NFBC Message Boards

We held our first NFBC draft of the season and since the results will be posted in our first issue of Fantasy Sports Magazine with the owners' names attached to the picks, I thought it would be okay to put the first few rounds here for all to see. Let the baseball talk begin and good luck to our 15 entrants.



ROUND 1

1. Albert Pujols

2. Jose Reyes

3. Carl Crawford

4. Alex Rodriguez

5. Alfonso Soriano

6. Ryan Howard

7. Carlos Beltran

8. Chase Utley

9. Johan Santana

10. Vladimir Guerrero

11. David Wright

12. David Ortiz

13. Miguel Cabrera

14. Lance Berkman

15. Derrek Lee



ROUND 2

16. Derek Jeter

17. Travis Hafner

18. Jimmy Rollins

19. Ichiro Suzuki

20. Grady Sizemore

21. Matt Holliday

22. Mark Teixeira

23. Bobby Abreu

24. Carlos Lee

25. Jason Bay

26. Justin Morneau

27. Vernon Wells

28. Aramis Ramirez

29. Manny Ramirez

30. Hanley Ramirez



ROUND 3

31. Michael Young

32. Garrett Atkins

33. Rafael Furcal

34. Paul Konerko

35. Miguel Tejada

36. Joe Mauer

37. Carlos Delgado

38. Roy Oswalt

39. Jermaine Dye

40. Felipe Lopez

41. Chris Carpenter

42. Juan Pierre

43. Johnny Damon

44. Chone Figgins

45. Joe Nathan



ROUND 4

46. Francisco Rodriguez

47. Carlos Zambrano

48. Andruw Jones

49. Victor Martinez

50. Carlos Guillen

51. B.J. Ryan

52. Billy Wagner

53. Ryan Zimmerman

54. Mariano Rivera

55. Gary Sheffield

56. Bill Hall

57. Brian Roberts

58. Todd Helton

59. Brandon Webb

60. Jim Thome



FIFTH ROUND

61. J.J. Putz

62. Jake Peavy

63. Robinson Cano

64. Trevor Hoffman

65. Takashi Saito

66. Brian McCann

67. Rickie Weeks

68. Roy Halladay

69. Prince Fielder

70. Felix Hernandez

71. Huston Street

72. Jeremy Bonderman

73. Torii Hunter

74. Hideki Matsui

75. Corey Patterson



SIXTH ROUND

76. Richie Sexson

77. Bobby Jenks

78. Francisco Cordero

79. Chris Young

80. Adam LaRoche

81. Cole Hamels

82. Delmon Young

83. Chad Cordero

84. Adam Dunn

85. Scott Rolen

86. Julio Lugo

87. Alexis Rios

88. Brad Lidge

89. Barry Bonds

90. Tom Gordon



ROUND SEVEN

91. Chipper Jones

92. John Lackey

93. Brett Myers

94. C.C. Sabathia

95. John Smoltz

96. Dan Uggla

97. Scott Kazmir

98. Edgar Renteria

99. Jered Weaver

100. Michael Barrett

101. Matthew Cain

102. Daisuke Matsuzaka

103. Troy Glaus

104. Willy Taveras

105. Rocco Baldelli



ROUND 8

106. Eric Byrnes

107. Magglio Ordonez

108. Brandon Phillips

109. Brian Fuentes

110. Josh Barfield

111. Tadahito Iguchi

112. Chris Ray

113. Bob Wickman

114. Aaron Harang

115. Ben Sheets

116. Jon Papelbon

117. Dan Haren

118. Mike Gonzalez

119. Jesse Valverde

120. Nick Swisher



ROUND NINE

121. Dave Roberts

122. Akinori Otsuka

123. Kenji Johjima

124. Orlando Cabrera

125. Scott Podsednik

126. Jeff Kent

127. Jorge Posada

128. Mike Cameron

129. Raul Ibanez

130. Ervin Santana

131. Mike Piazza

132. Ivan Rodriguez

133. Jason Schmidt

134. Mike Mussina

135. Bronson Arroyo



ROUND 10

136. Ramon Hernandez

137. Todd Jones

138. Justin Verlander

139. Rich Harden

140. Ray Durham

141. Lyle Overbay

142. Howie Kendrick

143. Nick Johnson

144. Eric Gagne

145. Jason Giambi

146. Frank Thomas

147. Curt Schilling

148. Erik Bedard

149. Nomar Garciaparra

150. A.J. Burnett



Round 11

151. Andy Pettitte

152. Juan Rivera

153. Coco Crisp

154. A.J. Pierzynski

155. Russ Martin

156. Josh Beckett

157. Joe Crede

158. Dontrelle Willis

159. Barry Zito

