Fantasy Baseball Blog: Season Draft Special

On the heals of the upcoming season, many fantasy baseball drafts are taking place across America. In those drafts many high caliber player have been taken as the first overall pick: Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, David Wright, and even Miguel Cabrera.

Albert Pujols fits right in with the group already mentioned. My Blog League draft was no different. Pujols was off the board within the opening seconds, and two hours later I took Elvis Andrus with the 300th pick to finish off the draft.

It is a head-to-head league with 12 teams each having 25 players.

The league fills out like this: 12 teams, head-to-head scoring, 25-man roster, keeper.

Each week I'll be back with breakdowns of the matchups and other updates from the league.

disturbed1 (First Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Albert Pujols

Lineup

C: A.J. Pierzynski, 1B: Albert Pujols, 2B: Mark DeRosa, 3B: Aubrey Huff, SS: Miguel Tejada, OF: Manny Ramirez, Ryan Ludwick, Magglio Ordonez, UTIL: Andre Either, BN: Alex Rodriguez, Melvin Mora, Shin-Soo Choo, Placido Polanco, Mike Cameron, Michael Bourn

Pitching

SP: Chad Billingsley, Rich Harden, RP: Jonathan Broxton, Bobby Jenks, P: Adam Wainwright, Ryan Dempster, Frank Francisco, Hong-Chih Kuo, BN: Joe Saunders, Kelvim Escobar

Upon first glance, this team looks to be solid in every offensive category except stolen bases, outside of Bourn who could prove deadly to the team's batting average.

The pitching side, anchored by Chad Billingsley, is solid, but injury concerns hold the staff back. Two solid closers will keep this team in contention every week.

Asbury's Outcast (Second Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Hanley Ramirez

Lineup

C: Ryan Doumit, 1B: Derrek Lee, 2B: Brandon Phillips, 3B: Jorge Cantu, SS: Hanley Ramirez, OF: Nick Markakis, Chris Young, Milton Bradley, UTIL: Billy Butler, BN: Pat Burrell, Willy Taveras, Miguel Olivo, Jose Guillen

Pitching

SP: Ervin Santana, Jon Lester, RP: Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria, P: Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, Matt Capps, Kyle Davies, BN: John Smoltz, Dave Bush, Jose Arredondo, Shaun Marcum

No one but Hanly and Nick Markakis really catches your eye on this team. However, under closer inspection, every player except Taveras hits at least 10 HRs and there are five good thieves when it comes to the bases.

When this team came out of the draft, they had six stud starters. Problem is, four of them are starting the year on the DL. Two stud closers and another emerging star on the worst team in baseball will lock down saves most weeks.

Bad News (Third Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Jose Reyes

Lineup

C: Dioner Navarro, 1B: Justin Morneau, 2B: Jose Lopez, 3B: Garrett Atkins, SS:Jose Reyes, OF: Alfonso Soriano, Bobby Abreu, Vernon Wells, UTIL: David Ortiz, BN: Rick Ankiel, Delmon Young, J.D. Drew, Mike Jacobs

Pitching

SP: Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett, RP: Brian Wilson, Joey Devine, P: Max Sherzer, Matt Lindstrom, Chris Perez, Juan Cruz, BN: A.J. Burnett, Josh Johnson, Brad Ziegler, J.J. Putz

Questions for the Manager

1. Which one of your old-timers (Wells, Ortiz, Abreu, Drew) concerns you the most, drop off or health-wise?

"Honestly, I feel uneasy about Big Papi.  It was good to see him play in the WBC, but he wasn't getting the everyday reps that players need. I think it could take him some time to hit his stride this season. 

"Like he said, it's all about timing.  I passed up on younger guys like Lastings Milledge and Nelson Cruz, but I needed Ortiz's power.  I went with the proven bat in a solidified lineup. 

"I feel comfortable with what I am getting in Abreu.  He is a .300 hitter and he can fill all stat categories.  Wells is injury-prone and the wrist he had surgery on last year is bothering him still.  I am concerned with his health and he could be a risk throughout the year. 

"J.D. Drew was gravy in round 22.  He is a veteran and he adds depth in the outfield."

2. You were one of the few players who didn't take two catchers. Are you planning on upgrading/adding, or are you going to stick out Navarro only playing two-thirds of Tampa's games?

