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FBTM Slow Mock… Round 11 and 12
Jan 12th, 2010 by winabango
It is time once again to make my selection for the Fantasy Baseball Trade Market mock draft. In my previous post I talked about taking the best players to fill a need at a weak position. Well I think I am going to be faced with that again… I think. But you will need to read on to find out my thinking. So here are the picks since the last time I selected players.
Round 10:
- Kelly Pfleiger, FantasyGameday.net – Asdrubal Cabrera
- Chris Spencer, FantasyBaseballTradeMarket.com – Nate McLouth
- Bob Sikon, FantasyBaseballTradeMarket.com – Carlos Quentin
- Kevin Orris, FantasyPros911.com – Elvis Andrus
- Tim McLeod, RotoRob.com – Jason Kubel
- Jason Sarney, FantasyPhenoms.com – Ricky Nolasco
- Mike Siano, MLB.com – Francisco Rodriguez
- Ivar Anderson, FantasyGameday.net – Juan Pierre
- Chris Mulligan, FantasyPros911.com – Rajai Davis
- Cory Schwartz, MLB.com – Tommy Hanson
- Todd Habiger, RotoRob.com – Denard Span
- Brett Greenfield, FantasyPhenoms.com – Wandy Rodriguez
Round 11:
- Brett Greenfield, FantasyPhenoms.com – Jair Jurrjens
- Todd Habiger, RotoRob.com – Russell Martin
- Cory Schwartz, MLB.com – Matt Garza
- Chris Mulligan, FantasyPros911.com – Brett Anderson
- Ivar Anderson, FantasyGameday.net – Andrew Bailey
- Mike Siano, MLB.com – Chad Billingsley
- Jason Sarney, FantasyPhenoms.com – Brandon Webb
- Tim McLeod, RotoRob.com – Howie Kendrick
- Kevin Orris, FantasyPros911.com – Francisco Cordero
- Bob Sikon, FantasyBaseballTradeMarket.com – John Lackey
- Chris Spencer, FantasyBaseballTradeMarket.com – James Shields
Without surprise, there were a number of pitchers selected once again. However, I am surprised at the number of outfielders that came off the board. Like I stated in my last post, there were plenty of options for the outfield still available. I am still not going to select my fourth one here, but I thought a couple of them would have fallen to me, and would have made this choice a bit more difficult. In addition I was thinking of selecting my corner infielder next, but I think the one player I want to target will drop another round or two.
In looking at the other teams, I think I need to go with a strategy that I have employed previously in drafts. Often times, when I am picking at the end, I like to take two closers back-to-back around round 11 or 12. After seeing who is on the board, and the number of teams that do not have closers, I think this strategy will allow me to get out in front of everyone else. This should allow me to solidify my bullpen, and actually get decent draft value.
So with my next two picks, I am selecting Heath Bell and Brian Wilson.
These picks have a certain “west coast” feel to them, but neither of them have challengers for their closer job. Both pitchers pitch in offensive suppressing ballparks, and both have K/9 rates above 10. In addition, both pitchers have K/BB ratios above 3.00, and groundball rates above 45%. These two are easily the best options on the board, and it fills my need of closers.
Would have used this strategy?
What unique strategy do you use when picking at an end?
I believe both Kelly’s picks have merit, but in prior years I would not have said so. I recently revised my viewpoint regarding closers and now try to have 2 “bona fide” closers on my roster by the time round 14 is over. I previously subscribed to the theory that you do not pay for saves, but after being burned by league mates that didn’t agree and snatched up all the closers, I’ve readjusted my stance. I still refuse to take a closer any earlier than round 10, preferring to solidify my offense and starting rotation first.
Picking at the end or beginning of a draft poses a unique opportunity to make serious errors. I tend to take best available for the first 3 times around, then see what I need and pick to fill available roster spots. More so than any other draft spot, the end and beginning force you to study your league mates’ strategy and attempt to anticipate what will be available on your next pair of picks. I believe Kelly is adapting to the flow of the draft well, picking for need and value when his opportunity arises. I cannot fault any of his picks so far, given his circumstances. Then again, I don’t see any glaring errors by anyone yet, but this is the point in the draft where teams are made or broken, so I am anxious to see what my next pick leaves me to choose from in the 12th round.
If you follow my drafts, I typically lean towards the more unpopular (MLB.com Fantasy 411 style) strategy of drafting closers early. Hence, you’ll see that I snagged Papelbon in the 5th Round and Soria in the 9th. The reason? I HATE chasing saves, and as much as I tend to drink the 411 ‘kool-aid’, I find, unlike our friend Mr. Siano, that chasing those saves IS NOT fun. Kelly, you made two good selections with your wheel picks. I was seriously considering adding a third stopper (Bell) to my stable with my pick two slots after you.
I agree Bob. i have tried chasing saves, and in highly active leagues, it is nearly impossible to do. I want to make sure that I have 2 solid closer options out of the draft, and then chase saves from there. I think you can get the extra saves to win a title, but the foundation needs to be established first.
I agree completely, Kelly. I always try to build that foundation first. The trouble is, I sometimes go too far … taking too many guys at the expense of my hitting or starting pitching. It’s all about moderation. I need moderation. Yes, that’s what I need.
[…] by Bob Sikon in 2010 Articles, 2010 FBTM Expert Slow Mock Draft. Leave a Comment As Kelly takes us into the 14th Round, please take a step back in time and read his re-cap of his11th and 12th Round picks. Like everyone else in this mock, FantasyGameday.net has been a huge supporter of FBTM, and they do good work. Thanks, again, for the draft coverage, Kelly! […]