Things I saw on Draft Day

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:49 am

All,

So it was a nasty and cold weekend in NY. However, the Fantasy BB action was hot and heavy in both my $1250 Auction and Main Event Drafts.

First of all, thanks to all the people who worked the events. Managing a draft is tough, and especially the Auction is a ton of work. Hats off to Micheal and everyone else.

A bit Good Job to Tom who realizing that food and drink had run out early, went and got more - then took orders and delivered food !!! Nice save there Tom. Also thanks to the young lady who helped you.

So, what did I see?

1. Gordon Gekko in person is nothing like I would have guessed. He was surprisingly quiet and focused during the auction draft. A good guy and a smart player.

2. Serpentine drafts will always surprise you. We picked 3rd and assumed either Reyes or Soriano would be our pick. Imagine my surprise when Soriano, then Reyes were taken, leaving Pujolis sitting there for us in #3.

More picks that surprised me in my Main Event draft:

a. Tejada going 15th.

b. Figgins going 19th!!

c. Team #2 taking V Martinez and Brian Mccann with their 3rd and 4th picks

d. Team #15 taking Tejada, Rollins, then 2 pictchers with their next 2 picks.

e. Tons of pitching going super early

f. Adam LaRoche in the 4th

In the $1250 Auction Draft:

a. Reyes going for $4 more than Soriano

b. Everyone 1st round pick going for a ton, except Ryan Howard at $33 - what a steal that was

c. Hanley Ramirez going for $2 more than Ryan Howard

I walked around after the drafts and discussed with some people - every draft had similar oddities. Who knows who is right? Maybe the team that drafted #15th in my league will crush. Who knows, but it is fun to see all the different strategies and valuations.

3. Allot more people drink at these events than I would have guessed. It must be a personal thing for me, if I am spending so much money I want to be sober and focused. This obviously wasn't the strategy of some players.

Anyway, what other strange or interesting tidbits did you see? I just heard from Hangtown that Santana didn't go until the 6th pick in the 2nd round in his draft!

Spy

[ March 18, 2007, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: Spyhunter ]

Diamond Dogs · Post by **Diamond Dogs** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:42 am

Chris Young OF going in the 5th round, pick 4!

Thought that was really, really early even with his upside potential.

Must of really wanted him I'm guessing.

IRS · Post by **IRS** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:59 am

NY League #4 was all about Offense. They went fast and furious. SP and Closers were lingering around for much longer than expected. One manager punted Wins and K's (all relievers) and another (me) punted Saves.

Some surprising picks (IMO) were the following:

Pettite 9.14, Snell 9.10, Lowry 19.3, Chris B. Young 8.3, Francour 6.4, LaRoche 6.1, S.Drew 10.4. A.Gordon 6.10, and Kinsler 7.15.

...I also reached a bit because of the extended run on Offense: Fielder @ 4.6 and Taveras @ 5.10 and I guess C.Hart @ 10.6 as well.

steve · Post by **steve** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:59 am

I visited many boards and saw that Carlos Beltran fell to to pick 15,,,Santana going early 4th pick,

Derek Jeter 1st round pick, Hafner making it to the center of the 2nd round,Atkins 17th pick, Ryan Howard pick 9 and many other oddities,,,I also saw there were no MVP Girls!!!!!!!!!!!

Hangtown · Post by **Hangtown** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:43 pm

You needed to be in Vegas for those MVP girls... Spring break, record heat, need I say more???

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:18 pm

Closers went very early in my draft due to the soon to be last place guy who took 2 closers at the 3-4 turn. Yes, I am bitter. It was also one of the few drafts where not only didn't Reyes go second, he went 5th! I took Howard at 3 simply because I felt that there was more speed than power to be had later. Truly I like Reyes and feel he will have a little more value than Howard. But I was forlorn about not getting Soriano.

kgrady · Post by **kgrady** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:48 pm

Spy,

I was one of the guys you spoke with after the drafts were over. I recall your windfall with getting Pujols third. You were planning on getting speed out of the third pick (Soriano or Reyes), but when Pujols fell into your lap, you had to go after a big speed guy later on. I had some good post-draft conversations with you and several others.

I would like to complement the facilitators in NY league 7. I thought they did a great job. They kept things going at a good, but manageable pace. The guys on the board found and posted the names swiftly. The lead guy also made sure we all heard each player selected by walking around the tables and saying the name several times. He did this loud enough for us to hear without disturbing the neighboring drafts. Fine job!

Kevin

Kingman-Millan Gambit - NY-7, pick 15

stargells star · Post by **stargells star** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:49 pm

you had MVP girls?? and with that maybe a few of thier give aways too, we must be treated like 2nd class drafters in chicago, those bseball forecasters were also not there too, i heard there were a whopping 6 available.