"Catcher is a peculiar position in fantasy. 

"There seems to be a new flavor every week.  I will be looking to upgrade throughout the season, whether that be through trade or free agents.  Navarro showed up to camp in great shape and he is coming off a tremendous season.  Catchers are always on my radar."

NYM No. 5 MVP (Fourth Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

David Wright

Lineup

C: Russell Martin, 1B: James Loney, 2B: Howie Kendrick, 3B: David Wright, SS: Michael Young, OF: Ichiro, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, UTIL: Edwin Encarnacion, BN: Conor Jackson, Denard Span, Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher, Rickie Weeks, Yunel Escobar, Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Pitching

SP: CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, RP:Brad Lidge, Jose Valverde, P: Joba Champerlain, Huston Street, Justin Duchscherer, Randy Johnson, Anthony Reyes

The biggest problem with this team seems to be the pitching staff. Outside of Sabathia, there's no telling what kind of production the starters will give, making the pitching categories a big question mark.

That could be improved, however, by moving a couple of the very productive bats on the team. There is no lack of power or stolen bases, so batting should carry this team during the season.

Dirtbags (Fifth Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Ryan Braun

Lineup

C: Chirs Iannetta, 1B: Prince Fielder, 2B: Dustin Pedroia, 3B: Adrian Beltre, SS: J.J. Hardy, OF: Ryan Braun, Jacoby Ellsbury, Nate McLouth, UTIL: Brad Hawpe, BN: Orlando Cabrera, Paul Konerko, Chase Headley, Ian Stewart, Jeff Clement, Joe Crede

Pitching

SP: Dan Haren, Javier Vazquez, RP: Mariano Rivera, Jon Rauch, P: Ricky Nolasco, Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto, Manny Parra, Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, DL: Trevor Hoffman

Questions for the Manager

1. You've only got two RPs on your roster, and one of them is starting the year on the DL. How are you planning on handling that situation?   

"As far as relievers, by the time I was looking for a second closer, few had much upside. As a result I just went with the sure 25 plus saves I would get from Hoffman, regardless if he started on the DL. In the meantime, I put in a waiver claim for Jon Rauch and when Hoffman comes back, I'll probably drop Clement. 

"Also during the draft, instead of scrambling for saves, I decided I'd just cede the category, and instead tried to compensate by drafting starters with high strikeout rates. If I really decide I need saves, I'm sure sometime during the season there will be another player that I can pickup."

2. You have two 2B with 20-plus homer potential. Are you planning on using them as trade bait or using them together?

"As far as 2B, I doubt I'll trade Pedroia, but I'll probably put Stewart on the block sometime in the near future. If anything, I'm more open to trading one of my 3B."

Doohang (Sixth Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Grady Sizemore

Lineup

C: Joe Mauer, 1B: Victor Martinez, 2B: Chone Figgins, 3B: Chris Davis, SS: Jimmy Rollins, OF: Grady Sizemore, Carlos Quentin, Vladimir Guerrero, UTIL: Curtis Granderson, BN: Carlos Guillen, Kazuo Matsui, Jim Thome, Elijah Dukes, Hank Blalock, Ramon Hernandez, Jed Lowrie

Pitching

SP: John Lackey, Carlos Zambrano, RP: Carlos Marmol, Fernando Rodney, P: Chris Young, Aaron Harang, Ben Sheets, Matt Garza, Phil Hughes

This team was the only team that autodrafted in the league, and you can tell from the roster that was put together. Outside of Rollins and the outfield, there are lots of questions at every position. 

The pitching also suffered from the autodraft. There are no closers, and Sheets and Hughes won't pitch much, if any this year. There's a lot of work to be done to drag this team from the league's basement.

WigglesPLayas (Seventh Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Miguel Cabrera

Lineup

C: Kurt Suzuki, 1B: Carlos Pena, 2B: Mike Aviles, 3B: Miguel Cabrera, SS: Troy Tulowitzki, OF: Carl Crawford, Shane Victorino, Jay Bruce, UTIL: Adrian Gonzalez

Pitching

SP: Tim Lincecum, Brandon Webb, RP: Heath Bell, Chad Qualls, P: Roy OSwalt, Jered Weaver, Joel Hanrahan, Carlos Villanueva, BN: Kevin Slowey, Oliver Perez, Jonathan Sanchez, Wandy Rodriguez, Kenshin Kawakami, Sean Gallagher, Dallas Braden, Armando Galarraga, DL: Scott Baker

Questions for the Manager

1. You have the deepest rotation in the league (13 SPs). Was this to win pitching on a weekly basis or to have some trade bait?

