It is time to continue our recap of the BaseballGB fantasy league draft.
So far, 20 managers have drafted 200 players in 10 rounds, as discussed in the first part of the recap. Here is how the second half of the draft unfolded.
Chatham have done their homework, noticing Ivan Nova was buried quite a way down the Yahoo rankings despite his 16 wins last season.
I was thinking he might be a handy option later on in the draft but this choice puts paid to that.
With the Wright Stuff short on closers, Chris takes Romo here, thinking if Wilson goes down Sergio will get save chances for the Giants.
More closers go, but we are starting to get to pitchers on poor teams (Capps) or injury risks (Nathan).
More set-up relievers go in Clippard, Casilla and K-Rod, while Oviedo (formerly known a s Leo Nunez) is taken by Boyd’s Base On Balls.
Not sure if Ovideo will be back in the Marlins’ bullpen after his identity crisis, and if he is he will be behind Heath Bell.
Thome is due to play 1B while Howard recoveres from injury, but I’m not sure how often he’ll play, so a bit of a risk by Tavira here.
Of the starting pitching options, I am thinking about one of Garcia, Kuroda and Cueto, opting for the former Dodger after daebhid2 selects Garcia.
With my pitching staff boosted in consecutive rounds, I will now try to fill the gaps in my OF and at UT.
Some nice pitching selections in this round, as Jurrjens, Fister and Buchholz, any of whom I was hoping for in the folowing two rounds, are snapped up. Another target in Willingham also goes, so I’m left with a choice between Lee or Belt, taking El Caballo and hoping for the best.
The chance to take Belt in round 13 vanishes when The Wright Stuff selected him.
My next offensive target was Yonder Alonso, but as he was further down the rankings I felt I could take him in the next round, especially as Chacin, a pitcher I have been impressed with every time I’ve seen him for the Rockies (or is it because the Dodgers don’t hit much?!) is available.
Bay is an interesting bounce back candidate for Richie’s RBIs while Pontypridd take one of the best prospects in the game in Trout. More set-up relievers go in Thornton, Melancon and Crow, but I am content to leave holds for a little while longer. Myers, now a closer for Houston, is a wise pick for Iron Men. Even on a poor team, he should get a chance at 20 to 30 saves.
More relievers taken this round, as closers Johnson and Guerra are good value considering we are close to 280 players drafted.
Beck ‘Nams gamble on Sizemore, who will miss time at the start of the season, while Alonso makes it to me. I’m not sure how much ppower Alonso will bring in a spacious ballpark, but he can hit for a good average and being an everyday player in his preferred position of 1B should help.
The Wright Stuff take a punt on Adam Dunn, thinking he can’t be any worse than he was last season.
Some nice SP picks this round, as Santana and Worley vanish from my list before they reach me. I opt for Ogando, despite not being sure if he will start or relieve. Either way he should contribute wins or holds on a stroing Texas team.
With holds options like Benoit, Adams, and O’Flaherty also going, it is a reminder to grab a definite holds option before too long. Pontypridd gamble on Morneau recoverig from his concussion problems – I hope it pays off for them both – and Tavira select a promising young pitcher in Minor.
Danks had a down year last season but is a lot better than his numbers suggest and Valencia should provide some pop at 3B for YD33s.
The Yankees select Quentin, who will miss time after knee surgery, and Pestano, who will close while Chris Perez recovers from injury, is taken by the Chasers.
With Gregerson going, I feel Bastardo is the best holds option available, although I considered David Hernandez here too. The Vendors take Vlad, who is currently without a team and may be headed for Japan and the NE Riverkings take an intriguing young pitcher in Teheran.
After seeing Cahill and Volquez go, I take a punt and select Jarrod Parker. This is admittedly a bit of a reach but if he crack the Oakland rotation he could surprise a few, although whether this will happen straight away remains to be seen.
This leaves me with three picks remaining, so I need a catcher, another starter and a bench hitter. I line up Mesoraco or Lucroy for my next pick. Carroll should run more now he has an everday job with the Twins. The Super-Sox gamble on Oswalt joining a team midseason.
Disaster! Both my preferred catching options go, and seeing Mesoraco vanish a pick before me stings. If Salvador Perez was healthy I would take him here, but instead I’ll live with Buck’s low average and hope he hits for power. SWAT’s pick of Reed, who could well be the White Sox closer, is really smart.
The Riverkings pick Perez, who will go on the DL to start the season and Tavira pick Scott Sizemore who will be out for the season, but no major harm done this late in the draft. The selection of Broxton could be a masterstroke for BD Yankees with Soria’s injury news.
My top option for a bench hitter is Raburn, thinking his 2B eligibility will come in handy if/when Weeks gets injured, but Richie’s RBIs beat me to him. Plan B is Lowrie, who should have a nice year with regular playing time in a hitter-friendly stadium, if he can keep healthy. Just one pick left for another starter, preferably Matt Harrison, if he makes it to me.
