SiriusXM 1st Round Draft: Help Us Pick 'Em

[Greg Ambrosius]

The STATS Fantasy Advantage show will be on Tuesday from 8 to 11 pm ET this week as we fill in during the All-Star Game for Colton & The Wolfman. Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf have tickets to the All-Star Game in New York City, so we are swapping time slots with them this week. This should be a fun, fun show as we expand to 3 hours.

In one of the segments, we want to do a mock draft for 2014, something Doughboys started on the NFBC threads last week. We'd like to have the first round (and maybe the first two rounds) picked in advance of the show and talk about the picks on the air. But let's use NFBC owners to make the picks and we'll announce your names and your thoughts on the air when we announce the picks.

So here we go, we want 15 unique owners to make a pick and state why you wanted that player in one or two sentences. Something like Pick 1: Ryan Braun, because I like to gamble with PED players, plus nobody has the speed/combo of Braun when he's healthy and not suspended. Something short and sweet with some numbers and facts.

Okay, so I need a volunteer to make the first pick. After that, the first one to chime in gets the next pick and we'll do this for 15 picks. If we have good content, we'll continue back up for the second round. Here we go:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto
Pick 7: Robinson Cano
Pick 8: David Wright
Pick 9: Ryan Braun (suspension already served )
Pick 10: Andrew McCutchen
Pick 11: Adam Jones
Pick 12: Yasiel Puig
Pick 13: Bryce Harper
Pick 14: Prince Fielder
Pick 15: Jason Kipnis

Second Round:
Pick 16: Clayton Kershaw
Pick 17: Manny Machado
Pick 18: Jean Segura
Pick 19: Edwin Encarnacion
Pick 20: Troy Tulowitzki
Pick 21: Adrian Beltre
Pick 22: Yu Darvish
Pick 23: Carlos Gomez
Pick 24: Hanley Ramirez
Pick 25: Matt Harvey
Pick 26: Domonic Brown
Pick 27: Dustin Pedroia
Pick 28: Jacoby Ellsbury
Pick 29: Buster Posey
Pick 30: Starling Marte

[76erfan]

ill take the easy one.

1) Miguel Cabrera.......by the spring he could be getting ready for a three peat on triple crown.

73 runs, 30 homeruns, 95 rbi, .364 average. That would qualify as a good FULL season for 98% of mlb.

This guy is the best.......and would be my #1 pick 10 out of 10 times in a redraft league.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Thanks Andy. I'll make the easiest pick of all: Mike Trout. If you have a choice now with the first pick it's either Miggy or Trout. Picking third is harder. C'mon, who's going to be the one to make that pick for us and get us rolling through the first round. Don't be bashful boys, step up to the plate and explain yourself!! We seek your intelligence for this exercise!!

[Money]

This is where it gets interesting. In the Super this year I took Cano at the three spot and so far it's holding up just fine. If I was to go MI here again I might opt for another. But I'll go with the guy who's driving the bus for a lot of teams this year.

Chris Davis

.315 / 70 / 37 / 93 at the break!!!

He is the only player standing between Cabrera and back to back triple crowns!!

[KJ Duke]

What a drop-off after two picks ... no one looks safe after mig-trout. Ideally, you want a top 5 pick (since there's only one player with Miggy's probably batting average) to be a power-speed combo. But they all look dangerous - Harper, Kemp and Puig are capable of putting up the biggest numbers. Adam Jones is safer, but doesn't have the steal potential. The other option would be going for a pure power-RBI guy - Chris Davis, Paul Goldschmidt and Prince Fielder are options.

Davis is on pace to hit 60 HRs, but history suggests that probably won't happen, and even if it did, you wouldn't project anything close to that for 2014. Prince is having an off-year so far. Goldschmidt is still on the rise and steals a few bases too, so he's probably the best of the power group.