160. Michael Cuddyer

161. Adrian Beltre

162. Brad Hawpe

163. Adrian Gonzalez

164. J.D. Drew

165. Mark Teahen



Round 12

166. Javier Vazquez

167. Stephen Drew

168. Adam Wainwright

169. Freddy Sanchez

170. Josh Johnson

171. Chien-ming Wang

172. Chad Tracy

173. Jorge Cantu

174. Ryan Freel

175. Chris Duffy

176. Rich Aurilia

177. Jeff Francoeur

178. Chris Capuano

179. Jason Varitek

180. Ian Kinsler



ROUND 13

181. Scott Olsen

182. Chris Burke

183. Dave Bush

184. Anibal Sanchez

185. Paul LoDuca

186. Anthony Reyes

187. Rich Hill

188. Johnny Estrada

189. Nick Markakis

190. Edwin Encarnacion

191. Bengie Molina

192. Aubrey Huff

193. Kelvim Escobar

194. Eric Chavez

195. Randy Johnson



ROUND 14

196. Aaron Rowand

197. Jason Jennings

198. David Ross

199. Hank Blalock

200. Jose Contreras

201. Taylor Tankersley

202. Derek Lowe

203. Kevin Millwood

204. Melvin Mora

205. Milton Bradley

206. Greg Maddux

207. Luis Castillo

208. Carlos Quentin

209. Chris Duncan

210. Brad Penny



ROUND 15

211. Pat Burrell

212. Octavio Dotel

213. Morgan Ensberg

214. Conor Jackson

215. Joe Borowski

216. John Patterson

217. Jonny Gomes

218. Josh Willingham

219. Ryan Shealy

220. Jonathan Broxton

221. Jacque Jones

222. Joel Zumaya

223. Chris Young, OF

224. Kenny Lofton

225. Chuck James



ROUND 16

226. Luke Scott

227. Orlando Hudson

228. B.J. Upton

229. Mike Jacobs

230. Curtis Granderson

231. Austin Kearns

232. Roger Clemens

233. Kenny Rogers

234. Jhonny Peralta

235. Bobby Crosby

236. Matt Murton

237. Ian Snell

238. Marcus Giles

239. Nate Robertson

240. Moises Alou



ROUND 17

241. Gary Matthews Jr.

242. Josh Bard

243. Mike Lowell

244. Armando Benitez

245. Ken Griffey Jr.

246. Corey Hart

247. Brandon McCarthy

248. Ronny Paulino

249. Jason Kendall

250. Freddy Garcia

251. Andre Ethier

252. Omar Vizquel

253. Chris Iannetta

254. Michael Napoli

255. Boof Bonser



ROUND 18

256. Gerald Laird

257. Chad Billingsley

258. Craig Monroe

259. Justin Duchscherer

260. Ted Lilly

261. Tim Hudson

262. Tom Glavine

263. John Garland

264. Clay Hensley

265. Jason Isringhausen

266. Brandon Inge

267. Noah Lowry

268. Mark Prior

269. Ryan Garko

270. David DeJesus



ROUND 19

271. Miguel Olivo

272. Mark DeRosa

273. Jim Edmonds

274. Randy Winn

275. Kevin Youkilis

276. Kerry Wood

277. Alex Gordon

278. Ty Wigginton

279. David Weathers

280. Wilson Betemit

281. Ryan Dempster

282. Casey Blake

283. Jose Lopez

284. Jeremy Hermida

285. Doug Davis



ROUND 20

286. Adam Kennedy

287. Cliff Lee

288. Daniel Cabrera

289. John Maine

290. Xavier Nady

291. Nick Punto

292. Jason Bartlett

293. Juan Encarnacion

294. Joe Blanton

295. Matt Garza

296. Mark Buehrle

297. Jeremy Sowers

298. Brian Giles

299. Ricky Nolasco

300. Jeff Weaver



ROUND 21

301. Pedro Feliz

302. Robb Quinlan

303. Hong-Chih Kuo

304. Garret Anderson

305. Vicente Padilla

306. Esteban Loaiza

307. Seth McClung

308. Shane Victorino

309. David Dellucci

310. Melky Cabrera

311. Jeff Suppan

312. Troy Tulowitzki

313. Zach Duke

314. Craig Biggio

315. Kevin Kouzmanoff



ROUND 22

316. Jake Westbrook

317. Jose Guillen

318. Kei Igawa

319. Nelson Cruz

320. Emil Brown

321. Mark Sweeney

322. Jeff Francis

323. Jon Lieber

324. Placido Polanco

325. Oliver Perez

326. Frank Catalanotto

327. Salomon Torres

328. Adam Eaton

329. Jay Gibbons

