#4. BONES (Bones)
KEEPERS: George Springer and Ozzie Albies
Bones wanted to switch his keepers at the draft even BEFORE finding out Bryce Harper was on his roster from last year. So, it's safe to say that he was a little disappointed heading in to the draft.
With all but two pitching staffs left on the board, Bones decided on the Reds with the fourth pick in the draft. I'm not sure I would have gone with them at that point, but I do have to say that they were the highest rated pitching staff on my board at the time. I just would have passed at #4. Coming back and getting someone he could've kept in Anthony Rizzo in the late second, and then a sleeper MVP type candidate, Yoan Moncada in the early 3rd, made for a nice start for Bones.
Jonathan Villar, Marcell Ozuna, and Salvador Perez were all safe, good picks with his next three slots. Justin Turner seems like a great pick in the 9th, as he was always the scariest hitter in the Dodgers lineup when the Brewers played them in the 2018 NCLS.
INITIAL OPINION: Bones' lineup looks pretty good, but Lorenzo Cain may be a liability using an OF spot as much as it pains me to say that. But no glaring mistakes or sleeper picks. Classic Bones draft, and that's usually successful.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Is Cincinnati and Seattle enough for starting pitching?
B-
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#5. ICE MAKER REPAIRMEN (Phil)
KEEPERS: Francisco Lindor and Jose Abreu
Hats off to Phil for the best team name, as Bare did not make the draft in person waiting for someone to come on a Sunday ($$$$$$) to repair an ice maker. I wouldn't mention it, even if a less believable excuse, but I am 90% sure Bare has used the waiting for a repairman excuse to miss a fantasy draft already. So kudos to Phil on the creative team name. Some should really take note (see above).
Being "forced" to keep Jose Abreu may or may not work out for Phil, but I am a big fan in his first round pick at #5, Jose Ramirez. Take away the first 2-2.5 months of the 2019 season, and that dude is a keeper. For some reason I wasn't aware that Austin Meadows hit 33 HR last year, and is now entering his age 24 season, so I now like the 2nd round pick and coupled with Paul Goldschmidt in the mid 3rd, I think he did great filling his first five lineup spots, even with Abreu as a second keeper.
As much as I like the Brewers, I am not sure I would have taken Milwaukee SP with his next pick, and then with trading his 5th away, taking Ramon Laureano next kind of represented a bit of a lull for Phil in the earlyish rounds.
But some picks I love for Phil are Jeff McNeil in the 7th, Alex Verdugo (11), Victor Robles (12).
INITIAL OPINION: Pretty solid team.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Is Milwaukee and LA Angels enough for starting pitching (see the trend?)
B
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#6. BAEZ BEWARE (Nick)
KEEPERS: Javier Baez and Gary Sanchez
Right smack dab in the middle of the draft with tougher positions of C and SS already filled, Nick followed up the BPA (best player available) by taking LA Dodgers SP and Aaron Judge with his first two picks. You could argue that those will be the best two picks available at each slot. I'm a littl bit surprised that Judge lasted this long, but then again, I passed on him...twice. If healthy, Nick might have one of the steals of the draft. The Dodgers featuring Walker Buehler now with Clayton Kershaw just a side dish, are going to be one of the top teams in baseball, so you can't go wrong with them at SP.
I really like Nick's next two picks in Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Matt Chapman. Sure they are both 3B, but we have a DH spot to use, and these two guys were great value when picked. Not having a 5th, and then adding Kyle Schwarber (defense doesn't count in our league) put Nick on a very nice start with what he had to work with. I wasn't a big fan of Christian Walker in the 7th, think the consistently underrated Edwin Encarnacion instead....but all in all the core of Nick's team is tough to beat.
I really like 12th round pick Jo Adell and 13th rounder Miguel Cabrera. Two opposites as far as careers go, but solid picks in their own right. I love Luis Urias' potential, and the 15th round was a fine spot to go with the next Brewer stud ;).
