The 2024 JLB Draft Opens Early

Cory Nidoh is officially on board in the JLB. 

The clock struck nine and he jumped in to make the 1-1 pick to open the 2024 JLB Draft, and it was ... Ian Happ.

Yes, Ian Happ, who was literally on that half-ass PDF I posted that showed the ... let's call them interesting ... first and second overall picks from the last seven years.

Happ is now the only player to be selected in the top 2 twice during the Fantrax era of the JLB.

With Carlos Correa, who Cory dropped to the draft, going second overall to Quad Eh, this also marks the first time since that 2017 draft that two position players have gone 1-2.

Eight starting pitchers have gone either one or two over that stretch, and one infamous relief pitcher.

Happ is a far better selection than the aforementioned pitchers. He is 29 and batted .249 with 21 HRs and 84 RBIs a year ago, but the 99 walks from last season had to be the eye-popping stat for the Tots. Only Ryan Noda was also projected to have 90-plus in the player pool.

The Gamblers selected Happ seven years ago and the young rookie came up and homered in his debut. 

Now, will he be a home run selection for Cory in his JLB Draft debut? Only time will tell.

As mentioned, the man who loves OBP and guys who walk a ton, Quad Eh, had the second pick and he was quick to snag Carlos Correa.

I was excited to see Correa in the draft pool, but figured he wouldn't last long. There's still potential for great fantasy numbers, especially if he is fully healthy again, so I think this is a great selection.

But ... yes, a but ... what the hell is Quad going to do with another middle infielder? He's hoarding them!

Actually, at second glance, I can see he's moved Alec Bohm to first base, which leaves 3B open for Gunnar Henderson, thus opening up SS for Correa. That's not too bad a plan.

Now he just has to figure out what to do with his wheelbarrow of second baseman.

And lastly, for the opening night of the 2024 JLB Draft, the Main Line Gamblers selected Yu Darvish because I guess he wanted something to do on March 20 when the Padres and Dodgers open the season.

The 37-year-old is coming off his worst season to date. He posted a career-worst 4.56 ERA (in seasons where he pitched at least 70 innings) and a career-worst 1.298 WHIP.

The writing may be on the wall for Darvish, but the Gamblers are taking the gamble.

And you know it's a big gamble when Jim Vaughn let him go to the draft. It's not often JV let's a 37-year-old (or older) player just escape for free.

The draft will resume at some point before 9 (because that is when the Sex Panthers will run out of time). She's picking fourth after having the No. 1 overall selection in two of three years. There's less pressure now that Parker saved her from drafting the oldest and highest-rated pitcher on the board.

Got'yu!