-Keefe
Just a few days before the start of the season let’s take a look at an actual fantasy draft. How will these teams do? We won’t find that out until the games are played, but that doesn’t mean I can’t evaluate the picks right now. Pretty basic set up as you start one player at each position in the field, one utility, and a total of seven pitchers, two must be starters, and two must be relievers. This is a 10 man league, and for those of you keeping track at home my team is Speaker City. I’ll try not to gush over my picks too much… even though they were really good. Ok, here it is. Border Patrols with the first pick in the 2007 MLB Fantasy Draft…
Round 1
1. Albert Pujols Border Patrols
2. Johan Santana Everyone Dies
3. Alfonso Soriano Kahuna Burger
4. Ryan Howard jag swamp
5. Manny Ramírez Jack Gordon
6. David Ortiz Speaker City
7. Álex Rodríguez Team Battle
8. José Reyes kef
9. Carlos Beltrán Jack Nasty
10. Miguel Cabrera Killer Bees
A couple of great players here who I think went a little higher than they should have. First, I don’t think Ryan Howard can duplicate his numbers from his MVP season from a year ago. (.313, 58 HR, 149 RBI) Who’s hitting behind him? I’ll tell you Pat “the Bat” Burrell and Wes Helms. Come on, would you pitch to Howard? It’s not for a lack of talent, but this guy will win walks for you more than the power numbers. Manny might be a little high here too, been going in a lot of second rounds this year. But if he plays more than 150 games (which he did in 2003-2005), he is as good as anyone in the game.
Round 2
1. Vladimir Guerrero Killer Bees
2. Lance Berkman Jack Nasty
3. Chase Utley kef
4. Carl Crawford Team Battle
5. Grady Sizemore Speaker City
6. Joe Mauer Jack Gordon
7. Dontrelle Willis jag swamp
8. David Wright Kahuna Burger
9. Mark Teixeira Everyone Dies
10. Travis Hafner Border Patrols
The second round is highlighted by outfielders with both speed and power. Crawford and Sizemore, particularly look like good picks. In leagues with a number of offensive categories these guys become extremely valuable. Crawford hit over .300, had decent pop (18 HR and 77 RBI), but his 58 steals make any fantasy owner happy, not to mention 16 triples last season in Tampa. He is only getting better too at just 25 years old. Not to be outdone Sizemore (24 years old) is a definite MVP candidate. 30-30 potential as well as a run scoring machine, 134 in ’06. Should hit .300 for the first time in his career this year. Also in round 2 a rare D-Train sighting. Interesting choice… it took until just the 17th selection to ask the owner of jag swamp if he was in fact attending the draft… appears not, more on this in the later rounds.
Round 3
1. Chris Carpenter Border Patrols
2. Vernon Wells Everyone Dies
3. Hanley Ramírez Kahuna Burger
4. Ichiro Suzuki jag swamp
5. Miguel Tejada Jack Gordon
6. Jimmy Rollins Speaker City
7. Derek Jeter Team Battle
8. Carlos Lee kef
9. Andruw Jones Jack Nasty
10. Jason Bay Killer Bees
The third pitcher taken in the draft (counting Willis) goes with the first pick in round three. Doesn’t take long for the ’05 NL Cy Young winner to go. Last years NL Rookie of the Year, Hanley Ramirez, goes here as well, despite a lot of promise (100+ runs last year and 46 SB) surprised he’s selected ahead of other SS like Tejada, Rollins, Jeter, and Young. Teams also appear to be going hard after OFs as Wells, Ichiro, Lee, Jones, and Bay all fly off the board. Six OF (seven counting Berkman) go in rounds 1 and 2 while five get picked in round 3 alone.
Round 4
1. Joe Nathan Killer Bees
2. Roy Oswalt Jack Nasty
3. Justin Morneau kef
4. Derrek Lee Team Battle
5. Matt Holliday Speaker City
6. Francisco Rodríguez Jack Gordon
7. Robinson Canó jag swamp
8. Roy Halladay Kahuna Burger
9. Aramis Ramírez Everyone Dies
10. B.J. Ryan Border Patrols
The first closer picked starts the round, which prompts two more within the next nine picks. Definitely three of the best in the game, but maybe a little soon for closers. Urbina was not available. I checked. Oswalt and Halladay go after Dontrelle? You won’t see that in many drafts this year that don’t involve the Willis family. Also the gap in 2nd basemen this year shows some as Utley went early second round while Cano goes late fourth. Probably could have waited even longer for him.
