There are people out there who have cards in their hands right. I am not one of them, of course. To honor Opening Day 2018, here's the latest Mock Draft.
1. Nads - Tommy Pham. In the first Mock Draft, I had the Nads taking Devers here, but Pham has probably the best card in the draft, he's balanced, and he has 444 ABs. He's very deserving of the first pick in the draft. If I had the first pick in the draft, I wouldn't hesitate before picking Pham. (Note: After typing this, I looked at MLB's Top 100 Players Right Now, and Pham is #59, the highest ranked player not already on a NASOMA roster.)
2. Killer Bees - Avisail Garcia. The Bees still think they can win this year. This delusion will lead to the first mistake of the draft.
3. SuperGoofs - Shohei Ohtani. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.
4. Inmates - Chad Green. Smart owners don't take relievers with the 4th pick of the draft. But winning managers do. The HEAD INMATE fights off every one of his natural instincts and grabs the best relief card available.
5. Tweeners - Luis Castillo. The Tweeners have a good rotation already, but they're all left-handed. Castillo only has 89 innings and cannot relieve, but he's the best combination of useful card and prospect among the available pitchers.
6. Drillers - Zack Godley. It's gotta be killing DD to take a 28-year old starting pitcher here instead of, say, Vlad's kid, but the Drillers are about to kick off their most promising season since Bonds was applying the clear every day. Godley makes them better right now.
7. Weevils - Austin Barnes. Why not? Somebody has to catch that stable of aces. And Barnes can also help the offense although in a limited role.
8. FFTs - Chris Taylor. Another pick that's consistent with Mock1, but that's only because it's such a perfect pick.
9. DVs - Brad Peacock. The head DV said about Peacock, "His name makes me giggle."
10. Mavs - Rafael Devers. The Mavman will be beside himself with glee when the young but unproven Devers slips this far. It's unusual for the Mavman to be beside himself; he is usually beside the Buckeyes.
11. Rhinos - Ronald Acuna. And all the bettors who put money on a Rhino run through the playoffs tear up their ticket stubs simultaneously while muttering, "Knew it."
12. Inmates - Tucker Barnhart. The Barnhart pick brings out the first "good pick" of the draft. But since it was the HEAD INMATE who said it, I don't think it counts.
13. Fungoes - Chase Anderson. The Fungoes need pitching. After this pick, they'll still need pitching, but this is a great start.
14. Mavs - Rhys Hoskins. Meanwhile, the Head Buckeye, who was holding the Hoskins card, reconsiders seating arrangements for future drafts.
15. Buckeyes - Matt Olson. In his 189 AB at Buckeye Park, he'll hit around 45 homers.
16. Tweeners - Eddie Rosario. Big slide for Rosario, and it makes no sense. He's one of the best full-time hitters in the draft. Tweeners catch a break.
17. Killer Bees - Jordan Montgomery. Nice starting pitcher to get in the 2nd round - especially when facing the Snakes. Like the Bees can beat the Snakes. Ha!
18. Nads - Alcides Escobar. Same as last mock draft. The Nads get their ss-1.
19. SuperGoofs - Jhoulys Chacin. There aren't many decent SPs with a good amount of innings remaining. Chacin isn't a sexy pick, but he's a good one.
20. Inmates - Paul DeJong. It's the Year of the Inmates.
Showing posts with label #MockDraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #MockDraft. Show all posts
Friday, February 16, 2018
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Are You Mocking Me?
Let's do another Mock Draft! And lemme tell you why... I have figured out exactly how the First Round will go. Exactly. No doubt about it.
So here we go...
1. Buckeyes - Gary Sanchez. Yeah, this pick hasn't changed. The Buckeyes love to play coy with the first pick and surprise us all... and last year he did. But come on... If he did that again this year, he'd be screwing himself. And as the little Wahoo likes to say, "Trust me, screwing yourself isn't as easy as it sounds."
2. Killer Bees - Michael Fulmer. Honestly, this pick gets harder to predict every day. Fulmer is by far the best young pitcher in the Draft. He has innings. He has a great card. He's 24 years old. He's slotted as the #2 guy in Detroit's rotation. There are 3-4 hitters who could go here, but Fulmer is the only starting pitcher worthy of this spot.