"It is a combination of both. I do not really see a point in most leagues of having bench players since on normal days, they basically sit on your bench.

"If you are a confident drafter, then you choose your players in an order for a reason, because you think they are the best and they are going to play every day.

"Now, I will pick up bench players if there is a minor league player coming who I think is a stud or if someone gets injured or if someone is having a nagging injury and gets frequent off days. Otherwise I feel that having more pitchers gives me a great chance at winning strikeouts and wins every week since I have the deepest rotation."

2. Do you have any concerns that only three of your batters played full seasons last year, considering that you have no bench batters?

"As I said, I will be adding bench players throughout the season. Mike Aviles didn't play 150 games because he was in the minor leagues. Carl Crawford is not a yearly injury concern so I don't think he will repeat his injuries of last season. Tulowitski is a bit of an injury gamble but when he is healthy he is a top five fantasy short stop and Mike Aviles is eligible at SS as well. 

"That way, if Tulowitski gets hurt, I will have a SS in waiting if I can't find anyone on free agency and can look for a second basemen instead."

LPD's Batted Balls (Eighth Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Ryan Howard

Lineup

C: Geovany Soto, 1B: Ryan Howard, 2B: Robinson Cano, 3B: Evan Longoria, SS: Stephen Drew, OF: Carlos Lee, Corey Hart, Lastings Milledge, UTIL: Alexei Ramirez, BN: Kevin Youkilis, Mike Napoli, Travis Snider

Pitching

SP: Felix Hernandez, Brett Myers, RP: Kerry Wood, George Sherrill, P: Dan Wheller, Rafael Soriano, Taylor Buchholz, Mike Adams, John Danks, John Maine, Ubaldo Jimenez, Mike Pelfrey, Chis Volstad

This team is one of the most solid lineups, with the exception of stolen bases. However, with Howard, Longoria, and Lee, every other batting category should be a struggle for the opponent.

Pitching could be this team's breaking point. King Felix is the only proven pitcher on the entire roster. If the younger pitchers begin to mature, this team could prove formidable come playoffs.

Junior (Ninth Overall Pick)

Lineup

C: Brian McCann, 1B: Adam Dunn, 2B: Brian Roberts, 3B: Ryan Zimmerman, SS: Ryan Theriot, OF: Josh Hamilton, Matt Holliday, Hunter Pence, UTIL: Justin Upton, BN: Kelly Johnson, Adams Jones, Mark Reynolds, Edgar Renteria, Adam LaRoche, Orlando Hudson, Jack Cust

Pitching

SP: Johan Santana, James Shields, RP: B.J. Ryan, Mike Gonzalez, P: Brandon Morrow, Jair Jurrjens, Fausto Carmona, Hiroki Kuroda, David Price

Questions for the Manager

1. Santana was your only SP who had a high number of strikeouts last year. Are you expecting improvements or looking to improve through trades/FA?

"I am looking for improvements out of my pitchers, mainly because they are younger guys like Shields and Jurrjens. Both could need a little help in the ERA and whip categories and I'm also hoping for carmona to come back strong from his injury."

2. Holliday, Upton, Pence, and Jones are all top guys. Who out of that group do you expect to be your best return, and which do you think will underachieve? 

"Well I'm thinking Holliday will come out of that group with the best return because he holds every skill in the essence of hitting. Unlike a lot powerful hitters he's also able to steal bases which I looked for because in the past I would get beat in that category.

"The one that will come out the underachiever I think is Jones because he struggles to get RBI and might not get many chances with the orioles lineup struggling and batting in the five spot."

Murphdogs (10th Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Mark Teixeira

Lineup

C: Kelly Shoppach, 1B: Mark Teixeira, 2B: Chase Utley, 3B: Alex Gordan, SS: Derek Jeter, OF: Jason Bay, Alex Rios, Xavier Nady, UTIL: Joey Votto, BN: Juan Pierre, Felipe Lopez, Coco Crisp

Pitching

SP: Cole Hamels, Scott Kazmir, RP: Francisco Rodriguez, Francisco Cordero, P: Zack Greinke, Troy Percival, Brandon Lyon, Billy Wagner, BN: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Erik Bedard, Chien-Ming Wang, Koji Uehara, Brett Anderson

Questions for the Manager

1. You drafted 1B/2B in the first two rounds, but waited until the later rounds to get your C/3B. Was this strategy or just the way the draft worked out?  

