Everyone has their own personal goals of who they want to pick up in Sunday’s draft, and there’s a lot out there to grab.
Here’s my breakdown of what’s out there for everyone.
Starting Pitchers
Pitching is always a desire heading into the draft because unless you have a lot of young stars, you’re looking for a few top hurlers to round out your rotation.
Here’s my top 5 of what’s out there in starting pitchers, in no particular order.
Max Scherzer, Detriot: Heading into his third year, Scherzer, a former Arizona prospect, struggled a bit last season with the Tigers, but a trip to the minors helped him refine his game. When he returned, he averaged more than a strikeout per inning.
John Danks, Chicago White Sox: He was a keeper last season, but this year he was a free agent. Why? I’m not sure. He had career-best marks in everything, but ERA, which was at 3.72, which isn’t that bad. By June, all fantasy owners are dying to have a pitcher who has a 3.72 ERA.
Wandy Rodriquez, Houston: Wandy had a decent season last year. Unfortunately for him, he’s on Houston and wins will be hard to come by. But if you’re looking for a guy who will rack up quality starts, strikeouts and a decent ERA and WHIP, Wandy is your man.
Jake Westbrook, St. Louis: The Cardinals work wonders with pitchers. Westbrook started strong in Cleveland, suffered an injury and never returned to the level he was at. He was picked up by the Cards in the middle of 2010 and now that he’s been in the system for a while, added with the void left by Adam Wainright, he has a chance to shine.
Rick Nolasco, Florida: He’s a strikeout machine on a pesky squad, so wins will be easier to come by that Wandy Rodriquez. Nolasco tends to start slow, but he really gets going in June and just in time for the playoff run. If you draft him, hold on to him and don’t let him go. Otherwise the Gamblers will take advantage of your lack of patience. If you are patient, expect about 200 strikeouts, 15 wins and numerous quality starts.
Relief Pitchers
Because a lot of emphasis is placed on keeping starters, there’s always a slew of relievers available and they tend to go quick. With how volatile the RP position can be, once has to wonder if it’s worth it to give up a quality bat for a reliever. Then again, when you see a 30-save guy sitting there, you can’t help but think about how you can own that category weekly. Here are my top 5 available.
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati: Yeah, he tends to blow up every now and then, so expect some blown saves. But remember he’s closing for a team that has the chance to win at least 90 games. Easily he should get 30 to 40 saves this year. That’s enough to forget about the blown saves and the higher-than-normal WHIP that will come with Cordero.
Joe Nathan, Minnesota: OK, he’s coming off of major surgery, but it’s hard not to give the closer for a division contending squad the chance, especially when it’s an All-Star closer. If you draft Nathan, though, make sure you pick up a Matt Capps, Anthony Slama or Pat Neshek so you have the next closer in line, just in case.
Matt Thorton, Chicago White Sox: Sensing a theme? The White Sox will contend and perhaps win the Central, so why not take their closer. With Bobby Jenks gone, the eighth-inning stalwart Matt Thorton will get his chance to pitch in the ninth. Mark him down for 30-40 saves.
Jonny Venters, Atlanta: It’s another guy who will be benefiting from the departure of another. With Billy Wagner retiring, Venters will get his shot on an Atlanta team that should finish second to the Phillies in the NL East with 88 to 92 wins.
Jake McGee, Tampa Bay: Who? Well, someone has to close for Tampa Bay, a team that will win games. David Price and Jeremy Hellickson are not going nine innings every game and that means someone is going to have to finish off their quality starts. McGee will get the chance.
First Basemen
Nine out of 12 owners in the JimmyJam Baseball League have first basemen that the other three would die for. Names like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Billy Butler, Joey Votto, Ryan Howard, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Morneau and Miguel Cabrerra (when not drunk). So, for those three owners, it’s good for them to see guys like James Loney, Kevin Youkilis, Carlos Lee out there. But they may not be the best guys to get. Loney struggled last season, and Youkilis will be playing 3B with Gonzo at 1B, which means he could lose his 1B eligibility, so the last thing you want to do is draft a 1B and lose him to 3B.
That’s why the safe way may be with guys like Aubrey Huff, Derek Lee and Daric Barton, who had decent seasons last year, and Lee in a offense-jam-packed lineup may have one of his best seasons in a hitter-friendly park like Camden Yards.
Other interesting picks could be Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman, Seattle’s Justin Smoak and Houston’s Brett Wallace, young rookies who will get the chance to shine.
Second Base/Shortstop
The middle infield is tough, especially at shortstop. There, it’s Hanley Ramirez and Tulu at the top, and then there’s the rest of the league. So everyone is trying to find the next Hanley or Tulu. That’s been hard to find, so it may be best to play it safe in the middle infield with players like Ryan Theriot, Alexei Ramierz and Skip Schumaker. They hit for average and score runs.