3. Drillers - Andrew Benintendi. He has been at the top of most draft boards around the Strat world. He's as sure a thing as there is for the future. The Driller offense keeps getting better and better. A bunch of crappy seasons in a row will do that. You can almost hear Buster Posey in the background yelling, "Take a damn pitcher!"
4. Sidewinders - David Dahl. The dude's a stud. And the SnakePit was built for him. The rich get richer. Last month I predicted Sandy Leon to go here - and the Snakes could definitely use him. But if Dahl's there, he won't get past the Snakes.
5. SuperGoofs - Hunter Renfroe. The Goofs are searching for the young hitter who can make their team better now while still helping the future. But those guys went 1-3-4. Renfroe has the best card in the set. Limited at bats, of course, but his card is Jarrett Parker good. And the Pigs made it to the World Series behind that Parker card. The difference with Renfroe is that he's a legitimate prospect. He'll be hitting 5th every day in the Padre lineup, and he's only 25. He can mash, and he'll fall right into the Goofboy's lap.
6. Nads - Aledmys Diaz. Try as I might, there is no better choice here. Write it down in ink: Aledmys Diaz is pick 6.
7. DVs - Seung Hwan Oh. A month ago, the best relief card was still a tossup. But now that I've seen the cards... and with the DVs trading away the other first round picks they owned, this is the guy. Combine Oh with Kenley Jensen and Addison Reed, and you've got the makings of some serious flicking of the bean come playoff weekend while the Wahoos and Sidewinders play the Series in the next room.
8. Tweeners - Sandy Leon. The Tweeners have a few needs: C, 1B, LF/RF, bullpen... Josh Bell was a possibility here, but his recent knee surgery sets him back a bit. The Tweener catchers are both in their 30s. It's time to hit the refresh button.
9. Inmates - Alex Bregman. Not everybody is sold on the young Astro third baseman, but the Inmates can give himself a "good pick" for this one. And the chances are low that an Inmate pick will lead directly to Tommy John surgery.
10. Rhinos - Chris Devenski. The Rhinos, as always, will be torn between taking what he needs and taking what he wants. But his team is so good... if he had a bullpen, he'd win the HWD. So Devenski it is.
11. Drillers - Josh Bell. The knee issues don't bother the Driller Dude. This kid can hit the ball a long way, and he'll be a fixture in the Pirate lineup by the end of April. Josh Donaldson: "Seriously?!? Dude!!!"
12. Skyscrapers - Matt Bush. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Nate Jones or Edwin Diaz.
13. Rhinos - Nate Jones. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Matt Bush or Edwin Diaz.
14. Mavs - Edwin Diaz. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Nate Jones or Matt Bush.
15. Wahoos - Jonathan Villar. For the team than has everything.
16. Rhinos - Junior Guerra. Trading Kenley Jansen and Ryan Braun was just a smokescreen. The Rhinos will compete now and later.
So here we go...
1. Buckeyes - Gary Sanchez. Yeah, this pick hasn't changed. The Buckeyes love to play coy with the first pick and surprise us all... and last year he did. But come on... If he did that again this year, he'd be screwing himself. And as the little Wahoo likes to say, "Trust me, screwing yourself isn't as easy as it sounds."
2. Killer Bees - Michael Fulmer. Honestly, this pick gets harder to predict every day. Fulmer is by far the best young pitcher in the Draft. He has innings. He has a great card. He's 24 years old. He's slotted as the #2 guy in Detroit's rotation. There are 3-4 hitters who could go here, but Fulmer is the only starting pitcher worthy of this spot.
3. Drillers - Andrew Benintendi. He has been at the top of most draft boards around the Strat world. He's as sure a thing as there is for the future. The Driller offense keeps getting better and better. A bunch of crappy seasons in a row will do that. You can almost hear Buster Posey in the background yelling, "Take a damn pitcher!"
4. Sidewinders - David Dahl. The dude's a stud. And the SnakePit was built for him. The rich get richer. Last month I predicted Sandy Leon to go here - and the Snakes could definitely use him. But if Dahl's there, he won't get past the Snakes.
