Here are the results of my IIATMS draft. This seems like as good a way as any to start a blog. My plan is to post a weekly summary of how my team did and how I am doing in this league. We'll see how it goes.
Round
Pick
Comments
1
Grady Sizemore, Cle OF
With the 5th pick, ESPN had Braun ranked ahead of Grady, but since this draft is heavy on OBP and speed, Grady seemed like the better pick
2
Lance Berkman, Hou 1B
High OBP, HR and RBI – no brainer
3
Brandon Webb, Ari SP
A Clear #1. I like to build around a strong rotation – and Brandon fits that bill.
4
Roy Oswalt, Hou SP
See Brandon Webb.
5
Geovany Soto, ChC C
I hate the Cubs, so it hurt to take this guy here. But, I think he’s a top notch catcher and should be a good anchor
6
Brad Lidge, Phi RP
I’m not expecting 100% save percentage, but it certainly seems like he has found his groove after leaving Houston.
7
Mark DeRosa, Cle 2B
I received a lot of grief for picking DeRosa this early. However, .380/20/80 are good counters here, and I can play him pretty much anywhere. I think people were just jealous they couldn’t get him.
8
Josh Beckett, Bos SP
I was very happy to get Beckett here. I was hoping to get either him or Lester, and Lester went 4 picks earlier.
9
Rick Ankiel, StL OF
The round 9 highlight was Jason hacking on Dublin Doug for taking Jack Cust. Good times. Ankiel had a great season last year, and projects to be even better this year.
10
Ryan Zimmerman, Was 3B
This is risky. Especially since my other 3B is Melvin Mora. Hopefully, Dunn can rub off on him a little, and he can stay healthy.
11
Carlos Marmol, ChC RP
The Cubs are idiots if they don’t make Marmol the closer – WBC blowup notwithstanding. Wait, the Cubs are idiots… dangit.
12
Jermaine Dye, CWS OF
Solid HR/RBI pick here. Happy to have him on the team.
13
Brian Giles, SD OF
This was a panic pick because Scherzer and Burrell were taking right before my pick. High OBP, and that’s about all I can say about him.
14
Joe Saunders, LAA SP
I really like my starters. Getting Saunders and Danks with these two picks really solidified my rotation.
15
John Danks, CWS SP
See Saunders.
16
Jed Lowrie, Bos SS
This pick is assuming Lowrie will play so well that when Lugo is healthy, it won’t matter.
17
Yunel Escobar, Atl SS
This pick is assuming Lowrie will play so bad that when Lugo is healthy, it won’t matter.
18
Melvin Mora, Bal 3B
If Zimm blows a gasket again this year, Mora is a solid backup – assuming his age doesn’t grow by a couple years like Vladimir’s.
19
Daniel Murphy, NYM OF
Murphy has all the tools, is 24, and had a good freshman year. So of course, the Mets are sticking him in a platoon with Fernando Tatis. Yeah. Ok. I’m pretty sure I can count on Murph for 400-500 ABs this year, regardless of where he plays. And, he may have eligibility at several positions, kind of like DeRosa.
20
Andy Sonnanstine, TB
Failsafe in case some of my other starters get hurt. Not great stats, but should benefit from a little better luck and another year of increased offense from the rest of his team. Hopefully he can hold off David Price for a little longer.
21
Jeff Clement, Sea C
Purely speculative pick, but I figured it was a good spot for it. Clement could be a huge contributor this year, assuming the projections are right, and that Seatlle gives him enough ABs.
22
Ty Wigginton, Bal 3B
Solid utility guy who should do well in Baltimore.
23
J.P. Howell, TB RP
Low ERA, WHIP. Good roster filler
24
Jamie Moyer, Phi SP
See Sonnanstine (w/o the caring about David Price)
25
Eric Hinske, Pit OF
I’ve always had a soft spot for him, but he’ll probably get dropped at the first sign of a FA that is breaking out.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with my draft. I think I have a strong rotation/bullpen and some pretty decent hitters. Of course, there are probably 11 other teams that have the same opinion. And, that's why they play the games and then gather the stats for comparison. Good luck everyone else! (2nd place luck, but luck nonetheless.
