Tonight’s draft night and it starts in 3 minutes. I ended up with pick # 13. Following will be a pick by pick analysis of my draft written as I make each pick. Should be fun.
1- Hanley Ramirez – SS – For some reason I was surprised to see him fall here. Maybe I shouldn’t have been. Still, a SS with his upside is tough to pass on. If not for Reyes health concerns, I would have gone in that direction.
2- Roy Halladay – SP – McCutcheon was still there, so was Youk. I was tempted to go in either of those directions. However in a short season, every start can have such a huge impact, both positive and negative. I decided to go with the one starter who almost never has a bad one. 10 SP’s went prior to my next pick, I’m feeling this was the right choice.
3- Rickie Weeks – 2B – McCutcheon went 2 picks after Halladay, Youk lasted to within 3 of this pick. Almost made it back to me, I could taste it. After Youk was grabbed, I was torn here between Weeks & Victor Martinez, two top options at scarce positions. I ended up going Weeks. I felt there were more catcher options remaining as none were taken yet at this point in the draft plus Weeks could contribute in steals as well as power.
4- Brian McCann – C – Victor almost made it back to me but was snagged the pick right before me. I like McCann almost as much for the rest of this season so not a huge loss. Three scarce positions covered with top options and the best SP after 4 picks. If I can find solid corners and OF’s later in the draft, I’ll be real happy with this start. If not, well…….
5- Michael Young – 3B/2B/1B – Might have been a bit early, but having a great season, I felt I needed some BA protection, gives me serious multi-position eligibility, and the Texas heat is kicking in.
6- Michael Morse – 1B/OF – This definitely felt early. Still, I’m starting to feel a little light in power (I always feel light in power) and 1B is starting to look awful skimpy already, so I took the plunge on a player who after a dreadful start, looks like something clicked for him.
7- Jayson Werth – OF – Not having a Philly Jayson Werth year in Washington. However a solid power/speed option who I’m looking to provide a better 2nd half.
8- Jonathan Papelbon – RP – Relievers are starting to come off the board and I wanted at least one that I was relatively sure would hold the job for the balance of the season and not get traded.
9- Mat Latos – SP – Has the talent, history, and park to dominate for long stretches. Since he hasn’t yet this year, now’s as good a time as any.
10- Eric Hosmer – 1B – Should at a minimum bring BA protection out of the CI spot and has the ability to provide much more.
11- Alexi Ogando – SP – I watched every halfway decent closer come off the board since my last pick. I thought about grabbing one of the Madson, Melancon, Gregg, Rauch, or Capps types that were still there but were far from assured of holding their jobs…… or I could ummmm……….. He’s Back!!!!!!!!!
12- Ryan Madson – RP – I know he’s coming off an injury, has competition in his own pen, and the Phils are as likely to trade for a more established closer as anyone. Still, he’s due back this weekend and when he’s been on the hill this year, setup or closer, he’s been lights out. Considering what else is out there at closer, worth the shot here.
13- Alex Rios – OF – C’mon!!!!!!!!!!!! He can’t be this bad, can he? I’m looking for at least a partial bounceback here.
14- Francisco Liriano – P – C’mon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15- Ricky Nolasco – P – Was looking to take one hitter, then one pitcher at this turn. The hitters I was looking at were Grady Sizemore & Russell Martin, both grabbed in the 5 picks before mine. I figured OK, I’ll grab the pitcher I like first then and give myself a bit more time to regroup for a hitter.
16- Derrick Lee – 1B (U) – I know, my 3rd firstbaseman. Seemed like a pretty good player to be still out there though and I figured I could use him at Utility.
17- Rafael Furcal – SS (MI) – Had my eye set on Iannetta here, taken a few picks back. I can’t seem to time my 2nd catcher.
Looking for Furcal to stay healthy for just 2 ½ months. Yes Rafael, you can do it!18- Domonic Brown – OF – Feeling a need for both power and speed. Decided this was a good spot to go with a player who has some upside for both.
19- Peter Bourjos – OF – The injury & Trout’s callup are worrisome, but reports are that he won’t be out long and he gives me some more power/speed upside.
20- Cameron Maybin – OF – One more time for the power/speed upside route.
21- Rubby De La Rosa – SP – Just looking pretty awesome lately. I believe he can be a difference maker.
22- Homer Bailey – SP – Healthy but not looking as sharp as he did before he got hurt. I’m hoping he’s able to find the groove he was in earlier in the season. Love his upside. Really like my staff right now.
23- Bobby Parnell – RP – It’s just a matter of when.
24- Ike Davis – 1B – I know, 4th firstbaseman. Morse will go to the OF when Davis is ready again. He could bring me a nice power boost by month’s end.
25- Jordan Schafer – OF – Gotta believe he holds the job over McLouth. No? Some SB upside if he could just get on base a little more.
26- Javier Vazquez – SP – Not the pitcher he once was, but certainly looking better recently.
27- Brett Lawrie – 3B – Gotta figure he gets healthy and gets his chance sometime this season.
28- Ryan Doumit – C – Ugh. There are no catchers left. I’ll watch the news for a week or so and see how he progresses. If he does come back, has the stick to contribute.
29- Hank Conger – C – I have Felipe Paulino all queued up and bam, to end the draft right he gets grabbed the pick right before me. I decide to instead grab a 2nd catcher who can actually play the next few weeks.
30- Danny Duffy – SP – Well, if I can’t have Paulino…..might as well grab his teammate.
It’s midnight on the East Coast and the draft is finishing up. I’m shot. It was a draft that moved extremely slowly in the 1st half, but picked up the pace some late. I helped contribute to the early slow pace as I took part in this draft with no cheatsheets, just the player list in the NFBC draft room, my memory of the player pool, and a basic idea of how I wanted to build this team. I’m too tired to really look at this team now and analyze how I did. Off gut feel I think I’ll be OK in pitching, but may be shy in speed and especially power. I guess time will tell. At least it was fun, drafting ALWAYS is.
Well, at least I’m out of the 40’s. On top of that, both these leagues are unique, innovative, very challenging, and an absolute blast. I’ll definitely be back for both next season.