We had our fantasy draft on Friday night. I was pretty happy with my draft. I am going to show the rounds and mention some of my strategy and whatnot. This week I will also be posting about how each team in the league projects. As usual, the draft was fun and I think we probably had the most people actually attend the draft, which made it go faster and provide some more interesting picks.
Ryan had the first pick and before he logged in, Offord and I joked about trying to change the draft order. He won this league two years in a row, he should not have the first pick. Anyways, he took Pujols first (I actually thought he might take Carlos Gonzalez–he has been going first in a lot of drafts). I took Troy Tulowitzki with the third pick. This was a tough decision for me. I was going to take a first basemen (Votto or Cabrera), but I figured I might as well take one of the extremely rare elite shortstops.
This was also my thinking in the second round. Third base is a pretty shallow pool, so Zimmerman was someone I did not want to pass up and end up with someone in that third tier. I believe that my strategy paid off because I was able to get Adam Dunn in the third round.
Offord took Buster Posey with the final pick of the third round. I mentioned before that catchers are pretty much all the same. It is always weird when people way overdraft for one. I have seen Posey taken in the early second round in some drafts, so Offord getting him in that spot was pretty good. He and Mauer are the elite catchers, so I can understand why you might want to reach for them. After that though, wait until a later round.
I decided to take Lester and Sabathia with my next two picks. I figured I would get two of the better starters. My next pick was a little out there. Drew Stubbs could be a solid 25 HR/30 SB guy, hopefully his average goes up.
I think Kendrys Morales is a pretty good pick from Dave in this round. If he stays healthy and hits 35 HRs/100 RBIs with a .300 AVE, that would be a fantastic round five pick. I think some people are shocked that Jose Bautista is going this high in so many drafts (or low, depending on how you look at it). I do not see him hitting 50 HRs, but I do think he will hit over 30.
This is also the round where closers start going. In every draft, as soon as one closer goes, people panic and it just goes crazy after that. Best way to screw up everyone’s draft strategy: draft a closer in the third round. Carlos Marmol and Rivera in the sixth round?
And do not fear, I am not immune to the panic. I immediately spent the seventh round pick on Brian Wilson. Bell and Soria also go in that round. I really liked Ryan’s pick of Pedro Alvarez. If I did not get one of the top tier guys, I was going for Pedro in round six. I decided to take Mike Stanton with my next pick. Every projection I have seen has him hitting over 30 HRs.
I thought Offord had a great pick of Chris Carpenter. I like Nick Markakis, but I was very unsure about whether I should take him here or not. I think I could have waited and got him later. Honestly, Matt Wieters this early? Also, Neftali Feliz was a very good pick. I thought about taking him, but I was not sure since he might be starting. I think I might end up regretting that one.
And I can’t believe I could say this about someone else…but, I think Dan’s hatred of the Overbay signing is even more unbased than Offords.
I prefer the mantra: “ignorance is bliss”, As I am completely content not understanding that as a Pirates fan, having the 30th best “fantasy” first basemen in the League dooms us at that position.
Projection for Overbay: .296 24Hr 89Rbi 82R and the only reason he doesn’t win the gold glove is because he gets charged too many errors for having to field balls in the dirt from young infielders.
I also predict Offord puts on 10 pounds throughout the season from taking to drink when he finds out im right about overbay and Dan’s hatred for Overbay grows from choking on a hot dog after Overbay hits a walk off Home run,and it doubles when he finally relents to it being a good signing while celebrating the victory after a good heimlich manuever removes said hot dog.
I think the auto-draft did pretty well for me. Looking forward to the season. Thanks for the inivitation.
Ryan.. Come on. You are being mroe ridiculous than I am. He hasn’t hit over .270 since 2006, hasn’t hit 24 hr’s in a season his entire career, and topped 89 rbis only once. You think he will have alomst as many RBIs on the Pirates as he did when he was 29 on a must better offensive team? He is 34.. can you at least be somewhat realistic with your prediction? I can’t even take that seriously.
Strange stay of the day: Matt Diaz had a .878 OPS in 2009 in 371 ABs.
Ryan, I think you need to dial back the positive expectations.
On a side note, in one of the baseball games (i think 2k5), Overbay would always hit doubles off of me. I swear he must have had 15 doubles and hit about .600. he seemed like he was always crushing the ball off of me.
Sean…no problem, good to have you in the league.
I thought it was a fair estimation. Especially since he is going to be hitting in the middle of a line up that has 3 guys in front of him that all had close to .300 averages with speed on the bases. Sue me, I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses my expectations. P-p-p-p-p-piss off lou…don’t let your hate blind you!!!!! (I think the piss of lou quote is from roger rabbit?)