5. SuperGoofs - Hunter Renfroe. The Goofs are searching for the young hitter who can make their team better now while still helping the future. But those guys went 1-3-4. Renfroe has the best card in the set. Limited at bats, of course, but his card is Jarrett Parker good. And the Pigs made it to the World Series behind that Parker card. The difference with Renfroe is that he's a legitimate prospect. He'll be hitting 5th every day in the Padre lineup, and he's only 25. He can mash, and he'll fall right into the Goofboy's lap.
6. Nads - Aledmys Diaz. Try as I might, there is no better choice here. Write it down in ink: Aledmys Diaz is pick 6.
7. DVs - Seung Hwan Oh. A month ago, the best relief card was still a tossup. But now that I've seen the cards... and with the DVs trading away the other first round picks they owned, this is the guy. Combine Oh with Kenley Jensen and Addison Reed, and you've got the makings of some serious flicking of the bean come playoff weekend while the Wahoos and Sidewinders play the Series in the next room.
8. Tweeners - Sandy Leon. The Tweeners have a few needs: C, 1B, LF/RF, bullpen... Josh Bell was a possibility here, but his recent knee surgery sets him back a bit. The Tweener catchers are both in their 30s. It's time to hit the refresh button.
9. Inmates - Alex Bregman. Not everybody is sold on the young Astro third baseman, but the Inmates can give himself a "good pick" for this one. And the chances are low that an Inmate pick will lead directly to Tommy John surgery.
10. Rhinos - Chris Devenski. The Rhinos, as always, will be torn between taking what he needs and taking what he wants. But his team is so good... if he had a bullpen, he'd win the HWD. So Devenski it is.
11. Drillers - Josh Bell. The knee issues don't bother the Driller Dude. This kid can hit the ball a long way, and he'll be a fixture in the Pirate lineup by the end of April. Josh Donaldson: "Seriously?!? Dude!!!"
12. Skyscrapers - Matt Bush. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Nate Jones or Edwin Diaz.
13. Rhinos - Nate Jones. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Matt Bush or Edwin Diaz.
14. Mavs - Edwin Diaz. Picking the best reliever is based on what your team needs. This could just as easily be Nate Jones or Matt Bush.
15. Wahoos - Jonathan Villar. For the team than has everything.
16. Rhinos - Junior Guerra. Trading Kenley Jansen and Ryan Braun was just a smokescreen. The Rhinos will compete now and later.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Hal's Recommendations
So, Hal, based on my current roster... if I had the first pick in the draft, who should I take?
Well, if you are the Buckeyes, Drillers, Goofs, DVs, Tweeners, Inmates, Rhinos, Skyscrapers, FFTs, Fungoes... you should definitely take Seung Hwan Oh.
If you are the Bees, Gary Sanchez is your guy. Only one team for Sanchez? That seems odd.
If you are the Nads, go get David Dahl. Another likely pick.
Here's where it gets weird...
If you are the Sidewinders, Mavs, or Wahoos... you should take Junior Guerra.
And if you are the Warpigs, Jonathan Villar should be the first pick in the draft.
Well, if you are the Buckeyes, Drillers, Goofs, DVs, Tweeners, Inmates, Rhinos, Skyscrapers, FFTs, Fungoes... you should definitely take Seung Hwan Oh.
If you are the Bees, Gary Sanchez is your guy. Only one team for Sanchez? That seems odd.
If you are the Nads, go get David Dahl. Another likely pick.
Here's where it gets weird...
If you are the Sidewinders, Mavs, or Wahoos... you should take Junior Guerra.
And if you are the Warpigs, Jonathan Villar should be the first pick in the draft.
Monday, January 16, 2017
The First Mock Draft of the Season!
If for no other reason than to get the taste of this fucking football season out of my mouth, here's the first Mock Draft of the season. Keep in mind I have taken only a cursory glance at the ratings guide, and as of now, have only a casual understanding of what each team might need.
So let's dive in...
1. Mansfield Buckeyes - Gary Sanchez, c - The Buckeyes surprised everyone by taking Nomar Mazara with the first pick last year. And while Mazara is a decent young player, the Buckeyes probably wish they could have a do-over. That's not the case this time as Sanchez is a no-brainer, and will lead the Buckeyes back to the playoffs. If nothing else, it will finally give the Buckeyes a reason to try to win games.