330. Wily Mo Pena



ROUND 23

331. Eliezer Alfonzo

332. Rodrigo Lopez

333. Scot Shields

334. Bob Howry

335. Cla Meredith

336. Mike Pelfrey

337. Reed Johnson

338. Preston Wilson

339. Gregg Zaun

340. Randy Wolf

341. Khalil Greene

342. Maicer Izturis

343. Shin-soo Choo

344. Dan Wheeler

345. Joey Gathright



ROUND 24

346. Jose Valentin

347. Homer Bailey

348. James Shields

349. Pedro Martinez

350. Cliff Floyd

351. Dan Johnson

352. Mark Mulder

353. Jason Michaels

354. Phillip Hughes

355. Shea Hillenbrand

356. Jorge Julio

357. Orlando Hernandez

358. Claudio Vargas

359. Gil Meche

360. Brad Wilkerson



ROUND 25

361. Bartolo Colon

362. Reggie Sanders

363. Yadier Molina

364. Shawn Green

365. Wade Miller

366. Adam Loewen

367. Chris Coste

368. Sean Casey

369. Jose Castillo

370. Kevin Mench

371. Robinson Tejeda

372. Jon Lester

373. Juan Uribe

374. Andy Marte

375. Juan Cruz



Thoughts?



[ January 18, 2007, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Nice run on Ramirez's at the end of Round Two. I do not think the rest of the league will get any decent NFBC Ramirez points...



D. Lee/Jeter/Nathan/F. Rodriguez is an interesting strategy to start things out. It will be interesting to see the rest of the draft.

I was the D. Lee/ Jeter guy. What do you think. If you don't like feel free to be honest. I don't mind. Looking for opinions.

d.lee is interesting. i think he is usually going in the late second to early third...but in a 15 team league, you gotta pull the trigger early on the guys you really want.

Originally posted by Vander:

[QB] I was the D. Lee/ Jeter guy. What do you think. If you don't like feel free to be honest. I don't mind. Looking for opinions. [be/QB]Well, I am with E Kings in wanting to see how your draft plays out. Personally I don't like either turn:

1/2 - Certainly upside with D. Lee if (that is Capital IF) he can regain form. But in taking Jeter with him you bypassed the two best speed guys - Rollins and Ichiro and won't get to see the next level either. Jeter had a tremendous year but not sure how much I would bet on a repeat.



3/4 - Two great closers and ones with good Ks to contribute but did you need both there? at the expense of one of the top SP? or were you just hoping to force the run so you could get better picks at 4-15? And when you picked them (not later) what was your plan for your next two players?

I agree with hook in regard to the 2 closers 3/4. You're now either going to have a weak 5 categories in hitting or weak 4 categories in pitching.



Q

Originally posted by Quahogs:

I agree with hook in regard to the 2 closers 3/4. You're now either going to have a weak 5 categories in hitting or weak 4 categories in pitching.



Q I don't agree with that statement. Starting pitching is a crapshoot. Vander has a leg up on ERA, K's, whip, and saves over Oswalt in the third and he closes out a category. Bookend positions in the draft result in a little creativity. This could work.

i agree with doughboys on the closers. you can get some real good pitchers in rounds 5-10 and you already have 200 k's

Speed is very interesting in this draft. Last year, Figgins was a late first-rounder and Pierre was an early second-rounder. These two guys stole 52 and 58 bases, respectively, and…they’ve fallen to the end of the third round in this draft? I was expecting to see these guys off the board about ten picks earlier.



