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Subject: RIBC 2008: Draft Rationales (Rounds 13-18)
Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 23:56
Continuing for the next six rounds...
Rationales for rounds 1-6
Rationales for rounds 7-12 |
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| 47 | Slackjawed Yokel
ID: 496252012
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 14:21
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for Taxman
15.13 Jason Kubel,OF,MIN
Kubel, regressing last year, is again a break out candidate. He has a big opportunity to grab the 5 or 6 spot in the batting order with Hunter moving to LAA. This will be his 3rd MLB year, yet just 25 years of age and still maturing as a hitter. Needing a 4th outfielder, Kubel comes with power potential and an OK batting eye with BB/K ratio around the acceptable .500 point. For Kubel to really breakout, he would need to plate 100 RBI’s. I think that is a reach and his final numbers will look like 80 R, 85 RBI, 10 SB, .350 OBA and an impressive .480 SLG.
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| 48 | Slackjawed Yokel
ID: 496252012
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 14:22
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for Tosh
15.14 Joey Votto,1B,CIN
Assuming that I can move Iwamura to MI in a week, I still need to be able to field a CI. Now, as I write the rationale, I fear I made the wrong move. Votto has lots of power potential, and flashed a .907 OPS in a limited callup at season’s end in 2007. Despite all his upside, it’s boils down to Manager Dusty Baker … will he do the right thing and play the young exciting stud at 1B, or the old boring [undrafted]. All I can do right now is hope.
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| 49 | Slackjawed Yokel
ID: 496252012
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 14:24
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15.15 Kaz Matsui, 2b, Hou
His numbers would be fine if it wasn't for his anemic slugging percentage, but that's the price I have to pay for waiting this long to pick up my 3rd middle infielder. At least with Matsui I'll add to my stolen base totel as he had 30 last year in Colorado - provided he gets over his 'anal fissure' (as rotowire calls it) that currently has him sidelined.
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| 51 | JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 15:19
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15.16 Austin Kearns OF Was
I thought about a 1B here perhaps Sexon or Overbay. Also considered Justin Upton based on perhaps picking up a dozen steals. Went with Kearns because he can deliver a decent OBP compared to many of the remaining OF prospects and should drive in and score some runs. Perhaps his SLG will be helped by the new ballpark. Will be happy with .355 OBP, and 80R and 90 RBI.
16.01 Pat Neshek RP Min
Maybe I reached a little on a pure MR not expected to figure in many saves. Being on a team with a solid closer with no health concerns in Nathan means no save opps. But then when I average some of the free projections for Neshek and see he is tracking towards 5 W, sub-3 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, plus gets better than a K per IP in about 70 innings of expected work, and I feel like I have half of a stud SP at a fraction of the cost.
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| 53 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 17:07
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for slackjawed yokel
16.02 Rick Ankiel, OF, Stl
Ankiel was of course the feel-good story of the year last year proving even failed pitchers can make it to the bigs provided they're willing to inject themselves with illegal substances. It looks like he'll be put square in the middle of the order this year as the starting center fielder. As I was debating this pick, I checked the boxscore for his last game to see how he's coming along this spring, and he went deep twice... sold.
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| 54 | Tosh
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 17:13
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16.03 ~ Tom Gorzelanny, SP, PIT
Entering the 16th round, there are only four teams that have fewer projected IP than I do … so I’ll select another SP. Entering only his second full MLB season, Gorzelanny is a hard-throwing lefty not afraid to challenge the hitter. He averaged more than a strikeout per inning in the minors -- 391 in 383 innings, but didn’t near that number in 2007. Perhaps he’ll do better in 2008. I’m looking for 3.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 140 Ks, and 12-13 wins.
