Fantasy Baseball Question...My Rookie Season

[Glaken]

I am playing Fantasy Baseball for the first time this season. I have two teams one public league witch I joined mainly to see how the draft works and one private group that is the one I really care about.

After watching the draft I was wondering what are the most important players to draft first by position?

Is it better to draft power hitters or pitchers first?

Thanks, G

 

[TheGeneral+]

I tried this last year and the years of not following bases showed very brightly. LOL

 

[RPM]

wouldnt it depend on how the scoring in your league works?

 

[Glaken]

Scoring? I may have to factor that in at some point....LOL My draft sorta went like this....." I'll take him, and him, and him...oh golly wally I gotta have him on my team and jeez louise I can't believe all these Braves players are still available, I'll take a few".......After it was over I figured out I had like four 1st basemen, 3 catchers, 1 outfielder, and do you guys think Julio Franco can pitch?

It really wasn't that bad but close...hope to do better in tomorrow nights draft.

One pick I'm proud of is Charles Thomas who is with Oakland this year; he was awsome the second half last year in Atlanta's outfield.

G

G

 

[aceduecetrey]

Scoring? I may have to factor that in at some point....LOL My draft sorta went like this....." I'll take him, and him, and him...oh golly wally I gotta have him on my team and jeez louise I can't believe all these Braves players are still available, I'll take a few".......After it was over I figured out I had like four 1st basemen, 3 catchers, 1 outfielder, and do you guys think Julio Franco can pitch?

It really wasn't that bad but close...hope to do better in tomorrow nights draft.

One pick I'm proud of is Charles Thomas who is with Oakland this year; he was awsome the second half last year in Atlanta's outfield.

G

G

Glaken- I like to focus on the more shallow positions first (2b, catcher,3b) and leave the deeper ones until later. Also once the closers start to go, grab 2 studs and then wait until the late rounds to pick up a mike adams or shingo type of guy.

Also CT might not have a postion in OAK. I see him as the fourth OF.

 

[Glaken]

Thanks Ace....I have written your suggestions down, much appreciated. G

 

[Glaken]

I need 4-5 lefty middle reievers to choose from....anyone got suggestions.

I put Chris Hammond from San Diego on the list; I may not pick him since he is pushing 40 but he did well with the Braves in '02 and I am a Homer.

 

[bearmz]

C's wear out in the 2nd half and their Fantasy Point numbers drop.
Overall, 2B is weak. IMO not one a true dominant player.

I like to look at high K's in SP's and 3rd starters from good teams are as good as #1's from bad to mediocre teams. You do need 2 closers, but there are 30 out there.

Try to get a dominant IF,OF and SP in the first 3 rds. Usually the OF, 3B and 1B are the high FP producers overall.

My rates:

1B; Level 1ujols, Helton
2: Ortiz,Thome,Teixiera(3b)
3 Lee,Delgado,Huff(3B)
2B; Level 1: Soriano if healthy
3: Giles, Kent
SS; Level 1:Tejeda, Jeter
2: Rollins,Young
3: Furcal, Nomar
3B; Level 1: ARod
2: Rolen(weak 2nd halfs),Beltre, Ramirez,Chavez(good 2nd half)
3:Lowell,Mora, Chipper(OF, good 2nd half)
OF; Level 1:Vlad,Beltran,Abreu,Manny,Sheff
2:Crawford,Ichiro,Dunn(1B), Cabrera
3:C Lee,Edmonds,Matsui,Maggs(if healthy)
C; Level 3:V Martinez,I Rod,Lopez,Posada,Kendall
SP; Level 1:Randy,Johan,Schmidt
2edro,Schilling,Oswalt
3:Sheets,C Zambrano,Peavy
CL; Level 1:Rivera,Lidge,Foulke,Nathan
2:Gagne(injury?),Izzy,Wagner,Dotel,Benitez
3:F. Rodriguez,Cordero,Hoffman

Very good 2nd halfs in 04 after slow/mediocre 1st halves
Hittersamon,Rowand,Winn(03),Berkman,Batista(3B),Durazo
P's:Maddux(03),Radke,Arroyo,Colon,Buerhle,Thomson,Hampton,Pedro
Fell 2nd half in 04
Hitters:Rolen,Soriano(2B),Sosa,Thome(injured),Blalock,Lowell(3B), V Wells,J Jones(OF), I Rod,Estrada,Dye,Piazza(.198 BA)
P's: Dontrelle Willis,Kolb,Wood,Prior,Hudson,Mussina,Kev Brown,Graves

GL

 

[Glaken]

Bearmz...Thanks man....I will post my team after the draft...its tomorrow night...and our own Slim is in the same draft...so if you read this Slim I got dibbs on this strategy...LOL.

 

[-Slim-]

i'll be ready.... waiting for tomorrow night...should be interesting.

 

[lostitall]

Nice list bearmz. Do you have Gagne level 2 because of injury concern? I haven't followed his spring progress, but if he's not on the DL on draft day he'd be my top closer (by a lot)

 

[FairWarning]

Hitting is more predictible than pitching. If it is a 4x4 league, I usually punt the sb and saves catagory. In a 5x5 league, steals are more important because they correlate with runs.

 

[bearmz]

lostitall-

Yes. He's not pitched this Spring. He did pitch vs a minor league team on 3/27 and threw 15 of 30 strikes and allowed a run. Rust? Are Dodgers being careful or is his injury worse than reported? He said he physically feels fine.

I agree with FairW on steals being important in 5X5 leagues. That's why I have Crawford ranked so highly. Beware of Juan Pierre. He has leg problems and thus little value if he cannot steal or run.

There are some 1st yr closers this yr. Tsao at Col(injured), Ryan at Balt, Bautista at Tor, Adams at Mil? and Mota in Fla. Cubs will start with Hawkins, although being OK, he's better as a set-up. I like to pick closers from good teams, but Mesa did well in Pitt. KC's a mess. Affeldt may lead to MacDougle again. If not concerned about saves, their are good set-up men who get their share of wins and K's. Tom Gordon of NYY is an example.

Avoid players with history of injuries, if possible. If you do draft one because it seems right, make sure you have a back-up in that position. Look at players elligible for multi positions for back-ups. LoDuca and Cuddyer are good ones. You should get 2 catchers even though historically they're not consistent year long producers. Injuries will happen, so cover your positions. It's a long season, so most front line injuries are temporary, therefore back-ups are also.

Main thing is have fun and don't quit. It sucks when players quit a league during the season or after their draft.

GL.

 

[Glaken]

Bearmz, Thanks a gazillion...this thread will be invaluabe to me, not only for the draft tonight but the whole season....Take Care, G