Going back the power-speed OF'ers, Adam Jones is most like Golschmidt, but he's eliminated because he's a few years older and I'd rather fill a 1B slot than an OF slot early. That leaves the 3 high upside OFers. Kemp is really hard to trust at this point after consecutive seasons of disappointing, he's out of the running. Harper or Puig, if either play the entire second half at a high level without getting hurt, should probably go at #3. But that hasn't happened yet, so my choice today would be Goldschmidt.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Now we're getting somewhere. Yes, it looks tough after the Top 2. Any love for Robinson Cano as a Top 3 or Top 5 player?? We'll definitely talk a lot about Chris Davis and where he should go in 2014. Should be fun.

Here's one 2013 fact: Chris Davis wasn't even the first Davis picked in NFBC drafts this year!! Ike Davis had an ADP of 101, with Chris Davis at 126. Yikes!!! Everyone who picked Ike ahead of Chris can now vomit into your air bags!!

Okay, somebody step up and pick 5th. We're airing these picks tomorrow and dissecting each one:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt

[Money]

Now we're getting somewhere. Yes, it looks tough after the Top 2. Any love for Robinson Cano as a Top 3 or Top 5 player?? We'll definitely talk a lot about Chris Davis and where he should go in 2014. Should be fun.

Here's one 2013 fact: Chris Davis wasn't even the first Davis picked in NFBC drafts this year!! Ike Davis had an ADP of 101, with Chris Davis at 126. Yikes!!! Everyone who picked Ike ahead of Chris can now vomit into your air bags!!

Okay, somebody step up and pick 5th. We're airing these picks tomorrow and dissecting each one:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt

If you put Cano into the conversation Greg, I think you know have to include Mr. Kipnis as well. The MI positions will be an interesting proposition in this round.

[uky]

Tulo has to go early first simply because of the extreme scarcity at SS. After Tulo and Segura (if you believe him to repeat in 2014), SS drops off tremendously. Tulo, if healthy, is top 5 in my opinion.

[DOUGHBOYS]

As stated in another thread, CarGo is not for the risk averse, but there is no denying his numbers.
The stat I like most about him this year is that besides Kyle Seager, no hitter has as many at bats vs. lefties this year than Carlos Gonzalez.
And he has handled it.
No, he's embraced it.
He is raking against lefties. He now hits higher vs. lefties than righties.
.319 vs. southpaws. .292 vs. righties.
And get this! CarGo has more homers on the road than at Coors and is hitting 44 points higher on the road than at home.
A player who can actually improve with better Coors numbers.
I'll say the words I should have said at drafts this year, "I'll take Carlos Gonzalez."

[Outlaw]

Now we're getting somewhere. Yes, it looks tough after the Top 2. Any love for Robinson Cano as a Top 3 or Top 5 player?? We'll definitely talk a lot about Chris Davis and where he should go in 2014. Should be fun.

Here's one 2013 fact: Chris Davis wasn't even the first Davis picked in NFBC drafts this year!! Ike Davis had an ADP of 101, with Chris Davis at 126. Yikes!!! Everyone who picked Ike ahead of Chris can now vomit into your air bags!!

Okay, somebody step up and pick 5th. We're airing these picks tomorrow and dissecting each one:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt

Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez

If Cargo is healthy, which he seems to be this year, despite some nagging injuires, Right now he offers all 5 tools/Cats more than any other player. He is third in slugging - .610 right behind Davis and Miggy, has 16 steals and is on pace for roughly 40HR, 110 RBI - 27SB - 110 Runs and a .305 avg. He's still only 27 and he puts up these numbers even without Tulo around him a lot of the time.

[Outlaw]

Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto

since Dough took Cargo- I'll throw in Votto at 6. .320 avg, power has returned and on pace for 27-30 HRS, 115 runs

[DOUGHBOYS]

Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto

since Dough took Cargo- I'll throw in Votto at 6. .320 avg, power has returned and on pace for 27-30 HRS, 115 runs

Sorry Mike,

[Greg Ambrosius]

We are definitely going to talk about Votto going in the Top 10 again this year. I'm not sure Votto owners this year would take him 6th or 7th again this year. Too many walks, but we'll discuss tomorrow.