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| 55 | Taxman
SuperDude
ID: 029463114
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 18:03
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16.04 Heath Bell, RP, SD
Bell had a career year as the set-up man for Treavor Hoffman, the 40 year old closer for SD. Hoffman’s age has everything to do with this pick, as Bell (a young 30) becomes the closer if old man time catches up with Hoffman this year. Even in the set-up role, Bell will pick up a 5 saves and 4 vulture wins, chalk up 65 K, a 3.00 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
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| 56 | dror
ID: 5283329
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 18:58
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for blue hen
16.05 Mike Jacobs, 1B, FLA
Ironically, I took Jacobs in G20 within an hour. He's more valuable there because he provides consistent value and is relatively young, but I'm happy with him rounding out my corner men. More importantly, he's got the slugging while Barton has the OBP. Jacobs is yet another solid hitter, which is a definite asset this late in the draft. I still need a catcher and I could use another pitcher, but I see some guys who should last.
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| 57 | dror
ID: 5283329
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 19:10
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16.06 Cameron Maybin, OF, FLA
Maybin is the main part of the package that the Tigers sent to Florida for Miggie and D-Train, and that says a lot. He has all the tools (speed, power, average, walks) to be a very special player, and it looks like the Marlins are ready to give him a shot as the everyday CF right from day 1. The bad part is that he is still very raw and except for a few flashes of brilliance he had a very tough time in september last year for the Tigers.
This is a true boom or bust pick. anything is possible, from a bad April followed by a demotion to the minors to 850 OPS with 35 steals. The reality, like in most cases, will probably be something in the middle, but I'm more then happy to take my chances on this kid this late in the draft.
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| 58 | JL
ID: 242291518
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 20:30
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for Dave R
16.07 Justin Upton, OF, Ari
With Stephen Drew in fold a few picks ago, I thought I may as well keep with the baby brother theme. I had originally thought of grabbing a middle reliever but the two top ones on my list, Neshek and Bell were taken earlier. Adam Jones was another option, but I opted for pedigree.
Upton's stats are eye popping in his 2 minor league levels last year before being called up to the bigs. With the trade of " undrafted ", the DBacks seemed committed to playing Justin everyday .Rotowire pegs him as an immediate 20-20 threat. I'll be happy with 15-15, and reports are that he intends to do more running hits year.
It may not be easy this year , but I couldn't pass on the potential. Just look what big brother did in his first full season in the majors.
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| 59 | JL
ID: 242291518
Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 20:34
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16.08 Dontrelle Willis, SP, Det
I had been targeting Willis for this round for quite a while now, and I was pleasantly surprised to see him here. I'm not expecting great things from Willis, but he's got a chance to win 16-18 games with that Tiger offense, and we know that he has shown in the past that he can be close to dominant. If I can get 16 wins, 150 k's, 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP from my SP5, I'll be happy.
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| 60 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 07:30
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for RoboGooRoo
16.09 Richie Sexson, 1B, SEA
In retrospect this was a bit of a knee jerk pick when willis went with the previous pick. 3 others chosen since my last pick were on my short list as well. I wanted to fill my CI with someone that could help my power numbers and at first glance I liked Sexson. I know that he had a terrible year last year, but I'm hoping for a rebound to his 2006 numbers. Upon further analysis, that may be overly optimistic, noting the 3 year regression from his peak years. There was one 1B taken later that I would rather have now. Honestly, this pick could end up costing me a few points.
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| 61 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 07:30
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16.10 Matt Garza, SP, TAM
Garza is a pitcher I targeted in the beginning of the draft. He’s got a great arm and just needs the opportunity to use it. I think he quarreled a little bit with Twins management, so I expect the change of scenery to do him good. I’m not expecting him to be a superstar. I’m looking for a decent ERA and WHIP along with a high K-rate and surprising number of wins (I like the Rays this year a lot).
I didn’t really consider anyone else here. Adam Jones did make it back to me, so I briefly looked at him, but I couldn’t justify taking my first bench player when I still needed two starting hitters and about 40% of my innings.
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| 62 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 07:39
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16.11 David DeJesus, OF, KC
I had actually hoped that Asdrubal Cabrera would slide to me around this pick, but Uptown snuffed him out 2 rounds ago. So next, I looked around for a pitcher here, but couldn’t find any that I really wanted – and many that seem rather interchangeable. So I’ll take my last starting hitter.
