This year was a little bit less chaotic than last. Payton’s bedtime is a little earlier. I made sure to give myself enough time to be able to make some coffee, sign in, and have all of my notes and whatnot where I like them. First though, allow me to introduce the players.
Defending Champ–me
Immortan Offord–Offord
There is no Spoon–Gideon
Ball So Hard, Inc–Matt
BusterParkerPosey–Lindsey
InsertFunnyNameHere–James
JoshsLilPuigWentHome–Ryan
MidseasonCollapse–Dustin
rey de ponches–Adam2
Put the chips down!–Jason
Roscoe G Cole Train–Pat
This Team Can’t Hit–Sean
Yep, I went with that as my name. Might as well brag about my championship. I chose Lindsey’s name because I like to do the whole post a music video each week she wins. This year I will use a song from a movie featuring Parker Posey. Everyone else really needs to update their names.
I am not going to post about the first three rounds since those are just our keepers. Dustin was the only person to pick during those rounds and he took: Mookie Betts, Corey Kluber, and Francisco Lindor. Pretty good first three picks.
My plan was going to be to take two starting pitchers, but it seemed that a few other people had the idea of drafting pitchers in the 4th round. Anthony Rendon was available, so I took him and then followed him up with Aaron Nola. It was a tough decision because Robbie Ray was ranked right above him, but I feel like Nola is a bit more reliable, especially this high up. I really wanted Keuchel or Greinke to be available in round six, but alas Ryan and Gideon snatched them before me.
Best Pick: Andrew McCutchen–I think Matt is going to be very happy with Cutch this year, definitely going to get much higher value than a round five pick.
Worst Pick: Justin Turner–I realize that Sean was not at the draft and it has to suck finding out you drafted an injured player.
Round seven was tough for me. Miguel Cabrera was sitting there, I think a few people passed him over and I just could not do it. How many other first basemen are out there? Neil Walker, Eric Hosmer? Bell? Smoak? IF Miggy’s back is even remotely healthy, he will put up numbers better than those guys (well maybe not more home runs than Smoak). Round seven was also the Closer Round. Chapman, Kimbrel, Allen all in a row. Way to go guys! I took Osuna in round eight because I figured I needed one of the better closers. I then took Arrieta. I realize I complained about him all last year, but he was not as bad as I acted and in the 9th round, he actually looks good. Maybe I can get Jason to trade me Kris Bryant for him…
Best Pick: Yoenis Cespedes–Lindsey took Cespedes in round seven and I think she will be very happy with him. I had him last year and despite quad/hamstring issues, he was pretty awesome.
Worst Pick: Ronald Acuna Jr.–Look, I wanted to draft him, somewhere around round 16. Ryan went way high for him. Seriously, he could have easily waited until 12. He is not even starting in the majors. He will not be up until June.
I wanted Carlos Santana or Raisel Iglesias. I saw Ender Inciarte there and decided to take him. He gives me a very balanced outfield. After that I tok Godley, which, meh. I have plenty of starting pitchers. I have no clue if Morrow will be a great closer for the Cubs, I just figure he will get plenty of opportunities.
Best Pick: Carlos Santana–I feel like Santana may see those home run numbers increase hitting in Philadelphia. If so, Lindsey will be very happy with that production.
Worst Pick: Roughned Odor–Yeah, he will hit home runs, but he is going to crush your OBP and AVG, Adam2 may have been better off drafting Joey Gallo. More home runs, but also more position eligibility.
At this point I needed two positions: catcher and shortstop. I missed out on the shortstops I wanted earlier, so I went Realmuto. I honestly thought Offord would have DeJong ranked higher and he would draft him right before I could get him. Figured that was a good shortstop pickup. I drafted Zimmer for my utility spot and because I really like him.
Best Pick: Marwin Gonzalez–Lindsey got a guy who has eligibility everywhere. And he is actually pretty damn good.
Worst Pick: Alex Colome–It is hard to call any pick at this point bad, but I think there were better relievers available here. In fact, Gideon took a good one in Bradley with his next pick.
I guess I am a glutton for punishment, I had Aaron Sanchez last year (he swears he has no blister problems).
Best Pick: Avisail Garcia–If he hits like he did last year, he will be a huge steal.
Worst Pick: Cam Bedrosian–I think the Angels are going closer by committee. I should have drafted Holland (someone will sign him…probably the Angels).
Seriously, Blake Parker? I guess I am handcuffing him to Bedrosian. Yuck. Wacha and Mikolas? Well I think they will be decent for the Cardinals.
Best Pick: Jason Kipnis–again, Lindsey taking a great value pick. He just needs to be healthy.
Worst Pick: Chad Kuhl–I like Kuhl, but do not think he was the best pitcher available even this late. I am sure Ryan will say that he thinks Kuhl is his steal of the draft.
I was able to draft Lewis Brinson, who is one of the top prospects and is most likely starting the year in Miami (he may even be leading off). He put up great numbers in AAA and could possibly be pretty awesome. If not, eh, I wasted my round 22 pick. After that I took Dominic Leone. I think he could end up as the closer for the Cardinals.
Best Pick: Rick Porcello–Offord gets a pitcher who won the Cy Young two years ago. If he can even come remotely close to those type numbers…
Worst Pick: Dominic Leone–I mean, there were better options. I like Chatwood much more. Or Sean Manaea.
Here is how our teams rank based upon the Yahoo Projections:
My team had the best draft, just barely ahead of Gideon. Here is something I am not used to: my team is projected to have a great AVG. I never have a team with a good AVG. I also have a ton of pitching (hence the 105 wins/1530 Ks). I may not have Kershaw & Scherzer (like Sean), but I do have a bunch of starters projected for 14 wins. I am happy with my team for the most part. I will probably make some drops. I think Lindsey’s team needs some pitching help, she definitely has the hitting.
I have the pleasure of facing off with Gideon in week one. Lindsey takes on James. We also have Matt/Sean, Ryan/Offord, Adam2/Dustin, and Jason/Pat. Good luck to everyone!
