| 0 |
Subject: PCL DRAFT RECAP
Posted by: judy
- Leader [7771722] Sat, Apr 02, 2011, 00:05
We have a request for a draft recap. Unlike the rationales, it is totally voluntary. Here are the guidelines used in the big boys league:
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
Non-managers are also free to post comments or ask questions. |
| 1 | Toral
ID: 29223113
Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 13:40
|
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
I wanted to hold off on picking an outfielder early and remember that it's a 4 OF league and the CI and MI positions are where people would be pressed to find players. Unless my draft position made Halladay a good pick, I did not want to pick an SP early as I do not trust any of the other "aces" enough to use an early pick on them. I wanted an elite third baseman. I wanted to avoid participating in the early closer picks unless, say, the last one in the top tier fell to me; the experts keep saying that early closer picks, as a group, never return their value. But I wanted to move in in time to get two of the mediocre closers with jobs and a good chance of keeping them if healthy. I wanted not to scream crazily or smash my keyboard when Seattle Zen took one of my picks.
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
I liked Stephen Drew at 5.14; I think you can draw a line under him and the rest of the SSs are a tier below unless you can handle Elvis Andrus's slugging average. I liked Markakis at 7.14 even though I was the first in RIBC to take him; everyone else had taken him by 8.16 anyway. Thornton I liked though Ozzie was still playing games about who was closing when I picked him; I had trust in him to do the right thing. (Why does typing that give me butterflies in my stomach?). I got Tsuyoshi Nishioka later than anyone else in RIBC. All in all I had fewer RIBC bargains (according to the RIBC consensus) than usual.
I picked B. J. Upton 1.04 rounds before anyone else in RIBC. Should have hoped he fell to me in round 5. Just can't resist those early OFs, but I did better than I usually do. There were better picks available than my round 22 and 24 picks of Demel and Morel.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
I like the teams of, in alphabetical order, airallnite, jeffg, and Sanfordors (by Draftime handle). I don't see any bad ones, which reminds me of the poker saying, "If you look around the table and don't see the sucker -- you're him."
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
The closer picks started late, which makes sense, but still surprised me. The draft was a bit slower than the traditional Judy draft, although I was in no hurry.
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
I would by a lot more diligent about grabbing good picks in rounds 22 through 25. I fell into the temptation to think "Ahh, these guys are probably going to be cut in the first few weeks anyway." I could have used another SP from those rounds, an R. A Dickey or Ivan Nova or James McDonald. Someone who, yes, might end up being released, but it's worthwhile to see how he pitches first. I was getting drafted out by that time, but I shouldn't have allowed that to happen; you have to live with your picks for six months.
|
| 2 | JeffG
Dude
ID: 01584348
Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 14:39
|
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
My drafting strategy as far as players I gravitate to is to 'pick towards the ratios'. Applies to both hitters and pitchers. Early I always try a 'best available' approach, then focus on where I need to fill in later. I usually try to get a top closer in rd5. I also wanted to get most of my MI positions filled relatively early. I decided to not forget steals in the early part of the draft, as I tend to do year after year. Also, as a change of direction from my past RIBC drafts, I decided to NOT go after the stud WHIP/K9 MRs as early as round 16 as I have done in prior seasons, and instead be sure to fill my offensive and SP needs first. Finally, I wanted to avoid injury risks.
I think I executed this strategy well, except for the steals part (as I repeat year after year in RIBC it seems). I'll struggle with steals if I do not make a trade or get lucky. I got 2 MI by round 7 (as did 4 other teams). With the closer run happening later than past history, I got a top closer in rd 6. I did not get a pure top MR as I did in the past but my rd 20 and 23 picks are proabably comparable to the rest of the leagues 17-19 rounders at that position. I did pick up a few guys who have injury history even though I earlier thought to myself I would not do that this season.