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:55 pm

If that is such a big deal, I will send you mine. I bought it this year and got a second copy at the show. Frankly, I found it interesting reading, but I don't think it is that much more insightful than many other guides. Anyway, why do you care? it is going to be published again next year

Spy

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:57 pm

Originally posted by kgrady:

Spy,

I was one of the guys you spoke with after the drafts were over. I recall your windfall with getting Pujols third. You were planning on getting speed out of the third pick (Soriano or Reyes), but when Pujols fell into your lap, you had to go after a big speed guy later on. I had some good post-draft conversations with you and several others.

I would like to complement the facilitators in NY league 7. I thought they did a great job. They kept things going at a good, but manageable pace. The guys on the board found and posted the names swiftly. The lead guy also made sure we all heard each player selected by walking around the tables and saying the name several times. He did this loud enough for us to hear without disturbing the neighboring drafts. Fine job!

Kevin

Kingman-Millan Gambit - NY-7, pick 15 Yes, it was great talking with you and everyone else post draft. I love the post draft discussions and walking around. I think I was almost last to leave the Javits Center. Anyway, you are right, Pujolis fell to RT and me at #3 so we took Abreu on pick #2 as we weren't positive he would be there on the way back. We got Vernon Wells in the 3rd so it worked out well

Spy

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:07 pm

Our facillitators in LV1 were very good also. 1. He was loud and clear. I did not fail to hear him even once. 2. The two people were fast! He'd take picks without waiting for the girl to get them on the board and by time the next person chose and he repeated it she'd have it up. Even a pick she handwrote took maybe 15 seconds total between the time the player was chosen and she got it up there. We were the first draft to finish I believe.

Our facillitator was verbose with his opinions on players he liked was the only thing that might have bugged people, but I was fine with it.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:51 pm

Biggest thing that I was a little shocked by was Matt Holliday being a consensus first round pick.

I think he is but I thought I was in a small minority on that.

Biggest single thing I saw that made me scatch my cleanly shaven head, Hanley Ramirez at pick 13- but I only saw 3 draft boards.

Tradesman Kettleers · Post by **Tradesman Kettleers** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:11 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Biggest thing that I was a little shocked by was Matt Holliday being a consensus first round pick.

I think he is but I thought I was in a small minority on that.

Biggest single thing I saw that made me scatch my cleanly shaven head, Hanley Ramirez at pick 13- but I only saw 3 draft boards. I'll answer to the Hanley question Chest, being as how it was my draft you were looking at. My reasoning on the pick was that H. Ramirez was a consensus 2nd round pick, but picking at 1-13 I thought if I take Hanley first I'd still have my pick of 5-6 guys I'd really like at 2-3(Hafner, Holliday, C. Lee,D. Lee). Plus, the team at 1-15 was decked out in Florida Gators gear(could be Home team drafters). Yes, I did notice that!! I wanted H. Ramirez and took the neccessary steps to procure him. Was able to get Holliday at 2-3 so my first 2 picks went according to script. After the draft, the gentleman at Pick #15 was kind enough to inform me that indeed Hanley would not have made it back to me at 2-3. So, for better or worse I now employ Hanley Ramirez on this year's version of the Tradesman Kettleers. My apologies to Team 15, Tampa 2 for not knowing your names at this time.

Made some mistakes, but I don't consider my strategy here one of them. Good luck to all this season.

And a shout out to Tom Lord and Dave Clum and he who cannot be named for the post-draft discussion. Really enjoyed sitting next to Tom especially as we didn't get in each others way (Player wise) this year like we did LY.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:27 pm

Originally posted by Tradesman Kettleers:

quote:Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Biggest thing that I was a little shocked by was Matt Holliday being a consensus first round pick.

I think he is but I thought I was in a small minority on that.

Biggest single thing I saw that made me scatch my cleanly shaven head, Hanley Ramirez at pick 13- but I only saw 3 draft boards. I'll answer to the Hanley question Chest, being as how it was my draft you were looking at. My reasoning on the pick was that H. Ramirez was a consensus 2nd round pick, but picking at 1-13 I thought if I take Hanley first I'd still have my pick of 5-6 guys I'd really like at 2-3(Hafner, Holliday, C. Lee,D. Lee). Plus, the team at 1-15 was decked out in Florida Gators gear(could be Home team drafters). Yes, I did notice that!! I wanted H. Ramirez and took the neccessary steps to procure him. Was able to get Holliday at 2-3 so my first 2 picks went according to script. After the draft, the gentleman at Pick #15 was kind enough to inform me that indeed Hanley would not have made it back to me at 2-3. So, for better or worse I now employ Hanley Ramirez on this year's version of the Tradesman Kettleers. My apologies to Team 15, Tampa 2 for not knowing your names at this time.