2. Nashville Killer Bees - Andrew Benintendi, of - Despite what you might have read in a previous post, the Bees have put together a promising young nucleus, and Benintendi will fit right in. The Bees won't extend their season in 2017, but they'll be back in 2018 to wreak havoc in the AWD. Now if his guys can just stay off of boats.
3. Oklahoma Drillers - David Dahl, of - A fine young left-handed bat who gets to ply his wares in Coors Field. In other words, the perfect Driller in their quest to remain the most talented team not in the playoffs.
4. Stanley Sidewinders - Sandy Leon, c - This was a toughie, and a definite trek out onto the limb. But the Snakes are in good shape everywhere except catcher... Leon will have a great card... he's a -3... Sounds like the guy the Sidewinders want behind the plate as they make a bid to defend their title.
5. Disney SuperGoofs - Alex Bregman, 3b - Bregman is gonna be the next big thing. He slides to the Goofs because two of the teams ahead of him are looking for cards, and the other two are already loaded at 3b. On the other hand, Carlos Beltran is available... and that certainly sounds more like a Goof pick.
6. Chicago Nads - Aledmys Diaz, ss - Erick Aybar sucks, and fittingly, Diaz comes along at the right time to take his place at the BallSac.
7. Tulsa DVs - Michael Fulmer, sp - The DVs need pitching, and Fulmer is a bright young prospect who also has lots of innings on a pretty good card. He might be the first pitcher taken, but he should at least be the first SP.
8. Logan County Tweeners - Chris Devenski, sp/rp - Devenski doesn't have as many innings as Fulmer, but his card will be better and he can pitch in relief.
9. Waco Inmates - Dan Straily - The Inmates had penciled in Fulmer, but after pick 7 had to angrily scratch it out and replace it with Devenski. But then at pick 8... oh, nevermind. You get it. By the way, this assures Straily will be on the DL by the end of April.
10. Belldale Rhinos - Victor Robles, of/uncarded - The Rhino lineup is primed to climb to the top of the HWD. He even has stellar starting pitching. He just needs bullpen. So, of course, he takes an uncarded outfielder in the Nationals' organization. It all fits in his plan to return to the World Series by 2025.
11. Tulsa DVs - Seung Hwan Oh, rp - The Draft order is set up perfectly for the DVs. He had his choice of SPs at pick 7, and now he has his pick of relievers at pick 11. Oh is the guy. The DVs have already queued up the Beatles' song, "Oh! Darling" to be played as Oh comes in for the save.
12. New York Skyscrapers - Edwin Diaz, rp - Disappointed that all the stud first-year cards are already on teams, the new guy does the smart thing and drafts for need. The Skyscrapers will give the Buckeyes, Mavs, and Drillers trouble in the MFD.
13. Tulsa DVs - Tyler Thornburg, rp - The DVs with another pick... the DVs with another pitcher. As for Thornburg being the guy... I have no idea. Maybe it's Kyle Barraclough. Maybe Nate Jones. Maybe someone else. Whichever one has the best looking card will join the DV bullpen and help them finish a strong 2nd behind the Wahoos in the BUD.
14. Midlothian Mavs - Matt Bush, rp - When in doubt, take the Ranger. And I'm in doubt. I ran out of ideas after about 11 picks (and that includes having the Rhinos take an uncarded player). Hey, maybe the Mavs see something in Jurickson Profar.
15. South Grand Prairie Wahoos - Tyler Naquin, of/dh - Naquin would fit in nicely on this team. He sucks in the outfield, but he can hit. And the Wahoos already have all the pitching they will need to run away with the BUD before exiting the playoffs in the 2nd round. (That's right, I'm awarding him a 1st round bye.)
16. Tulsa DVs - Jonathan Villar, inf - A fourth 1st round pick? Is that even legal?
Well there you have it. Next up, I'll take a look at the division races. (Spoiler alert: The Warpigs will NOT win the BUD.) Analyzing the divisions will give me a better idea of the needs for each team and make the next Mock Draft better. I hope.
So let's dive in...
