Usually I draft by making a list of players I like, then, during the actual draft, plugging in skill-slots, rather than targeting players. Which makes prep hard because getting Reyes in the first is much different than, say, Braun. But that’s the fun of it, I guess.

@cubbies299: Clone High, represent. Wesley.

Still, Wandy got a win today I guess.

Third base is awful thin this year. I suppose you could take a chance on Encarnacion or Gordon finally arriving… but their upside is much less than that of CD.

I could also take Youk in the 4th round, if I wanted to avoid Davis. But that means I would have to sacrifice drafting someone who can steal a base, which I don’t really want to do. You just can’t buy SBs after the first 5 rounds without taking a major hit in other areas.

re: Hill — You know I love him in Petco.

Well, I’m the Guy who dropped Carlos Delgado at about the same time, (June) and saw him put up second half numbers that translated over an entire season into .303 AVG, 48 HR, about 150 RBI’s, and an OPS well over .900; in other words, stats that would have made him a unanimous MVP. And I am a die-hard Met fan. Am I bitter – nah; I just had to deal with an excruciating combination of joyous exuberance and self-loathing simultaniously every time Carlos connected (which in the last three months seemed like every time he was at bat), topped by the inevitable September Snowdive of the Metropolitans. But of course I intend (and have already) drafted Delgado, for my motto is “Ya gotta Believe” that the first half of last season (and to be honest, the last half of 2007) was the aberation. And as I could likely pick him up around the 10th round, isn’t it worth a flyer? For as you say, ultimately we are in it too have fun. Not unlike our own beloved fantasy experts, who likely don’t get the bread that their contemporary Analcysts demand.

Heyward, Gamel, Vitters, Cahill, Tillman, Jarrod Parker, Mutasz, TBeckham, Smoak, Lars Anderson, Hosmer, Carlos Santana, yonder alonso, Jesus Montero (though I’m scared they don’t let him catch), Brett Wallace, Angel Villalona, Matt Dominguez, Derek Holland…

I’m pretty deadset on Heyward with the first pick…
Now do I go more polished hitter (like Gamel, Lars), near-polished pitcher (Holland, Cahill), or go for raw talent that might take a few years (A Beckham, Smoak, Lars Anderson– by the way, can mike lowell just get arthritis and retire already?–)… or do i screw that all and take a catcher (Jesus Montero as a catcher, me likee)

Also, I’m open to other suggestions. The big guys (wieters, moustakes, etc) are taken. I’ve checked your site, but i think that your post mostly addresses 2009 contribution while i’m looking for the future in a keeper league as well). Thanks, as always, Grey.

There’s always a guy like that out there.

Picking him in the 5th round depends where you are in that round and whose on the board. I’d say anytime in the mid 5th round, if Sexy Alexi and Adrian are off the boards.

Signed,
Guy Who Dropped Markakis in June ’07 Then Watched Him Drive in 68 Runs In The Last 3 Months And Is Still Bitter

I think he can easily put up .300-25-100-15 and score 100 runs. He really needs to bump the RBI’s back up and the sb’s again tho. RBI’s are based alot on getting other guys on base so you can’t really blame that on SPARKAKIS!