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
I like my Lind (12.07) and Zorbrist (7.10) picks. They were definitely drafted at a discount because of a rough 2010. Now need the bounce back. There were three players I drafted significantly earlier than in our RIBC counterpart leagues - Ortiz (rd8), Bedard (rd16), JD Drew (rd14). These gambles could make or break my season. Waiting too long for my final CI then grabbing a player I just don't like Loney in round 15 is something I will second guess, unless my late round pick Russell Branyan (rd24) gives me some bang for the buck.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
I'm not good at this, but quick glance I like Taxman, Sanfordors, and Toral. Zen by far had the best rationales.
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
After doing this format for 7 years and competing with some really savvy players, not much. Pretty much held form and no one made any big mistakes.
Like I said in one of my rationales, there were a few sleeper guys who pre-draft I targeted for later rounds who were plucked before we got that far. Not really a surprise I guess.
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
I really like my team so I'm good. Since I am posting this on 4/4 after Carl Pavano's (rd 25) Opening Day implosion, there is that.
other comments
I hope we get good league banter going during the regular season in our league discussion thread. Definitely adds to the fun. Also hope that everyone stays active.
|
| 3 | Nerfherders
ID: 347242717
Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 16:44
|
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
My plan was to get Best Available for the first 4 rounds, then hunt positions after that. I mostly did this, except I lost the 3B in the first round, figuring one would come back to me, so I gambled more than I would have liked in the 2nd round. I've never had a second rounder live up to the position in RIBC, so it has me a but worried (though so far so good with Bautista). The other aspect was being away from home for the last 7 or 8 picks, and having to just hit some queues and hope everything works out. I literally phoned in the end of the draft.
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
I'm kicking myself a bit for not taking Longoria in the 1st round. But Braun was still probably a value in the 9th pick. Furcal might have been too early in the 5th but SS is so thin this year. As I mentioned in the rationals, my draft success hinges on my 11-15 picks - Roberts, Nolasco, Walker, Zimmermann, and Aardsma. If those guys pan out, I am golden. Roberts is probably my favorite pick of the draft, with Walker a close second. The end of the draft was a bit of a nightmare, as my cheatsheet ran out much faster than I expected. I had no way to research any other players so I went to the dart board at the end. Still, I like Uehara and Walden as RP's this year.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
Everyone is really good in Judy's leagues. Case in point - in the other AAA league I could have picked Braun, and gotten Zimmerman and Uggla in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Not in this one. My cheatsheet of 50 or so players at round 18 was drained within about 4 rounds. These guys are good!
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
How late Roberts and Aardsma hung around. I had them pegged for 3-4 rounds and when I took them, it was the absolute longest I could have waited.
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
Besides perhaps taking Longoria with the first pick, I don't think I would change anything given the circumstances. This team is solid top to bottom, left to right.
|
| 4 | Seattle Zen
ID: 10732616
Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 17:23
|
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
As I said in my rationale, I came into the draft targeting Carlos Beltran, Josh Willingham, and Jason Bartlett. Only landed one of three, so that was a failure. If I didn't land Joe Mauer at number 45 I was going to punt catcher and I was going to wait until after 250 to draft a shortstop. I'm happy with those decisions. I wanted to land at least one top ten closer and I feel that I did. I wanted five excellent outfielders and I do, now I just don't know where to put them all. Note to self, know the positions by heart next year.
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
I like each of my picks after round 19. I am also quite happy with Carlos Beltran at 244 and Granderson at 141. If I were to do this over, I think I would take Teixiera rather than Holliday and that's not the appendectomy talking. I would still have taken Carlos Pena as my CI. I would have passed on Daric Barton and taken Nishioki instead. I also think I would rather have taken Josh Johnson than Jason Werth.
As for other teams, I also like Jeffg's Zobrist pick, he will need a replacement for that first round blunder. I thought there were some great bargains late 6th-early 7th rounds - Soria at 88, Feliz at 91, Bruce at 95 & Stanton at 98.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
I, too, like Sanfordor's team. He must have been crunching numbers on a cloud of Deep Blues for hours when it was his time to pick. He had better do well taking that much time...