1. Mansfield Buckeyes - Gary Sanchez, c - The Buckeyes surprised everyone by taking Nomar Mazara with the first pick last year. And while Mazara is a decent young player, the Buckeyes probably wish they could have a do-over. That's not the case this time as Sanchez is a no-brainer, and will lead the Buckeyes back to the playoffs. If nothing else, it will finally give the Buckeyes a reason to try to win games.
2. Nashville Killer Bees - Andrew Benintendi, of - Despite what you might have read in a previous post, the Bees have put together a promising young nucleus, and Benintendi will fit right in. The Bees won't extend their season in 2017, but they'll be back in 2018 to wreak havoc in the AWD. Now if his guys can just stay off of boats.
3. Oklahoma Drillers - David Dahl, of - A fine young left-handed bat who gets to ply his wares in Coors Field. In other words, the perfect Driller in their quest to remain the most talented team not in the playoffs.
4. Stanley Sidewinders - Sandy Leon, c - This was a toughie, and a definite trek out onto the limb. But the Snakes are in good shape everywhere except catcher... Leon will have a great card... he's a -3... Sounds like the guy the Sidewinders want behind the plate as they make a bid to defend their title.
5. Disney SuperGoofs - Alex Bregman, 3b - Bregman is gonna be the next big thing. He slides to the Goofs because two of the teams ahead of him are looking for cards, and the other two are already loaded at 3b. On the other hand, Carlos Beltran is available... and that certainly sounds more like a Goof pick.
6. Chicago Nads - Aledmys Diaz, ss - Erick Aybar sucks, and fittingly, Diaz comes along at the right time to take his place at the BallSac.
7. Tulsa DVs - Michael Fulmer, sp - The DVs need pitching, and Fulmer is a bright young prospect who also has lots of innings on a pretty good card. He might be the first pitcher taken, but he should at least be the first SP.
8. Logan County Tweeners - Chris Devenski, sp/rp - Devenski doesn't have as many innings as Fulmer, but his card will be better and he can pitch in relief.
9. Waco Inmates - Dan Straily - The Inmates had penciled in Fulmer, but after pick 7 had to angrily scratch it out and replace it with Devenski. But then at pick 8... oh, nevermind. You get it. By the way, this assures Straily will be on the DL by the end of April.
10. Belldale Rhinos - Victor Robles, of/uncarded - The Rhino lineup is primed to climb to the top of the HWD. He even has stellar starting pitching. He just needs bullpen. So, of course, he takes an uncarded outfielder in the Nationals' organization. It all fits in his plan to return to the World Series by 2025.
11. Tulsa DVs - Seung Hwan Oh, rp - The Draft order is set up perfectly for the DVs. He had his choice of SPs at pick 7, and now he has his pick of relievers at pick 11. Oh is the guy. The DVs have already queued up the Beatles' song, "Oh! Darling" to be played as Oh comes in for the save.
12. New York Skyscrapers - Edwin Diaz, rp - Disappointed that all the stud first-year cards are already on teams, the new guy does the smart thing and drafts for need. The Skyscrapers will give the Buckeyes, Mavs, and Drillers trouble in the MFD.
13. Tulsa DVs - Tyler Thornburg, rp - The DVs with another pick... the DVs with another pitcher. As for Thornburg being the guy... I have no idea. Maybe it's Kyle Barraclough. Maybe Nate Jones. Maybe someone else. Whichever one has the best looking card will join the DV bullpen and help them finish a strong 2nd behind the Wahoos in the BUD.
14. Midlothian Mavs - Matt Bush, rp - When in doubt, take the Ranger. And I'm in doubt. I ran out of ideas after about 11 picks (and that includes having the Rhinos take an uncarded player). Hey, maybe the Mavs see something in Jurickson Profar.
15. South Grand Prairie Wahoos - Tyler Naquin, of/dh - Naquin would fit in nicely on this team. He sucks in the outfield, but he can hit. And the Wahoos already have all the pitching they will need to run away with the BUD before exiting the playoffs in the 2nd round. (That's right, I'm awarding him a 1st round bye.)
16. Tulsa DVs - Jonathan Villar, inf - A fourth 1st round pick? Is that even legal?
Well there you have it. Next up, I'll take a look at the division races. (Spoiler alert: The Warpigs will NOT win the BUD.) Analyzing the divisions will give me a better idea of the needs for each team and make the next Mock Draft better. I hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)