Friday, March 18, 2016. 8pm. 14 teams, 280 players, one bag of chocolate raisins. It’s the BaseballGB Fantasy League draft.
At 7.30pm I logged into the draft room to find out what order Yahoo had put our teams in and was very pleasantly surprised to find my team at the top of the queue.
This solved any first round dilemmas as I knew I was taking Mike Trout. Looking at my mock draft results, I turned to the one where I had picked second out of 12 teams to see how things went there and to try to plan ahead as best as I could. With such a long wait between picks, I knew I would have to make my early selections count. I didn’t want to paint myself into a corner by taking too many players in similar positions if I could help it.
After Trout, I hoped that in rounds two and three I could grab some combination of Madison Bumgarner, Starling Marte, George Springer and Joey Votto, but whether any of them would make it back to me was another matter. I had also found in the mocks I had done that filling the left side of the infield had been tricky. If I could get a decent 3B early that would be a bonus, plus I was really keen on Lindor as my shortstop. I may have to reach a bit to get him though.
After drafting Trout I sat back to see if there were any first round surprises. Harper went over Goldschmidt while Machado went fourth overall, bringing the bonus of SS and 3B eligibility. After Donaldson, the Riverkings nabbed Kershaw at 6th overall. If you are going to take a pitcher in the first round, he’s the guy. Rizzo went 8th overall, and will be hitting in the heart of a stacked lineup. Slight surprise to see McCutchen fall outside the top 10, while Becknam went for Davis a fair bit earlier than I had expected. Monster power, but a low average…
… which is why pairing Davis with Altuve is a very good idea. Bath complete a nice 1-2 punch of Bautista and Bryant while my hopes of Votto vanish soon after. Newcastle fill two tricky positions of 3B and CF with their first two picks, while Springer is soon nabbed. MadBum might make it back to me, but no, the Slugs nab him. At least Marte is still there, so I take him instead.
I feel pretty much compelled to take an ace here, as I fear the rest of my targets will vanish in the long wait between picks. I think about deGrom but am swayed by Sale’s strikeouts. The Slugs nab deGrom straight away as the SPs start to fly off the board. Sano, a possible target for my next pick is nabbed early. I start looking down the player list and fear that by taking two OF, I may have painted myself into a corner as the players ranked around my next two picks are predominantly OF and SP, positions I have already filled. I’m happy to wait for my third OF but I know I need to make a start on my infield. Matt Carpenter would be nice, Adrian Gonzalez or Frazier too, but surely they will go?
I think Adam Jones is a nice pick here for Bath, while Iron Men back Tulo to have a healthy year in a very hitter-friendly stadium. Interesting to see Cole picked above Price, while the Riverkings nab Carpenter. The RBIs raise some eyebrows with Gio Gonzalez (taken ahead of King Felix and Archer among others). I am massively relieved that Gonzalez makes it to me and gratefully draft a 1B. And there is more good news…
Frazier is still there, so I waste little time in grabbing him to complete my corner infielders. A huge stroke of luck. If he hadn’t been there I’m not really sure what I would have done. Possibly a second starter. Maybe Maikel Franco. The RBIs go very early with a closer, and it’s not Kimbrel, Jansen or Chapman but Melancon. I’m happy to wait much longer for saves and start thinking ahead for my next two picks. Another SP would be nice and I’d like to fill that hole at SS too.
I’d thought about drafting Lindor soon or possibly Corey Seager so my heart sinks when Bath nab the Dodger rookie. Surely this means Lindor may not be too far behind? Becknam go for Revere, which is a touch early for my liking when more powerful options  were still around. The RBIs take A-Rod very early. Yes, he had a nice rebound year, but he is limited to UT and there are plenty of other power options I would have gone for. As a later-round option, OK, but not in the first dozen or so rounds. Any hopes of Gray, Salazar or Lester making it to me are dashed, but Wainwright is still available for my #2 starter.
