PreMature E-Draftulation League

[DOUGHBOYS]

The first draft of the season starts this Sunday with the last day of the baseball season.
15 NFBC regulars, most of whom are Champions of one league or another will try to cipher what has happened this year, and apply it to the next.
My belief is that most drafts may start with the same four players next year.
Mike Trout
Christian Yelich
Ronald Acuna
Cody Bellinger

Others will find their way to the top four, but I believe this will be the 'Core Four' for the coming year.
After that, there are still damned fine choices. There are about 15 shortstops who will go high. Most, if not all, in the first six rounds.
Do we wait on the position or grab the top SS's right off the bat.
Mookie Betts, Nolan Arenado, Freddy Freeman, Gerritt Cole, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander are also first round probables.

What about you?
Who do you have as your round one players?
Whether trying to eliminate this year from your mind or killing it this season, what does your first round look like for the coming season?

I will post the first six rounds of the draft as they finish here.....

[Philippe27]

Bellinger is basically the same player he's always been if you take out April. He'll go 4th early in draft season but I think he slips to mid-late 1st round later on, similar to Ramirez last year.

I also think by the time the Main starts, Cole will be going 4th, right after the big three.

[BartoloColonsFitbit]

My way too early 1st round prediction
1. Acuna
2. Yelich
3. Trout
4. Bellinger
5. Story
6. Lindor
7. Betts
8. Cole
9. Turner
10. Arenado
11. Bergman
12. Rendon/Soto

[DOUGHBOYS]

The First Round of the PreMature E-Draftulation League is complete.

No big surprises in my eyes. Maybe you see it differently.

Here it is....


1. Ronald Acuna Jr, OF, ATL

2. Christian Yelich, OF, MIL

3. Mike Trout, OF, LAA

4. Trea Turner, SS, WAS

5. Cody Bellinger, OF, 1B, LAD

6. Mookie Betts, OF, BOS

7. Alex Bregman, 3B, SS, HOU

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, CLE

9. Gerritt Cole, P, HOU

10. Trevor Story, SS, COL

11. Jake deGrom, P, NYM

12. Justin Verlander, P, HOU

13. Juan Soto, OF, WAS

14. Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL

15. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, SD

[DOUGHBOYS]

Round two of the PreMature draft was not as 'standard' as Round one.

What do you think?

Here is Round 2...

2.1 Max Scherzer, P, WAS

2.2 Aaron Judge, OF, NYY

2.3 Gleyber Torres, 2B SS, NYY

2.4 Jose Ramirez, 3B, CLE

2.5 Rafael Devers, 3B, BOS

2.6 Freddy Freeman, 1B, ATL

2.7 Pete Alonso, 1B, NYM

2.8 Walker Buehler, P, LAD

2.9 Yuli Gurriel, 1B 3B, HOU

2.10 Jack Flaherty, P, STL

2.11 Steven Strasburg, P, WAS

2.12 Shane Bieber, P, CLE

2.13 Partick Corbin, P, WAS

2.14 JD Martinez, OF, BOS

2.15 Mike Clevinger, P, CLE

Couples Counseling...

1- Acuna/Clevinger

2- Yelich/Martinez

3- Trout/Corbin

4- Turner/Bieber

5- Bellinger/Strasburg

6- Betts/Flaherty

7- Bregman/Gurriel

8- Lindor/Buehler

9- Cole/Alonso

10- Story/Freeman

11- deGrom/Devers

12- Verlander/Ramirez

13- Soto/Torres

14- Arenado/Judge

15- Tatis/Scherzer

ROUND 1

1. Ronald Acuna Jr, OF, ATL

2. Christian Yelich, OF, MIL

3. Mike Trout, OF, LAA

4. Trea Turner, SS, WAS

5. Cody Bellinger, OF, 1B, LAD

6. Mookie Betts, OF, BOS

7. Alex Bregman, 3B, SS, HOU

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, CLE

9. Gerritt Cole, P, HOU

10. Trevor Story, SS, COL

11. Jake deGrom, P, NYM

12. Justin Verlander, P, HOU

13. Juan Soto, OF, WAS

14. Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL

15. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, SD

[BartoloColonsFitbit]

Rendon not even drafted??

[DOUGHBOYS]

Just drafted in the third round....