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
The first closer was taken at pick 76. The SP run of round 4. That Jeffg even knew of the San Diego Padres and therefore took my coveted Jason Bartlett. I thought New Yorkers couldn't see West of Philadelphia.
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
I would probably complain about how long it was taking everyone to make their picks rather than keep it to myself. I was starting to get steamed. Some people would simply blame the steroids, but that's a cop out, I take full responsibility for my short fuse.
|
| 5 | dror
ID: 10831410
Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 19:56
|
Hopefully this will cover my lack of rationals...
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
I took the 4th pick planning to bulid my team around Tulowitzki. After that, I marked Ian Kinsler for 3.04 and planned to take 2 top closers (as I always do in RIBC, since I live outside the US and usually can't get hot free agents because I'm sleeping when most of the action is happening). Some hitters I marked for later rounds include Rajai Davis, Sterlin Castro, Nishioka, Chris Coghlan and Coco Crisp. As for pitchers I had my eyes on Ted Lilly, Coly Lewis, Derek Holland and Jeremy Hellickson.
Because we were the first RIBC league to start drafting is was very hard to get a good feel about were players will go, and ADPs/rankings from other sources are pretty much useless because of the unique settings of these leagues.
It turned out Tulowitski at 4 wasn't happening, so I decided to build my team around Votto, despite my usual reluctence to take 1B/OF in the early rounds because those positions are so deep. The 2nd rounds was a tough one, I was sure Jose Bautista would easily make it back to me, but obviously he didn't, and after some struggles I decided to take Mauer. Kinsler was there for 3.04 as planned, and I was more then happy to get Haren and Ethier next as they are both very realible options after the 2 injury risks. Next came the closers... I ended up with Nathan and Bailey, wich felt like a good idea at the time but does'nt look like it now with Nathan struggling and Bailey on the DL. I had Starlin Castro and Zobrist marked for the 8th, but they were both gone so I decided to take Cobly Lewis, by far the best SP left on my board. I think he is a terrific pitcher, and last year was no fluke. With Bailey injured I hit the panic button and took Hanrahan in the 9th... so far he looks like my most realible closer, so I guess I should be happy with this pick... The next few rounds I juggled between buliding my SP staff and a solid foundation for SB, getting Rajai Davis, Javier Vazquez, Chipper Jones, Gio Gonzales, Tabata and Coco Crisp in order. I was counting on taking Nishioka at some point here, but once he was picked I didn't see any value MI so I decided to wait on those a little longer. With Kinsler as the only MI on my team so far, I was very happy to get Yunel Escobar in the 16th, Danny Espinosa in the 18th and Brignac in the 23th, as all of them should be able to not kill my OPS, wich is basicly all you can ask of a late round MI. After filling the rest of my hitting lineup with potentialy plus OPS guys (Hafner, Encarnation and Laporta), I completed the draft with 2 hard throwing MRs (Joba and Wood), and 2 SP gambles (Chris Young and Brandon Beatchy).
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
Kinsler at 3.04 was a big thing for me, I would have been really disapointed if I would'nt have got him there. I loved the Harren pick, I think he is easily a top 10 SP, and I got him as the 15th in a draft where SP went pretty late in general. I think my trio of late pick leadoff hitters (Davis, Tabata, Crisp) are going to do seriues damage this year, and they allow me not to worry about getting SB in the infield since they (along with Kinsler and a few extras here and there) should get me to +150 steals wich is usually good for a top 5 finish in the category. Hafner and Chipper Jones are also picks that I like... OPS is just so important in this league, and getting 2 guys who can go for +.850 this late can be big.
The picks I don't like... I guess I have to go with the 2 early closers, for the obvious reasons. Also Vazquez felt like a weak pick at the time, and his 1st start only confirmed the doubts... I guess moving back to the NL isn't the solution when you are just not pitching well.