Looking ahead, I feel there is no way Lindor will still be around for my next pick, so I have a decision to make: reach a bit for him now or change tack? I decide to go for it and nab him rather than filling UT with Morales. More closers fly off the board as Davis, Kimbrel, Jansen and Familia all go in the same round. At this rate I’ll have to think about getting my first closer in the next couple of rounds. I have a hole at 2B but Odor and Kinsler are nabbed. There’s still Rendon…
… but not for much longer. I weigh up taking my third OF, but targets Calhoun and Choo are also grabbed. The RBIs show their Yankee bias by drafting Starlin Castro. I think he’ll benefit from a change of scenery and regular playing time, but it’s rather too early for my liking. Three more closers are drafted in Robertson, Allen and Rosenthal, just as I was thinking Trevor may make it to me. I go back and forth and decide I had better grab my first closer. Zach Britton will do nicely.
This is where it starts to get tricky. I don’t want to grab another closer right now, but there aren’t many hitters here at positions I haven’t already filled. In the end I opt for a third starter and take Stroman, encouraged by his return from injury in the playoffs. The Slugs roll the die on Hanley Ramirez still hitting while learning a new position at 1B, while the Sox take Chapman, whose draft place falls after his 30-game suspension. Norwich go for Miller immediately afterwards, and although he should close in Chapman’s absence,he will be back as a set-up guy when Aroldis is available. Newcastle take a punt on Ian Desmond, who has SS eligibility but will add OF in the hitter-friendly Ballpark in Arlington. Becknam go for more speed in Billy Hamilton.
I’m glad I took Stroman when I did as nine SPs go this round, including eight in a span of nine picks. Jordan Zimmermann is a nice value pick for the Sox. The rush on pitchers means some nice hitting options are available when my turn comes around. I think about Grichuk or Pederson but go for the underrated David Peralta to round out my OF.
Still conscious of that hole at 2B I decide now is a good time to fill it with Zobrist, although I did also consider Wong. I’m pleased to get my infield sorted out, so the only hitters I now need are a UT, a C and probably just one bench hitter. A power hitter at UT might not be a bad idea next. Or d’Arnaud at C would be very nice. Maybe McCann at C but Iron Men put paid to that. More relievers are going too, so a second closer sometime soon might be a wise move.
The Knights destroy any hopes of a d’Arnaud/Tex combo but at least my UT target is still there. The Riverkings hope Buxton can live up to his promise with a gutsy round 12 pick. Gardner had been atop the player list for a while, but injuries had put managers off. Here though the Slugs decide he’s worth a shot.
With most of my hitting lineup sorted, and it feeling too early to get a catcher if I can’t have d’Arnaud or McCann, I decide to switch my focus to my pitching staff. I don’t want to run the risk of being short on closer options next time around, so decide to take my second reliever in Perkins, although I also considered Tolleson. Five middle infielders go in quick succession. Becknam take another speedy CF in Burns, while I like Bath’s Conforto pick. If I hadn’t already filled OF and UT, I’d have been tempted to grab him.
I had hoped Josh Harrison may still be around later for some flexibility off my bench, but no such luck as Iron Men nab him. The Sox take a punt of Reyes, despite his court case. The Maltsers take Boxberger, who will miss a few months but should be Tampa’s closer on his return. Although Teheran is stuck on a poor Braves team, I still think he should put up decent enough numbers as my #4 starter.
Incredibly, I have the option to take a third closer. This isn’t something I normally do, but Casilla feels like excellent value in round 15. I had originally planned to back up Britton with O’Day or get a set-up reliever like Watson to rack up the holds, but a third closer it is. Could be useful trade bit too. That leaves me with five picks left. I still need a C, a bench hitter, two SPs and another RP for holds. I have Grandal lined up for my next pick, only for Becknams to beat me to him. Bother! And this after O’Day and Watson both go.
Some SPs I had on my wish list, Maeda and Kennedy, both go but at least Leake is still available so I take him as my fifth starter. But before I draft him, I use the draft clock to look at my catching options. Could take a punt on Mesoraco returning from injury. Derek Norris is still there. Montero too. Tough choice. I was burned by having Mesoraco last year – and the Reds not putting him on the DL for ages when he clearly couldn’t play – so decide not to risk falling into that trap again. After clicking to draft Leake I decide to opt for…
… Montero. There are some interesting picks this round as the Slugs and RBIs show you can still find closers in round 17 while the Riverkings opt for the promise of Piscotty and Norwich take a chance on Park’s power potential.