Beck ‘Nams dash my hopes of getting Harrison, so I opt for Mike Leake to complete my team. YD33s take Vazquez, who is expected to retire.
Four third basemen go here, with teams gambling on Alvarez, Davis and Stewart fulfilling their potential and Rolen recovering from injury.
Gamel is a steal for the Stuff as he will be the Brewers’ everyday 1B while Bourgeois is lightning quick and would have challenged Schafer for the Astros CF job but is traded to Kansas City days later.
So the draft draws to a close. Looking back at my team I feel happy with it, as I have a strong infield, plenty of power from my 1B/OF hitters but admittedly not much speed.
I like the depth of my roation, although the Parker pick isn’t looking too great at the moment as he may start the year in the minors.
The bullpen is sound. Grabbing two closers was a concern in such a deep draft, but I’ll happily take Walden and Street.
Here’s my take on each of the other teams:
Chatham Anglers – Good infield and if Crawford and Ethier rebound, they will be tough to beat with the bat. Maybe lacking a true #1 starter but the rotation depth is good. Lack of saves though.
The Wright Stuff – Stacks of power throughout the line-up. Only question marks will be playing time for Mayberry and Dunn’s rebound. Rotation depth very nice and three strong holds guys should compensate for lone closer.
Richie’s RBIs – Should be OK for power and speed, but batting average may suffer. Decent bullpen. Rotation will look even better if Hughes wins a starting job.
Pretzel Vendors – Banking on swift returns from injury by Howard and Drew. Lahair a capable 1B fill-in option. Great top three of the rotation in Felix, Sabathia and Cain plus closer depth in Kimbrel, Madson and Soria means Joakim’s injury won’t be too bad a blow.
NE Riverkings – Could be good if Wright and Heyward bounce back – nice balance of power and speed here. Only one closer but Haren/Greinke at the top of the roation will be a strength.
Iron Men – Like the outfield and extra power bats in Lind, Ortiz and Sandoval. Middle infield the main question mark. Hamels and Gallardo nice combo atop the rotation.
daebhid2 – Pretty nicely balanced lineup will look even better if Goldschmidt provides more power. Could use some more RP help though.
Pontypridd – Like the lineup, only real question marks being how Murphy does and how often Trout plays. Lack of SP depth could be an issue.
Bonestalkers – As discussed, may regret passing up on proven ace and power hitters early on.
YD33s – The Nunez pick won’t hurt with Kipnis on the roster. Not a big fan of the outfield and no-one hit more than 18 homers last season, so power shortage a concern. Surplus of bench hitters means the pitching staff is short, but nice trio of Lincecum, Kennedy and Wilson.
Ridge Bolts – Fairly steady across the board. Like the speed/power combo of Reyes and Stanton. Surplus of bench hitters means pitching staff is short – only three starters in Beckett, Masterson and Moore, so reaching the 20 inning minimum a week may be a problem.
Stevenston – Like the lineup, especially if Morales rebounds. 3B the only question mark, but if Bonifacio steals 40 again, he’ll do nicely. Nice rotation depth. Bullpen will look even nicer if Thornton claims White Sox closer role.
Cheddar Chasers – Stacks of power on the infield, plenty of speed in the outfield. Shields, Romero and Fister a nice trio at the top of the rotation. Saves could dry up once Pestano moves back to set-up role, but I like this team a lot.
Weston-Super-Sox – Love the outfield and Hanley looks primed for a much better season. No true ace but plenty of solid starters and three closers, but no holds, although this can be fixed easily. Another strong team.
Tavira Expats – Average could be an issue, as could the health of A-Rod and Jeter. Surplus of bench hitters means short pitching staff.
Boyd’s Base On Balls – Again, average may be low here, but should be competitive in HR and steals most weeks. Pitching staff low on numbers but high in quality with Verlander and Lester.
Beck ‘Nams – Lots of speed but perhaps lacking a power bat. Love the pitching staff – well-stocked for starters and relievers.
SWAT – Good outfield but question marks about how effective the infield will be. Need good years from Morel and Cozart and playing time for Encarnacion. Loads of good RP options could be used as trade bait.
BD Yankees – Tough to pick last, but did a good job. Lineup is solid and I’m expecting higher averages from Longoria, Beckham and Rasmus. Pitching staff relying on Ubaldo and Strasburg’s comebacks. Strong set-up crew should nab the odd save to help Valverde, or even more in Broxton’s case.
Week 1 fixtures:
Orpington v Ridge Bolts
Cheddar Chasers v Pretzel Vendors
Stevenston Angels v Richie’s RBIs
Beck ‘Nams v Chathma Anglers
BD Yankees v Tavira Expats
Bonestalkers v YD33s
SWAT v daebhid2
Wright Stuff v Weston-Super-Sox
Iron Men v NE Riverkings
Boyd’s Base On Balls v Pontypridd Pirates
With the MLB season starting early with the Seattle v Oakland games in Japan, the fantasy season gets under way on March 28. It’s almost time to play ball!
