Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

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ALL-IN JD
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Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:22 am

Last nights DC Express was interesting and entertaining to say the least. With the league being 50 rounds and being on the inexpensive side I usually will try different things regarding drafting strategy. My goal was to grab Billy Hamilton (early) and Rajai Davis (late) to give myself the best chance of winning SB's. It is not often that one player can almost win you a category by himself but IF Hamilton leads and IF Hamilton plays every day and IF Hamilton stays healthy he should steal 80-100 bases in his sleep. Another goal was to draft a strong deep staff. As you will see that was unfortunately not the case. I really like my starting staff but depth is a huge issue and I am doomed if just a couple of guys go down. Lastly I had no intention of drafting any closers early. Firstly, I hate paying a premium for them and in a DC with 50 spots available to you finding saves can definitely be accomplished later in the draft. I drafted a couple of maybe closers and 5-6 more that can easily find themselves closing via trade or injury. I actually was quite happy with the bullpen I came away with. All in all I need to have my staff incredibly healthy and a closer or two to emerge to have a realistic chance. The offense is solid and deep but not be enough to carry this team:

Catchers - Rosario and Salty - Solid average with 40-45 HR potential
1B - K. Morales/James Loney - I like Morales wherever he lands and Loney is serviceable. One team took 5 1B early and I decided not to reach. I felt Morales in the 12th and Loney in the 19th was reasonable
2B - Daniel Murphy - very solid season last year. Not sure if he can duplicate but real solid value if he can come close
SS - Tulo and Hardy - Targeting Hamilton and Davis for steals I knew I wanted to go hard for power from MI. 45-50 homers from the pair will do me just fine. I actually was hoping to come away with Hanley and Kipnis drafting from the 13 hole. By pick 8 of this draft both were amazingly gone
3B - X. Boegarts - Sometimes you have to swing for the fences and Boegarts is certainly a high risk high reward player. Got his feet last year and hoping he really busts out this year. Waited to long for depth at 3B so I am stuck with Uribe and E. Nunez
OF - Braun/B. Hamilton/Cuddyer/M.Holliday/Byrd - Very high on my OF. Should provide all categories across the board. A little worried about Braun but I think he will be looking to prove himself in a big way
UT - R. Davis - With only Andy Dirs in front of him and in the best lineup in the AL I think Davis can swipe 40-50 bases. He had 40 last year and I always got the feel he wasn't even playing much

I also drafted some nice OF depth so offensively I am pretty happy and came away with many of the players I wanted.

Starters :

Cole - Rock solid ace; should really step forward this year
A. Sanchez - Easy to lose track of him on a team with Scherzer and Verlander but had a tremendous year. Tigers should come close to 100 wins this year so 16-18 wins and 200 k's should be attainable
Archer - I think I really scored in rounds 13 and 14. Archer really impressed down the stretch last year and I think can easily be the second best pitcher on the Rays this year. Strong ERA and WHIP, 150-160 k's and 13-15 wins would be nice
Burnett - Didn't think that Burnett should have been available in round 14. ERA might rise a bit but staying in the NL works for me. Should also approach 200 k's
Wheeler - Had to swing for the fences with a power arm and Wheeler in the 15th round fits the bill. Struggled a bit last year but if he improves his command he could be special. Harvey did me right last year so hopefully Wheeler will pay it forward!!
C. Tillman - Maybe its just me but Tillman in the 18th has to be a score. Rock solid last year in the very tough AL east. I'll take 15 wins and 170-180 k's
T. Wood - Not necessarily a believer but he was very good last year for a very bad team. I could do a heckuva lot worse for a seventh starter
W. Rodriguez - Obviously a big risk coming off of arm problems but was off to a great start last year. Playing for a really good team so if healthy the wins and k's should definitely be there

I have very little depth behind these 8 so health will be a huge key

Relievers:

Hawkins - Solid year last year. I think he will get a chance to close and keep the job but very little margin for error with Brothers breathing down his neck
M. Lindstrom - Even before the news broke that the White Sox will be having an open competition for the closer spot I thought that Lindstrom made the most sense, at least to start out the year. He has the most closing experience so I think he at least has a chance
B. Wilson - He sure looks back after watching him at the end of the season. Kenley scares the heck out of me with back to back years of heart issue. If he goes down Wilson becomes a monster
Putz - While i think he is the best closer on the Diamondacks roster I am not sure he will get the chance to close, but you never know. He could also be traded to a team that needs a closer so there may be opportunity.
Matusz - I am sure its a pipe dream of mine but in the 43rd round that's all we can do is dream. Matusz pitched outstanding out of the pen and who knows. With a power arm maybe he can work his way into the closer competition. Stranger things have happened.

Was a lot of fun as always and knocking out 50 rounds in 3.5 hours is a blast!!

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Glenneration X
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Glenneration X » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:37 am

Hmmm... two Mets and no Yankees. Interesting.

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ALL-IN JD
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:39 am

I am more attached to money and winning then being a fan!! :D :D :D

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ALL-IN JD
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:39 am

And ever horrible teams sometimes have a good player or two!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Bama
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Bama » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:43 am

Glenneration X wrote:Hmmm... two Mets and no Yankees. Interesting.


I think He's a closet Met Fan. Needs to come out don't you think Glenn.

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Gekko
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Gekko » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:45 am

Jeff - very nice staff. PS - don't think you will be getting them so easily in the $1200 auction!!!

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ALL-IN JD
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:46 am

Not interested in any of them in the $1200 Auction!! :D :D :D

Money
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Money » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:48 am

ALL-IN JD wrote:I am more attached to money and winning then being a fan!! :D :D :D
Nice write up from one of the NFBC's best.
Joe

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ALL-IN JD
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:50 am

Thanks Joe. No need to sweet talk me. I don't have time to do the 12 Team Super, i'm booked solid!! Plus I did not want to donate to you again!! :lol: :lol:

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Gekko
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Gekko » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:56 am

ALL-IN JD wrote:Not interested in any of them in the $1200 Auction!! :D :D :D
Even better!

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Glenneration X
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Glenneration X » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:00 am

Bama wrote:
Glenneration X wrote:Hmmm... two Mets and no Yankees. Interesting.


I think He's a closet Met Fan. Needs to come out don't you think Glenn.
Champ, I think it's obvious this is Dobies first step in admitting the truth to himself. Welcome to the side of light my friend and neighbor. You'll be a happier man now that you've embraced the blue and orange.

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ALL-IN JD
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by ALL-IN JD » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:04 am

I'd embrace being black and blue all over before embracing orange and blue!! :lol: :lol:

Money
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Re: Anatomy of a DC Express Draft

Post by Money » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:11 am

ALL-IN JD wrote:Thanks Joe. No need to sweet talk me. I don't have time to do the 12 Team Super, i'm booked solid!! Plus I did not want to donate to you again!! :lol: :lol:
I only speak the truth. The 12 team Super will survive and be less competitive with your absence. This is a good thing. :D
Joe

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