Made some mistakes, but I don't consider my strategy here one of them. Good luck to all this season.

And a shout out to Tom Lord and Dave Clum and he who cannot be named for the post-draft discussion. Really enjoyed sitting next to Tom especially as we didn't get in each others way (Player wise) this year like we did LY. [/QUOTE]I hope that pays off for you, took some sacks to do it and Holliday in the 2nd round is real nice. I personally prefer Rollins to Hanley in 07, but I also preferred Rollins to Reyes in 06...

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:36 pm

Originally posted by Spyhunter:

If that is such a big deal, I will send you mine. I bought it this year and got a second copy at the show. Frankly, I found it interesting reading, but I don't think it is that much more insightful than many other guides. Anyway, why do you care? it is going to be published again next year

Spy Did anyone see one ounce of value in that Rick Wilton injury book?

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:14 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Spyhunter:

If that is such a big deal, I will send you mine. I bought it this year and got a second copy at the show. Frankly, I found it interesting reading, but I don't think it is that much more insightful than many other guides. Anyway, why do you care? it is going to be published again next year

Spy Did anyone see one ounce of value in that Rick Wilton injury book? [/QUOTE]Didn't get one of those

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:09 am

I did not get him in any of my five NFBC drafts(boy my wife loves that).But,I think Hanley Ramirez will be a stronger pick over Reyes,or Rollins this year.It could be homer bias.But,the guy was big last year.This year he is huge.If he and Cabrera can stay interested this season they will have monster years.

Nutty Scrats · Post by **Nutty Scrats** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:22 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Spyhunter:

If that is such a big deal, I will send you mine. I bought it this year and got a second copy at the show. Frankly, I found it interesting reading, but I don't think it is that much more insightful than many other guides. Anyway, why do you care? it is going to be published again next year

Spy Did anyone see one ounce of value in that Rick Wilton injury book? [/QUOTE]Chest. I'm with you on this one. It's probably a decent read but did nothing for me this year and frankly I would probably never have used it anyway. For me it was information overload! The way I drafted this year it wouldn't have helped anyway! LOL It's going to be a bad year but at least I had alot of fun getting through the weekend despite the snow! It was great seeing alot of familiar faces over the weekend.

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:59 am

tradesmen- i had same thought as you. i drafted 12th. really wanted a ss with second pick. when 2 guys a wasn't high on got taken before my 1st pick- i took rollins- because i had the next 7 ranked within 1 point of one another. i can understand if you love- say sizemore and vlad- but if you would be happy with tex or sizemore in round 2- take the ss you like in one. you took hanley- i took rollins. mike

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:11 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Spyhunter:

If that is such a big deal, I will send you mine. I bought it this year and got a second copy at the show. Frankly, I found it interesting reading, but I don't think it is that much more insightful than many other guides. Anyway, why do you care? it is going to be published again next year

Spy Did anyone see one ounce of value in that Rick Wilton injury book? [/QUOTE]I found it slightly interesting to see the entire injury histories layed out on the player like Woods and Prior.

Spy

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:54 am

With my first four picks in NY 4 I was able to nail Utley, Rollins, Konerko, Hall.

puddle of nud · Post by **puddle of nud** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:21 am

and......

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:31 am

You mean the rest?

C Laird

C Ianetta

1B Konerko

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B A. Gordon

MI B. Hall

CI W. Helms

OF T. Hunter

OF Cameron

OF Quentin

OF Bradley

OF Gibbons

UT Kotchman/Sledge

P Hamels

P Bedard

P Snell

P Escobar

P Loewen

P J. Shields

P Wickman

P Wheeler

P S. Shields

RE Kotchman/Sledge

RE Matsui

RE Milledge

RE Al Reyes

RE Coffey

RE Lester

RE Neshek

puddle of nud · Post by **puddle of nud** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:39 am

C Laird

C Ianetta

1B Konerko

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B A. Gordon

MI B. Hall

CI W. Helms

OF T. Hunter

OF Cameron

OF Quentin

OF Bradley

OF Gibbons

UT Kotchman/Sledge

P Hamels

P Bedard

P Snell

P Escobar

P Loewen

P J. Shields

P Wickman

P Wheeler

P S. Shields

RE Kotchman/Sledge

RE Matsui

RE Milledge

RE Al Reyes

RE Coffey

RE Lester

RE Neshek

I obviously like your infield. Gordon is the wild card there. Your OF is pretty consistent all the way through but not overwhelming. Staff could be good if Hamels is money. Nice set up guys but 1 closer hurts a bit for now.

good luck

puddle of nud · Post by **puddle of nud** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:39 am

I obviously like your infield. Gordon is the wild card there. Your OF is pretty consistent all the way through but not overwhelming. Staff could be good if Hamels is money. Nice set up guys but 1 closer hurts a bit for now.

good luck