The late rounds see teams fill up their bullpens and take a late gamble on youngsters such as Ketel Marte. I’m intrigued to see what Domingo Santana can do over a full season too. I had originally planned to take a player who could fill in at a number of positions as my bench hitter, but seeing Trumbo there and considering Teixeira’s injury woes, it’s not a bad idea to have a power-hitting back-up. I think Trumbo should enjoy Camden yards and has 1B and OF flexibility too.
Still needing a reliever for holds, I opt for Romo, who could also pick up saves if Casilla falters, so a decent insurance policy hopefully. The Slugs take a punt on Mesoraco, while Victor Martinez could be a steal here for the Sox if he can stay healthy. Alvarez is an intriguing power option at Camden Yards for Norwich while Kendrick is good value for Bath.
There are some really smart picks in the final round. Batteries Essential gamble on Sandoval, while I think Newcastle getting Wheeler is super smart. Schoop is underrated and has nice pop at 2B for Norwich, while Ozuna has 20+HR pop in CF in Miami let him play. Finnegan should start regularly for the Reds and Dyson is a nice holds option for the Chasers. I still want another starter to round out my staff and there are several options I’m happy with, some of whom went undrafted. I end the draft with Ryu, knowing he will miss the start of the season, but at least I can put him on the DL and add another arm from the free agent pool.
Overall, I’m happy with my team, feeling I’m reasonably strong across the board offensively. I fully appreciate how lucky I was to get Gonzalez and Frazier and am pleased I reached for Lindor. Starting pitching depth is pretty solid and happy to get three closers. Just need Teixeira, Sale and Wainwright to stay injury-free.
Reviewing the teams
Here are my thoughts on the other teams, in draft order:
Slugs – Harper appears to be only batter with a shot at 30HR/100RBI but rest of the lineup should contribute reasonably well. Maybe a lack of speed. Rotation really strong with MadBum, deGrom and Archer plus elite closer in Rosenthal and top holds options in O’Day and Herrera. Could pitch their way to another title.
Maltsters – Again, Goldschmidt may be only hitter to break 25HR/100RBI. Lots of speed. Have to hope rotation featuring Liriano, Kazmir and Estrada can stay healthy.
RBIs – SS could be a problem, unless Machado is moved there but no other 3B options at present. Pitching staff lacks rotation depth and a lot rests on Arrieta. Two closers but no holds options.
Chasers – That’s one strong infield. Outfield may lack a little pop but overall a nicely balanced offence. Good rotation, like the Kluber/Lester 1-2 punch. Saves could be an issue if Benoit doesn’t close.
Riverkings – Another strong infield with plenty of pop. OF may need another option if Buxton falters. Kershaw and Fernandez combo looks great and a very strong bullpen. When Darvish and Eduardo Rodriguez come back from injury, this team could really take off.
Sox – Some big bats in this lineup. Could be a tough team to out-hit if Miggy stays healthy and Weiters rebounds. SS an issue with Reyes plus a light pitching staff will have to deal with Chapman’s suspension and McCullers missing the start of the season. Well placed to use hitters as trade bait though.
Norwich – Decent spread of power throughout lineup, will hope Franco and Springer stay healthy and Grichuk, Park and Alvarez make the most of their opportunities. Very strong bullpen and banking on Salazar and Carrasco to build on impressive seasons.
Knights – Look a tough team to beat as offense is strong across the board and could be even better if Puig rebounds and Pederson can raise his average. Price and Strasburg as 1-2 punch plus a very strong bullpen,. A definite contender.
Jesmond – Looks a powerful lineup but SS a concern if Ketel Marte struggles. Loaded with promising young arms. Have to hope they build on last year’s win totals.
Batteries Essential – Outfield full of power, infield may struggle for pop. Quite a few nagging injury concerns. Only six pitchers but six good ones. Will need to consider using hitters as trade bait to fill out rotation and add set-up relievers.
Iron Men – Injury risk could make or break this team, as McCann, Pujols, Pence and Tulo are in the same lineup. If they stay healthy, look out. Saves could be lacking even if Storen closes.
Becknam – Speed. Lots of speed. Almost all the speed. Should protect the average from the likes of Davis and Hamilton but OF is lacking in power. Excellent rotation depth but just one closer. There could be plenty of trade bait here.
Bombers – Tough to draft at the back of the queue but did a nice job putting together a nice mix of power and speed. Rotation a bit of a concern as no starter won more than nine games last year, although Syndergaard will have a full year.