Round 5
1. Michael Young Border Patrols
2. Billy Wagner Everyone Dies
3. Víctor Martínez Kahuna Burger
4. Brian McCann jag swamp
5. Carlos Zambrano Jack Gordon
6. Brandon Webb Speaker City
7. Daisuke Matsuzaka Team Battle
8. Bobby Abreu kef
9. Chone Figgins Jack Nasty
10. Rafael Furcal Killer Bees
One of the questions entering the draft is answered here in round 5. When would Matsuzaka go? He is picked right after two proven all-stars (Zambrano and Webb). For 103 million he better pitch like those guys. Team Battle may be rolling the Dice-Kay on Matsuzaka, but pitching for the Sox, if he’s healthy it would be a real disappointment if he didn’t get at least 15 wins.
Round 6
1. Jason Varitek Killer Bees
2. Troy Glaus Jack Nasty
3. Garrett Atkins kef
4. Mariano Rivera Team Battle
5. Jermaine Dye Speaker City
6. Carlos Delgado Jack Gordon
7. John Smoltz jag swamp
8. Jake Peavy Kahuna Burger
9. Johnny Damon Everyone Dies
10. C.C. Sabathia Border Patrols
It was probably the 11-14 record Peavy posted last year that made him slide all the way down to the eighth pick of round 6. But the 10th starter taken? He should rebound this year, and having Hall of Famer Greg Maddux on the team can’t hurt. Speaking of bounce back years Varitek certainly needs one. Anyone want someone who will hit .250 with 150 strikeouts? Troy Glaus is your man. I know he’ll get 35-100 but good lord.
Round 7
1. Adam Dunn Border Patrols
2. Dan Uggla Everyone Dies
3. Paul Konerko Kahuna Burger
4. Gary Sheffield jag swamp
5. Jonathan Papelbon Jack Gordon
6. Brian Roberts Speaker City
7. Matt Cain Team Battle
8. Hideki Matsui kef
9. Trevor Hoffman Jack Nasty
10. Richie Sexson Killer Bees
Good news. If you missed your chance on Glaus, I found someone just like him… Adam Dunn. Except .250 might be a stretch if you look at last years numbers, but don’t fret he struck out more than Glaus. An incredible 194 times Dunn walked back to the dugout shaking his head. (One K shy of tying his career high… or low, I’m not sure which.) For a guy who has hit 40 or more HR three times in his career, he has only toppled the 100 RBI total twice, and barely, 102 in ’04 and 101 in ’05. He’s good for HR and walks, but will hurt you everywhere in between. Make sure you have good speed and average guys to team him with. Two more closers off the board (Papelbon and Hoffman) If Papelbon is healthy he’s one of the best. All-Star as a rookie last season, but fell a part in the second half.
Round 8
1. Bronson Arroyo Killer Bees
2. Juan Pierre Jack Nasty
3. John Lackey kef
4. Huston Street Team Battle
5. J.J. Putz Speaker City
6. Torii Hunter Jack Gordon
7. Carlos Guillén jag swamp
8. Ben Sheets Kahuna Burger
9. Jeremy Bonderman Everyone Dies
10. Dan Haren Border Patrols
After seven rounds everyone checked out their team and realized they had no pitching. Seven out of ten selections are for arms, with a mixture of starters and closers. Pierre might only hit a couple more HR than you or I, but his stolen bases make him a good guy to have. (58 in ’06).
Round 9
1. Ryan Zimmerman Border Patrols
2. Édgar Rentería Everyone Dies
3. Julio Lugo Kahuna Burger
4. Justin Verlander jag swamp
5. Curt Schilling Jack Gordon
6. Scott Kazmir Speaker City
7. J.D. Drew Team Battle
8. Félix Hernández kef
9. Iván Rodríguez Jack Nasty
10. Kenji Johjima Killer Bees
Both Red Sox key acquisitions, not named Matsuzaka, get picked up here. Lugo, if he remains at the top of the lineup should score 100 runs, but watch for Crisp to move up if he struggles. J.D. Drew has a lot of potential… has since ’98. Only knocked in 100 runs once in career, last year (exactly 100), and that was in a contract year. With that said, I still would have taken a chance on him… thought I had another round or two.
Round 10
1. Scott Rolen Killer Bees
2. Randy Johnson Jack Nasty
3. Aaron Harang kef
4. Ramón Hernández Team Battle
5. Chipper Jones Speaker City
6. Melvin Mora Jack Gordon
7. Barry Zito jag swamp
8. Jim Thome Kahuna Burger
9. Brad Lidge Everyone Dies
10. Corey Patterson Border Patrols
If we weren’t sure if jag swamp was in the house before, I think it’s safe to say he’s not. At least I hope. After 10 picks, he now has 4 starting pitchers. FOUR. (Willis, Smoltz, Verlander, Zito) For those unfamiliar with the league you start: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, UTIL, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P. Pitching does win championships. Not sure if you can say that about fantasy. Jag swamp is going to try and prove me wrong, and he has a chance week 1 where he kicks off the season against Speaker City. He better beat me in the pitching stats, my bullpen is pretty lonely thru ten rounds.