I need some runs, and would like someone who can preserve my team OBP. That’s DeJesus. Consensus projections are 95-62-9-.350-.410, although last year’s slugging pct was only .372. He doesn’t seem to be going as early as round 16 in the other drafts, but at this point, I don’t really care. He fits my need, and he’s currently the highest ranked hitter in my charts, as well as the top scorer.
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| 63 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 07:57
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for Bash Brothers
16.12 Adam Jones, OF, BAL
Good young hitters went off board very quickly, and I had to pick one before it was too late. Jones is young, talented, and in the starting lineup of Orioles. He can hit for power and average. However, he is only 22 and extremely raw, so I don't expect him to do much (That's why I chose Garret Anderson as a complementary pick in round 19). But it is very likely that he could easily exceed my expectation.
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| 64 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 07:58
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for coldwater coyotes
16.13 Scott Baker, SP, MIN
A queue filler who I could probably have picked up a few
rounds later. Gives me my fourth starting pitcher. He is projected
at 11 wins, 4.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP but has the talent to do better.
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| 65 | Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 09:06
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16.14 Shawn Marcum, SP TOR
I found myself in a similar mindset with this pick as pick 15. There was no offensive player I had to have, so I decided to take another quality SP. Marcum took a big step forward last year and I am hoping he continues in that direction, albeit with a much smaller step. He follows my overall strategy of taking SP’s who have low BB and good win totals. This I hope will keep me competitive in those cats. I should do well enough in K’s as well. I don’t have much else to say except that I wish there was a hitter screaming TAKE ME, because there was still some sleepers as SP that could have been had later. My thinking was to just lock up my rotation and then have less to research for the rest of the draft.
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| 66 | StLCards
Dude
ID: 31010716
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 09:47
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16.15 Juan Pierre, OF, LAD
This really goes against any strategy I've used before, having 2 pure SB outfielders plus Furcal. Seems people are really not worrying much about SBs unless they have one of the few that won't cost you in other categories. Good strategy, but I'm not going to let someone with potential for this many bags drop any further than this. I don't have to play them both, but now I at least can play the better one this year, or both at times if I decided that the SB (and runs) is something I need at the time and can absorb the other stat hits for a while.
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| 67 | Building 7
ID: 48033121
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 10:19
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16.16, Mike Napoli, C, LAA
I usually pick a catcher earlier than this, but it didn't work out this year. Don't know much about this guy. He's had decent OPS when he plays. I don't understand this flyball % and some of these new stats that are being used to prognosticate batting results. I'll stick with a good old hunch. I have a hunch this guy will do well.
17.01, Moises Alou, OF, NYM
He's injured already. He should fit right in on this team. My outfielders are aged 34,38,41, and 43. Good thing defense does not count. Alou has had over a .900 OPS in each of the last 4 seasons. He can still hit. But he only played 98 games in 2006 and 87 in 2007.If he don't work out, I'll try to find an .800 OPS guy on waivers. I refer to OPS alot, because I really don't break it down into its two components....OB% and SL%. I figure if I get too many that are better at OB%, I'll finish higher in that category and lower in slugging. It's not really worth keeping track of during the draft for me .
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| 68 | StLCards
Dude
ID: 31010716
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 10:35
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17.02 Aaron Heilman, RP, NYM
At this point in the draft I'm just looking for value or something that fits somewhere. My 50+ player queue from a few rounds ago is seriously depleted by now and I only see a couple of middle reliever types available. Heilman pitches on a good team and should get some vulture wins while keeping his whip low. There were some other directions I could have gone as well and seeing players that went later I probably should have taken one of them, but I thought I could wait a round. Wrong.
