Fantasy Baseball: Drafting in the Late Rounds

One piece I do once in a while is check to see what search terms get people checking out various posts. Sometimes it helps in coming up with ideas, and other times I'm just bored and trying to kill some time. In any case, it helps me get a sense as to the questions that are out there. 

Overall, with drafts being finalized, owners are more and more concerned with what to do in the later rounds. Some strictly are looking at pitching, others trying to find a diamond in the rough. We've examined some of this before in our post here.  

That post, though, looked a lot more at players who were falling in rankings for one reason or another. We didn't really examine the players that can help a team that owners may not consider. 

After getting some feedback from other fantasy writers, the list started to come to form. 

With that in mind, here are some late round possibilities that can help round out a rotation, lineup, or bench.

Wandy Rodriguez, P (Astros) 

Wandy has an amazing ability both to strike people out and get hurt. Rodriguez has brought his ERA down in each of his major league seasons, settling below 3.60 for his abbreviated 2008 campaign. Not only that, he struck out 131 batters in 137 innings.

He's won at least nine games each season, and should be good for breaking into the 12-14 area if he gets to 180 innings. Rodriguez's WHIP won't kill you, but it's not elite. He'll hover around the 1.30 mark, similar to 2007 and 2008. 

Mark Buehrle, P (White Sox) 

In ESPN leagues, Buehrle's ADP is around the 210 mark. In ten team leagues, that's after round 20. For a guy that has recorded double-digit wins every year since 2001, that's good value. While 2006, was a disaster, Buehrle has kept his ERA under 3.90 in four of the last five seasons. 

His home numbers are more attractive than his road over the last three seasons, and he struggles against Cleveland, but at this point in a draft you see some certainties as to what he can do. 

Buehrle doesn't have a ton of upside, but 15 wins, a 3.90 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and a 1.35 WHIP should be there.

Chris Carpenter, P (Cardinals) 

Carpenter hasn't had much to go on recently, but his renewed health this spring is giving him traction. His 180 ADP in ESPN leagues is attractive in ten team leagues. Deeper leagues still see him available in the latter third of drafts. 

The Cardinals pitcher was an ace before injuries sidelined him, but his spring form gives hope. He's going to be a health question all season, but owners should actually use these spring stats as a gauge. Carpenter just being on the mound and throwing well creates value. 

Chris Volstad, P (Marlins) 

Volstad still struggles with walks, but he generates velocity off his fastball and has solid secondary pitches. With an ADP of 224, Volstad has potential for upside well beyond where he's currently being selected. 

There are those that think the Marlins offense is going to struggle, and that impacts win totals. That said, you can expect more than wins from Volstad. Batters his just .240 against him last season, and he posted an ERA of 2.88. 

Does this always translate over a full season? No, but drafting potential is not a bad thing at this spot.

Hiroki Kuroda, P (Dodgers) 

One of my binkies last season. I refused to understand how in 2008 more people owned Brad Penny during his complete run of ineptitude while Kuroda sat on waivers. 

The best piece on the Dodgers starter is that he got better as he adjusted to the American game. Kuroda's ERA was under 3.00 in both August and September, and his full season WHIP was 1.22. The WHIP underscores his excellent command and propensity to create ground balls. 

The Dodgers upgraded defensively at second and have a healthy Rafael Furcal. Look for that to make some of his numbers look even better. With an ADP around 190, Kuroda is a gem in the later rounds.

Jonathan Sanchez, P (Giants) 

Sanchez's biggest problem seems to be his desire to want to give up walks. Batters still only hit .257 against him last season, but when you average a base runner and a half an inning through hits and walks, you put yourself in a bad position. 

Still, he generates strikeouts. His workload increase from 2007 to 2008 was tough, and it showed the wear after the All-Star break. Still, just for the strikeouts, Sanchez can help your team. With an ADP of 260, a last-round flier doesn't hurt you at all.

Kyle Davies, P (Royals) 

You can argue that Davies has had his chances, but the Royals are an improved team this year with a better bullpen. Add to that, he's only 25. The Royals will be patient because...well...because they have no other options. 

Davies struggles with command, but his stint with the Royals last season wasn't all bad. He managed nine wins, and his ERA was literally just over 4.00. Since he's penciled in as the number three starter, innings are almost assured. 

He currently is basically undrafted, but deep league owners should take note. His youth lets you know that there is upside to be had, and he seemed to find somewhat of a groove after the All-Star break. 

Davies allowed opponents to hit just .254 and put up a 3.66 ERA, 50 points and nearly a run better compared to his numbers before July.

Gavin Floyd, P (White Sox) 

How many 17-game winners are being picked at 214 overall? 

There are concerns with Floyd, specifically that he gave up 30 home runs last season. His 3.84 ERA doesn't really show that, mainly because of when they happened. There's room for that number to go up, but righties still hit just .226 against him in 2008. 