Then there’s Crawford. I can understand Reyes with the #2 pick, given his position scarcity (although I’d bet big money Reyes doesn’t match last year’s HR numbers). But I just don’t see Crawford going before Soriano or A-Rod. We’ve already got a 5-page thread on Soriano, so let’s move on to A-Rod? How many would take Crawford before A-Rod?

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

I agree with hook in regard to the 2 closers 3/4. You're now either going to have a weak 5 categories in hitting or weak 4 categories in pitching.



Q I don't agree with that statement. Starting pitching is a crapshoot. Vander has a leg up on ERA, K's, whip, and saves over Oswalt in the third and he closes out a category. Bookend positions in the draft result in a little creativity. This could work. [/QUOTE]he'll never pull out of his offensive tailspin. By the next time he picks 74 players will be off the boards (MOST of them offense) and he'll have 2 offensive players out of it. He'll be too far behind the other teams already. If he goes heavy offense the next 8/9 rounds then he'll negate his HW/ERA benefit the 2 good closers will give him.



Q

Originally posted by headhunters:

i agree with doughboys on the closers. you can get some real good pitchers in rounds 5-10 and you already have 200 k's yes of course. so when is he going to build his offense ??



Q

Originally posted by The Lollygaggers:

Speed is very interesting in this draft. Last year, Figgins was a late first-rounder and Pierre was an early second-rounder. These two guys stole 52 and 58 bases, respectively, and…they’ve fallen to the end of the third round in this draft? I was expecting to see these guys off the board about ten picks earlier.



Then there’s Crawford. I can understand Reyes with the #2 pick, given his position scarcity (although I’d bet big money Reyes doesn’t match last year’s HR numbers). But I just don’t see Crawford going before Soriano or A-Rod. We’ve already got a 5-page thread on Soriano, so let’s move on to A-Rod? How many would take Crawford before A-Rod? This is a good point Eric. I'll start a thread like that now and see what happens. Is it possible that A-Rod could fall to the middle of the first round for some folks? Of course. Could be an interesting year as A-Rod is an extremely proud man and I have this feeling he's going to try and prove a point this year.

As someone who agonizes over this each year, where dos everyone suggest getting their closers? 3/4 may be early, but you obviously can't wait too long or you miss out.



I think if the person who took Nathan and K-Rod has a "sleeper" that he grabs late, it will help negate the offense he may lose.



As someone who waits until about round 7 or 8 or even 9 to grab firast closer will tell you, I am looking at an earlier pick, though I would hope I could get a "premier" closer in rd 5...

Totake it 1 step further, I do believe you need to post 80-90 saves to win the $100K. (Please feel free to take that with a grain of salt, as I've finished in the bottom half. )



If this is possible with 2 closers, I think it puts you in great shape. Obviously if you catch a lucky pick in round 10 that ends up saving 40+ it's a big help, but to ensure the number (and injuries as much as possible) the reliable vets are gone a lot sooner.



I don't think it's a bad strategy at all.

If A-Rod drops to the middle (6-10) in most drafts, I will be VERY surprised. He will be picked 2-4 most drafts. If I am sitting in the 6-spot and he comes along, I will view it as Christmas in March!



Most of us recognize that Closers are three-category (S, WHIP, ERA) stars which means they SHOULD not be picked as early as they are. That being said, because Saves is a category, usually there is one or two in the group that want to lock in at least one "sure thing" and a run will start. I believe one of the big threads after the first year was how the winner had (or someone who did very well) used the FAAB and later round set-up/closer in waiting types to find contributions to the Save category rather than expend high draft picks.



Same thing for speed. With a very few exceptions, most speed types offer two (SB and R) and maybe three (BA) help, but that did not keep last year from placing a high premium on the speed candidates.



As to when will I pick up a closer...I will probably do what I always do...participate in the run, but not start it.



On Crawford, I keep hearing the pundits comment on how his power is coming. That might be why he went so early. Not that he did bad last year, but I think is '06 output is his high end. When 45% of your AB are ground balls, you are going to have a tough time cracking 25 HR (no one who hit 25+ hit so many ground balls), so I am not sure he is top 5 material as long as he is on a sub-standard team.