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| 69 | Uptown Bombers
Donor
ID: 035616416
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 11:08
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17.03 Travis Buck, OF, OAK
Good numbers last year when healthy. He’s a young player and worth a flier here as my 4th OF. Hopefully he can bring in 80/70 type numbers and 10 SB with OPS ~ .825. Also though about Jose Guillen and McLuth but didn’t think I needed McLuth’s SB advantage. I wanted to maximize RBI here, but couldn’t trust Guillen for a whole year. Guillen was a great pick up for me post draft and preseason last year. I figured to just thank him for that work rather than ask him to duplicate it. Actually, I owned Buck for parts of last year as well and he was good when he played, so now I am just hoping he plays more often.
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| 70 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 13:24
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for coldwater coyotes
17.04 Jason Bartlett, SS, TAM
I needed a MI. The potential 25 SBs are attractive but he is
going to kill my SLG%. I will need to be active on the waiver wire
for a better hitter. Maybe I can trade him in May to a team falling
short in the SB category.
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| 71 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 13:25
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for Bash Brothers
17.05 Nomar Garciaparra, 3B, LAD
Well, of course you've already knew he had a broken hand. I made this pick before his injury was discovered. Prior to being hit in his hand this spring, his bat seemed to come alive and the 3B job of the Dodgers was his to lose. He could have been a nice fit as a CI in my lineup, as I was expecting him to perform like 2006 when I drafted him. Not anymore. I feel like the Dodgers who are scrambling for a 3B. Fortunately, a 1B will also do for me.
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| 72 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 13:28
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17.06 Brian Fuentes, RP, Col
I wanted to take another starter here, but can’t find any that I feel confident won’t be back in the free agent pool by May Day. Pettitte was my leading candidate, but I figure I could find a comparable pitcher off the F/A list by mid-April. So instead, I’m going to bolster my relieving corps.
I want to find guys who satisfy three criteria: (1) good ratios, (2) strikeout ~ 1 batter per inning, and (3) possibility of moving into the closer role if the incumbent falters or gets injured. Some of the best candidates meeting those criteria are already gone. And many of the remaining ones probably won’t be picked until round 20 or later. But I’d like to land a few, so I need to get started now, since I don’t have three picks in round 20.
Even with a disappointing 2007 in which he was injured and lost the closer’s job in Colorado, Fuentes posted a 3.09 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP while fanning 56 batters in 61 IP (below his career average). Corpas has the job as the Rockies closer, but if Fuentes doesn’t get an opening there, he’s a F/A at the end of the season and could be traded by mid-summer. Only age 32.
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| 73 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 17:15
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17.07 Bill Hall, 3B, Mil
I’m excited about this pick. Bill was a 5th round pick last season and he proceeded to have a terrible season. He definitely had a terrible season last year, losing 125 points of SLG and 30 points of OB. There we some factors to like. His walk-rate increased in 2006 and he maintained that increase. That makes sense, he suffered a hand injury last season and those tend to sap a players power.
Another factor working against him last season was the position change. He was pretty awful in CF, and there is little doubt in my mind that affected him at the plate. Now he’s moving back into the infield. He’ll start at 3B, so after his 6th game I’ll be able to move him to the CI spot. The other guys I looked at here were Mark Reynolds and Jonny Gomes.
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| 74 | RoBoGooRoo
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:36
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17.08 Gary Matthews OF LAA
I don't expect a return to his 2006 numbers, but a repeat of last year would make this a pretty good SP4 at this point in the draft. He should give me solid power numbers with the added benefit of 15+ SB. However, this positive thinking won't stop me from buying some insurance later or looking for a hot bat during the season if he loses ABs with Hunter taking over in Center.
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| 75 | JL
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:37
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17.09 Luis Castillo 2B NYM
Castillo was really the only decent MI left on the board. He's hitting 2nd for the potent Mets lineup and he showed last season that he can still steal a few bases. He should score 90 runs, steal 15 bases, and get on base 35% of the time while destroying my slugging% and contributing nothing in RBIs. I'll take that, I guess. It's not like I have much of a choice.
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| 76 | Dave R
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:38
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17.10 Bob Howry RP CHC
It's been a while since I had address pitching, and even longer that I added any relievers. All the closers are long gone, as well as some potential closers in waiting. I had a few in mind earlier, but they disappeared before my turn.