Then there are the risks, like Jose Reyes, who years ago would have been a top 5 pick in a fresh fantasy league. Now he’s not one of 11 guys kept on a team and I project he won’t go in the first round unless someone really has a good feeling that he’s worth the risk. Other risks include the oft-injured, but offense rewarding Rafael Furcal. Marco Scutaro is just a fill-in in Boston until the future arrives, but he’ll likely play SS all season for the Sox, and surrounded by the offensive threats in Boston, he certainly will provide offense for your fantasy team.
Third Basemen
Let’s call it the year of the third basemen.
If you look at what’s out there, “Wow,” should be your first word, followed by counting off how many picks until you can get one — if you need one. At least five teams need third basemen and a few others could afford to get younger at that position, so I expect at least three to four third basemen to go in the first round.
Among the guys who could go will be Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, Mark Reynolds, Casey McGehee and Placido Polanco. All hit for average, three hit for power and two — McGehee and Beltre — had more than 100 RBIs last season. In fact, no lie, Adrian Beltre just hit a three-run home run in his spring training game against Colorado as I type this very paragraph.
Other interesting pickups could be Ian Stewart (power) and David Freese (average and potential).
Outfielders
The outfield is filled with potential players who can take your team to the top — it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for average, there are guys like CFs Marlon Byrd, Angel Pagan and Adam Jones and if you’re looking for power there’s Chris Young, Torii Hunter, Drew Stubbs, Carlos Lee, Aubrey Huff, Nick Swisher and Vernon Wells.
And of course, if you’re looking for speed, there’s Pagan, Juan Pierre, Michael Bourn and Rajai Davis.
The outfield is tough, because there are so many names out there and it all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking to get younger, you can go for someone like Chris Coghlan, who returns from injury a year removed from being the Rookie of the Year in the NL, or if you’re looking to hit a home run on a risk, Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon are in new ballparks, and Ben Francisco has been playing well for the Phillies in spring training.
I expect the speedy outfielders who hit for average to go quickly as stolen bases is always a category cherished by many.
Designated Hitters
It still holds true, the reasons why we shouldn’t have a DH position. The good ones are hard to find and it’s certainly harder to find 12 good ones for 12 owners.
Nonetheless, there are a few who will look nice in someone’s utility hole — like Adam Lind, Vlad Guerrero, Jason Kubel, David Ortiz and Travis Hafner.
Lind and Guerrero are by far the best out of this bunch, but Ortiz had a more than 100 RBIs and 32 homers last season and he’s been playing more in spring training to try and avoid the pitiful Aprils he’s had over the last two seasons. If that works, he’ll be a cherished bat from the get-go. Hafner also is reportedly feeling 100 percent and back to his old self, but he’s certainly not worth a high pick. Outside of Lind and Guerrero, DHs shouldn’t been drafted until the latter rounds.
Here’s my breakdown of what’s out there for everyone.
Starting Pitchers
Pitching is always a desire heading into the draft because unless you have a lot of young stars, you’re looking for a few top hurlers to round out your rotation.
Here’s my top 5 of what’s out there in starting pitchers, in no particular order.
Max Scherzer, Detriot: Heading into his third year, Scherzer, a former Arizona prospect, struggled a bit last season with the Tigers, but a trip to the minors helped him refine his game. When he returned, he averaged more than a strikeout per inning.
John Danks, Chicago White Sox: He was a keeper last season, but this year he was a free agent. Why? I’m not sure. He had career-best marks in everything, but ERA, which was at 3.72, which isn’t that bad. By June, all fantasy owners are dying to have a pitcher who has a 3.72 ERA.
Wandy Rodriquez, Houston: Wandy had a decent season last year. Unfortunately for him, he’s on Houston and wins will be hard to come by. But if you’re looking for a guy who will rack up quality starts, strikeouts and a decent ERA and WHIP, Wandy is your man.
Jake Westbrook, St. Louis: The Cardinals work wonders with pitchers. Westbrook started strong in Cleveland, suffered an injury and never returned to the level he was at. He was picked up by the Cards in the middle of 2010 and now that he’s been in the system for a while, added with the void left by Adam Wainright, he has a chance to shine.
Rick Nolasco, Florida: He’s a strikeout machine on a pesky squad, so wins will be easier to come by that Wandy Rodriquez. Nolasco tends to start slow, but he really gets going in June and just in time for the playoff run. If you draft him, hold on to him and don’t let him go. Otherwise the Gamblers will take advantage of your lack of patience. If you are patient, expect about 200 strikeouts, 15 wins and numerous quality starts.
Relief Pitchers
Because a lot of emphasis is placed on keeping starters, there’s always a slew of relievers available and they tend to go quick. With how volatile the RP position can be, once has to wonder if it’s worth it to give up a quality bat for a reliever. Then again, when you see a 30-save guy sitting there, you can’t help but think about how you can own that category weekly. Here are my top 5 available.
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati: Yeah, he tends to blow up every now and then, so expect some blown saves. But remember he’s closing for a team that has the chance to win at least 90 games. Easily he should get 30 to 40 saves this year. That’s enough to forget about the blown saves and the higher-than-normal WHIP that will come with Cordero.
