In honor of the MLB lockout, I walked into a Starbucks, wearing a full baseball uniform, with stirrups, and ordered one of those 45-ingredient drinks that all the baristas hate to make, then said my name was Rob Manfred, and started screaming, “Don’t tell anyone the MLB Commissioner was in here! Do you hear me?! Don’t you dare tell anyone! Don’t call TMZ and send them the video you’re taking of me right now! Don’t you dare tell them Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner, didn’t tip you either! That’s HIPA, so don’t you dare tell everyone any of that!” Then I stepped out of the store with my $37-dollar unicorn Frappuccino, took a big sip and realized they prolly spit in it. So, me and a bunch of Razzball commenters got together and took part in an NFBC Draft. I’m down to start another draft too, if there’s demand. Just ping the comments with a note that says something like, “Didn’t I see you in a Starbucks ordering a unicorn frappe?” I’ll make signups for the draft available on our Patreon first. For this draft, I used my 2022 fantasy baseball rankings (dur) and so did others, which screwed me real good, especially when someone drafted Steven Kwan like 150 picks before his ADP. You know who you are! This left me with a total shizzshow of an outfield, so that’s fun! Well, we’ll leave something for the recap, shall we? Yes, we shall! Anyway, here’s my NFBC draft recap; it’s a 15-team, two-catcher, draft and hold league that goes 50 rounds and has no waivers:

C: Alejandro Kirk (18)
C: James McCann (23)
1B: Jared Walsh (7)
2B: Jonathan India (4)
SS: Gleyber Torres (9)
3B: Jose Ramirez (1, 6)
MI: Josh Rojas (15)
CI: Eric Hosmer (21)
OF: Aaron Judge (2)
OF: Alex Verdugo (10)
OF: Dylan Carlson (12)
OF: Andrew Vaughn (17)
OF: Mike Yastrzemski (19)
Util: Vidal Brujan (22)

Bench: Jarren Duran (25), Triston Casas (27), Victor Robles (29), Clint Frazier (30), Dylan Moore (32), Nick Pratto (33), Willi Castro (35), Colton Welker (37), Kevin Smith (39), Ryan Vilade (41), Roberto Perez (43), Yonny Hernandez (45), Jeter Downs (47), Andrew Knizner (49), Yonathan Daza (50)

P: Robbie Ray (3)
P: Jose Berrios (5)
P: Will Smith (6)
P: Sean Manaea (8)
P: Jordan Montgomery (11)
P: Lou Trivino (13)
P: Mike Clevinger (14)
P: Bailey Ober (16)
P: Trevor Bauer (20)
Bench: Drew Steckenrider (24), Reid Detmers (26), Dane Dunning (28), Zach Thompson (31), Cole Irvin (34), Brad Keller (36), David Price (38), A.J. Puk (40), Kyle Wright (42), Andrew Chafin (46), Jaime Barria (48)

I’M GONNA TAKE A GUESS WHY YOUR OUTFIELD MAKES ME WANT TO VOMIT.

Go ahead, Mr. Al Bolden Capps.

BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T DRAFT ONE FOR 120 PICKS! MAN, YOU ARE SUPER DUMB. SERIOUS QUESTION, HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO PUT YOUR PANTS ON OVER YOUR HEAD?

Appreciate that. Never, and I mean never ever, have I waited so long to take my 2nd outfielder. There’s a case to be made I don’t like a lot of the guys going off the board in that time. Cedric Mullins? No thanks! Starling Marte? Not for me! Randy Arozarena? Not likely! Nick Castellanos? Actually, I like him. Ketel Marte? No relation to Starling, and, yes, I can dig it. But that’s the problem with just seeing my draft. You don’t know the shituation I found myself in.

I had to draft a starter in the 3rd round or risk waiting until the 4th, and “my” number ones were ready to come off the board in the 3rd. As I say in the top 20 starters for 2022 fantasy baseball, I’m not telling you to punt starters, just the very top ones. Once the very top ones are off the board, you have to draft a guy in a 15-team league, or risk waiting 18 picks (that was my wait between picks) and not getting anyone. I could’ve waited and grabbed Gausman or Sale, but there’s no way of knowing that at the time, which brings me to my pitching staff, it’s stacked.