INITIAL OPINION: Nick will be making the playoffs for the first time. I was not aware he never made it, and have not confirmed, but Nick said he has never made the playoffs. That surprises me.
BIGGEST QUESTION: When does baseball start? Playoffs are in sight.
B+
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Saturday, March 28, 2020
2020 DRAFT REVIEW (PART 1 of 4)
#1. TIRE WORLD (Danny):
KEEPERS: Juan Soto and Kris Bryant
Danny takes over for Matt Bob with the first pick in the draft, as well as an extra first rounder. Originally armed with two extra 5th rounders as well, Danny traded one of those picks for Kris Bryant - to root for the Cub instead of keeping Jose Altuve and taking Max Muncy (Bill's pick in the slot). All three players had very similar numbers in 2019, and two is better than one, so Danny has to hope for a huge year from Bryant.
Anthony Rendon would have been my first pick if I was in that slot, you can't really go wrong with that pick. Gleyber Torres finished off a brilliant first round haul. Giancarlo Stanton is a nice bounce back candidate, and could be a steal at the end of the second round. That is, if he can stay on the field. Classic boom or bust.
Oakland SP over the Cubs and some other higher rated staffs that were available quite frankly, was a shock. The A's are picked as an AL West contender, yes, but over the Cubs?! Their pitching is outstanding! (might be a little sarcasm for another owner with the same last name). So, a big surprise there. My favorite pick for Danny might be Willson Contreras with the last pick in the 4th round. There aren't many high quality catchers available, and I thought he lasted too long.
With his extra 5th rounder, Danny took the first bullpen off the board and lo and behold it's the Brewers. Passing on the Cubs SP and starting off the bullpen run with the Brewers eh? I like the pragmatic approach. I wanted Luis Robert in this draft, but I didn't know where to pick him. Danny answered that question with the last pick in the 6th.
INITIAL OPINION: A little weak at 1B and 2B based on skimming the roster. Hard not to think about a guy like Max Muncy being added to this team, so I guess I am saying I don't like his trade for Kris Bryant for him to keep. Very strong at C, SS, 3B, and OF.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Are Oakland and Toronto enough to get it at done for starting pitching?
B
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#2 MILLER GENUINE DRAFT (Tom):
KEEPERS: Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers
Everyone knows about Mookie Betts and what he brings to the table, but Rafael Devers is a sneaky good second keeper, 23 years old and coming off an excellent year. The question on the aforementioned Betts, is how does he acclimate with his new digs in Los Angeles.
Tom didn't waste any time starting off the starting pitching run taking the Yankees with the second overall pick. It's hard to find any fault in that pick looking at the staffs taken after and how the draft fell. Ketel Marte wouldn't have been my choice for a late 2nd round pick, but it's hard to argue with the stats from last year. Hopefully for Tom, that was not an outlier. Adalberto Mondesi with the second pick in the 3rd round, though, was a huge reach. The five picks immediately after the Mondesi pick were: Jose Altuve, Yoan Moncada, Paul Goldschmidt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Josh Bell.
On the next turn, Tom nabbed Eddie Rosario and Michael Conforto, two very good, if not underrated players. Rosario might have been a better pick for Phil's second keeper, and Conforto is entering his age 27 (supposedly prime) season. Added to Betts, Tom's OF is very strong. In my opinion, Tom got good value with Avisail Garcia and Jean Segura. Both look like they will provide a couple nice pieces off the bench. His best pick of the entire draft might be C.J. Cron. According to my data, he's a 35ish HR guy in the 12th round.
Tom also used an extra 6th on a sleeper pitching staff, San Diego, the perfect complement to a high pick like the Yankees. Don't underestimate the Tampa Bay RP snag right after I forgot about them and took Oakland RP.
