Round 11 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Francisco Cordero | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
2. | Mike Napoli | Boston Rogue… |
3. | Stephen Strasburg | Pretzel Vendors |
4. | Jason Heyward | Iron Men |
5. | Geovany Soto | SWAT* |
6. | Ryan Ludwick | Borders Bats |
7. | Trevor Hoffman | stevenston a… |
8. | Carlos González | Weston-Super… |
9. | Chris Coghlan | New Spaniards |
10. | Neftali Feliz | The Cheddar … |
11. | Marco Scutaro | Bonestalkers |
12. | Billy Wagner | The Wright S… |
13. | Julio Borbón | Grip it n Ri… |
14. | Huston Street | Orpington Is… |
Round 12 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | José López | Orpington Is… |
2. | James Shields | Grip it n Ri… |
3. | Stephen Drew | The Wright S… |
4. | Miguel Montero | Bonestalkers |
5. | Plácido Polanco | The Cheddar … |
6. | Matt Thornton | New Spaniards |
7. | Randy Wolf | Weston-Super… |
8. | Carlos Zambrano | stevenston a… |
9. | Ben Sheets | Borders Bats |
10. | Alexei RamÃrez | SWAT* |
11. | Kurt Suzuki | Iron Men |
12. | Mark Buehrle | Pretzel Vendors |
13. | Jorge Cantú | Boston Rogue… |
14. | Ryan Theriot | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
Round 13 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | David Aardsma | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
2. | Carlos Beltrán | Boston Rogue… |
3. | David Price | Pretzel Vendors |
4. | Chad Qualls | Iron Men |
5. | Hiroki Kuroda | SWAT* |
6. | Michael Cuddyer | Borders Bats |
7. | Brad Hawpe | stevenston a… |
8. | Edwin Jackson | Weston-Super… |
9. | Joba Chamberlain | New Spaniards |
10. | Jorge De La Rosa | The Cheddar … |
11. | J.P. Howell | Bonestalkers |
12. | Max Scherzer | The Wright S… |
13. | Chipper Jones | Grip it n Ri… |
14. | Bengie Molina | Orpington Is… |
Round 14 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Brandon Webb | Orpington Is… |
2. | Rafael Furcal | Grip it n Ri… |
3. | Carlos Quentin | The Wright S… |
4. | Hideki Matsui | Bonestalkers |
5. | Mike González | The Cheddar … |
6. | David Ortiz | New Spaniards |
7. | Mark DeRosa | Weston-Super… |
8. | A.J. Pierzynski | stevenston a… |
9. | Mark Lowe | Borders Bats |
10. | Colby Rasmus | SWAT* |
11. | Rick Porcello | Iron Men |
12. | Brad Lidge | Pretzel Vendors |
13. | MartÃn Prado | Boston Rogue… |
14. | Kevin Correia | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
Round 15 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Juan Rivera | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
2. | Mark Teahen | Boston Rogue… |
3. | Nelson Figueroa | Pretzel Vendors |
4. | Ryan Madson | Iron Men |
5. | Jay Bruce | SWAT* |
6. | Ryan Franklin | Borders Bats |
7. | Ãlex RÃos | stevenston a… |
8. | Nyjer Morgan | Weston-Super… |
9. | Jamie Moyer | New Spaniards |
10. | Ryan Doumit | The Cheddar … |
11. | Clayton Richard | Bonestalkers |
12. | Alfonso Soriano | The Wright S… |
13. | Leo Núñez | Grip it n Ri… |
14. | Jeff Niemann | Orpington Is… |
Round 16 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Franklin Morales | Orpington Is… |
2. | Howie Kendrick | Grip it n Ri… |
3. | Kevin Slowey | The Wright S… |
4. | Todd Helton | Bonestalkers |
5. | Scott Kazmir | The Cheddar … |
6. | Maicer Izturis | New Spaniards |
7. | Michael Wuertz | Weston-Super… |
8. | Adam LaRoche | stevenston a… |
9. | J.D. Drew | Borders Bats |
10. | Drew Stubbs | SWAT* |
11. | Chris Davis | Iron Men |
12. | Ted Lilly | Pretzel Vendors |
13. | Nolan Reimold | Boston Rogue… |
14. | Fernando Rodney | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
Round 17 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Fernando Martinez | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
2. | Mike Adams | Boston Rogue… |
3. | Orlando Hudson | Pretzel Vendors |
4. | Francisco Liriano | Iron Men |
5. | Brian Matusz | SWAT* |
6. | Clint Barmes | Borders Bats |
7. | Skip Schumaker | stevenston a… |
8. | Adrián Béltre | Weston-Super… |
9. | Andy Pettitte | New Spaniards |
10. | Jhonny Peralta | The Cheddar … |
11. | Alberto Callaspo | Bonestalkers |
12. | Ervin Santana | The Wright S… |
13. | Vladimir Guerrero | Grip it n Ri… |
14. | Tim Hudson | Orpington Is… |
Round 18 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Garrett Jones | Orpington Is… |
2. | James Loney | Grip it n Ri… |
3. | Frank Francisco | The Wright S… |
4. | Randy Wells | Bonestalkers |
5. | Rich Harden | The Cheddar … |
6. | Hideki Okajima | New Spaniards |
7. | Kenshin Kawakami | Weston-Super… |
8. | Jonathan Sánchez | stevenston a… |
9. | Ryan Rowland-Smith | Borders Bats |
10. | Chris Pérez | SWAT* |
11. | Bobby Jenks | Iron Men |
12. | Orlando Cabrera | Pretzel Vendors |
13. | Corey Hart | Boston Rogue… |
14. | Kevin Gregg | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
 I still needed to fill 3B and UT, so opted to take Garrett Jones’ power potential here. The fact he is eligible at 1B and OF is handy too.