"I waited late to draft a catcher basically because I know the least about the position.

"Once the big name catchers were out I realized that there are 32 MLB catchers playing every day but only 12 teams drafting. I plan on picking one up.

"As for third base, I had a player lined up three or four times that was taken right before my pick so I couldn't pull a trigger on one until my hometown hope made me pick Alex Gordon."

2. CoCo and Shealy were late round picks from KC. What do you expect out of them?

"Coco might be able to get some sb's and hit for a decent average, basically a role player. Shealy was a joke."

Ransani (11th Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Ian Kinsler

Lineup

C: Bengie Molina, 1B: Carlos Delgado, 2B: Ian Kinsler,  3B: Chipper Jones, SS: Jhonny Peralta, OF: Carlos Beltran, Torii Hunter, Johnny Damon, UTIL: Jorge Posada, BN: Khalil Greene, Mark Teahen, Travis Hafner, Jason Giambi, Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, DL: Troy Glaus

Pitching

SP: Roy Halladay, Edinson Volquez, RP: Jonathan Papelbon, Brian Fuentes, P: Justin Verlander, Ted Lilly, Gil Meche, Mark Buehrle, BN: Gavin Floyd, Scott Downs

Questions for the Manager

1. Kinsler and Peralta are your only two starters who aren't over 32. Who most concerns you with a potential drop off? 

"The player that I think has the most potential for drop off is Carlos Delgado.  I think this because of his age.  However I'm banking on a couple more seasons from him.  I grabbed him because I wanted some power in my lineup.  I was going for Gonzalez of San Diego but he was taken already."

2. You took a lot of pitchers in the middle-late rounds who threw 200+ innings last year. Thats a strategy I haven't seen before. Is it something you tend to stick to or something new you're trying?

"It's actually a new strategy because I'm new to baseball pools. 

"I like the idea of a pitcher who will eat up innings.  I think it increases the chances for wins and strikeouts.  We'll see how it works out."

East Coast Bombers [my team] (12th Overall Pick)

First Round Pick

Lance Berkman

Lineup

C: Pablo Sandoval, 1B: Lance Berkman, 2B: Dan Uggla, 3B: Aramis Ramirez, SS: Rafael Furcal, OF: B.J. Upton, Matt Kemp, Jermaine Dye, UTIL: Nelson Cruz, BN: Matt Wieters, Cameron Maybin, Skip Shumaker, Kendry Morales, Elvis Andrus

Pitching

SP: Francisco Liriano, Yovani Gallardo, RP: Kevin Gregg, Jason Motte, P: Clayton Kershaw, Grant Balfour, Chris Ray, J.P. Howell, BN: Chris Carpenter, Jordan Zimmermann, Sean Marshall

Looking back on my draft, I went in with a very unique strategy. I looked to get a lot of five-tool guys.

I did that with Berkman, Furcal, Upton, Kemp, Cruz, and Maybin. In other players I looked for them to be solid in at least three of the categories, mixing power and speed.

My pitchers were where I really went for a different look.

My most successful pitcher from last year happens to be the first closer I chose in Kevin Gregg. However, Liriano, Gallardo, Kershaw, and Carpenter all look to be top 20 pitchers going into the season, as long as they stay healthy.

Zimmermann could be a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, and Marshall has been a strikeout machine his entire professional career. With my closers I went with my hunch on Gregg before he was announced the closer and got him late in the draft. Motte also fell very late and looks to be a potential 30-save, 12-strikeout per-nine innings closer after moving from catcher just two years ago.

Predictions

1. East Coast Bombers—Usually I don't pick my own team to finish first, but in a league this jumbled at the top, I've got to make a play for myself.

2. WigglesPLayas—Deep pitching will carry the team, but the bats will hold them back from being first.

3. Dirtbags—This team is solid all the way through, and a similar finish should be expected.

Leave your predictions and any ideas of what you would like to see me blog about from our league.