[JohnP]

Thanks for sharing these results. Fascinating. Yuli in middle of 2? You have Luhnow in this draft?

[DOUGHBOYS]

Thanks for sharing these results. Fascinating. Yuli in middle of 2? You have Luhnow in this draft?

A labor of love.
Round three coming soon.

[DOUGHBOYS]

As promised, ROUND 3 for your viewing pleasure.....(A solid round indeed)



ROUND THREE

1 Blake Snell, P, TAM

2 Anthony Rendon, 3B, WAS

3 Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS

4 Bryce Harper, OF, PHI

5 Clayton Kershaw, P, LAD

6 Javier Baez, SS, CHI

7 Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU

8 George Springer, OF, HOU

9 Jonathon Villar, 2B SS, BAL

10 Starling Marte, OF, PIT

11 Yordan Alvarez, U, HOU

12 Ketel Marte, 2B OF, ARZ

13 Austin Meadows, OF, TAM

14 Giancarlo Stanton, OF, NYY

15 Keston Hiura, 2B, MIL

Notes...

Seven Astros.....Six Nationals

13 OUTFIELDER eligible....12 PITCHERS....9 SHORTSTOP eligible....75% of the draft coming from these three positions

No Catchers

No Closers

Cleveland Indians- 4 players

Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals....Zero players

Manage-a-trois......

1 Acuna/Clevinger/Snell
2 Yelich/Martinez/Rendon
3 Trout/Corbin/Bogaerts
4 Turner/Bieber/Harper
5 Bellinger/Strasburg/Kershaw
6 Betts/Flaherty/Baez
7 Bregman/Gurriel/Altuve
8 Lindor/Buehler/Springer
9 Cole/Alonso/Villar
10 Story/Freeman/SMarte
11 deGrom/Devers/YAlvarez
12 Verlander/JRamirez/KMarte
13 Soto/Torres/Meadows
14 Arenado/Judge/Stanton
15 Tatis/Scherzer/Hiura

[Head 2 Head]

Thanks for sharing these results. Fascinating. Yuli in middle of 2? You have Luhnow in this draft?

John - Remember all the grief our friend Bryan Vogel got last year for taking Acuna 3rd overall in the Premature, from the so called experts. Yes we do have Luhnow in our league (not that I am suppose to reveal (or revile) any owners) Bregman/ Y Gurriel/Altuve and former ‘Stros Morton after four picks.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Thanks for sharing these results. Fascinating. Yuli in middle of 2? You have Luhnow in this draft?

John - Remember all the grief our friend Bryan Vogel got last year for taking Acuna 3rd overall in the Premature, from the so called experts. Yes we do have Luhnow in our league (not that I am suppose to reveal (or revile) any owners) Bregman/ Y Gurriel/Altuve and former ‘Stros Morton after four picks.

I think his second round pick created more of a buzz than that one.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I believe that everyone is a bit harsh on us as a group in the first draft. Last year, Bryan was raked over the coals for selecting Acuna with the third pick and Mondesi next. You know what? 100's of people said he was wrong and few, if any, of those same people said he was right when the season was over.
Such is doing the PreMature....


FOURTH ROUND

4.1 Chris Sale, P, BOS

4.2 Charlie Blackmon, OF, COL

4.3 Ozzie Albies, 2B, ATL

4.4 Max Muncy, 1B 2B 3B, LAD

4.5 Kris Bryant, 3B OF, CHI

4.6 Aaron Nola, P, PHI

4.7 Vladimir Guerrero, 3B, TOR

4.8 Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, STL

4.9 Charlie Morton, P, TAM

4.10 Adalberto Mondesi, SS, KC

4.11 Jorge Soler, OF, KC

4.12 Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHI

4.13 Lucas Giolito, P, CWS

4.14 Yoan Moncada, 3B, CWS

4.15 Whit Merrifield 2B OF, KC

Quazi-Quartets...

