2010 Fantasy Baseball Trade Market Premiere League Draft Recap

On Saturday I had the privilege of drafting in Bob Sikon's 2010 Fantasy
Baseball Trade Market Premiere League.  There were many talented minds drafting
as well and it was a challenge the whole way through.  I had the fourth overall
pick and I was sandwiched in-between Rob Reed and Bob Sikon, so I spend the
draft in Mexican stare downs with those two.

My strength has always been drafting as far as my leagues go. I prepare a ton
for the draft and I make sure that my strategies are in line with the managers
I'm drafting against. I always commit to my pre-draft rules and I change
strategies on the fly whenever I needed.  I think that allows mw to always come
out of the draft with a strong team.  Of course, drafting is only about 60% of
your fantasy baseball experience with actually running the team, making pick
ups, and pulling off monster trades that will eventually make a champion.

Here is the draft recap:

Rounds 1-4

I couldn't be happier with my first four picks.  I was hoping to get
Ryan Braun (1-4) in the first and he fell to me.  Rob Reed claims his
computer froze, but be happy with AROD.  After Getting Braun I
didn't pick till late in the second round.  There was only two guys I were
interested in at that pick, Grady Sizemore or Mark
Reynolds.  For my second pick I decided to go with last year's sixth
overall pick, a healthy Grady Sizemore (2-9) with the hope that
Mark Reynolds would remain six picks later. Getting setup with
two outfielders early is outstanding, but I next needed one of the corners
covered and I got my wish with Mark Reynolds (3-4) in the third
round.  I didn't think he'd get past Rob Reed, but I got lucky.  I followed up
that pick with my third outfielder B.J. Upton (4-9).  I wasn't
happy having to take three outfielders in the first four rounds, but I got four
guys I wanted and I can't complain about that.  I did want Jonathan
Broxton here, breaking a rule of mine, but he was gone early in the
round.
2010 Projections:  125 Hrs, 110 SBs, .269 Avg

Rounds 5-8

Round five was my last round before taking pitchers and I secured a strong MI
with drafting Aaron Hill (5-4).  He was a top sleeper of my
last year and getting him in the fifth round was a steal in my book.  I then
changed my strategy on the fly and took an unprecedented 4 straight pitchers
starting with Adam Wainwright (6-9).  I'm not the biggest fan
of Wainwright, but there is no denying his skill and his value in the sixth
round.  I wanted Tommy Hanson in the 6th, but passed on him
ONLY to get him in the seventh round.  I live my an age old rule, fi you are
trying to decide between two players and the one you didn't choose falls to the
next round, take him.  Tommy Hanson (7-4) will be a Cy Young
candidate and have a huge season for the Braves.  When my pick came in the late
eighth round I was shocked to still see Cliff Lee sitting out
there.  His abdominal strain has people worried, but it's not a serious injury. 
SO instead of getting a shortstop or closer, I took my third straight starter in
Cliff Lee (8-9).  When healthy, that three man rotation could
be one of the best in fantasy baseball.
2010 Projections: 28 Hrs, 6 SBs, .287 Avg.  54 Wins, 570 Ks, .298 ERA.

Rounds 9-12

I couldn't go any longer without a closer, so in round nine I drafted A's
closer Andrew Bailey (9-4).  His arm concerns are not a worry
and he will be ready to start the season and give me a strong K/9 rate.  I did
lose one of my favorites in Carlos Gonzalez to get Bailey.  I
got back to offense with strong support for batting average with outfielder
Chris Coghlan (10-9).  He will leadoff for the Marlins and
should score plenty, have a .300+ batting average, and add in a few home runs
and steals.  After Coghlan, I went right back to my bullpen and took a player
that I think will be a top three closer in 2010, Rafael Soriano (11-4). 
He is healthy and brings one of the better K/9 rates amongst closers.  He is a
poor man's Jonathan Broxton and I got him seven rounds later. 
The Rays wear out their bullpen, so Rafael Soriano will see
plenty of action.  In round 12 I felt compelled to complete my bullpen and
drafted stud closer Huston Street (12-9).  He was one of the
best values on the board and after losing out on shortstops there was nothing
else I wanted.  I did plan on grabbing Franklin Morales later in the draft.  So
that makes 6/7 picks with pitchers.  I've never done that, but my
excellent early offensive picks allowed me to make such picks.  I won't be the
guy putting up LOST/REWARD signs for closers all season.
2010 Projections: 12 Hrs, 11 SB, .305 Avg.  124 Saves, 278 Ks.

Rounds 13-16

I got back to my offense roots with big-tie support players in these rounds. 
Round 13 I selected my shortstop Marco Scutaro (13-4).  He
wasn't my first choice for shortstop, but he should have a strong season hitting
in Fenway and provides average, runs, and stolen bases to my teams.  Round 14 I
selected one of my breakout players and my CI James Loney (14-9).  At
27, I'm expecting a big season from Loney.  Round 15 I invested in my first
catcher, Miguel Montero (15-4).  It's the earliest I've taken a
catcher, but I wanted at least one strong catcher that wouldn't be an average
killer.  In round 16 I took one of my favorite sleeper picks in Garrett
Jones (16-9).  He isn't a typical sleeper, but a guy his upside
shouldn't be going this late.  He qualifies at 1B/OF and brings power, some
speed, and average to the table.  Overall I really made up on average in these
rounds. 
2010 Projections: 80 Hrs, 35 SBs, .294 Avg.

Rounds 17-20

I used these rounds primarly to bolster my pitching staff, but I opened round
17 with a key pick in outfielder Chris Young (17-4)  from the
Diamondbacks.  He had a solid second half last season and I have to hop he
continues on that pace for 2010.  I followed that up with another starting
pitcher in Jeff Niemann (18-9), who has looked outstanding this
spring and will be the 4th starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.  The next
two picks were spent on my bullpen with Matt Guerrier (19-4)
and Franklin Morales (20-9).  Guerrier will likely be the
closer for the Twins this year and Morales is my backup for Huston
Street.  Franklin Morales is expected to close until
Street comes back in late April.  
2010 Projections: 19 Hrs, 15 SBs, .255 Avg.  14 Wins, 250 Ks 25 Saves.

Rounds 21-24

This group of picks were all offense.  In round 21 I grabbed one of my
biggest sleepers in 2010, Cameron Maybin (21-4).  He will start
for the Marlins and has 20/20 potential if he can stay healthy.    In round 22 I
when for a middle infielder and one I like allot, Clint Barmes (22-9). 
He will start at second base in the Rockies potent offense and the savvy veteran
should produce well in my MI slot.  My next pick was another outstanding sleeper
pick in Austin Jackson (23-4).  Jackson is taking over the
leadoff spot and centerfield for Curtis Granderson for the Detroit Tigers and I
expect big things from this rookie.  In round 24, I grabbed my second and final
catcher John Baker (24-9) a.k.a. Seven-Mary-Three.  Baker is a above average
offensive catcher hitting in the Marlins strong lineup.    
2010 Projections: 42 Hrs, 57 SBs, 275 Avg.

Remaining Picks:
25-4 - Cliff Pennington - Solid hitting sophomore shortstop for the Oakland
A's. I expect decent production from him with 10-15 SBs and 7-9 home runs.
26-9 - Gaby Sanchez - He's been on fire this spring and with nothing to prove
in the minors, Sanchez should has the starting slot all sewn up.  Sanchez can
produce high average and some pop.
27-4 - Erik Bedard - When he's healthy, he is a great pitcher.  I'll stash
him on the DL and pick up another starter, but Bedard could be a great pick if
he can remain healthy.  It's a BIG IF.



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