{"id":3461,"date":"2011-04-02T22:00:32","date_gmt":"2011-04-03T03:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/?p=3461"},"modified":"2011-04-02T22:14:37","modified_gmt":"2011-04-03T03:14:37","slug":"griffs-fantasy-draft-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/archives\/3461","title":{"rendered":"Griff’s Fantasy Draft Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After reading Dee\u2019s write-up of his draft picks, I would like to add my own review of the Denslow Cup 2011 draft.\u00a0 Before we get into my picks and reasoning, let me tell you this: the league is filled with nerds, and playing in an OBP league drastically changes the way our draft goes as compared to other 5×5 leagues.\u00a0 The draft was highly competitive, and was fantastic.\u00a0 As Dee mentioned in his article<\/a>, he and I gathered with a couple friends of the league, shared some suds and BBQ, and had our spring Christmas.\u00a0 Just as with Christmas, entering draft day you never know what you are going to get.\u00a0 By the end of it, you got a ton of stuff (or guys) and now it is time to see how it all works out.\u00a0 I am incredibly optimistic about this year\u2019s squad, So Fresh \u2018n So Sheen Sheen, and where we can finish.\u00a0 Last year was a debacle, with me finishing 13th<\/sup> out of 16 teams.\u00a0 This year we shaved 4 teams, and the rosters are representative of that.\u00a0 So, without further ado, I present to you a team flowing with tiger\u2019s blood and bi-winning, and that is about to right all the wrongs of 2010: So Fresh \u2018n So Sheen Sheen.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Round 1 (10th<\/sup> overall)- Joey Votto<\/a><\/strong> 1B<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was not the guy I expected to go with, at all.\u00a0 But, when you are given lemons, you make lemonade.\u00a0 With Votto being the OBP machine he is \u2013 plus he contributes across the board \u2013 this is not a bad 1st<\/sup> round pick.\u00a0 He will anchor my offense and there are no health concerns; both things you must have in your first overall pick.<\/p>\n

Round 2 (15th<\/sup> overall)- Tim Lincecum<\/a><\/strong> SP<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have been saying since the last day of the fantasy season last year that I was going to take Lincecum, even if I had to do it in the first round.\u00a0 Now I have never ever drafted a pitcher before the 6th<\/sup> round in my life.\u00a0 Seriously.\u00a0 With the depth at SP this year you think I would have held strong to this practice.\u00a0 But, this is fantasy.\u00a0 If there is somebody you want on your team and he will not be there later, then go get him. Damnit!\u00a0 Lincecum is my favorite pitcher, with what I deem to be near perfect mechanics.\u00a0 He has stuff that makes hitters look dumb and he generates a ton of swings and misses.\u00a0 With two categories that depend on a pitcher\u2019s ability to strike guys out, this ace of my staff works out perfectly.<\/p>\n

Round 3 (34th<\/sup> overall)- Jason Heyward<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

This was not my plan.\u00a0 I am usually afraid to take sophomores coming off amazing rookie years.\u00a0 Heyward is different.\u00a0 Also, guys like Josh Hamilton<\/a><\/strong>, Nelson Cruz<\/a><\/strong>, Ryan Braun<\/a><\/strong>, Justin Upton<\/a><\/strong> (JUpton), Matt Holliday<\/a><\/strong>, and Shin-Soo Choo<\/a><\/strong> were all off the board.\u00a0 When picking outfielders I always like to get a guy that can contribute across the board early.\u00a0 I still could have gone Andrew McCutchen<\/a><\/strong> or Jayson Werth<\/a><\/strong> here, but I don\u2019t mind waiting until late in the draft to secure stolen bases, and I see Werth and Heyward as being nearly equal.\u00a0 Go with the higher upside of a younger guy.<\/p>\n

Round 4 (39th<\/sup> overall)- Dan Uggla<\/a><\/strong> 2B<\/strong><\/p>\n

At this point in the draft I know that I am yet to sure up any of the talent-scarce positions on the field.\u00a0 With Uggla, I am making sure of 30 bombs and an average that I am sure will be .270+, and that makes me happy.\u00a0 Ian Kinsler<\/a><\/strong> and Dustin Pedroia<\/a><\/strong> were already off the board, so I considered making a move for Brandon Phillips<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Instead, I went with Uggla because I had Phillips last year and he left a salty taste in my mouth trying to play through that injury down the stretch and sending my team outside of the top 10 with him.<\/p>\n

Round 5 (58th<\/sup> overall)- Michael Young<\/a><\/strong> 3B<\/strong><\/p>\n

3B is another position that I feel takes a huge drop off after the 2nd<\/sup> tier of guys.\u00a0 At this point in the draft almost all of the top two tiers of 3B were gone.\u00a0 Young is not a pretty guy, but he is on base all the time, and he\u2019s never given me a reason to think he will throw a temper tantrum about his situation in Arlington \u2013\u00a0 and I need a 3B bad.\u00a0 I sure up the hot corner with a consistent performer.\u00a0 I am happy.<\/p>\n