OKAY, YOU’RE DYING TO DO IT, SO LAY ON US YOUR WAR ROOM TOTALS.

As everyone knows, I use Rudy’s Fantasy Baseball War Room for every draft. You can too — comes with the Razzball subscriptions. Also, if you’re not sure you understand what the War Room does, watch the videos I made on the War Room page. It doesn’t mean I follow all the rankings and projections in the War Room. I have my own thoughts. I mean, I need finger replacement surgery after writing 50,000 words about my own thoughts in the 2022 fantasy baseball rankings. I usually don’t differ a ton from Rudy. Some? Sure. This draft seemed to highlight every guy I like that Rudy likes too. I haven’t shown this team to Rudy, but I bet he’d like it.

EWWW, GET A ROOM!

As you see my pitching is ridunk, and it didn’t come at a cost to my hitting. According to the War Room, at least. I’m not gonna ostrich my head into the sand and pretend my outfield is incredible, but I did get guys I like. Wrote an Andrew Vaughn sleeper, my top 40 outfielders tell you why I like Verdugo; I never draft Judge, but I do like him in my top 20 outfielders, and Carlson is in a favorable tier in the top 60 outfielders and same with Carl’s Jr. Jr. in the top 100 outfielders. The only real concern, as you see from the War Room totals, was my speed, so I grabbed Vidal Brujan…then Jarren Duran…then Victor Robles…then Clint Frazier–Okay, I went too far with backup outfielders and speed, and should’ve likely grabbed a different bench position early on, but you’re staring down a starting outfielder at pick 450 or an MI like Leury Garcia, and you’re like, “Meh, maybe this is Clint Frazier’s time, finally.”

HEY, SO I FELL ASLEEP FOR THE LAST FIFTEEN MINUTES, GUESSING I DIDN’T MISS ANYTHING. HAVE YOU DISCUSSED YOUR PITCHING?

So, we have to address the elephant in the room. Are they filming a Nat Geo special? Why is there an elephant in here? Anyway, Trevor Bauer. He’s a giant piece of garbage, but so was Marcell Ozuna, and he was being a giant piece of garbage on camera, and MLB said Ozuna was fine to return. I don’t expect MLB to do anything more about Bauer, which is why I take daily trips to Starbucks to order a unicorn frappe, and why I drafted him at pick 294, which is about hundred picks after I have him ranked.

SO, BETWEEN THIS TEAM AND YOUR FIRST NFBC DRAFT OF THE YEAR, WHICH TEAM DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

You know what’s funny?

LITERALLY NOTHING HERE.

Just looking at the two teams, and I like that other team better, but if you look at the War Room totals, it’s not close. This team is way better. This is the other team’s War Room totals:

YOU’RE RIGHT, THAT WAS FUNNY.

Will be interesting to see how each team does.

YES, INTERESTING.

I sense some sarcasm here, Mr. Al B. Capps.

NO WAY! NEVER! 

79 Comments
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Pat Frost
1 year ago

Non-partially it looks like Team Frost had the best draft. Haha. Fun times. I actually think waiting on OFers is a good strategy. I drafted Acuna and then didn’t get another OF til 10th round and he might not even play there (Chris Taylor 2B, SS, OF). Besides Taylor I took Conforto (13) and Suzuki (15) as my 2, 3 and they don’t even have teams! But there are OF options for days (Calhoun, Isabel, Wade, etc) and I feel fine overall (infield is stacked)

Glad you’re doing another draft but think I’ll do one outside of Razz so I can take advantage of those foolios!

Mike
1 year ago

No matter what happens in the world of reality or fantasy…McCann 2nd catcher. It’s a scientific law.

Dunphy
Dunphy
1 year ago

Who’s going #1 overall in RazzSlam?

Dunphy
Dunphy
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

I agree, but it sure would be nice to get to be the one who has FTJ for his 600 AB season.

Juan5021
Juan5021
1 year ago

Grey,

In a 12 team keeper H2H category league where we keep 10 players
(R,HR,RBI,STL,TB,AVE / W,L,K,ERA,WHIP,QS,NSVH)
I have jrod and Baz as my 2 prospects – I was proposed Rafael Devers for jrod, Baz, and a 2023 #1 and #2 pick.
Is all too much for Devers?
I feel like countering with Jrod, Baz, pablo Lopez my 2023 #1pick for devers fried would be fair.
Thoughts?

