NFBC Draft Champions Results

Berkshire Juggernauts · Post by **Berkshire Juggernauts** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:47 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Okay, one more question for this group that drafted last night: Did your KDS preferences work out? Many of you landed one of your top four preferences and several got their No. 1 preference. So, did the players you targeted in the first couple of rounds land there and did things fall the way you liked? Let's hear from the group as this was a good group of drafters last night that knew what they were doing.

Berkshire Juggernauts · Post by **Berkshire Juggernauts** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:42 pm

Originally posted by Berkshire Juggernauts:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Okay, one more question for this group that drafted last night: Did your KDS preferences work out? Many of you landed one of your top four preferences and several got their No. 1 preference. So, did the players you targeted in the first couple of rounds land there and did things fall the way you liked? Let's hear from the group as this was a good group of drafters last night that knew what they were doing. [/QUOTE]We were on the other side we didnt get our top choice in KDS preference pick #14. But things unfolded pretty much how we thought with saves and speed going off the board quick. We had Berkman ranked 14th and nobody fell to us as we would have taken any of the top the top 13. I would rather have my choice of the top 9 or 10 guys in the first round and let guys fall to us in the second and third round.I think theres not much seperating pick 16-30 regardless of what your looking for (power,speed or pitching). good luck ranking them for the Mag.

. So I would still rank pick 14 on the bottom of my list. Thanks Greg, Tom and MDC I think the site is great. Good luck to everyone

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:19 pm

Still happy with pick 15. Was pretty sure I would get the guys I wanted and did. Most don't have them ranked there, so I was fairly certain. I got the guys I targeted in each of the first 8 rounds with only 1 exception and there I got my first offensive alternate. Those guys took all the SP's I wanted before I was ready to take my first. I'm obviously not taking the best available player. I'm trying to make the pieces fit together for the best end result (I hope). We'll see.

Don Mathis · Post by **Don Mathis** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:19 pm

Do we have to wait for the magazine to come out to see all the picks?

When does it come out?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:07 am

In the hot-stove season, there always seems to be one guy that people fall out of love with. this year it appears to be Vladdy. I wonder why? In the past he has been a solid top five pick, and now he has dropped to later in the first in most projections I have read on the board.

His numbers were good last year (pretty much as good as they have been this century on average though R was down a bit). Is there something to the late season sore-knees/heel that I missed? He will turn 31 in February, so he is still in his prime. Is he still a good bet for 100+ R and RBI, 30-35 HR, 10-15 SB, and a .310+ BA.

By the way, not to totally reverse my previous argument on Crawfords power potential, Vladdy DID hit 33 HR last year in a pitchers park while hitting 40.5% GB's....so if Crawford could turn 30 or so GB into FB, he may have a chance....

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:32 am

Originally posted by Vander:

Thnaks for the several replies on my picks. What Dan said is what I'm trying to do. Not just Saves, but era and whip also closing out the short position. I then took 6 offensive players in a row. Partially because the SP's I liked for the 7th round were gone. My staff then became nathan, KRod, Arroyo, Vazquez, R. Johnson, James, Bonser, D. Davis, Westbrook with J. Cruz, Hampton, and Chacin in reserve, Not as good as I would have liked, but people didn't fall to me as expected. I may adjust or may not. I got the 2 players I targeted at 5/6 Patterson and Sexson getting power and speed although not ba. I've led my league in BA 2 years in a row in BA by wide margins. I likely won't this year. Took Baldelli and Byrnes (more power and speed) at 7/8 with R. hernandez accompanying Arroyo at 9/10. I know this doesn't sit well with most, so let me have it. Again, I may or may not switch tactics by March. It could work, but you accepted a lot of risk in the Top 10. Like letting it ride on the crap tables, you are gonna win sometimes but the odds are with the house. D. Lee coming off injury back to form...why not? He is young enough, but he does carry the additional risk especially for the first round. Derek Jeter getting close to his numbers from last year? He is a Hall of Famer waiting to happen and will turn 33 in June which probably puts him at the tail end of his prime. Odds are, however that he will drift back to his recent norms, especially steals.

Same with pitching. I like your staff, but you add a couple more risks that have to occur in your favor...Johnson/Davis return to form. Arroyo proves he can handle all those innings in that ball park the year after he threw more than he ever has. Vazquez (whom I had last year) was the unluckiest pitcher down the stretch last year. In his last 10 starts, had a 4.219 ERA (had one 6 ER start vs CLE), a 1.156 WHIP, averaged 6.4 IP, 6.5 k per game (including four games with double digit K's) and was 0-6-4 (W-L-ND)! Will the CHISOX be any luckier this year?