Okay, who isn't of the faint of heart and will pick next. Maybe Tulo or Harper soon?? Let's see who goes next. Someone step up to the plate and get it done. Here's what we have so far:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto

[Captain Hook]

I don't think Tulowitzki and his annual vacation spot should be going this high.
And drafting in this range you want to make the most solid pick you can - the guy you feel is the most reliable

While I don't think position scarcity should affect any pick in the first round (well maybe on the turn at 14 you are also preventing drafter #15 from taking your guy).

So more for the reliability and first round production in four categories I would draft Robinson Cano here.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I don't think Tulowitzki and his annual vacation spot should be going this high.
And drafting in this range you want to make the most solid pick you can - the guy you feel is the most reliable

While I don't think position scarcity should affect any pick in the first round (well maybe on the turn at 14 you are also preventing drafter #15 from taking your guy).

So more for the reliability and first round production in four categories I would draft Robinson Cano here.

Good choice here. I predict he will go higher than 7th overall come next November when we start NFBC pay drafts. Good value for you.

Now we need an eighth owner and an even more courageous pick. Now it gets tough. Let's see someone step up to the plate and give us an 8th pick. We're announcing these on STATS Fantasy Advantage tomorrow:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto
Pick 7: Robinson Cano

[DOUGHBOYS]

I'd have to have the guarantee that Cano is a Yankee.
I know that it seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the more that time passes by, the chances of Cano going to another team improves bit by bit.
Cano has everything going for him in Yankee teammates and Yankee Stadium to be a better fantasy player.
The AL East is a haven for hitters. All hitters parks except Tampa, which is fair for both hitter and pitcher.
Cano in Dodger Stadium?
All of a sudden, some luster is lost.
He's still a great hitter. No doubt. And as a great hitter, I would expect good numbers. I just would not expect the numbers he's had in the past.
Just my take.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'd have to have the guarantee that Cano is a Yankee.
I know that it seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the more that time passes by, the chances of Cano going to another team improves bit by bit.
Cano has everything going for him in Yankee teammates and Yankee Stadium to be a better fantasy player.
The AL East is a haven for hitters. All hitters parks except Tampa, which is fair for both hitter and pitcher.
Cano in Dodger Stadium?
All of a sudden, some luster is lost.
He's still a great hitter. No doubt. And as a great hitter, I would expect good numbers. I just would not expect the numbers he's had in the past.
Just my take.

Let's see, if the Yankees sign Cano to a mega contract this off-season, would they have the first $90 million infield? A-Rod is set to make $25 million next year, Jeter makes $20 million, Tex makes almost that much and Cano wants $20+ million per year. How can you win a title if half of your budget is going to four infielders???

But the Yankees can't afford to lose him. That being said, Boras holds no loyalty to one team and he will get the biggest contract for Cano. That might not come from the Yankees, who no longer are paying the biggest stars, just a bunch of aging veterans.

Who's making our next pick for us? I've never seen our group so scared to make a pick. Someone step up to the plate.

[Billyhaze]

My Choice at this spot would be David Wright, despite haveing no one around him, he has a consistent 300 average , 25/ 25 guy

[Captain Hook]

I'd have to have the guarantee that Cano is a Yankee.
I know that it seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the more that time passes by, the chances of Cano going to another team improves bit by bit.
Cano has everything going for him in Yankee teammates and Yankee Stadium to be a better fantasy player.
The AL East is a haven for hitters. All hitters parks except Tampa, which is fair for both hitter and pitcher.
Cano in Dodger Stadium?
All of a sudden, some luster is lost.
He's still a great hitter. No doubt. And as a great hitter, I would expect good numbers. I just would not expect the numbers he's had in the past.
Just my take.

OTOH Dan you might have to root for him next year and he would be taken much higher as a .... Colorado ROCKIE

[knuckleheads]

With the BioGenesis mess history before the 2014 season, and all of his dings and dents healed, I'm going to have to take Ryan Braun here. All of the lowest-risk stars are gone at this point and the only alternative would be Clayton Kershaw. I count myself lucky Billyhaze let Braun slide at #8.

[Greg Ambrosius]

With the BioGenesis mess history before the 2014 season, and all of his dings and dents healed, I'm going to have to take Ryan Braun here. All of the lowest-risk stars are gone at this point and the only alternative would be Clayton Kershaw. I count myself lucky Billyhaze let Braun slide at #8.

