Ok there's a bit of a human rain delay in the draft so here's my draft through 7-rounds, I'm in the 7-hole....
1- Ryan Braun $43 - In my spot, I was just looking to see what 1st round talent with the best value dropped to me. I'd guess the 1st 9 or so players picked went according to how I anticipated, though in a different order. I was hoping one or two other guys might drop to me, but I was happy to start with Braun at only $43.
2- Francisco Liriano $16 - The 2nd half of the first round into the 2nd round is where I learned that this would be no ordinary draft. Typical 2nd, 3rd, & 4th rounders started flying off the board because of value. Many were players I was targeting for my 2nd round pick. One player much smarter than me started his draft value pitcher, value pitcher. Most of the value bats I was targeting here were already off the board, so I shifted gears and grabbed a potential ace at a great price.
3- Mat Latos $4 - More value bats disappear off the boards. Every round I consider going for the high dollar talent dropping because of the cost, but a majority of the other drafters seem to be focused more on value. I realize if I'm going to get any real value, I'll need to grab it in the early rounds. Latos is another budding ace for the league minimum. My 2nd choice here was Miguel Cabrera, still available because of the $200 price tag. I gamble that the value drafting will continue and he might make it back to me. He doesn't. What other league could the two options you consider in the 3rd round vary from a $4 minimum salary player and the 8th most expensive player in the league? What other draft would that player even be available in the 3rd round?
4- Alexei Ramirez $29 - The value drafting continues around the 3-4 turn. A few value players at scarce positions I was looking at are amongst those snagged. I decide to grab one here. A few of the more expensive bats I like start to fly off the boards as well and I seriously consider Chase Utley here at $153. Still, I decide Alexei's value is too tough to pass here and gamble that Chase lasts a little longer.
5- Pedro Alvarez $21 - I want a power hitting 3rd baseman. I don't want to spend $320 for A-Roid, at least not unless I have to. Alvarez is the last value 3rd baseman that I'm high on. I pass on Utley again and figure I've probably given up the opportunity at him and start looking at other players for my next pick.
6- Chase Utley $153 - Surprised he made it back to me. I was set to take Soto for $30, the last value catcher I really liked. I struggled with this pick, but really felt the 2nd premium bat was key to my team and decided I couldn't pass on Utley again. Good move as another drafter with 2 picks before mine said he'd have probably grabbed Utley with one of the two picks. Instead he grabbed Soto.
7- Gordon Beckham $4 - After the Utley pick, I wanted to get back to grabbing value. My first two choices, including Soto, get grabbed before my pick. I grab Beckham in the midst of a middle infielder run as I see the four p's, potential, position, park, and mostly price.
That's where I stand right now as 14 drafters wait on one, as usual.
Glenn