All of this to say you went with a high proportion of gamble picks via your strategy and when you picked some players. As you mentioned, you dug a hole with BA a bit, so you need to make it up in the other nine categories and you have a lot of risk. We all will have some risk on our teams or settle for being in the middle of the pack. You decided on a strategy and you went with it. If it works, that is solid and you look like a fantasy guru. If not...well...

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:41 am

Our KDS worked out well, I think we got our 3rd choice, the #10 pick. We wound up with Vladdy. Not sure if we'll keep the same KDS for March. We got Holliday in the 2nd round, very happy about that, just not crazy about going outfielder-outfielder off the bat, but that's how our big board had it.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:37 am

Originally posted by Don Mathis:

Do we have to wait for the magazine to come out to see all the picks?

When does it come out? Yes. It comes out to all of you guys in the mail in late January and on newsstands Feb. 2nd. I can add a few more rounds of selections here today, though, as it's fun to look at the picks. Look for those soon.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:18 am

Is there risk with D. Lee yes. My faith is based to a large degree on what I saw with my own eyes. His second comeback, after proper rehab, was fabulous albeit for only 3 weeks or so till his daughter was diagnosed with some rare afliction. The wrist had regained strength, his swing was back, more power, and he looked like 2005. There's no gaurentee of any of this. I have learned to trust my eyes and not go by stats alone. I like to referance Jason Schmidt. I saw a Giant game on tv before he became a top choice and saw how he was throwing and said to myself this guy has #1 stuff right now. Get on the band wagon for next year. Which proved to be his career year. Course I have been wrong too so take it with a grain of salt.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:33 pm

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

In the hot-stove season, there always seems to be one guy that people fall out of love with. this year it appears to be Vladdy. I wonder why? In the past he has been a solid top five pick, and now he has dropped to later in the first in most projections I have read on the board.

His numbers were good last year (pretty much as good as they have been this century on average though R was down a bit). Is there something to the late season sore-knees/heel that I missed? He will turn 31 in February, so he is still in his prime. Is he still a good bet for 100+ R and RBI, 30-35 HR, 10-15 SB, and a .310+ BA.

By the way, not to totally reverse my previous argument on Crawfords power potential, Vladdy DID hit 33 HR last year in a pitchers park while hitting 40.5% GB's....so if Crawford could turn 30 or so GB into FB, he may have a chance.... I think the fact that Gurrrerrerrerr had 40 HR power until this past year is the main difference. Age and stagnating steal rates don't help. Also, other people might think, like me, that pitchers should exclusively throw the ball in the dirt when facing him and sooner or later they will figure this out, but I say that every year and it never happens.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:00 pm

Not disagreeing completely with bjoak and would agree with Chest, that if Vlad is really going to fall all the way down there I would be happy to grab him instead. Not sure how he hits for the average he does although I've seen him hit balls over his head as well as hit them after they've hit the dirt. he must have truelly remarkable hand eye coordination. He looks old to me though. Older than the stated age on his baseball card. However he is still producing whatever age he is. Even if he never hits 40 again. I would be happy with 30+, BA well over 300, 100+rbi and oh by the way he still does steal some. I'll take 15 sb's from a guy that hits like that.

Wonder Boy · Post by **Wonder Boy** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:49 pm

I either wanted to be near the top or the bottom of the draft to double up picks. Last year I won my league picking #15. KDS worked out ok as I picked #11. But had my top choices as 1,2,3,15,14,13.

I try to load up early with as many HR/SB dudes as possible with one stud SP. I wanted Chase Utley at #11 but he went a tad earlier but was happy to get my 2nd choice of David Wright at #11. Then follow up with Sizemore in the 2nd round.

CLOSERS: I just hate em all!!! The past two seasons I have had a horrible time getting a good one.

You can easily win your league without a closer as I did by 9+ pts, BUT, it is next to impossible to win the overall without good ones. I do like the idea of using FAAB to grab one during the season.

By the way that was a blast doing the mock draft! Thx for including me.