Round 6 (63rd<\/sup> overall)- Andre Ethier<\/a><\/strong> OF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Normally this is where I go grab a pitcher.\u00a0 But after my 2nd<\/sup> round pick I did not really need one here.\u00a0 Instead, I opted for Ethier.\u00a0 I am a huge fan of the Dodgers\u2019 right fielder, especially because he is a LH hitter who rakes against LHP.\u00a0 I also rode the Andre train until his injury last year.\u00a0 Lightning doesn\u2019t strike the same spot twice, but it does hit very close.\u00a0 Here is to hoping that I catch the 2nd<\/sup> strike of lighting and bottle it up.<\/p>\n

Round 7 (82nd<\/sup> overall)- Alexei Ramirez<\/a><\/strong> SS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortstop is obviously the shallowest talent pool this year.\u00a0 After Hanley Ramirez<\/a><\/strong> and Troy Tulowitzki<\/a><\/strong>, there are a number of question marks.\u00a0 What will Jose Reyes<\/a><\/strong> and Derek Jeter<\/a><\/strong> be like this year? I had made sure to target Alexei around the 8th<\/sup> round, but with fellow writer (and ChiSox fan) Arlo needing a SS and picking before my 8th<\/sup> round pick, I decided not to risk it.\u00a0 The drop after Ramirez here was too great to take any chances.<\/p>\n

Round 8 (87th<\/sup> overall)- Yovanni Gallardo SP<\/strong><\/p>\n

This might be the pick that wins me the league.\u00a0 To think that I got a pitcher who has a shot at 200 strikeouts and a 3.20 ERA (or lower) has me salivating.\u00a0 Plus he pitches in the NL Central, meaning he will have his fair share of opportunities to throw against the Pirates and the Astros.\u00a0 I like Gallardo better than Zack Grienke and feel like I acquired a legit number 1 in the 8th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 Go me.<\/p>\n

Round 9 (106th<\/sup> overall)- Brett Gardner<\/a><\/strong> OF<\/strong><\/p>\n

By this point, I realize just how much speed my team is really lacking.\u00a0 I had my eyes on 3 guys to go after with my next 4 picks.\u00a0 Michael Bourn<\/a><\/strong>, my first choice, went the pick right before me.\u00a0 I took Gardner because he and Bourn are almost the same player; he will be hitting at the top of the Yankee lineup this year, and you know he is good for 40 SB\u2019s and 100+ runs.<\/p>\n

Round 10 (111th<\/sup> overall)- Drew Stubbs<\/a><\/strong> OF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Really?\u00a0 A 20 HR 30 SB guy in the 10th<\/sup> round?\u00a0 Yes please.\u00a0 Again, being starved for stolen bases, my need sort of dictated my pick here.\u00a0 Sure Stubbs is going to hurt my average, but that is not why you go get the guy.\u00a0 I have enough high average hitters already to help compensate there.\u00a0 And, what is not to like about a 20\/30 guy right here?<\/p>\n

Round 11 (130th<\/sup> overall)- J. J. Putz RP<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first closer off the board.\u00a0 After last years draft where I decided to try and bang (punt) saves altogether, I decided that I needed to leave this draft with two if not three closers.\u00a0 Putz has a relatively safe job out there in PHX, and I like his stuff.\u00a0 I was looking for bargains here and found one.\u00a0 30+ saves with a K\/9 of almost 10 has me liking this pick.<\/p>\n

Round 12 (135th<\/sup> overall)- Ricky Nolasco<\/a><\/strong> SP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nolasco was my pick to win the NL Cy Young last year.\u00a0 This year I have him as being right around the 10th<\/sup> best pitcher in the NL.\u00a0 With a K\/BB ratio somewhere around 4, and approximately 185 K\u2019s, I think I could have done much worse with my 12th<\/sup> round pick.\u00a0 I see Nolasco as being the type of 3rd<\/sup> starter that catapults my pitching staff into the top 3 of this league by the end of the season.<\/p>\n

Round 13 (154th<\/sup> overall)- Josh Beckett<\/a><\/strong> SP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having Lincecum and Gallardo as my 1 and 2 SP\u2019s really allows me to take some risks with the rest of my staff.\u00a0 That is noticed here by my selection of Mr. Beckett.\u00a0 Again, I am thinking that Josh has a very high ceiling as a bounce-back candidate.\u00a0 He may be starting the season off as the number 4 in Boston\u2019s rotation, but he will easily outperform that.\u00a0 170 K\u2019s and a chance at 13 wins is all I needed to pull the trigger on this one.<\/p>\n