The closer situation in Chicago seems still unresolved. A month ago Howry supposedly was the favorite, now it appears either Wood or Marmol will get the job. And Howry has struggled this spring, which isn't unusual for him.
At the least he will give me good ratios, average a little less than a K per inning and luck into a few wins and saves.
At the best he maybe I get lucky and stumble upon another closer
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| 77 | dror
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:39
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17.11 Nate McLouth OF PIT
Mclouth finished 2007 with 810 OPS, 62 runs and 22 steals in only 382 PA. He is expected to play everyday and bat leadoff this year, and if he can play as well as he did last year over 650 PA, he will provide great value here.
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| 78 | blue hen
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:39
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17.12 Kenji Johjima, C, SEA
You need a catcher, right? In my eyes, Johjima is the last catcher remaining who helps a fantasy team instead of hurting it. To get that particular guy at the last possible moment seems like a major win. I almost took any number of catchers earlier in the draft, and am happy to have waited this long. As for Johjima specifically, there's a chance he needed an adjustment period and is now ready to jump to the next level. If that's the case, I'll get even more value out of him.
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| 79 | Taxman
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:40
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17.13 Lyle Overbay, 1B, TOR
Overbay will start off as my Utility hitter and provide backup to Corner IF and 1B. I also considered Guillen, Headley, and Gomes with this pick. What cinched the deal is expected full time 1B job in a good Toronto line-up. He suffered a broken hand that derailed a career year in 2007. Thus he will have a cloud over him until he can show the repaired hand can delivery same BA and power as before the injury. Historically, he has been a high contact line drive type of hitter with a good eye and emerging power. If hand issue inhibits power, I hope that he continues to hit line drives for doubles and continues his career .285 BA. Realistic production, with out power, leaves probable .370 OBP and .430 SLG, no SB but solid 75/85 R/RBI production.
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| 80 | Tosh
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:41
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17.14 ~ Jose Guillen, OF, KC
He’ll only miss 12 games as a result of a steroids suspension. He’s a productive bat with a .355 OBP, .480 SLG, 75 RBIs, 65 runs, but comes with a complete lack of sexiness as a fantasy player. If this league didn’t use 4 OFers, I most likely wouldn’t have drafted him here.
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| 81 | Slackjawed Yokel
ID: 425869
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 21:52
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17.15 Gil Meche, SP, KC
I guess I was looking to balance out all my riskier pitcher picks (Buchholtz, Snell, Rich Hill) - guys that don't have a lot of history in the league, and get someone like Meche that I know would go out there every fifth day and get his strikeouts and maybe even pick up a win now and again. His ERA and WHIP were actually quite acceptable last year (3.67, 1.33), and I'd be be pleased with that at this point in the draft.
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| 82 | JeffG
Leader
ID: 01584348
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 22:23
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17.16 Brad Wilkerson 1B/OF Sea
Round after round I kept letting 1B go by the board so now I am scraping a little and perhaps even making a reach. Wilkerson will play RF for Seattle but has 1B eligibility in Yahoo. If he can get numbers equal to or better than the other CI drafted since my last pick or just after this one (Jacobs, Sexon, Nomar, Overbay, Reynolds, Huff) then I'll be content here.
18.01 Andy Pettitte SP NYY
I picked another starter who like my other three starters should be capable of hitting the teens in wins, although this one without as much benefit for my team in the other pitching categories. At this point most of the remaining starters on the boards are going to be in the 4's for projected ERA and the 1.3s in WHIP, so I went with Andy because he should get a more run support than the other options here to translate into a few more wins. If his elbow problems do return, it will not be a quick turnaround on the DL now that HGH is no longer an option.
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| 83 | Slackjawed Yokel
ID: 425869
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 22:41
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18.2 Mark Reynolds, 3B, Ari
I started to look at what my team needed, and I was still without a starting corner infielder. I checked who was left, and there were very few sure options. So, I decided I needed to get one here before the selection was even more sparse. I had it down to Reynolds and Headley; seeing as Reynolds seems to be more of a sure thing as far as playing time goes, I went with him.