1- Acuna/Clevinger/Snell/Merrifield
2. Yelich/Martinez/Rendon/Moncada
3. Trout/Corbin/Bogaerts/Giolito
4. Turner/Bieber/Harper/Rizzo
5. Bellinger/Strasburg/Kershaw/Soler
6. Betts/Flaherty/Baez/Mondesi
7. Bregman/Gurriel/Altuve/Morton
8. Lindor/Buehler/Springer/Goldschmidt
9. Cole/Alonso/Villar/Guerrero
10. Story/Freeman/SMarte/Nola
11. deGrom/Devers/YAlvarez/Bryant
12. Verlander/JRamirez/KMarte/Muncy
13. Soto/Torres/Meadows/Albies
14. Arenado/Judge/Stanton/Blackmon
15. Tatis/Scherzer/Hiura/Sale

[Greg Ambrosius]

I've posted the first couple of rounds of this draft on Twitter and the results have elicited a lot of responses. If nothing else, it has brought excitement to next year's drafting season. Twitterverse is ready to draft and they have strong opinions of who they think should go in the first two rounds. Nothing brings out that excitement like actual draft results, so thanks to everyone in the PreMature E-Draftulation league for providing these early results.

[DOUGHBOYS]

A labor of love, Greg!

ROUND 5

1 Victor Robles, OF, WAS

2 Chris Paddack, P, SD

3 Manny Machado, 3B SS, SD

4. Tyler Glasnow, P, TAM

5 Eugenio Suarez, 3B, CIN

6 Zach Greinke, P, HOU

7 Marcus Semien, SS, OAK

8 Eloy Jimenez, OF, CWS

9 Luis Castillo, P, CIN

10 Noah Syndergaard, P, NYM

11 Corey Kluber, P, CLE

12 Yu Darvish, P, CHI

13 Jeff McNeil, 2B 3B OF, NYM

14 JT Realmuto, C, PHI

15 Luis Severino, P, NYY

[Thurman15]

Incredibly interesting. My pick for top team. #11 easily. For individual players.....Sorry to pile on but Gurriel goes way beyond " a reach" He won't go until the 4th or 5th rounds of most drafts. But the rest of that team looks pretty darn good. My shocking claim ?? I fully understand I may be called an idiot, but I would not take Max Scherzer until roughly the 12th starting pitcher. Too old, looked lousy in his playoff game, and too many young pitchers who seem legit to be ( or become) a star. A general thought....I'm surprised at so many pitchers going in the 2nd round.

Excellent 5th round picks for the guys getting Paddack, Darvish, and Victor Robles seems like he is ready for a breakout. Favorite pick of the entire draft, for where he was selected ?? For me, it was Yordan Alvarez. All in all....good work boys....way to get things going for us die hards...

[DOUGHBOYS]

Here is the sixth round and final installment posted from the PreMature League....

6.1 Tommy Pham, OF, TAM

6.2 Hyun-Jin Ryu, P, LAD

6.3 James Paxton, P, NYY

6.4 Joey Gallo, OF, TEX

6.5 Shohei Ohtani, P, U, LAA

6.6 Eddie Rosario, OF, MIN

6.7 Gary Sanchez, C, NYY

6.8 Kirby Yates, P, SD

6.9 Lance Lynn, P, TEX

6.10 Jose Abreu, 1B, CWS

6.11 Elvis Andrus, SS, TEX

6.12 Willson Contreras, C, CHI

6.13 Mitch Garver, C, MIN

6.14 Carlos Correa, SS, HOU

6.15 Matt Chapman, 3B, OAK

Sexy sixes

1- Acuna, Clevinger, Snell, Merrifield, Robles, Chapman

2- Yelich, Martinez, Rendon, Moncada, Paddack, Correa

3- Trout, Corbin, Bogaerts, Giolito, Machado, Garver

4- Turner, Bieber, Harper, Rizzo, Glasnow, Contreras

5- Bellinger, Strasburg, Kershaw, Soler, Suarez, Andrus

6- Betts, Flaherty, Baez, Mondesi, Greinke, Abreu

7- Bregman, Gurriel, Altuve, Morton, Semien, Lynn

8- Lindor, Buehler, Springer, Goldschmidt, Jimenez, Yates

9- Cole, Alonso, Villar, Guerrero, Castillo, Sanchez

10- Story, Freeman, SMarte, Nola, Syndergaard, Rosario

11- deGrom, Devers, Alvarez, Bryant, Kluber, Ohtani

12- Verlander, Ramirez, KMarte, Muncy, Darvish, Gallo

13- Soto, Torres, Meadows, Albies, McNeil, Paxton

14- Arenado, Judge, Stanton, Blackmon, Realmuto, Ryu

15- Tatis. Scherzer, Hiura, Sale, Severino, Pham

One thing I noticed in drafting this year is the LOADS OF HITTING talent.
Maybe it is the 'extra' live ball or the pitching faltering, I don't know.
But it seems every position, especially shortstop, is very very deep with hitters.
On the other hand, pitching has become a game of "Who do you Trust?"

