Lind to deliver his 2009 stats, but if he can provide a .260 batting average as a backup first basemen and outfielder I’ll be happy.
Great Gets – The last three picks of this round were all solid. Even if Utley and Strasburg do not play in any games this season, there’s a great chance they’ll be healthy in future seasons (especially Strasburg). Both of these owners locked down an all-star 2nd basemen and a future ace with 19th round picks. Kimbrel misses a lot of bats, and should eventually become the full-time closer in Atlanta.
Round 20 | ||
1. | Yadier Molina (StL - C) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Neil Walker (Pit - 2B,3B) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Omar Infante (Fla - 2B,3B,SS,OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Daniel Bard (Bos - RP) | Go Team |
5. | Ian Stewart (Col - 3B) | Just the Tip |
6. | Carlos Beltrán (NYM - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Chipper Jones (Atl - 3B) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Marco Scutaro (Bos - 2B,SS) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Ryan Franklin (StL - RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Michael Pineda (Sea - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – I was a little surprised that I was able to nab Pineda only a round earlier in this draft than I did in a non-keeper league. Pineda is the clubhouse leader for the most likely starter to be kept on my team for 2012.
Great Gets – Daniel Bard could be the closer for Boston as early as early as this June. At this point, he would be the only reliever I would consider keeping for a second season.
Round 21 | ||
1. | Mike Moustakas (KC - 3B) | No Cred At All |
2. | Brandon Lyon (Hou - RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Alcides Escobar (KC - SS) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Derek Lowe (Atl - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Hiroki Kuroda (LAD - SP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Denard Span (Min - OF) | Just the Tip |
7. | Johnny Cueto (Cin - SP) | Go Team |
8. | Adam LaRoche (Was - 1B) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Jason Kubel (Min - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Bos - C) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Moustakas was the first of three minor league prospects I was hoping to target. If he arrives in Kansas City by the end of May and thrives, I will then have the ability to flip Ryan Zimmerman (and his 3rd round price tag) for more pitching or an outfielder.
Great Gets – He needs some more seasoning, but Alcides Escobar has the talent to eventually deliver 30+ steals.
Round 22 | ||
1. | Ian Kennedy (Ari - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Luke Scott (Bal - 1B,OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Ricky Nolasco (Fla - SP) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Ike Davis (NYM - 1B) | Go Team |
5. | Alfonso Soriano (ChC - OF) | Just the Tip |
6. | Ryan Raburn (Det - 2B,OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Anibal Sánchez (Fla - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Bronson Arroyo (Cin - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Tim Stauffer (SD - SP,RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Jordan Zimmermann (Was - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – He hasn’t gotten the publicity that Strasburg has, but Zimmerman will have the spotlight to himself this year in D.C.
Great Gets – Getting Ike Davis in the 22nd round should be considered a robbery.
Round 23 | ||
1. | Dustin Ackley (Sea - OF) | No Cred At All |
2. | Austin Jackson (Det - OF) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Johan Santana (NYM - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | John Lackey (Bos - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Jake McGee (TB - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Jorge De La Rosa (Col - SP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Matt Capps (Min - RP) | Go Team |
8. | Jason Bartlett (SD - SS) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Derrek Lee (Bal - 1B) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Tyler Colvin (ChC - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Here’s my second minor leaguer I wanted. Ackley will be playing second base for Seattle by the end of May. He has the tools to eventually deliver a .300 batting average, 25 home runs, and 15 steals.
Great Gets – Tyler Colvin’s power makes him an intriguing pickup at this point in the draft. A low risk, high reward sort of pick.
Round 24 | ||
1. | Jed Lowrie (Bos - 2B,SS) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Andrés Torres (SF - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Manny Ramírez (TB - OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Magglio Ordóñez (Det - OF) | Go Team |
5. | Asdrubal Cabrera (Cle - SS) | Just the Tip |
6. | Jonny Venters (Atl - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Juan Uribe (LAD - 2B,3B,SS) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Erick Aybar (LAA - SS) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Mitch Moreland (Tex - 1B) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Tsuyoshi Nishioka (Min - 2B,SS) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – I’m not asking for much of the latest Japanese import. If he hits .275 for the year I’ll be happy.
Great Gets – Andres Torres isn’t a high upside selection, but he has potential to deliver 30 steals along with 15 home runs.
Round 25 | ||
1. | James Shields (TB - SP) | No Cred At All |
2. | Carlos Zambrano (ChC - SP,RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Carl Pavano (Min - SP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Edinson Vólquez (Cin - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Rafael Soriano (NYY - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | David Aardsma (Sea - RP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Scott Rolen (Cin - 3B) | Go Team |
8. | Javier Vázquez (Fla - SP,RP) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Kevin Gregg (Bal - RP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Jhonny Peralta (Det - 3B,SS) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – By my count, Shields is the third player I had previously drafted on my other team. I won’t expect to keep him for 2012, but I do expect him to deliver 180 Ks with an ERA around 4.00.