Round 14 (159th<\/sup> overall)- Brad Lidge<\/a><\/strong> RP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now as an Astros fan, one would think that I would stay away from this guy.\u00a0 But, as I noted before, I wanted to get at least two closers that I could get for a bargain price.\u00a0 Lidge has truly dominant stuff.\u00a0 And to be honest, his place at the back end of the bullpen is pretty safe.\u00a0 (Note, now that I have heard about how much time Lidge is missing, I am kicking myself for taking him instead of Frank Francisco<\/a><\/strong> who went two picks later.)<\/p>\n

Round 15 (178th<\/sup> overall)- Brandon Lyon<\/a><\/strong> RP<\/strong><\/p>\n

After first making this pick I was LMAO; I made jokes about him as a closer<\/a>.\u00a0 But upon further review I think this is actually a pretty good pick up.\u00a0 He will get me about 28 saves with an ERA at about 3.55, has one of the safest jobs in the league, and he is a Houston Astro.\u00a0 (Being the diehard \u2018Stros fan that I am, I always try to leave draft day with one guy from my hometown team.\u00a0 Bourn and Pence were obviously long gone.)\u00a0 His stuff is not very dominant, but I don\u2019t care that much.\u00a0 He is my 3rd<\/sup> closer.\u00a0 Who knows, maybe he runs into a few more saves and even breaks 30.<\/p>\n

Round 16 (183rd<\/sup> overall) Manny Ramirez<\/a><\/strong> OF\/DH<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manny is my sleeper pick for the year.\u00a0 I think he will wind up top 3 in MVP balloting and hits 30+ jacks.\u00a0 Plus you know he is going to get on base.\u00a0 Also, he has Joe Maddon\u2019s ear<\/a>.\u00a0 What is also to like?\u00a0 He has one of the sweetest swings the game has ever seen.\u00a0 No matter how old Manny is, that swing will never leave him.\u00a0 It may be a tad slower, but it will still be there.\u00a0 Add on his pension for taking a walk and being an OBP mammoth, and I have a diamond in the rough.\u00a0 This is my second favorite pick of the entire draft.<\/p>\n

Round 17 (202nd<\/sup> overall)- Chipper Jones<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

This is my favorite pick of the whole draft.\u00a0 Although, if it were not for the kindness of my man Barfy, I would have completely blown this pick.\u00a0 Not realizing that Dee still had a pick to go before my turn came up I immediately shouted out \u201cHoly shit, dude!\u00a0 Chipper is still on the board.\u00a0 That\u2019s who I am getting next.\u201d\u00a0 Dee passed on Chipper purely out of the kindness of his heart.\u00a0 So, I am lucky enough to get a switch-hitting 3B with potential for .300 avg, 15-18 jacks, and an OPS of around .880.\u00a0 Talk about a deal.\u00a0 Add on to that the potential based upon Chipper\u2019s Spring Training, and I think this might be the best pick of the draft.<\/p>\n

Round 18 (207th<\/sup> overall)- Daniel Bard<\/a><\/strong> RP<\/strong><\/p>\n

This pick here was based on the fact that the guy throws Kenny Powers hard.\u00a0 Also, I have this inkling inside of me that says he somehow takes over the closer spot from Papelbon this year.\u00a0 Those two things combined are enough reason for me to take him here.\u00a0 Oh yeah, and having a K\/9 around 10 and a K\/BB ratio of 2.6 doesn\u2019t hurt either.<\/p>\n

Round 19 (226th<\/sup> overall)- Josh Willingham<\/a><\/strong> OF<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is another fantastic pick for me in our league.\u00a0 Willingham is an OBP monster.\u00a0 Yes his power numbers take a small hit in switching to Oakland, but not that much.\u00a0 I will always take a bat for my bench that can put up an .850 OPS with 20+ homer potential.<\/p>\n

Round 20 (231st<\/sup> overall)- Jorge Posada<\/a><\/strong> C\/DH<\/strong><\/p>\n

What a great pick.\u00a0 I always laugh at people who reach for a catcher.\u00a0 I never understood the point of placing so much value on a guy who is going to play only 130 games each year.\u00a0 So when Jorge was still around in the last round I snatched him up.\u00a0 The dude may suit up for 25 games behind the dish.\u00a0 Other than that, he is a DH.\u00a0 Gotta love the extra AB\u2019s with that role.\u00a0 You figure he is going to hit about 20 homers, get on base at a .375 clip, and have an avg. around .275, what is not to love about that for your catcher?<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After reading Dee\u2019s write-up of his draft picks, I would like to add my own review of the Denslow Cup 2011 draft.\u00a0 Before we get into my picks and reasoning, let me tell you this: the league is filled with nerds, and playing in an OBP league drastically changes the way our draft goes as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[76,1300,17,6,11,13,10,14],"tags":[2059,2058,2056,1505,209,674,1928,105,346,83,800,2057,63,339,2054,496,388,1359,59,62,156,58,676,736,2055,206,563,491,178,57,391,196,177,194,171],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3461"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3461"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3468,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3461\/revisions\/3468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}