It was a surprise to see so many closers still available here, as Francisco, Perez (who will close while Kerry Wood is out), Jenks and Gregg all going in this round.
The Cheddar Chasers took Harden, which is worth the injury risk this late.
Round 19 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Bronson Arroyo | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
2. | Darren O’Day | Boston Rogue… |
3. | Jermaine Dye | Pretzel Vendors |
4. | Daniel Bard | Iron Men |
5. | George Sherrill | SWAT* |
6. | Justin Duchscherer | Borders Bats |
7. | Jon Rauch | stevenston a… |
8. | Vernon Wells | Weston-Super… |
9. | Luis Castillo | New Spaniards |
10. | Matt Guerrier | The Cheddar … |
11. | David DeJesús | Bonestalkers |
12. | Jason Motte | The Wright S… |
13. | Rajai Davis | Grip it n Ri… |
14. | Casey McGehee | Orpington Is… |
Just two rounds to go, so no surprise to see relievers who could get holds going here – O’Day, Bard, Sherrill, Rauch, Guerrier and Motte all went here, while Vernon Wells is a decent choice for Weston-Super-Sox.
Still needing a 3B, I gambled on McGehee being able to produce again over a full season.
Round 20 | ||
---|---|---|
1. | Aroldis Chapman | Orpington Is… |
2. | Erick Aybar | Grip it n Ri… |
3. | Chris Iannetta | The Wright S… |
4. | Cristian Guzmán | Bonestalkers |
5. | Joe Blanton | The Cheddar … |
6. | Ken Griffey Jr. | New Spaniards |
7. | Freddy Sánchez | Weston-Super… |
8. | Derek Lowe | stevenston a… |
9. | Milton Bradley | Borders Bats |
10. | Matt Capps | SWAT* |
11. | Chris Young | Iron Men |
12. | Johnny Cueto | Pretzel Vendors |
13. | Clay Buchholz | Boston Rogue… |
14. | Paul Konerko | Beck ‘nams (GB) |
Usually with my last pick I will try to add a bench hitter, but knowing Street and Webb could both go on the DL, I thought I would wait to grab an extra bat until then.
I opted to roll the die on Aroldis Chapman, who should be in the Reds’ rotation before too long if he doesn’t start the season with them.
There is the fear Dusty Baker will pitch him until his arm falls off, but even if Chapman is a bust, I won’t lose much sleep over dropping a round 20 pick.
Aybar and Iannetta are nice picks here, while Chris Young (the Arizona OF) is worth a shot.
The Rogue Waves couldn’t resist Clay Buchholz and Beck’nams ended the drafted by picking Konerko, both very good picks.
So, with the draft over, my team looks like this:
Orpington Isotopes | ||
---|---|---|
1. | (14) | Miguel Cabrera |
2. | (15) | Troy Tulowitzki |
3. | (42) | Jayson Werth |
4. | (43) | Dan Haren |
5. | (70) | Andre Ethier |
6. | (71) | Adam Dunn |
7. | (98) | Matt Cain |
8. | (99) | Chad Billingsley |
9. | (126) | Francisco RodrÃguez |
10. | (127) | Jake Peavy |
11. | (154) | Huston Street |
12. | (155) | José López |
13. | (182) | Bengie Molina |
14. | (183) | Brandon Webb |
15. | (210) | Jeff Niemann |
16. | (211) | Franklin Morales |
17. | (238) | Tim Hudson |
18. | (239) | Garrett Jones |
19. | (266) | Casey McGehee |
20. | (267) | Aroldis Chapman |
On reflection, considering I was picking last, I am very happy with my team. I like the combination of hitters I drafted early and think the pitching staff might well be the best I have ever drafted.
In hindsight I should have waited longer before taking Franklin Morales and gone for Chris Davis instead, but I’ll soon forget about it if McGehee produces.