Any thoughts about the draft? Love to hear them.
Thanks.

[rkulaski]

Although Team 4 has been sniped a few times, I like what he’s done through the first 6 rounds. Batting average and lots of speed in rd 1. He mixes in a solid first baseman who isn’t by any means a sexy pick but a high floor in 4 categories. He drafts an elite catcher and then keeps it coming with the 7th overall pick in 2015 who will be 2020’s comeback player of the year. Oh, and he grabs not one, but 2 aces. That’s a fine start to whoever you are.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Although Team 4 has been sniped a few times, I like what he’s done through the first 6 rounds. Batting average and lots of speed in rd 1. He mixes in a solid first baseman who isn’t by any means a sexy pick but a high floor in 4 categories. He drafts an elite catcher and then keeps it coming with the 7th overall pick in 2015 who will be 2020’s comeback player of the year. Oh, and he grabs not one, but 2 aces. That’s a fine start to whoever you are.

Definition of 'Ace'...
'Somebody that is outstanding; Can be depended upon'

I agree that Glasnow can be outstanding.
As far as a pitcher that can be depended on...eh...not so much.
He hasn't thrown 65 innings for any one team in any one year.
Ace?

Love the write-up though. You must really like the guy who put together that incredible team, whoever he is.

[rkulaski]

Although Team 4 has been sniped a few times, I like what he’s done through the first 6 rounds. Batting average and lots of speed in rd 1. He mixes in a solid first baseman who isn’t by any means a sexy pick but a high floor in 4 categories. He drafts an elite catcher and then keeps it coming with the 7th overall pick in 2015 who will be 2020’s comeback player of the year. Oh, and he grabs not one, but 2 aces. That’s a fine start to whoever you are.

Definition of 'Ace'...
'Somebody that is outstanding; Can be depended upon'

I agree that Glasnow can be outstanding.
As far as a pitcher that can be depended on...eh...not so much.
He hasn't thrown 65 innings for any one team in any one year.
Ace?

Love the write-up though. You must really like the guy who put together that incredible team, whoever he is.

An ace is Dependable you say ? What defines dependable ?

Justin Verlander was an ace until he wasn’t for a few seasons in Detroit. He was “dependable” and then he was undependable. Now, dependable again.

Is Lucas Giolito an ace? He’s been dependable for one season.

You’re never an ace until you are, right ?

Was Walker Buehler an ace when he was drafted in the 3rd round this past March? He had pedigree but only 146 IP in the majors.

Maybe more applicable since he’s a Rays pitcher, how about the example of Blake Snell who rewarded owners last year by deservingly winning the AL Cy Young award. He was drafted as an ace this year. Outstanding and dependable for one year. And then he became undependable very quickly. Such is the nature of being a pitcher, right?

Tyler Glasnow.... He started to show signs of becoming a valuable starter during the last few months of 2018. He was outstanding and dependable in 2019, an ace as you’d say, until he wasn’t. As far as I know, the ucl and the elbow are healthy. He had a strain (muscular), not strain (ligamentous). Some will let this injury severely deter them from biting on Glasnow. I’m obviously on the other side of the fence and like how the Rays manage and handle their injured players. I also like the way they develop their pitchers too. Maybe I’m putting a little too much faith in the organization but couple that with his skills he’s shown in a brief amount of major league time, and I see an ace.

Outstanding and dependable until he’s not.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Although Team 4 has been sniped a few times, I like what he’s done through the first 6 rounds. Batting average and lots of speed in rd 1. He mixes in a solid first baseman who isn’t by any means a sexy pick but a high floor in 4 categories. He drafts an elite catcher and then keeps it coming with the 7th overall pick in 2015 who will be 2020’s comeback player of the year. Oh, and he grabs not one, but 2 aces. That’s a fine start to whoever you are.

