Did my first real draft yesterday to get a feel for live drafting since mocks on both Yahoo and FantasyPros are both unrealistic for the leagues that I play in. This was just a cheapo Yahoo Pro roto. 23 man roster with one batter starting at each position plus 2 Utility starting. On the pitching side it has 2 SP, 2 RP and 4 P starting. This leaves 5 bench spots.
My goal in the first 10 rounds of these drafts is to come away with:
speed
2 Ace type starters
2 quality closers
Kyle Hendricks in the 10th round
I love Hendricks as a ratio stabilizer. He isn't a great K guy but will accumulate them because he should give a large amount of quality ratio innings and get his share of wins. He is just a great addition to 2 high quality K ace types. You need as many quality ratio innings as you can get in these leagues.
So I reached the 4 goals I had out of the early part of the draft. I did plenty of ADP reaching and got the guys that I wanted. I was happy with it even though I got sniped on a few later that I wanted. The draft is just a starting point. Lots of league winning type players will emerge and by paying close attention during the season. I won most of my leagues last year with I grabbed off of the wire after the draft as my teams were littered with guys like K. Marte, Giolito, Soler, Mancini etc. who went undrafted.
So here is what I got. Time for the juvenile types to rip it apart and tell me how stupid I am
Drafting from the 10 spot.
1. (10) Trea Turner (Was - SS)
Was hoping for him or DeGrom but DeGrom went #5. I like to get my speed out of the way early and if healthy he can be the best player in fantasy.
2. (15) Walker Buehler (LAD - SP)
Needed ace #1 and I like him better than Verlander or Scherzer this year. Verlander hurt and Scherzer has iffy back and they are both old. Just think Bueller is safer and still has room to grow.
3. (34) Mike Clevinger (Cle - SP)
Big reach! Has 5th round adp. But only because he is nursing a leg injury. Came back very strong after injury last year. Fully healthy I have him as a top 3 starter even ahead of Bueller. If and when this season eventually starts I fully expect him to be fully healthy and I didn't want risk waiting for the 5/6 turn.
4. (39) Ketel Marte (Ari - 2B,SS,OF)
Love this guy and love the multi position eligibility. His breakout really started in the second half of 2018. He could up the steals too and this guy is valuable in all 5 hitting categories.
5. (58) Yoán Moncada (CWS - 3B)
Homer pick as a White Sox fan
But I have watched almost every at bat this guy has ever had and I think he continues to grow. I expect less avg but more power and more steals. He has been talking all spring long about stealing more. Some time soon this guy is gonna be a first rounder.
6. (63) José Abreu (CWS - 1B)
Very solid hitter across 4 cats sans steals and always under rated.
7. (82) Nick Castellanos (Cin - OF)
This guy should rock the casbah in a good Reds lineup and a very hitter friendly park. Getting out of Det is the best thing that ever happened to him.
8. (87) Kenley Jansen (LAD - RP)
Closers were dropping like flies and you know I LOVE my closers. Jansen declining but velo is up and he went to driveline in the off season. Plenty of save ops in LA.
9. (106) Héctor Neris (Phi - RP)
Closer 2. Very solid and should keep the job barring injury on a decent team.
10. (111) Kyle Hendricks (ChC - SP)
Already discussed. Love him in this spot and format.
11. (130) José Leclerc (Tex - SP,RP)
Really wanted him since he has that SP designation. I like to fill as many pitching spots as I can with RPs. He had and lost the job last year but should have it again this year with more seasoning. Even so he had 100 Ks.
12. (135) Kyle Schwarber (ChC - OF)
Needed power and OF and I really think this guy is growing as a hitter.
13. (154) Zac Gallen (Ari - SP)
Maybe the buzziest of all SPs this year. Did great last year in smaller sample. Could be great.
14. (159) Scott Kingery (Phi - 2B,3B,SS,OF)
Post post hype sleeper type. Good pedigree and started putting it together last season and can contribute across the board with lots of eligibility.
15. (178) J.D. Davis (NYM - 3B,OF)
Flat out good hitter on the rise
16. (183) Khris Davis (Oak - Util)
If healthy 40 bombs and I am short on total power bats going with more balanced types.
17. (202) Carlos Martínez (StL - RP)
Should be back in rotation and he can be very good if healthy. If he stays in the pen I still love him here.
18. (207) Jorge Alfaro (Mia - C)
Catcher. Hate catcher.
19. (226) Mark Canha (Oak - 1B,OF)
Decent bat with the 1B backup eligibility that I needed.
20. (231) Nick Solak (Tex - 2B,3B)
Good up and coming bat. Should play and likely pick up OF eligibility.
21. (250) Ryan Pressly (Hou - RP)
Love to fill out pitching with great K/ratio relivers who could also fall into a closer position if closer gets hurt.
22. (255) Emilio Pagán (SD - RP)
see Pressly
23. (274) Miles Mikolas (StL - SP)
Hurt but who knows by season start. Hendricks type low K good ratio type. Will likely drop before season starts for another Pressly/Pagan type.
Would have liked one more closer but they went too fast. Would like more power but will find that somewhere. Yahoo switched to FAAB this year so not really sure how that will effect me? I am always very fluid with the back half of my roster but they have zero dollar bids so it should be fine.