Generaly I'm pretty happy with my team... I should do good in the easy to predict categories (steals and saves), I like my power foundation (Votto and Ethier), my starting rotation looks OK, and for some reason I always seem to do well in Ks in RIBC leagues. I completed my infield very late in the draft, but made up for it with quantity, so in both CI and MI I only need 2 out of 3 to do well (Chipper, Encarnacion and Laporta in CI, Escobar, Espinosa and Brignac in MI)... if some of those guys end up with good value like I feel they can, I like my chances of having a strong year.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
I like Tosh's and Nerfherders' teams, both look solid all around. But like the others said, there really are no bad teams here. It feels like everyone knows what they are doing in these leagues, thats why they are so tough.
|
| 6 | TD
ID: 51116811
Tue, Apr 05, 2011, 12:21
|
What was your plan/strategy entering the draft?
Early Rounds Draft two stud SPs and the top hitters available. I don't think there are many SPs with a high probability of success. 2010 was the year of the pitcher. I believe hitters will make a comeback in 2011, Many pitchers won't be as successful in 2011.
Middle Rounds Draft some players at the scarce infield positions. I have been burnt by not drafting these positions until too late in the past. Draft a closer soon after the closer run starts.
Late Rounds Take best player available regardless of position. At least half these players won't be on my roster my mid-season, so it is not worth drafting for position.
What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
Favorites
Ryan Howard at 2.06 - I think he perform like a 1st round pick.
Carlos Quentin at 10.06 - I believe there is a good chance he stays healthy and performs like he did in 2008,
Do Overs
Francisco Liriano at 5.11 - When writing my rationales, I couldn't figure out why I drafted him with this pick. He didn't stand out among pitchers available, and I already had 2 SP. I should have drafted a hitter.
Placido Polanco at 11.11 - I like Polanco, but base on other drafts I could have gotten him much later.
|
| 7 | judy
Leader
ID: 7771722
Tue, Apr 05, 2011, 17:06
|
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
My plan was kinda loose as I was not as focused on this draft as I could have been due to my Dad's illness. I did have lots of lists and set up lotsa queues but they were drained quickly.
Basically in the first 5 rounds, I wanted hitters, 1 SP and to fill my infield with strong players so I went for CarGo, Posey who has 1B eligibility, Phillips (2B), Latos (currently on the DL) and then a phillie Shane who I think will have a good year esp with steals.
Then in 6 - 10, I needed to think about closers since I punted that category last year and to fill out my INF and find another starter: Broxton, Andrus, Street, Bumgarner, and Stewart (most strong 3B were gone by this point) fit the bill.
In 11 - 15, I was looking for a K SP, and to begin to fill out the MI/CI and OF slots: Dempster, I Davis, Ibanez, Omar (one of my favorites due to his multipositions), and Morse.
In 16 - 20 I needed more SP and to fill out some slots. Myers, Matusz (DL), Valdez (dumped -- keep forgetting his strength is DEF, dumped for D Murphy), Cain (NA to save $$$ so dumped for Francisco)), and Ross (DL).
So I have 3 on the DL so far!
In 21 - 25, I was putzing around looking for anyone who might help out: Lohse (had a good spring), Avila (dumped already for Inge for 3B as Stewart is slow outta the gate), Contreras (can you say closer?), Porcello, and Maicer another mulitposition dude.
2. What were your favorite picks? What picks would you like to do over?
CarGo at 1.05, Posey at 2.12, Phillips at 3.05 I only managed to grab/keep 4 Phillies (3 in the draft): Shane, Ibanez, Contreras, and Francisco...sigh -- too many people know my preferences...
I already did over Valdez, Avila and Cain.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
This sport is impossible to pick so I am declining to comment now!!
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
Despite Zen's feeling about slowness, I though the draft went really well with just a few hiccups. 22 of my picks were auto picks and I liked being able to set round specific picks.
I was amazed at how many players were plucked off my queues, some right before my turn!! I kept having to reset the lists. We are clearly a group that does research!
5. If you could start the whole thing over, would you do anything differently?
I am a little concerned about my SP's but the SP and RP runs were early and fast and furious and I am not sure my other strategy would have allowed me to pick up the SP I really wanted.
|
|
|
|
Post a reply to this message:
|
|