Great Gets – Carlos Zambrano is crackers, but still has talent.
Round 26 | ||
1. | Hideki Matsui (Oak - OF) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | J.D. Drew (Bos - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Matt Lindstrom (Col - RP) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Evan Meek (Pit - RP) | Go Team |
5. | Luke Gregerson (SD - RP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Howie Kendrick (LAA - 1B,2B) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Justin Smoak (Sea - 1B) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Chase Headley (SD - 3B) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Reid Brignac (TB - 2B,SS) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Derek Holland (Tex - SP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – I think I added and dropped Derek Holland five different times last season. He has the talent to develop into a top-2 starter for Texas as soon as this year.
Great Gets – Justin Smoak went about 10 rounds to late in this draft. If Smoak breaks out this year, Pine Tree Rotary will have the option of moving Joey Votto for a king’s ransom.
Round 27 | ||
1. | Travis Snider (Tor - OF) | No Cred At All |
2. | Kyle McClellan (StL - RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Orlando Hudson (SD - 2B) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Raúl Ibañez (Phi - OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Jorge Posada (NYY - C) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | Chris Sale (CWS - RP) | Just the Tip |
7. | Clayton Richard (SD - SP) | Go Team |
8. | Juan Rivera (Tor - 1B,OF) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Edwin Jackson (CWS - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Travis Wood (Cin - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – Snider has some pop, but he just needs to stay healthy.
Great Gets – A rough round, but Travis Wood could eventually pan out.
Round 28 | ||
1. | Barry Zito (SF - SP) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Jair Jurrjens (Atl - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Daisuke Matsuzaka (Bos - SP) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Homer Bailey (Cin - SP) | Go Team |
5. | John Jaso (TB - C) | Just the Tip |
6. | J.J. Hardy (Bal - SS) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Freddy García (NYY - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | John Buck (Fla - C) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | Brian Duensing (Min - SP,RP) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Ryan Madson (Phi - RP) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – With word today that Charlie Manuel intends to use Jose Contreas as his closer while Brad Lidge is hurt, this pick doesn’t look nearly as smart as it did a couple of days ago.
Great Gets – Homer Bailey has all the talent in the world, but he just needs to put it all together.
Round 29 | ||
1. | James McDonald (Pit - SP) | No Cred At All |
2. | J.A. Happ (Hou - SP) | Rascally Rabbits |
3. | Brian Fuentes (Oak - RP) | KEARSARGE K'S |
4. | Garrett Jones (Pit - 1B,OF) | Pine Tree Rotary |
5. | Logan Morrison (Fla - OF) | Goodoleboy58 |
6. | David Freese (StL - 3B) | Just the Tip |
7. | Brandon Belt (SF - 1B) | Go Team |
8. | Ryan Ludwick (SD - OF) | Eastbound KP |
9. | Dexter Fowler (Col - OF) | RileyKnox38 |
10. | Hong-Chih Kuo (LAD - RP) | Brownfield Bats |
My Pick – James McDonald almost a strikeout per inning after getting traded from the Dodgers to Pittsburgh.
Great Gets – Brandon Belt will be playing first base for San Francisco by the end of May, and will immediately become their second best hitter. Logan Morrison will also provide great value for a 29th round pick.
Round 30 | ||
1. | Bryce Harper (Was - C,OF) | Brownfield Bats |
2. | Randy Wolf (Mil - SP) | RileyKnox38 |
3. | Michael Morse (Was - 1B,OF) | Eastbound KP |
4. | Adam Wainwright (StL - SP) | Go Team |
5. | Koji Uehara (Bal - RP) | Just the Tip |
6. | Brandon League (Sea - RP) | Goodoleboy58 |
7. | Brandon Webb (Tex - SP) | Pine Tree Rotary |
8. | Álex González (Atl - SS) | KEARSARGE K'S |
9. | J.P. Arencibia (Tor - C) | Rascally Rabbits |
10. | Jesus Montero (NYY - C) | No Cred At All |
My Pick – Montero is ready to hit major league pitching right now, but New York is starting him in the minors to work on his defense. Montero will be in the majors at some point this season, whether he’s traded or not.
Great Gets – I loved the Bryce Harper pick. Even if it takes him awhile to reach the major leagues, he should be a valuable trade chip. Locking up Adam Wainwright was also a solid move. He’ll be out for all of this season, but he can now be locked in as a 30th round pick when he comes back healthy for 2012.
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