INITIAL OPINION: Replacing Adalberto Mondesi in his starting lineup with a stud like I brought up earlier AND Jean Segura at SS who is already on your team could have been a huge difference for Tom. It's hard not to get past that pick. You can also add Marte in the mix when I think what could have been. Jose Altuve and Paul Goldschmidt would have been much scarier to the rest of us.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will the Mondesi pick come back to haunt him by passing on possible MVP candidates at that spot.
C+
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#3 JOE BUCK YOURSELF (Steve):
KEEPERS: Pete Alonso and Washington SP
Steve was loaded for bear with the draft with an extra 3rd, an extra THREE 5ths, an extra 8th and 9th and so on. I don't remember only one starting pitching staff being kept ever before, and I was personally bummed about that. But Steve did the right thing by holding on to the reigning champ Nationals and their studs at the top of the rotation. Alonso is also a projected top 10 returning hitter for our league's scoring.
That nice base to start off Steve's team with all kinds of draft capital was immediately accentuated with Bryce Harper. I'm not a huge fan of his, but getting Harper with essentially the 27th pick, taking out keepers, was a huge boon. Coming back on the (semi) turn with Xander Bogaerts and Jose Altuve made the start of Steve's day an A+ in my book. However, I feel that Steve really nullified his extra 3rd rounder advantage with the pick of Starling Marte. In my opinion, he went way too early. Mike Moustakas and Miguel Sano were nice additions before the bonus round Steve had in the 5th...
I think Steve did well with adding at no cost: Carlos Correa, Philadelphia SP, and Yasmani Grandal. Getting a top catcher and a huge bounce back candidate in Correa, was impressive, and takes me back to the Starling Marte disappointing pick even more. If you haven't noticed, I really get hung up on reaches.
Speaking of reaches, Danny Santana was one. Eduardo Escobar five picks later, though was a steal. Also as of note Steve used his extra 8th and 9th acquired from last year's trades to take care of his bullpen. And Justin Upton was a great value pick in round 13.
INITIAL OPINION: Steve did very well with the draft overall, and added some extra pieces that we know he would with all the extra picks. I think he could have done better with the Marte and Santana picks, but that's really about it. He does look a little weak in the OF, especially after having all those extra picks.
BIGGEST QUESTION: When will baseball season start? Steve is ready with a contender.
A-
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KEEPERS: Juan Soto and Kris Bryant
Danny takes over for Matt Bob with the first pick in the draft, as well as an extra first rounder. Originally armed with two extra 5th rounders as well, Danny traded one of those picks for Kris Bryant - to root for the Cub instead of keeping Jose Altuve and taking Max Muncy (Bill's pick in the slot). All three players had very similar numbers in 2019, and two is better than one, so Danny has to hope for a huge year from Bryant.
Anthony Rendon would have been my first pick if I was in that slot, you can't really go wrong with that pick. Gleyber Torres finished off a brilliant first round haul. Giancarlo Stanton is a nice bounce back candidate, and could be a steal at the end of the second round. That is, if he can stay on the field. Classic boom or bust.
Oakland SP over the Cubs and some other higher rated staffs that were available quite frankly, was a shock. The A's are picked as an AL West contender, yes, but over the Cubs?! Their pitching is outstanding! (might be a little sarcasm for another owner with the same last name). So, a big surprise there. My favorite pick for Danny might be Willson Contreras with the last pick in the 4th round. There aren't many high quality catchers available, and I thought he lasted too long.
With his extra 5th rounder, Danny took the first bullpen off the board and lo and behold it's the Brewers. Passing on the Cubs SP and starting off the bullpen run with the Brewers eh? I like the pragmatic approach. I wanted Luis Robert in this draft, but I didn't know where to pick him. Danny answered that question with the last pick in the 6th.
INITIAL OPINION: A little weak at 1B and 2B based on skimming the roster. Hard not to think about a guy like Max Muncy being added to this team, so I guess I am saying I don't like his trade for Kris Bryant for him to keep. Very strong at C, SS, 3B, and OF.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Are Oakland and Toronto enough to get it at done for starting pitching?