We'll give this last pick an asterisk and yes we will talk about it tomorrow night!! Should be fun.

Now it gets tougher. Will we see a pitcher soon? Will we see Bryce Harper soon? Tulo? Puig? Who's willing to make the next pick for us? Here's what has been taken so far:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto
Pick 7: Robinson Cano
Pick 8: David Wright
Pick 9: Ryan Braun (suspension already served )

[DOUGHBOYS]

I'd have to have the guarantee that Cano is a Yankee.
I know that it seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the more that time passes by, the chances of Cano going to another team improves bit by bit.
Cano has everything going for him in Yankee teammates and Yankee Stadium to be a better fantasy player.
The AL East is a haven for hitters. All hitters parks except Tampa, which is fair for both hitter and pitcher.
Cano in Dodger Stadium?
All of a sudden, some luster is lost.
He's still a great hitter. No doubt. And as a great hitter, I would expect good numbers. I just would not expect the numbers he's had in the past.
Just my take.

OTOH Dan you might have to root for him next year and he would be taken much higher as a .... Colorado ROCKIE

HA!
For the next six or seven years, the Rox will be CarGo, Tulo, and 23 lower priced guys so that they can pay Helton all the deferred pay he is owed!

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'd have to have the guarantee that Cano is a Yankee.
I know that it seems to be a foregone conclusion, but the more that time passes by, the chances of Cano going to another team improves bit by bit.
Cano has everything going for him in Yankee teammates and Yankee Stadium to be a better fantasy player.
The AL East is a haven for hitters. All hitters parks except Tampa, which is fair for both hitter and pitcher.
Cano in Dodger Stadium?
All of a sudden, some luster is lost.
He's still a great hitter. No doubt. And as a great hitter, I would expect good numbers. I just would not expect the numbers he's had in the past.
Just my take.

OTOH Dan you might have to root for him next year and he would be taken much higher as a .... Colorado ROCKIE

HA!
For the next six or seven years, the Rox will be CarGo, Tulo, and 23 lower priced guys so that they can pay Helton all the deferred pay he is owed!

Did you see the news that Bobby Bonilla is the 6th highest paid Met on this year's roster!! Yup, they are still paying his deferred salary. Amazing.

[Asumijet]

If I were drafting today, I have to agree that taking Kershaw seems like a strong, consistent 1st round pick. His arm might blowup one day, but I don't think that it will be next year. Given track record, he is the only pitcher I take in round one (Dodger bias or not). I also see Kipnis as a late round one pick. I would take him ahead of Tulo at this point. Segura make a strong case, even before Kipnis. However, Kipnis has delivered on the show-me/show-me standard. Thus, I would add the following picks:

10. McCutchen (did not explain, but he has #1 overall potential)
11. Kershaw
12. Kipnis

[Greg Ambrosius]

If I were drafting today, I have to agree that taking Kershaw seems like a strong, consistent 1st round pick. His arm might blowup one day, but I don't think that it will be next year. Given track record, he is the only pitcher I take in round one (Dodger bias or not). I also see Kipnis as a late round one pick. I would take him ahead of Tulo at this point. Segura make a strong case, even before Kipnis. However, Kipnis has delivered on the show-me/show-me standard. Thus, I would add the following picks:

10. McCutchen (did not explain, but he has #1 overall potential)
11. Kershaw
12. Kipnis

Good explanation Neal, but you get only one pick!! You need to recruit someone else to pick Kershaw!! Okay, we have an interesting Top 10. Who wants to help us get to the end of Round 1? Pick 11 is next:

SiriusXM 2014 Re-Draft League
Round 1:
Pick 1: Miguel Cabrera
Pick 2: Mike Trout
Pick 3: Chris Davis
Pick 4: Paul Goldschmidt
Pick 5: Carlos Gonzalez
Pick 6: Joey Votto
Pick 7: Robinson Cano
Pick 8: David Wright
Pick 9: Ryan Braun (suspension already served )
Pick 10: Andrew McCutchen