Joe Nathan, Minnesota: OK, he’s coming off of major surgery, but it’s hard not to give the closer for a division contending squad the chance, especially when it’s an All-Star closer. If you draft Nathan, though, make sure you pick up a Matt Capps, Anthony Slama or Pat Neshek so you have the next closer in line, just in case.
Matt Thorton, Chicago White Sox: Sensing a theme? The White Sox will contend and perhaps win the Central, so why not take their closer. With Bobby Jenks gone, the eighth-inning stalwart Matt Thorton will get his chance to pitch in the ninth. Mark him down for 30-40 saves.
Jonny Venters, Atlanta: It’s another guy who will be benefiting from the departure of another. With Billy Wagner retiring, Venters will get his shot on an Atlanta team that should finish second to the Phillies in the NL East with 88 to 92 wins.
Jake McGee, Tampa Bay: Who? Well, someone has to close for Tampa Bay, a team that will win games. David Price and Jeremy Hellickson are not going nine innings every game and that means someone is going to have to finish off their quality starts. McGee will get the chance.
First Basemen
Nine out of 12 owners in the JimmyJam Baseball League have first basemen that the other three would die for. Names like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Billy Butler, Joey Votto, Ryan Howard, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Morneau and Miguel Cabrerra (when not drunk). So, for those three owners, it’s good for them to see guys like James Loney, Kevin Youkilis, Carlos Lee out there. But they may not be the best guys to get. Loney struggled last season, and Youkilis will be playing 3B with Gonzo at 1B, which means he could lose his 1B eligibility, so the last thing you want to do is draft a 1B and lose him to 3B.
That’s why the safe way may be with guys like Aubrey Huff, Derek Lee and Daric Barton, who had decent seasons last year, and Lee in a offense-jam-packed lineup may have one of his best seasons in a hitter-friendly park like Camden Yards.
Other interesting picks could be Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman, Seattle’s Justin Smoak and Houston’s Brett Wallace, young rookies who will get the chance to shine.
Second Base/Shortstop
The middle infield is tough, especially at shortstop. There, it’s Hanley Ramirez and Tulu at the top, and then there’s the rest of the league. So everyone is trying to find the next Hanley or Tulu. That’s been hard to find, so it may be best to play it safe in the middle infield with players like Ryan Theriot, Alexei Ramierz and Skip Schumaker. They hit for average and score runs.
Then there are the risks, like Jose Reyes, who years ago would have been a top 5 pick in a fresh fantasy league. Now he’s not one of 11 guys kept on a team and I project he won’t go in the first round unless someone really has a good feeling that he’s worth the risk. Other risks include the oft-injured, but offense rewarding Rafael Furcal. Marco Scutaro is just a fill-in in Boston until the future arrives, but he’ll likely play SS all season for the Sox, and surrounded by the offensive threats in Boston, he certainly will provide offense for your fantasy team.
Third Basemen
Let’s call it the year of the third basemen.
If you look at what’s out there, “Wow,” should be your first word, followed by counting off how many picks until you can get one — if you need one. At least five teams need third basemen and a few others could afford to get younger at that position, so I expect at least three to four third basemen to go in the first round.
Among the guys who could go will be Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, Mark Reynolds, Casey McGehee and Placido Polanco. All hit for average, three hit for power and two — McGehee and Beltre — had more than 100 RBIs last season. In fact, no lie, Adrian Beltre just hit a three-run home run in his spring training game against Colorado as I type this very paragraph.
Other interesting pickups could be Ian Stewart (power) and David Freese (average and potential).
Outfielders
The outfield is filled with potential players who can take your team to the top — it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for average, there are guys like CFs Marlon Byrd, Angel Pagan and Adam Jones and if you’re looking for power there’s Chris Young, Torii Hunter, Drew Stubbs, Carlos Lee, Aubrey Huff, Nick Swisher and Vernon Wells.
And of course, if you’re looking for speed, there’s Pagan, Juan Pierre, Michael Bourn and Rajai Davis.
The outfield is tough, because there are so many names out there and it all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking to get younger, you can go for someone like Chris Coghlan, who returns from injury a year removed from being the Rookie of the Year in the NL, or if you’re looking to hit a home run on a risk, Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon are in new ballparks, and Ben Francisco has been playing well for the Phillies in spring training.
I expect the speedy outfielders who hit for average to go quickly as stolen bases is always a category cherished by many.
Designated Hitters
It still holds true, the reasons why we shouldn’t have a DH position. The good ones are hard to find and it’s certainly harder to find 12 good ones for 12 owners.
Nonetheless, there are a few who will look nice in someone’s utility hole — like Adam Lind, Vlad Guerrero, Jason Kubel, David Ortiz and Travis Hafner.
Lind and Guerrero are by far the best out of this bunch, but Ortiz had a more than 100 RBIs and 32 homers last season and he’s been playing more in spring training to try and avoid the pitiful Aprils he’s had over the last two seasons. If that works, he’ll be a cherished bat from the get-go. Hafner also is reportedly feeling 100 percent and back to his old self, but he’s certainly not worth a high pick. Outside of Lind and Guerrero, DHs shouldn’t been drafted until the latter rounds.
Comments