Round 11
1. Eric Gagne Border Patrols
2. Todd Helton Everyone Dies
3. Bill Hall Kahuna Burger
4. Bob Wickman jag swamp
5. Rickie Weeks Jack Gordon
6. Francisco Cordero Speaker City
7. Brett Myers Team Battle
8. Rocco Baldelli kef
9. Felipe López Jack Nasty
10. Tadahito Iguchi Killer Bees
This was my favorite round. Look at some of these picks. I don’t even know where to begin. Fine, I’ll start at the top with Eric Gagne. 11th round? He’s had 9 saves in the last two seasons. Not sure if he’ll be the same… or even the closer for the Rangers, who still have Akinori Otsuka (32 saves in ’06) on the roster. Then Gagne gets lit up like a Christmas Tree in spring training, and now will begin the season on the DL. I’d say more but round 11 brought so much. Second pick of the round was former all-star Todd Helton, whose batting average and home runs have declined in each of the last four seasons. Nice. Throw out the 35 games he played in ’97, last year Helton had his worst avg., .305 and fewest HRs, 15. Don’t count on him for anything other than a good name. After Team Battle selected Brett Myers I quickly checked to see if hitting your wife in public was a category… it’s not.
Round 12
1. Magglio Ordóñez Killer Bees
2. Nomar Garciaparra Jack Nasty
3. Jered Weaver kef
4. Prince Fielder Team Battle
5. Mike Piazza Speaker City
6. Raúl Ibañez Jack Gordon
7. Joel Zumaya jag swamp
8. Chad Cordero Kahuna Burger
9. Chris Young Everyone Dies
10. Alex Gordon Border Patrols
Draft more than half over, I’ll keep it short and sweet here on out. I like Piazza, not just cause I picked him, but because he’s DHing with C eligibility. Joel Zumaya may throw 103 mph, but if he’s not closing I’m not sure how valuable he is, especially in the 12th round. Who picked him? Damn it jag swamp… he’s shooting for the best staff ever. He’s building a MLB team, not a fantasy team. I better beat him. Side note: anyone realize Ibanez’s numbers last year, .289, 33 HR, 123 RBI? Yikes. He had more RBI than Manny, ARod, Vlad, Tejada, Hafner, Beltran, Wright, Lee, Dye, Delgado… Good for him. Who knows if he does it again, but in the 12th round, great stuff.
Round 13
1. Coco Crisp Border Patrols
2. Willy Taveras Everyone Dies
3. Tom Gordon Kahuna Burger
4. Tim Hudson jag swamp
5. Chris Ray Jack Gordon
6. Bobby Jenks Speaker City
7. Armando Benítez Team Battle
8. Cole Hamels kef
9. Josh Beckett Jack Nasty
10. Brian Fuentes Killer Bees
Couple of guys in their second season for my Red Sox. I like both picks as I believe both Crisp and Becket will rebound from disappointing starts in Boston. Crisp may move back to the lead off spot if he shows promise in the bottom of the lineup and Lugo struggles. But he may run more hitting 7th or 8th, since Ortiz and Manny aren’t coming right up.
Round 14
1. Mike Mussina Killer Bees
2. Todd Jones Jack Nasty
3. Jorge Posada kef
4. Rich Harden Team Battle
5. Delmon Young Speaker City
6. Mike González Jack Gordon
7. Mike Cameron jag swamp
8. Nick Swisher Kahuna Burger
9. A.J. Pierzynski Everyone Dies
10. Álex Ríos Border Patrols
Delmon Young could be a sleeper, and he could be back in the minors, but in the 14th round not a bad choice. He went after Gordon and Matsusaka, two other rookies receiving a lot of press this spring. Mike Gonzalez? Not in Pitt anymore, and like Zumaya, setting up ball games. “Holds” aren’t a category in this league…yet. The commissioner picked Gonzalez.
Round 15
1. Howie Kendrick Border Patrols
2. Jason Schmidt Everyone Dies
3. Barry Bonds Kahuna Burger
4. Adrián Béltre jag swamp
5. Eric Chávez Jack Gordon
6. Mark Teahen Speaker City
7. Ken Griffey Jr. Team Battle
8. José Valverde kef
9. Jeff Francoeur Jack Nasty
10. Jason Isringhausen Killer Bees
Bonds falls all the way into the 15th round. At this point a good time to take a risk on guys, that’s why you see Griffey and Francoeur also get snagged.