Definition of 'Ace'...
'Somebody that is outstanding; Can be depended upon'

I agree that Glasnow can be outstanding.
As far as a pitcher that can be depended on...eh...not so much.
He hasn't thrown 65 innings for any one team in any one year.
Ace?

Love the write-up though. You must really like the guy who put together that incredible team, whoever he is.

An ace is Dependable you say ? What defines dependable ?

Justin Verlander was an ace until he wasn’t for a few seasons in Detroit. He was “dependable” and then he was undependable. Now, dependable again.

Is Lucas Giolito an ace? He’s been dependable for one season.

You’re never an ace until you are, right ?

Was Walker Buehler an ace when he was drafted in the 3rd round this past March? He had pedigree but only 146 IP in the majors.

Maybe more applicable since he’s a Rays pitcher, how about the example of Blake Snell who rewarded owners last year by deservingly winning the AL Cy Young award. He was drafted as an ace this year. Outstanding and dependable for one year. And then he became undependable very quickly. Such is the nature of being a pitcher, right?

Tyler Glasnow.... He started to show signs of becoming a valuable starter during the last few months of 2018. He was outstanding and dependable in 2019, an ace as you’d say, until he wasn’t. As far as I know, the ucl and the elbow are healthy. He had a strain (muscular), not strain (ligamentous). Some will let this injury severely deter them from biting on Glasnow. I’m obviously on the other side of the fence and like how the Rays manage and handle their injured players. I also like the way they develop their pitchers too. Maybe I’m putting a little too much faith in the organization but couple that with his skills he’s shown in a brief amount of major league time, and I see an ace.

Outstanding and dependable until he’s not.

You sort of made my point, Rich.
Nobody was calling Giolito or Buehler an Ace last year. It wouldn't have been fair.
I was mostly just yanking your chain after the review of team 4

[rkulaski]

Dan,

I know I try to kiddingly boast about my team but, in all seriousness, I see several other teams in this league that make one good pick after another. Very little gets past this group. But this stiff competition is what makes this league great.

I’d type a lot more but I’m tired and need rest as my wife is out of town this and I got 3 sons to keep an eye on this weekend .... good luck the rest of the way .

[DOUGHBOYS]

The timing of our draft (who drafts for next year during play this year?!) and the participants (Hall of Famer, most everybody Main Event Winners) do make this a particularly tough draft. As it should be. At the same time, we lay the groundwork for future defaults and give a guide for others who will be drafting later. We also provide the itch for those who want to draft baseball again
I'm already looking forward to the next one!

[DOUGHBOYS]

Back in the day, we wouldn't draft our fantasy baseball team till March. With time, February, then January, then December, then November were all good months to draft our baseball teams.
We are leading up to year round drafting.
It would be swell if after the final use of the draft room by us, that the draft room became updated during the season with position changes and new players to the Majors as we are playing our season. All players would already have their data ready to go. The only thing IT would have to do would be to add all relevant minor leaguers. An easy chore in today's time where there are many sites naming those players.
We are headed towards year-round drafting just like the PreMature League.
Hopefully, it'll get here soon enough.

Some updates on the PreMature League....

Not a lot of belief in Josh Bell following up his big year. He was drafted in the seventh round.

Bell was taken in the same round as a player who was not selected in most drafts last year...Danny Santana

Shohei Ohtani was drafted in the sixth round. The drafter making sure there was clarification that he can also pitch.

Late season sensation Aristedes Aquino was drafted one selection ahead of minor league sensation Luis Robert....8th round.

Second and third round picks last year, Andrew Benintendi and Carlos Carrasco fell to the seventh round.

First Closer off the board last year, Edwin Diaz, was selected in the 13th round.

Second Closer off the board last year, Blake Treinen, has yet to be selected after nearly 15 rounds.

Faith has been lost in Kenley Jansen....10 round.

11 of the first 112 picks were Houston Astros.

The first Detroit Tiger (Matt Boyd) was selected with pick 145.


Greg- Question from the PreMature League....Will Brendan McKay, Mike Lorenzen, etc. have dual status like Ohtani?

[rkulaski]

Good report , Dan.

Premature league now in round 29. Should be completed tomorrow at the latest. There have been some names that I’m sure the industry guys or other nfbc’ers will think slipped through the cracks but not much gets past these 15 guys. Especially not Yuli Gurriel! Next up: nfbc DC #1 coming to a draft room near you.