Steve Pletkin

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:19 am

I really enjoyed the draft also. A pleasure to draft with the best there is. Sure would like to do it again next year if I'm lucky enough. No bad picks. No leaving guys out there so their a steal. Lots of guys stolen right in front of my pick. Frustrating, but challenging and fun too.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:59 am

It was probably the most enjoyable draft I've been involved with. Comparing it to the "experts" draft on MDC isn't even fair. Clearly a win-win for all who participated and especially for the magazine.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:05 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Comparing it to the "experts" draft on MDC isn't even fair. No offense to the participants, but the MDC Experts Draft (not ours) was a total joke. To those who didn't see the results:

1. Pujols

2. Howard

3. Santana

4. Utley

5. A Rod

6. Reyes

7. Ortiz

8. Soriano

9. Crawford

10. Vlad

11. Wright

12. Beltran

This was just WRONG on so many levels, regardless of the format or league size.

[ December 16, 2006, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: King of Queens ]

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:29 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Comparing it to the "experts" draft on MDC isn't even fair. No offense to the participants, but the MDC Experts Draft (not ours) was a total joke. [/QUOTE]PLEASE don't refer to them as "experts" drafts.

They should be called "industry" drafts

Greg will tell you this has been one of my pet peeves for many years.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:56 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Comparing it to the "experts" draft on MDC isn't even fair. No offense to the participants, but the MDC Experts Draft (not ours) was a total joke. [/QUOTE]PLEASE don't refer to them as "experts" drafts.

They should be called "industry" drafts

Greg will tell you this has been one of my pet peeves for many years. [/QUOTE]Your point is taken and I agree 100%. However, that was Mock Draft Central's name for the draft, not mine or DOUGHBOYS'.

In MDC's defense, I suppose there's something more alluring about a draft held by "Experts" who are in the industry than a draft consisting of "Industry" guys who may or may not be experts.

EliGrimmett · Post by **EliGrimmett** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:56 am

Why was the "industry" draft wrong? Those are the same top 12 taken in your draft. Confused a little bit. Are you just disagreeing with the exact order or am I missing something else? It seems that both parties agree that those are the top 12 picks.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 12:00 pm

Originally posted by EliGrimmett:

Are you just disagreeing with the exact orderThe order of the Top 12 was insane.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:08 pm

I don't see any problem with the order. A good case, in my humble opinion, could be made for each of the picks and why they took the player when they did.

Wonder Boy · Post by **Wonder Boy** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:15 pm

How come the so-called experts always seem to get the easy way out. Why a 12-team draft and not a 14-team draft? 2 less teams makes it so much easier.

When I competed in LABR a few years back really the only expert who put up a fight was Greg Ambrosius.

I find NFFC and NFBC have far tougher competitors. Let's face it we are playin for $$$.

Steve P.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:24 pm

Originally posted by Wonder Boy:

How come the so-called experts always seem to get the easy way out. Why a 12-team draft and not a 14-team draft? 2 less teams makes it so much easier.

When I competed in LABR a few years back really the only expert who put up a fight was Greg Ambrosius.

I find NFFC and NFBC have far tougher competitors. Let's face it we are playin for $$$.

Steve P. Wonder boy the team you drafted Wednesday is no joke- very impressive. Look forward to competing against you.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:56 am

I do find it odd, in some ways, that we don't see 15-team drafts from the 'industry' people. The NFBC has set the bar, and is clearly the measuring stick by which all others are and will be judged.

[ December 17, 2006, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Liquidhippo ]

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 3:28 am

Two things for you guys to remember about fantasy sports industry drafts:

1) They are not created equal nor done for the same reasons so you will see big differences in the quality of the drafters; format of the draft; etc. Some of them are filling magazine space just to have something and don't care how good the draft/drafters are.

2)While this may seem strange to those here, there are far more twelve team mixed leagues out there. Lots of regular, casual, fantasy baseball players don't want to play in tougher leagues. The NFBC is to be commended for having the fifteen team set up and a more competitive format.

Geoffrey Stein · Post by **Geoffrey Stein** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 3:49 am

Originally posted by Wonder Boy:

How come the so-called experts always seem to get the easy way out. Why a 12-team draft and not a 14-team draft? 2 less teams makes it so much easier.

When I competed in LABR a few years back really the only expert who put up a fight was Greg Ambrosius.

I find NFFC and NFBC have far tougher competitors. Let's face it we are playin for $$$.

Steve P. This one is pretty simple.....

It is our goal to appeal to the most people possible. Without any scientific evidence to back it up, we made an assumption that the majority of our users (and fantasy baseball players in-general)play in leagues that are 12-teams are fewer.

The NFBC guys are the die-hards, you're going to be there pretty much not matter what. By doing a 12-team draft, we're trying to lure in the more casual, Yahoo-league-playing player -- not make it easier for those drafting.