Here are my brief summaries of the other teams:
Weston-Super-Sox – Powerful infield and athletic outfield. Rotation looks pretty good but saves and holds look a weakness.
Bonestalkers – Power at the corners and a nice outfield. 2B a weakness and pitching staff needs more depth.
Stevenston Angels – Pretty nice balance of power and speed and a really nice infield. Rotation looks pretty good, although it’s a little risky having Sanchez, Nolasco and Zambrano on the same team.
Iron Men – Batting average may be a problem here, but power and speed shouldn’t be. Two top starters, two good closers but rotation could use an extra arm or two.
The Cheddar Chasers – Plenty of speed here plus a very nice outfield. Lack of power at 2B and 3B may be an issue. Rotation is deep, but could use more relief help.
The Wright Stuff – One of the best overall hitting lineups to come out of the draft plus two top starters and three closers. Tough to beat.
Borders Bats – Offense packed with RBI guys. Only one 30+ HR guys from last year, but lots of 20-25HR potential here. Two top starters and a strong bullpen. Could use an extra arm to fill out the rotation.
New Spaniards – May have hurt himself with his early Yankee picks, but if you are going after one team’s players, the Yankees aren’t a bad team to pick. Could use a little more power and saves could be a problem.
Boston Rogue Waves – Pretty deep lineup, but could use a true thumper in the UT spot. Love the top two starters and a strong bullpen. Maybe another SP might be needed.
Grip It N Rip It – Needs to fill out pitching staff but has an ace and two closers so it’s not too much of a problem. Could use a touch more HR power.
Pretzel Vendors – Love the speed and power of the outfield and the infield’s not bad either. The pitching staff is a concern as there’s no clear ace and only one closer.
SWAT – Last year’s champions look strong again. Good infield, but the OF/UT gambles on young players might make or break the season. Pitching staff has plenty of upside but no clear ace.
Beck’nams (GB) – Will be tough to beat in R, SB and AVG but could use another slugger. Great top two in the rotations and the bullpen should have no problems getting the job done.
Overall, I would say The Wright Stuff and Swat are the two teams who strike me as having drafted the best, but I think everyone can feel pretty good about their chances this year.
All fantasy teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s not too long until we get to see how they do.
8 comments
Great summary! It’s nice to read another take on the draft. I agree that this year’s teams look tremendous and the competition will surely be fierce. Last year didn’t see a huge number of trades – that’s one aspect I hope we see a bit more of. Anybody want to trade a starter or some speed for some power/RBIs?
Great write-up Mark. The later rounds were perhaps where auto-drafting showed its limitations, and I may have picked a little differently if I’d been an active drafter. Still, all in all, I’m pretty happy, and think with a little trading and a little raiding of the free agent market, I think I should be able to get a reasonable roster.
Pitching clearly is something that needs addressing, but I think taking a gamble on the likes of Bedard and Price later in the draft could work out well – and my strategy was to focus on speed and power and then gamble on pitchers. Lidge may be my one closer, but I’m happy with him, and happy to take my chances on lesser known closers in the season – plenty of reasonable starters emerge from the free agents list as the season develops, while many ‘name’ closers can get bombed pretty quickly. Or so I hope.
Let battle commence!
great read mark cant wait now for the season to start now
Great job Mark. Aroldis Chapman could be a fantastic 20th round pick for you, I’m looking forward to watching him pitch again on MLB.TV later this evening.
Your comments on my team are very fair. It probably will not surprise you that I had my eyes on Jose Lopez in the 12th round to add some power to 2nd base, but you took him four picks ahead of me! Polanco seemed like a decent alternative in terms of the possible value he’ll bring by hitting near the top of a stacked Phillies lineup.
As Thomas states, a more active trade market would be good this year and I think ther already looks like some potential moves out there. Should be a fun league all the way through.
Not thrilled with all of my late-round picks but I’m also always big on trading…
Loved the draft and the write up Mark, there was so much to think of and its obvious this will be very competitive. Cant wait for the season to start!
Thanks for the great round-up mark. The draft was loads of fun a lot of my picks were done on the fly couldn’t believe how many of my targets went just before I was going to draft them (curse you beck’nams and bonestalkers!) if there’s a lesson to be learnt it’s preparation preparation preparation! Really great draft breakdown and useful to get a subjective take on my team and although I look a bit weak in certain areas overall I’m pretty pleased especially with my rotation and just glad I haven’t totally made a complete fool of myself in my first ever try at fantasy baseball! Roll on the start of the season and good luck everyone!
Thanks for the feedback. I agree about the lack of trades in last year’s league – it would be nice to see some more this year but I know from experience newer fantasy managers can get attached to guys they drafted and be reluctant to trade them.
The league homepage makes it very easy to make trade offers, and managers can make counter offers in return, which is good fun.
Hopefully we will see some trades during the course of the season.