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| 84 | Tosh
Leader
ID: 057721710
Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 22:56
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18.03 ~ Aubrey Huff, 1B/3B, BAL
This pick was made purely based on what I just read at Rotoworld. They say my 15.14 pick (Vitto) stinks, and might start the season at AAA. So now I need a backup CI just in case, and Huff is near the top of the list. He is Baltimore’s likely DH and clean-up hitter, and my new backup CI. He’s already been named “player most likely to annoy me”. Nothing exciting to see here. Move along.
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| 85 | Taxman
SuperDude
ID: 029463114
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 00:23
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18.04 Dustin Duchscherer, SP, OAK
Duchscherer is vying for a spot in the Oakland rotation after several years on IR and in spot relief. He has elite numbers for BB/K purposes which help keep his ERA @ 3.00 and his WHIP below 2.5. It has been a few years since he threw as a SP, but early spring results indicate he might pull off the switch to SP. My guess is that DD doesn’t hit elite numbers due to A's Defense and lack of run support. Still he should generate 9 wins, 110 innings worth 100 K’s with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. There is great potential for Duchscherer having a significant upside and a very limited downside. His history does not include sporadic blow-ups or abhorrent ERA/WHIP outings.
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| 86 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:37
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for Blue Hen
18.05 Barry Zito, SP, SF
Repeat after me, kids: Barry Zito, 18th round draft pick. How the mighty have fallen. Sure he's overpaid, and sure he's a shell of his former self, but Zito can definitely provide some value, especially at this stage of the draft. Sometimes, players are so overrated that they're underrated. Everyone says "I don't like that guy - he's overrated." Well, if enough people say that, you can start to lose sight of the value they do bring. Zito will pitch a lot of innings, strike out a lot of batters, and will probably have reasonable ratios. Looking at some of the other players who went in this round, this is a serious coup.
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| 87 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:37
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for dror
18.06, Ian Kennedy, SP, NYY
Kennedy might not be as hyped as his teamates Hughes and Joba, but he can easily end up the most productive of the trio, at least this year. While Joba (only 112 IP in 2007) and Hughes (108) are expected to be on strict pitch counts this year, Kennedy (165) appears ready to be an integral part of the Yankees rotation right from the start. He had great success at every level he pitched at so far (including the majors), and I see no reason why he shouldn't finish the season with 160-180 quality innings and end up with the most value out of the 3 young stars. Considering both his buddies went in the 12th round, I was more then happy to get Kennedy here.
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| 88 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:38
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for Dave R
18.07 Ryan Church, OF, NYM
I wasn't necessarily looking to add an OFer at this point but Church was well worth the gamble in round 18. Despite posting an better than .800 OPS for three season for the Nats, Church was never given the opportunity to play everyday.
Now with the Mets, and supposedly their everyday rightfielder, it will be interesting to see what Church can if he can get 500 AB's.
I think 20 HR's, and 80-90 runs and RBI's are within reach. Certainly worth a shot at this late juncture
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| 89 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:38
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for JL
18.08 Hideki Okajima, RP Bos
In retrospect, I probably should've taken Jon Rauch with this pick, since he'll likely take the closer's role when Cordero gets shipped out. Okajima was dominant last season, averaging nearly 1 k/ip and posting a WHIP under 1.00. 70 innings of dominant stuff was better than the 150 innings of mediocrity that I would've gotten with a starter here.
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| 90 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:39
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for RoboGooRoo
18.09 Mark Prior, SP, SDG
I wasn't really looking for another SP here, but I felt the possible reward of a great arm(when healthy) in a great pitchers' park was enough to warrant an 18th round pick as an SP4.
I originally had an RP lined up here, but JL stole Okajima with the pick before me. I had my eyes on a couple other RPs but felt that the group was deep enough that I could wait on one of them.