I took Crawford at 3.

I feel that looking at his numbers he could reach 25 HR and 60 Sb's. Now his GB% may make it difficult to reach the 25 HR but it only leads to more SBO. I like the BA upside with him compared to what Soriano will likely deliver. I strongly considered Arod but I really think Aramis will be stronger than him in all categories other than SB. I could be wrong but I can live with it.



In my opinion picks 2-10 are a crapshoot this year. I was in the experts draft on Tuesday night on MDC and Utley went 4th with Santana going 3rd overall so anything is possible this year.

Originally posted by NoBallsNoBabies:

I took Crawford at 3.

I feel that looking at his numbers he could reach 25 HR and 60 Sb's. Now his GB% may make it difficult to reach the 25 HR but it only leads to more SBO. I like the BA upside with him compared to what Soriano will likely deliver. I strongly considered Arod but I really think Aramis will be stronger than him in all categories other than SB. I could be wrong but I can live with it.



In my opinion picks 2-10 are a crapshoot this year. I was in the experts draft on Tuesday night on MDC and Utley went 4th with Santana going 3rd overall so anything is possible this year. Hi Brent –



OK, that makes sense. It basically boils down to our different projection opinions on Crawford & A-Rod. 25/60 is definitely worthy of a #3 pick. My Crawford projection (18/50) puts him more around the #6-7 spot. When I made the original post, I thought that maybe you had a vastly different opinion of stolen base value than the rest of your league (who let Pierre & Figgins fall to the end of the third).

Originally posted by NoBallsNoBabies:

I took Crawford at 3.

I feel that looking at his numbers he could reach 25 HR and 60 Sb's. Now his GB% may make it difficult to reach the 25 HR but it only leads to more SBO. I like the BA upside with him compared to what Soriano will likely deliver. I strongly considered Arod but I really think Aramis will be stronger than him in all categories other than SB. I could be wrong but I can live with it.



In my opinion picks 2-10 are a crapshoot this year. I was in the experts draft on Tuesday night on MDC and Utley went 4th with Santana going 3rd overall so anything is possible this year. I think 25 HR for Crawford is wishful thinking

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.

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.

25 Hr's maybe wishful thinking but thats what I was told about Rollins last year as well.



Anyway, that pick is not going to make or break my season.



As far as KDS, I really didnt care for drafting 3rd so I may have to switch my choices a bit.

Hey Eric -

What is your opinion on picks 2-10?

Do you feel that they're as wide open as I do?



And Crawford may be a 6 or 7 so you could be right about that. I actually think 20/55 is where Crawford will most likely be but I was just looking at his high end when I said 25/60. A man can dream now cant he?

Originally posted by NoBallsNoBabies:

Hey Eric -

What is your opinion on picks 2-10?

Do you feel that they're as wide open as I do?



And Crawford may be a 6 or 7 so you could be right about that. I actually think 20/55 is where Crawford will most likely be but I was just looking at his high end when I said 25/60. A man can dream now cant he? I'll probably have a stronger opinion as we get closer to March, but right now, I think #2-7 are fairly tight. I'd probably group A-Rod, Reyes, and Soriano very tightly at 2-4, then group Howard, Crawford and Johan at 5-7. I think there's a sizeable dropoff in expected value once you get past the Top 7 and into Utley, Beltran, Vlad etc.

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

quote:I think 25 HR for Crawford is wishful thinking [/QB][/QUOTE]Wish will be granted this season or the next for sure.

Originally posted by The Lollygaggers:

I'll probably have a stronger opinion as we get closer to March, but right now, I think #2-7 are fairly tight. I'd probably group A-Rod, Reyes, and Soriano very tightly at 2-4, then group Howard, Crawford and Johan at 5-7. I think there's a sizeable dropoff in expected value once you get past the Top 7 and into Utley, Beltran, Vlad etc. My sentiments exactly.



To me, the 2nd round has just as much "flavor" as the 1st. Last night's draft confirmed to me that there is a sizeable drop-off in talent from the beginning (2.01-2.07) to the end (2.12-2.15).



One thing is for certain: come March, we are going to see a LOT of variety among KDS selections.