Polka
1 year ago

I love this team, not a big believer in Rubbie Ray but why not, he gets the whiffs!

Random Collmenter
Random Collmenter
1 year ago

Would def be down to join a DC draft!

Bbboston
Bbboston
1 year ago

Grey,

AL auction; 12 team; 8 keeper league

Brujan $10
Kirillof $10
A.Vaughn $16
Baddoo $10
Pearson $12
Verlander $8

I believe I can probably get 2 of these guys for Haniger $12. Two questions:
1) do you think a 2:1 makes sense?
2) which of above are worthy to include in 2:1?

Bbboston
Bbboston
Reply to  Bbboston
1 year ago

Correction: Haniger had a $19
Cost

PAUL LAMB
PAUL LAMB
1 year ago

Auction league 12 team 5×5
$300 budget

Pretty sold on these:
Riley $8
Walsh $7
Olson $22
Luis Garcia $5
Gausman $15

Should I keep any of these?
E Diaz $14
L Robert $33
T Anderson $30
Judge $31

Our league draft last year the cost was super high for top 20 guys so many/most of them will be available. I am thinking I’d like to keep LouBob but not the rest

thanks Grey

PAUL LAMB
PAUL LAMB
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Cool thanks, I guess I just wanna have the loot.

Appreciate it as always

Malicious Phenoms
Malicious Phenoms
1 year ago

Last guy on the team (60) Hosmer or Grichuk

Malicious Phenoms
Malicious Phenoms
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

thanks, have a good weekend

Big Ticket
Big Ticket
1 year ago

Grey, I’m welcoming myself back to the party! First comment of the year, but loving the ranks. Great job as always. Needing to finalize keepers in obp keeper that’s shallow.

Locks
1B – Muncy
2B – India
SS – FTJ
OF – Trout, Eloy, JuRod

Get 3 more from this list:
Bieber, Sal Perez, Jazz, Torkelson, Gleyber, Gallo, Mahle, Sale

TIA!

Big Ticket
Big Ticket
Reply to  Big Ticket
1 year ago

Sorry, left off Gausman as an option too

Big Ticket
Big Ticket
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

OBP league, and HR replaced by SLG, so his 370/530 slash is solid. Who would you swap him for?

mr. papagiorgio
mr. papagiorgio
1 year ago

Here ya go.

162342E4-6EA5-4ECF-BB1F-AB3A21B84C19.jpeg
mr. papagiorgio
mr. papagiorgio
Reply to  mr. papagiorgio
1 year ago

I was surprised you released the top 500 to Patreon right when we needed it the most! Haha. Definitely a blast drafting with Grey, looking forward to asking him who to start against him with a burner account this year.

mr. papagiorgio
mr. papagiorgio
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Click enlarge and pinch zoom works, but yeah not the easiest to navigate

Jolt In Flow
Jolt In Flow
Reply to  mr. papagiorgio
1 year ago

Mr Papagiorgio, the loneliest poster on the Razzball board. He’d give anything just to be included in a draft with someone. Hahaha.

You might have my favorite user name of anyone. Good call. And good luck in your league.

Jolt

Jeff Jaffee
Jeff Jaffee
1 year ago

Can we see the whole draft anywhere? Please and thank you. JJ

mr. papagiorgio
mr. papagiorgio
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

I have a screenshot of the draft board, but it’s too large to post. Don’t think there is any other way.

frankgrimes
frankgrimes
1 year ago

I told you I didn’t take Kwan because of you hahaha

frankgrimes
frankgrimes
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Haha I’m down for the next one let me know.
he is from my area. And you know adp is cockamamie!

hot corner
hot corner
1 year ago

Good morning Grey. In the DC format, OF is by far the hardest position to fill this year and have 5 OF’s that you feel good about. Especially since the world has gone mad for closers and you burn an early pick. I get it. You want to lock one up early, but how in the world can someone click the mouse in the 2nd round to pick a closer when Freddie Freeman is sitting there on the board?

