MLB Front Office and Friends Mock Draft- 3/6/2008

The mock drafting season is in full swing, and last night I participated in the MLB Front Office and Friends Expert Mock Draft. The league set up was 5x5 roto style with 10 teams, and your standard (2) C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, (5) OF, CI, MI, UTL, (9) P.

I drew the 6th pick, which is the same pick I own in few upcoming drafts. I can only pray the same player falls to me come regular season time.
Round 1 Jose Reyes SS NY (NL)

How could I not jump at this selection? Fellow Mets David Wright(1) and Johan Santana(5) fell in the top 5 joining Alex Rodriquez(3), Hanley Ramirez(2) and Matt Holliday(4). This was a clear no-brainer and I locked up a high point value in the steals category. I am aware that he an improve his average, but a guaranteed 60+ steals is a nice way to start things off.

Round 2 Ryan Howard 1B PHI

With speed addressed in Round 1, might as well take care of a major power source, right? I'll take a top 3 home run hitter in the second round, wouldn't you? Sure the average is a bit risky, but a season of .275 or above with his usual HR output makes him a steal here.

Round 3 Brandon Phillips 2B CIN

After solid mix of power and speed in the first two rounds, I decided to go with the best of both worlds. Phillips is at the very least a 25-25 guy, and could contend to make it 30-30 this season.

It was also nice to secure my MI, since both positions relatively lack depth, and are very top heavy.

Round 4 Travis Hafner DH CLE

There is no question Hafner had an off year in 2007. The reason that he warrants a 4th round selection is because that off year had him hit 24 home runs and 100 RBI. That again, is an off year. The slugger is likely to rebound and return close to his 2006 form. If he can put together an average of 2006 and 2007, then he is a great bargain in the 4th.

Round 5 Garrett Atkins 3B COL

Atkins is either at the low end of the upper echelon of fantasy third basemen, or he is the best of the second tier. Atkins will quietly get you 30 homer runs, bat over .300 and knock out 100 RBI and score close to 100 runs. Drafting Colorado Rockies on fantasy teams was once because of the common theory that high elevation=lots of home runs. Sure that is partly true, yet now you draft Rockies because they have one of the best, most potent young lineups in the league. Atkins is right in the core of it at clean up.

Round 6 Chris B. Young OF ARI

Without drafting an outfielder yet, Young was a perfect selection based on his overall roto value. OK, minus average. Even a high average year for Young isn't going to lead your fantasy team to a batting average crown, and I expect him to top of at the very most at .270. That is saying he tremendously over-achieves in that category. On the safe side, bank on .260, not his dreadful .237 from 2007. Pencil in 25 homeruns, 25 steals and 90 runs for the 24-year old keeper candidate.

Round 7 C.C. Sabathia SP CLE

I did not plan on drafting a starter until the 10th round. However, I amended that plan when I saw a top 5 pitcher staring at me in the 7th round. I had to find an anchor to my staff, and I was thrilled to see C.C. slip.

Round 8 Brad Hawpe OF COL

The last few weeks has seen Milwaukee anger Prince Fielder and Philadelphia insult Cole Hamels, two of the most promising young players in the Majors, with contract renewals. Yet, Colorado in that time has extended the contracts of some of their many young talents, including Hawpe. He certainly deserves it after last seasons numbers. If you put Hawpe's and Atkins' stat line together at the end of 2008, you will see very, very similar results. .290+-30-100+-90.
Draft Rockies this season.

Round 9 Nick Swisher OF/1B CHI (AL)

I have said it a number of times in previous posts; Nick Swisher's time is 2008. The move to Chicago's South Side is just what Swisher needs. A better ballpark for his skills, and a better lineup gives Swisher his best chance to prove the skeptics wrong, and finally breakout as a fantasy star.

Round 10 Chris R. Young SP S.D.

One Chris Young deserves another. The pitching version is an ERA and WHIP savior. It helps when pitching in PETCO Park, of course. Young is very close to becoming a top tier pitcher in fantasy, and if he can replicate his numbers from last season and add a few more wins, he would be a perfect No 2. fantasy SP.

Round 11 Edgar Renteria SS DET

I may not fully endorse Renteria as a staring SS, but to fill my MI slot is definitely worth the mid-round selection. High average, decent pop in the bat and nice steal potential makes Renteria a perfect MI.

Round 12 Kenji Johjima C SEA

In a two catcher starting format, I had to act quickly and grab a top tier player. Johjima is arguably in the top 5 at the position and if he can knock out 18+ homers, I'd be happy.

Round 13 Fausto Carmona SP CLE

You may be thinking that I'm an Cleveland Indians fan. I'm not, but Major League is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I interned for the Buffalo Bisons, their AAA affiliate in the International League, while in college. So I guess I have a proclivity for selecting Cleveland players for my fantasy teams. Carmona came out of nowhere last season, and if he can mirror last seasons line, or better it, he can get away with being many teams No 2. starter, let alone a No. 3.

Round 14 Jacoby Ellsbury OF BOS

THE trendy "sleeper" pick of 2008. Let's just face it. He is not a "sleeper" anymore. My grandmother has him on her queue. The reason I picked him is not because he is the trendy pick, it's because he is a great selection in the mid rounds. High average, steals, and runs from your No. 4 or No. 5 OF is a perfect play. If you draft well on offense and make him your UTL, you are in great shape.

Round 15 Manny Corpas RP COL

The time to draft a "save guy" finally came. In every single one of my leagues this season, I am promising myself to wait until I absolutely must to draft one. Round 15 was a good amount of waiting, and I got a decent option who seems to have the job nailed down. I'm not going to preach that the Rockies are a high win team, because Chad Cordero can easily finish with more saves than Corpas. Nevertheless, I like Corpas to anchor my saves category, as long as I can eventually fish for two more.

Round 16 Clay Buchholz SP BOS

Another ex-sleeper pick who calls Fenway his home ballpark. Buchholz is simply not a sleeper anymore. The majority of fantasy owners have him on their radar and I think taking him as early as the 13th round is acceptable. Besides, I believe he is the 2008 Rookie of the Year. You heard it here.

Round 17 Jason Isringhausen RP STL

Another good time for a decent closer. 25+ saves is a near certainty for the veteran closer.

Round 18 Geovany Soto C CHI (NL)

The Cubs are buzzing about this catching prospect, and so is the fantasy community. A perfect No. 2 C option, and a decent play as a No. 1.

Last 5 Picks

Round 19 Oliver Perez SP NY (NL)
Round 20 C.J. Wilson RP TEX
Round 21 Evan Longoria 3B TAM
Round 22 Chris Duncan OF STL
Round 23 Rich Harden SP OAK

Overall, I was very happy with my team, but what owner doesn't say that after every draft?

If you want to check out how the rest of the draft played out, check the full results (if a Mockdraftcentral.com member).

For a deeper look into the draft, check out the expert analysis at The Fantasy Baseball Generals. Patrick DiCaprio and crew do an excellent job!

As always, comments and questions are welcome!

Thanks again to MLB Front Office and Friends for a fun draft.