On top of that, the 1.26 WHIP is encouraging. At 26, he'll likely be able to bring down the walk ratio, and he pitches in a relatively friendly ballpark. Will he win 17 again? Not out of the question. 

I feel he bring in 14 wins, an ERA close to the 3.84 and a WHIP that comes down to 1.20. His command will continue to improve.

Mike Jacobs, 1B (Royals) 

There are always concerns when a player changes leagues that he won't be able to hit for the same average. Well, if Jacobs does that, he may make Jason Varitek look like a batting champ. 

Still, Jacobs will be in a division that can be more friendly than not in terms of pitching, and certainly has power in his swing. With over 30 home runs last season, his late availability will help some owners that need to fill a spot on a bench or at their corner infield position. 

Even adjusting for league, he should crack 25 home runs. If you need power late, he has the one-category ability to deliver.

Travis Snider, OF (Blue Jays) 

You're drafting upside here. Snider has power, and showed that at each stop in the minors, but he's just 21 years old. He's seen more advanced pitching that Matt Wieters, and is being drafted later, but there will be an adjustment period for him. 

Snider doesn't have the same eye that Wieters does at the plate, and will likely strikeout more than an owner will care for. That in mind, if we look at his late availability and ADP of 234 in ESPN leagues, the upside makes you want to pull the trigger. 

Snider is an extra outfielder, but he could reap benefits for owners that take the chance.

Colby Rasmus, OF (Cardinals) 

With Skip Schumaker moving to second base, and Chris Duncan's injury and decline, the chance is there for Rasmus to get considerable early playing time. 

Breaking camp with the team should force the Cardinals to find a spot for him in the lineup. At his age, if he's not playing, it's likely he stops developing. There were injuries in AAA last season that limited him to 90 games, but the talent is there. 

Late round selection for certain, but again there's upside here for owners that have the space and the patience. Certainly, keeper leagues need to take note.

Manny Burriss, 2B/SS (Giants) 

He won the Giants second base job, has dual eligibility for both middle infield positions, and has speed. 

Knox Bardeen argues that spring stats mean something when it comes to job competitions, and I'm in agreement. Burriss hit .357 in 70 at-bats during spring training and managed to steal four bases. 

Middle infield is already thin, and a player like Burriss can be valuable in deep leagues and NL-only formats. He won't hurt your average, but also isn't going to provide much in terms of average.

Brett Gardner, OF (Yankees) 

The announcement that Gardner will be the starting center fielder for the Yankees created a log jam for some, but showed the faith New York has in the speedy outfielder. 

Gardner stole 13 bases in 42 games for New York last season, and had 35 more in AAA. This spring, fighting for the job, he hit over .300. There should be some concern regarding his ability to do that over a full season, simply because we have yet to see it. 

If his average falls, the Yankees have plenty of people to fill the lineup with Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera sitting around. That's the concern, but the speed this late is a nice addition to a lineup.

Jim Thome/Paul Konerko, 1B/Util (White Sox) 

Explain to me why guys that will hit over 30 home runs are going so late. I'll buy an argument on Thome, but not Konerko. 

Konerko only recorded 122 games last season, and should be bound for more than that in 2009. His 22 home runs represented one every 19 at-bats, and just the additional games should yield five to eight more home runs. Availability in round 17 is amazing. 

Add to that, his average will not be as bad as the .240 we saw in 2008. He should settle in around .260 to .265 for the season.

Thome is another piece that could help the White Sox, is in a contract year, and still has the ability to slug home runs. Another late round selection, Thome brings power to any lineup.

Cody Ross/Jeremy Hermida, OF (Marlins) 

While average is a concern, power and at-bats shouldn't be for the two Marlins outfielders. 

Hermida seems to get me every year. He has true 25-plus home run potential, but his average will kill you. His age leads you to believe there should be more upside here than not, and he'll likely be available on a waiver-wire near you. 

Expect .250-.260 and 25 home runs, and you should be satisfied. 

Ross, on the other hand, is finally going to be given a full-time opportunity with the trade of Josh Willingham. He hit .260, but did bring in 22 home runs in 2008. 

He's not going to star for you regularly, but Ross makes a fine selection as an extra outfielder. He has 25 home runs potential with a far-outside shot at 30. Ross' average won't kill you, and you can enjoy knowing that you can find his type of power after round 20.

Alexi Casilla, 2B (Twins) 

Casilla has spent the spring refining his swing, and has said he feels that he has more power. Considering he hit just seven home runs last season, you can take that statement for what you will. 

Still, I harp on a thin middle infield. Casilla, therefore, has value in AL-only formats and deep mixed leagues. He stole 50 bases in the minors in 2006, and certainly has some upside in speed for the Twins. 

As he'll start at second base, owners should take note of the breakout potential that Casilla represents.

Other Names: Armando Galarraga, Jesse Litsch, Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Bronson Arroyo, Rick Ankiel, Mark Reynolds

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub Fantasy Blog. You can get your fantasy questions answered by sending an email to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.