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| 91 | Flying Polack
Sustainer
ID: 378582811
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 09:40
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18.10 Jonny Gomes, OF, Tam
I did take my first bench player here. I think it makes sense, the only starting position I’m missing is SS, and the options there are just garbage. I don’t like any of the options enough to use a draft pick on for at least the next couple rounds.
Gomes is a decent player. He’s going to be above average in SLG and below average in OB; someone who could pile up the RBI’s in a surprisingly decent lineup. Originally he was pegged in a DH platoon. However, the injury to Baldelli, announced since our draft started, changed that. Now he’s the everyday RF. I like him a lot as an insure policy on Fukudome and Milledge. Plus, a 5th OF can really pile up the AB’s since he’s can back up 5 positions, even without major injury or disappointment I should be able to get Gomes 60 games.
The other player in my queue was Mark Prior. I had Prior ranked #2, so I still wanted Gomes first, but I thought it was funny that RoboGooRoo selected Prior at 18.09.
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| 92 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 10:23
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18.11 Jon Rauch, RP, Was
Rauch continues my current bullpen theme – decent ratios, decent K rate (albeit a bit under 1 per IP), and presumably next in line for saves after Chad Cordero. He had the dubious distinction last year of leading the Nationals’ staff in wins – with 8.
Will I continue to eschew starters while adding more bullpen depth? Tune in later and find out! (Even I don’t know for sure…)
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| 93 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 10:27
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for Bash Brothers
18.12 Cristian Guzman, SS, WAS
I felt I had a successful draft early on in composing my infielders (Hafner, Weeks, Jeter, and Wright). Unfortunately I held off too long to pick my MI and CI slots, which greatly weakened my lineup. In round 18, there's really noting left. I managed to find out Guzman was still available. The good news is he's healthy, doing well this spring, and going to be the starting SS and leadoff hitter in the Nationals' lineup. However, that's all the good words I can say about him. I absolutely had no idea what to expect from him.
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| 94 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 10:27
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for coldwater coyotes
18.13 Dmitri Young, 1B, WAS
A little disappointing that I am left with Young for my CI. I
probably should have picked somebody else earlier to fill this spot,
probably before I had picked my first starting pitcher.
My rationale was that when he plays his numbers are reasonably
good (last year OPS of .869) and when he gets injured I would be
able to find a replacement. But it looks like Nick Johnson may take
first base and Young is way too fat to play anywhere else.
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| 95 | StLCards
Dude
ID: 31010716
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 12:26
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for uptown bombers
18.14 Chase Headley, 3B, SDG
Besides the catcher spot, I had one more starting hitter spot to fill. Much like last pick, I wanted to maximize RBI potential. I also wanted some roster flexibility. Headley gives me a back-up 3B and he should qualify for OF soon. That is, of course, if he plays. In the 18th round, I figure it’s a good time to take a chance on a talented young player tearing it up in spring training. He’ll need either [undrafted] to stay hurt, which seems likely, or to beat out [undrafted], who hasn’t shown much over his career. I won’t assume he plays every day from the jump, but hopefully he’ll outperform those two when given the chance and emerge as the logical starter.
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| 96 | StLCards
Dude
ID: 31010716
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 12:29
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18.15 John Patterson, SP, WAS
I wanted Jon Rauch here but once he went I decided to add another pitcher. Patterson is no sure thing but worth a gamble in the 18th round. Says he has his curve ball working so at least there is positive news there. If he looks good early then I'll be happy, otherwise he will be dropped and I'll try someone else.
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| 97 | Building 7
ID: 471052128
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 13:10
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18.16, Mark DeRosa, 2B, CUBS
I've never been a big DeRosa fan, but needing a MI in the 18th round I love Mark DeRosa. Plus he can play anywhere except SS and C. As long as he doesn't get carted off in an ambulance again, I think I'll be alright. I may have two 2b for the Cubs if they trade for Roberts as has been rumored.
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| 98 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Mar 17, 2008, 15:12
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rationales for rounds 19-25
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