Round 16
1. Pedro Martínez Killer Bees
2. Derek Lowe Jack Nasty
3. Joe Borowski kef
4. Jason Giambi Team Battle
5. Adam LaRoche Speaker City
6. Kevin Youkilis Jack Gordon
7. Scott Podsednik jag swamp
8. Nick Markakis Kahuna Burger
9. Jeff Kent Everyone Dies
10. Bartolo Colón Border Patrols
Seeing Pedro and Lowe go back-to-back makes me think of the ’04 Red Sox. I know Pedro is hurt, but maybe if they still had both of those guys they wouldn’t have felt the need to trade Hanley Ramirez away, as well as everyone else from that championship team. Unreal. Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena was a good deal. Jesus. Speaking of the Sox I think Youk will have his best season to date.
Round 17
1. A.J. Burnett Border Patrols
2. Ryan Dempster Everyone Dies
3. Roger Clemens Kahuna Burger
4. Matt Capps jag swamp
5. Erik Bedard Jack Gordon
6. Dave Bush Speaker City
7. Freddy Sánchez Team Battle
8. Josh Barfield kef
9. Rich Hill Jack Nasty
10. Shea Hillenbrand Killer Bees
Man, more former sox. (Clemens, Sanchez, and Hillenbrand.) Kahuna Burger has himself a nice clubhouse with Bonds and Clemens. Goodluck with that. “Mmm that is a tasty burger.”
Round 18
1. Pat Burrell Killer Bees
2. Morgan Ensberg Jack Nasty
3. Hank Blalock kef
4. Luke Scott Team Battle
5. Brandon Phillips Speaker City
6. Mark DeRosa Jack Gordon
7. Joe Crede jag swamp
8. Takashi Saito Kahuna Burger
9. Moisés Alou Everyone Dies
10. Michael Barrett Border Patrols
Backing up my point that followed round 1, Ryan Howard goes #4 overall, and the guy hitting behind him… 171. Think about that for a second.
Round 19
1. Jon Garland Border Patrols
2. Ryan Shealy Everyone Dies
3. Chien-Ming Wang Kahuna Burger
4. Stephen Drew jag swamp
5. Paul Lo Duca Jack Gordon
6. Orlando Cabrera Speaker City
7. Chad Tracy Team Battle
8. Chris Capuano kef
9. Octavio Dotel Jack Nasty
10. Akinori Otsuka Killer Bees
Hey it’s the SS from the 2004 Boston Red Sox, Orlando Cabrera! Also a number of pitchers taken, could be some steals.
Round 20
1. Bobby Crosby Killer Bees
2. Kenny Rogers Jack Nasty
3. Nick Johnson kef
4. Ian Kinsler Team Battle
5. Frank Thomas Speaker City
6. Adam Wainwright Jack Gordon
7. Ervin Santana jag swamp
8. Ray Durham Kahuna Burger
9. Ryan Freel Everyone Dies
10. Adrián González Border Patrols
Remember when Bobby Crosby won rookie of the year? Do you remember when he was healthy? I don’t. Hey Ryan Freel you get to take over CF for the best guy ever to play there in our life time. Don’t worry he’ll be watching you from Right. No pressure.
Round 21
1. John Patterson Border Patrols
2. Brandon Inge Everyone Dies
3. Jim Edmonds Kahuna Burger
4. Eric Byrnes jag swamp
5. Michael Cuddyer Jack Gordon
6. Salomón Torres Speaker City
7. Tom Glavine Team Battle
8. Mark Prior kef
9. Corey Hart Jack Nasty
10. Marcus Giles Killer Bees
And it’s over. Mark Prior will be on the DL or in AAA, but who cares, most of these guys taken in the last round will get dumped the first week of the season for someone who came out of no where, or someone we just forgot. Glavine needs 10 wins for 300, after he gets them he may just hang em up, that night.
That’s it. Can’t wait for the season to start on Sunday night. Everyone is just hoping that their players make them look smart. Maybe Willis will be worth a 2nd round pick? Maybe Gagne will be back this year… well, what can you do?
If you want to comment on this draft, or something I wrote, send me an e-mail at sportsbrief@gmail.com. Check back soon as Besse, Shark, and I will make our MLB predictions on who’s making the playoffs, winning the World Series, as well as winning all the awards: MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie.
Rich Keefe
1 comment:
Good post.
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