Jolt In Flow
Jolt In Flow
Reply to  hot corner
1 year ago

Thanks for the heads up on OF. I felt the same when I looked at Grey’s top 100 list. Seems OFs, GOOD OFs, will be tricky to find this year. If we take Castellanos out (FA), it gets significantly worse.

My first draft is mid-March, so I’ll find out just how shallow the OF position is first hand then.

Good luck in your league.

Jolt

hot corner
hot corner
Reply to  Jolt In Flow
1 year ago

In round 11 or so, you are already into the Benintendi/Meadows range. You won’t want to take those guys because there is good pitching in that area, but a few rounds later, you are hoping that someone like Austin Hays falls to you as your OF4.

hot corner
hot corner
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Yeah. I might take him there but a .121 AVG in games started by LHP last year has platoon written all over it for a team like the Rays.

hot corner
hot corner
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

It is like I have a car battery attached to me and if I put a closer in my queue before round 4, I get zapped. There was someone in the chat room saying that if you mess up your bullpen, then your whole season is over and others agreed with him. He picked closers in rounds 2 AND 3 and 7 closers went in the first 3 rounds. Can you imagine picking Arolis Chapman in the third? I am not complaining. I was happy to start Vlad/Machado/Judge/Webb/Berrios and have 45 more rounds to figure out SVs and SBs.

hot corner
hot corner
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Exactly. The second place overall guy last year had like 41 saves. I was questioning myself but Eno is in this draft and he waited a bit on closers, so I knew all was good.

Asking for a Friend
Asking for a Friend
1 year ago

Hi Grey,

Big fan of the articles & podcasts. Appreciate all the work!

Quick keeper question:

Who would you keep in a 10 team (3 keepers per team) league with custom scoring:

Max Fried: 8th round
Semien: 15th Round
Mullins: 16th round

My other two keepers are:

Lance Lynn 4th round
Kevin Gausman (thanks for that tip last year!) in 10th round

Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
Reply to  Asking for a Friend
1 year ago

Toss up between the two hitters. I prefer Semien ( said none of my ex’s ever )

Asking for a Friend
Asking for a Friend
Reply to  Ace of Spades
1 year ago

Hahaha

Asking for a Friend
Asking for a Friend
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Thank you both

Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes
1 year ago

Good stuff as always Grey! I’m in a 12 team AL only roto 5×5 keeper league and was offered Shane Baz $1(3 years on control) for my pitcher only Ohtani $9(last yr of contract). I’ve gotta pull the trigger on that right?

Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
Reply to  Hometown Heroes
1 year ago

I would pull the trigger without even waiting for Grey’s OK. I consulted my WWGD ( what would Grey do ) wristband that I always wear during my drafts and from the baseball side of my brain I heard the mustached master say ” No Brainer “

Last edited 1 year ago by Ace of Spades
Jolt In Flow
Jolt In Flow
Reply to  Ace of Spades
1 year ago

Intriguing!

Note to self: ask Santa for a WWGD wristband this Christmas.

Jolt

Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
Reply to  Jolt In Flow
1 year ago

Yes. the beauty of the wristband is during drafts it stands for : who would Grey draft and during every free agent pick up : who would Grey drop. The damn thing has multiple usages throughout the baseball season.

TarmanGotHim
TarmanGotHim
1 year ago

Grey…

Joey Wendle

LOL

Love you man!!

TarmanGotHim
TarmanGotHim
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

I love the guy and you can’t convince me otherwise. He should be in the Too 500.

Seriously though. Thanks for everything per usual Grey and I can’t wait to start asking questions lol. Let’s cross our fingers the CBA gets signed and sealed next week and we can start getting our leagues together and the season going. Can’t wait to start drafting.

Ante GALIC
Ante GALIC
1 year ago

Grey!!!

Awesome!

a. Nice team. I see you didn’t repeat yesterday’s team’s pick of Tyler Wells with your last pick? What gives? Don’t you like Tyler Wells?

b. Have a nice weekend.

Cheers,
Ante

Ante GALIC
Ante GALIC
Reply to  Grey
1 year ago

Grey!!

I love Tyler in that format, he’ll be great this year. Maybe Hunter Harvey too in SVH leagues but ratios too. Your hitters are the boss.

Cheers,
Ante