With the draft in the rear view mirror lets take a look at where we stand. Going into the meetings we wanted to move some of our lesser contracts to open up new spots. We gave up some quality as the rounds we got not as good as their value. Still worked out. We also moved up from 2.9 to 1.12, That proved to be a big difference and will touch on that in a bit. With the draft we had a good amount of starting contracts. 3-4 SP and 3-4 OF. Also a SS and possible 1B if we wanted to use Morse as a starter. So with the 2 1st rounders and no pick till round 3 Our goal was to get a 3yr player and a few 2yr and then draft best available after that. It wasn't easy but glad I did..
1.8 Jason Heyward OF - With all the Mocks this was looking like I had a choice between Heyward and Rios. Already made the decision long ago I was going to take Heyward. He is only 24 and he knows how to walk. Which is big for our league. If he can stay healthy you are looking at 25/15 guy this year and well worth the 3yr.
1.12 Albert Pujols 1B - With my 2nd pick I was targeting 3 1B. I had Pujols 3rd best in draft and since I had no shot at other 2 I already came to the conclusion it was Pujols. Had an injury plagued season but claims to be 100%. He will be very dangerous if 100%. I see him as a 280 30 100.
3.9 Trevor Rosenthal - SP/RP Ok this is where my game plan of drafting best available got difficult. I was debating between him and Utley to fill my 2B before it got thin but I had Rosenthal higher then Utley. Looking back I do't regret this now. Utley is injury risk and not sure I would put a 2yr on him. I will on Trevor for upside at starting alone.
4.15 Victor Martinez - 1B/DH Ok so sticking with best available Martinez was passed up because he doesn't hit a lot of HR's or steal bases. Basically he is a weak option at 1B. Still he offers some good stats people are ignoring. He is batting 4th for a solid Tigers offense. Meaning 90+ RBI should be a lock and he hits 300+. A fit perfect for my team as a compliment to Pujols at 1B. Looking like a solid 2yr.
5.11 Glen Perkins - RP I originally had the 5.13 pick and with Mike Wagner picking in front looking for a closer Perkins was the last of the top tier in my books and he would have taken him. So I paid a hefty price to move up 2 spots. Glad I did as he was no question the best closer on the board. Solid last year around for his 2nd tour with Oviedo. 40saves and more then a K per IP. IMO better then Johnson or Soriano.
6.12 Grant Balfour - RP Never thought I would have taken 3 closers in forst 6 rounds but thats how taking best available worked out. TB has a habit of making closers stars. Look at Rodney and Farnsworth. No matter who closes for them they do well. He should get 35-40 saves with a K per IP. Leaving me with 3 RP with solid ERA/WHIP and more then a K per IP.
8.5 Rick Porcello - SP This was a hype pick I have to admit. All signs he will step forward and I took the leap they will. He looks to be putting it together now. Last year his K's improved by 2 per 9 innings. That and his 2nd half was a step up. I am expecting him to continue to move forward. Looking for an ERA around 3.7 and K's around 170.
9.8 Anthony Rendon - 2B/3B Risky pick here taking Rendon as my starting 2B. He has not secured the spot yet. If he doesn't do well in camp he could find himself on the pine to start the year. With my choices at this stage shrinking I had to grab him. His upside and future should be decent. Put on Mock Draft Site I am hoping for a 270 16 70/70 splits if it works out well. If not I hope my backups can carry me.
9.9 Tim Lincecum - SP This was my best late draft pick. Yes hes lost a bit of zip on his FB but he is showing signs he is learning to pitch better instead of just throwing hard. If he can master the art of placement he could have an ERA around 3.5 and 180-200ks.
10.9 John Lackey - SP Fell probably farther then he should because he burned past owners but nobody can deny his stats last year. He is now 2 years removed from his surgery he has his arm strength back. Repeating this numbers I got solid depth at SP..
11.9 Kelly Johnson - 2B/3B/OF Kelly provides 3 position depth and looks to be the starting 3B for the Yankees. Worst case he is on the good side of a platoon at least until Roberts gets hurt then he will start full time. Either way he gets 500AB's look for him to hit 20+ HR's. Not bad for an 11th rounder 2B.
12.9 AJ Pierzynski - C It took 12 rounds but I finally got my only catcher unlike some teams that have 3. Either way Boston improves catchers stats though AJ is coming from Texas and his stats were decent their. If he can duplicate I got a nice starting catcher here. I am hoping 15-20HR a 270BA ad maybe 70RBI. Not too shabby in round 12.
12.12 David Freese - 3B Starting 3B for Angels and projected to bat 4th. Not expecting some resurrection from 2012 but he has the ability to drive in 70+ Still backup depth for Manny in case he starts year on DL. Hopefully don't have to rely on him too much.
13.9 Stephen Drew - SS Solid season last year and once he signs will give me good value as he produces stats that would have been drafted 6-8 rounds instead of 13.
13.15 Jared Burton - RP Once again I get the Minny 8th/9th inning guys. He did well until he had some issues middle of the year but worked back into setup and finished with 27 holds. Will take that again..
14.9 Drew Storen - RP He is right now 7th inning for the Nats but there are rumors of him being traded. Would rather have him as a setup but if hes traded could instantly have more value closing..
15.9 Andre Ethier - OF Nothing special here a 4th OF until Crawford gets hurt or Kemp gets hurt. Took him for depth and hope he starts again.
16.9 Steve Delabar - RP He has a lot of K's and if he can be used in more high pressure situations he will offer me nice k's and holds. The future closer will one day get a shot.
17.9 Hector Santiago - SP/RP Hector has SP/RP eligibility and that is what I liked. He has walked to many in the past. If he can find some control will give me some options with team starting 6-7 SP.
18.9 Nick Franklin 2B/SS Ok this is my end gamer. Had him last year and did well until fading at end. Now he might not have a starting job but teams are asking for his availability. He is a former 1st Rounder and he was born where I work in Sanford Fl. Still if he is traded he has instant value if not hes WW trash for now. Like his future. 15/15 guy when he gets a shot.. Not expecting that this year though.
Well that is it. I did A LOT of draft prep this year and had a game plan. Stuck to it without reaching and dreaming. Overall I think this is a playoff caliber team but I also thought the team was last year and very similar so we will see.
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