As a Razzball writer, I feel I owe you, my loyal readers of one post, transparency. Since I’m your correspondent for middle infield this year, I will tell you who I drafted, where I drafted them (or how much I paid), and, most importantly, why I drafted them. Giving you this insight may help you in your last minute draft strategy, or may give you good fodder for later season moves. I’ll be sharing from my home leagues, and the format I drafted in:
The Misguided Flying Shrimp, a 12 team H2H league 6×6 using TB and SLG, auction league:
Corey Seager, $15: Seager had his first year without 30 homers last year, but bounced back after the Rangers changed hitting coaches mid year. I’m not expecting a ton, 25/85/80, but he should outproduce Bo Bischette, who went at the same price
CJ Abrams, $9: Abrams is as comfortable a lock for 20/30 as there is out there. He may be an OBP drain, but that’s one category. He stays healthy and produces well. Keep him away from the casino, and he’ll definitely out produce his $9 price tag.
Nico Hoerner, $10: If you are noticing a pattern, it’s that I took a lot less risk in my middle infield and went with sure things with this league. My risk went to my outfield (PCA, Pages, Wilyer) and 3rd (Caminero going back to a major league stadium). Nico is a lock for 9/30/90/60.
Reese McGuire’s Search History, 12 team H2H Points, Snake Draft:
Francisco Lindor (3rd round 33rd overall): This was a bit of a risk, but I believe in a top 3 SS. Lindor has come back from his hamate injury to be ready for Opening day. His power may be depressed for the first month, but I think 25/30 with good rates and counting stats won’t change. That Mets lineup should be more than enough to drive him in 100 times, and he’ll drive in 85. That kind of production is worth a 2nd, and I got him near the end of the 3rd.
Ceddanne Rafaela (9th round, 105th overall): 2nd was getting thin, and needed to be addressed. Albies, Semien, and Hoerner had just gone the previous 2 rounds. I wouldn’t call this desperation as much as where I thought he would fit. He’s good for getting a good amount of hits, 15 bombs, and 20 steals, and will accumulate the other counting stats well enough as he won’t come out of the lineup because his glove is one of the best in the game.
JJ Wetherholt (13th round, 153rd overall): If I’m going to grab depth, I may as well grab who I think will be the NL Rookie of the year. Last year, he hit 300/400/500 over AA and AAA. He made the opening day roster. St. Louis does not have a lot to be excited about on their major league squad. Wetherholt is a dude. He is their biggest hope after years of busted hitting prospects, and I think he will deliver.
Jorge Polanco (18th round, 208th overall): Yeah but… just in case Wetherholt busts on an Ethan Holliday rookie year level, I’ve got Polanco as depth. Solid chance at 20 bombs with a lot of runs scored in that Mets lineup.
CAMINERO HEEEYAAAH, 12 team 5×5 Roto league, Snake Draft:
Brice Turang (6th round, 65th Overall): He fell. To me. My guy, who I think will end up as the number 1 second baseman, who I had been shying away from because of the price tag, fell. To give you examples, he went in the 4th round in my other snake, and for $23 in my auction. So getting Turang in the 6th was a coup. I called 25/30 in my rankings article, and I’m not backing down from that.
Jacob Wilson (13th round, 152nd overall): This is what happens when you ignore the SS position for eons. You get Jacob Wilson. Given it’s a standard 5×5, he will help boost my average, but he doesn’t have much power to speak of, and he doesn’t run as much as a young guy should. I’m going to need to address this more…
Dansby Swanson (17th round, 200th overall): Which I did. Dansby is just sitting there with his 20+ Bombs, good average, and a pretty good Cubs lineup around him. I’ll likely play him the majority of the year if Wilson takes a sophomore hit.
I took Wetherholt in this draft as well to fill my 3rd base slot. Since that’s corner infield, I won’t really touch on the reasoning other than I ignored 3rd and took my guy.
And there you have it, dear readers. That’s what I did. I feel more confident in some leagues than others, and strangely, that’s where I drafted veterans. Feel free to share your thoughts on how I did and what you did. Until next time…
A really good article.