Halfway Hardballers Draft

I am going to give my draft analysis and critique and would encourage some of you other managers to do the same. We will see how many picks defied logic and what if any logic was applied.

First off let me say this was the most difficult draft I ever did. For openers position #9 puts you behind the 8 ball from the get go. Then add to that I was trying to play middleman for Hitters over the phone as he was not able to get into the draft room from his computer. Thank goodness I had a predraft strategy because there would have been no way to pull this off on the fly.

Going into the draft I had a few things I was pretty definite on. I was not going to pick my 1st pitcher until at least round #7. 3B was a shallow position so need to draft early. Balance, balance, balance was the theme of the day. I wanted to get at least 3 serviceable closers with at least 2 more setup men with good periferals. I wasn't too hung up on any particular players but I did want Sandoval, Hart, Broxton, and felt like I could get Verlander and Bedard on the cheap.

So with no further ado, let's get it on.

Round #1- R Braun. Depending on whose cheat sheets you look at R Braun is usually in the top 5 picks. He is experiencing a little discomfort in his side but still @ #9 I felt like this was a no brainer for me. Power hitter with good AVG, Runs and RBI.

Round #2 - E Longoria. Time to fill that 3B pos. I was a little surprised to see Baseman go with a SP in the 2nd round. I was really thinking he would take Longoria as I am sure he was aware of the postition scarcity as well. More HR, Runs, RBI with a decent AVG. There were better players on the board but with 3B being thin I felt now was the time to act.

Round #3 - J Morneau. I would have like to have been able to see Pedroia in this round. Stars was too sharp for that. WIth all the elite 2B gone I opted for a little more power at the other corner. More power with good HR, Runs, RBI and AVG.

Round #4 - A Rios. With 3 power picks in the bank it was time to start thinking a little speed. Getting a 5 tool player in this round was a bonus.

Round #5 - C Hart. Still looking for some SB I opted for targeted player C Hart. Aside from being a local boy, he can give you a solid 20/20 with decent Runs and RBI.

Round #6 - F. Lopez I know many of you think this was a little early for him (ok maybe a lot early) but I am counting on a little better year this year in Ari. Reports are that he is going to run more, will bat leadoff. Remember how hot he was after leaving Was last season. At any rate I know I am going to start taking pitching beginning next round and I don't want to wait much longer on 2B. At worst I have a decent super-sub at best I have 30 more SB with decent AVG and Runs.

Round #7 - C Billingsey oh wait.... the friggin connection was lost right as I was about to pick. J Bruce was the consolation prize. Oh well it could have been worse.

Round #8 - P Sandoval - Ok if I was going to pick a pitcher in round 7 and didn't get one then surely I am taking one in round #8 right? I was actually a little pissed now. I was trying to do too much at once. Baseman takes C Iannetta which was my cue. As soon as a catcher from that tier went I was going for Sandoval. Timmy had 2 picks before it was my turn again and I was certain he would grab him if I didn't. Friggin Bruce!!

Round #9 - J Broxton. Now I have to start getting some pitching. I have missed out on the top 2 tiers of SP so I went straight to RP and targeted player Broxton .

Round #10 - R Nolasco. Lots of upside to this SP and I know it is now or never to build that pitching staff. (In the back of my mind is how strategy comes in to play on pitching. This is a decent ace for my staff and I will just have to manage around the SP)

Round #11 - J Verlander. Like what I am reading about him. If he returns to form this is the steal of the draft.Otherwise just another serviceable pitcher with nice K's

Round #12 - K Slowey - Having a great spring and could have a real breakout year. With the super late start on pitching I have to look to score on players with good upside. This works for me.

Round #13 = E Bedard - I wanted M Aviles in this round as I still don't have a SS. Timmy took care of that little detail for me so it is back to SP with another question mark that could turn into a steal. At worst I should get some decent K's

Round #14 - C Ray. Broxton is getting lonely. Ray is going to be the man in Balt. He has been lights out this spring and is apparently over his ailments. Closer #2 one more to go.

Round #15 - J Hanrahan. Mission accomplished. 1 good and 2 fair closers. Category covered.

Round #16 - R Theroit. The vacant SS postition has been bugging me. Here's a top of the lineup guy that can help in SB and has a decent AVG. I'll take him.

Round #17 - J Jurrigens. Another good pitcher with lots of upside.

Round #18 - G Balfour. Part of the Hardballer strategy is to have a couple of good setup men that can scalp a S or W every now and then. Balfour has good K/IP ratios, will get plenty of innings and will help keep my ERA down.

Round #19 - H-C Kuo (See above)

Round #!20 - Now I am looking for subs with upside. J Hermida is having a good spring. if he stays healthy he could have that breakout season that was promised 2 season ago..

Round #21 C Gomez. More upside with great SB. Looks like he could bat some leadoff and is showing more plate discipline in spring training.

Considering the circumstances I am fairly pleased with my team. Have not had a chance to stack it up against each other team but for me at least it is a start. Billinsley in the 7th might have gotten me Aviles in the 11th or 12th which would have been nice. I already have an attitude toward Bruce so he better perform early and often. My SP is manageable but that is the key. I can't just "set em and forget em". I am going to have to watch the matchups and how well my opponent is faring each week. Somebody is going to get to tell somebody I told you so on F Lopez but I will be satisfied if he keeps the AVG decent and gets some SB and Runs.

I stand to be the weakest at 2B and SS. But considering you usually only get AVG, Runs and maybe some SB from the average player in these positions I think I am covered elsewhere. I also feel there are better pitching staffs than mine but mine is certainly manageable and with any luck could exceed expectations. Otherwise I may have to stream a SP postition part of the time this season. If that be the case, so be it.

Main thing on my mind right now is it is a long season. Plenty of time to react on the WW if necessary. If my hunch plays out on a few of these players I will once again be in the playoffs and as always that is my only preseason goal.