B
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#2 MILLER GENUINE DRAFT (Tom):
KEEPERS: Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers
Everyone knows about Mookie Betts and what he brings to the table, but Rafael Devers is a sneaky good second keeper, 23 years old and coming off an excellent year. The question on the aforementioned Betts, is how does he acclimate with his new digs in Los Angeles.
Tom didn't waste any time starting off the starting pitching run taking the Yankees with the second overall pick. It's hard to find any fault in that pick looking at the staffs taken after and how the draft fell. Ketel Marte wouldn't have been my choice for a late 2nd round pick, but it's hard to argue with the stats from last year. Hopefully for Tom, that was not an outlier. Adalberto Mondesi with the second pick in the 3rd round, though, was a huge reach. The five picks immediately after the Mondesi pick were: Jose Altuve, Yoan Moncada, Paul Goldschmidt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Josh Bell.
On the next turn, Tom nabbed Eddie Rosario and Michael Conforto, two very good, if not underrated players. Rosario might have been a better pick for Phil's second keeper, and Conforto is entering his age 27 (supposedly prime) season. Added to Betts, Tom's OF is very strong. In my opinion, Tom got good value with Avisail Garcia and Jean Segura. Both look like they will provide a couple nice pieces off the bench. His best pick of the entire draft might be C.J. Cron. According to my data, he's a 35ish HR guy in the 12th round.
Tom also used an extra 6th on a sleeper pitching staff, San Diego, the perfect complement to a high pick like the Yankees. Don't underestimate the Tampa Bay RP snag right after I forgot about them and took Oakland RP.
INITIAL OPINION: Replacing Adalberto Mondesi in his starting lineup with a stud like I brought up earlier AND Jean Segura at SS who is already on your team could have been a huge difference for Tom. It's hard not to get past that pick. You can also add Marte in the mix when I think what could have been. Jose Altuve and Paul Goldschmidt would have been much scarier to the rest of us.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will the Mondesi pick come back to haunt him by passing on possible MVP candidates at that spot.
C+
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#3 JOE BUCK YOURSELF (Steve):
KEEPERS: Pete Alonso and Washington SP
Steve was loaded for bear with the draft with an extra 3rd, an extra THREE 5ths, an extra 8th and 9th and so on. I don't remember only one starting pitching staff being kept ever before, and I was personally bummed about that. But Steve did the right thing by holding on to the reigning champ Nationals and their studs at the top of the rotation. Alonso is also a projected top 10 returning hitter for our league's scoring.
That nice base to start off Steve's team with all kinds of draft capital was immediately accentuated with Bryce Harper. I'm not a huge fan of his, but getting Harper with essentially the 27th pick, taking out keepers, was a huge boon. Coming back on the (semi) turn with Xander Bogaerts and Jose Altuve made the start of Steve's day an A+ in my book. However, I feel that Steve really nullified his extra 3rd rounder advantage with the pick of Starling Marte. In my opinion, he went way too early. Mike Moustakas and Miguel Sano were nice additions before the bonus round Steve had in the 5th...
I think Steve did well with adding at no cost: Carlos Correa, Philadelphia SP, and Yasmani Grandal. Getting a top catcher and a huge bounce back candidate in Correa, was impressive, and takes me back to the Starling Marte disappointing pick even more. If you haven't noticed, I really get hung up on reaches.
Speaking of reaches, Danny Santana was one. Eduardo Escobar five picks later, though was a steal. Also as of note Steve used his extra 8th and 9th acquired from last year's trades to take care of his bullpen. And Justin Upton was a great value pick in round 13.
INITIAL OPINION: Steve did very well with the draft overall, and added some extra pieces that we know he would with all the extra picks. I think he could have done better with the Marte and Santana picks, but that's really about it. He does look a little weak in the OF, especially after having all those extra picks.
BIGGEST QUESTION: When will baseball season start? Steve is ready with a contender.
A-
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Monday, March 2, 2020
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