Pitchers

by ChrisRef19 on Oct 11, 2006 10:59 AM EDT

Hamels, Billingsly or Zumaya? I have the 6th pick in my draft and know there will be some solid players and pitchers available. I have B.Myers, Buerhle and Cain coming back, with two slots to fill. I can take a starter above, or possibly get someone like Martin to fill in for Ausmus or Kendhal.

My question would be.... do I settle with Ausmus and Kendhal (sim league) for next year and go for some young pitching? Or do I take someone like Martin to move into the lineup?

Each year it seems like our league has pitching. Last year Verlander, Liriano, Olsen and others were available. This year its Bizz, hammels, A.Sanchez, Zumaya, Garza, Pelfrey, Sowers, Hirsh and others. I have the 6th pick, but also have three in the second round and 7 of the top 100 total.

Thoughts would be great.

Poll

What are your thoughts on the draft?

Take a solid catching prospect in Russ Martin

5 votes

Go for a big time pitcher like Hamels or Bizz in the first, take a lower rated catcher in second round

16 votes

Go ro big time pitcher in first and one in second round.

2 votes

Go for best overall player at every point.

26 votes

49 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Hamels

by Fett42 @ Minor League Ball on Oct 11, 2006 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Rationale

Always take the best player available. If you have too much of one thing, trade it for what you need.

One thought.. if Hamels or Billingsley are available at the 6th pick, either you have a ton of good young players available, or people are afraid to take pitchers.

by jc3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

"best player available"

In a 30-team sim league, I've been thinking over some of the same choices for my January draft, and It's not clear to me that taking the "best player available" applies 100%. In the past, I would have thought it was a no-brainer, but in this particular draft, I think Martin needs to be over-drafted by a team in need of a catcher. There are just far too many "acceptable" catchers available in MLB now, so "replacement level" on a catcher is really bad.

Consider OP's catching situation... Kendall had a nice year (if that's possible with a .322 SLG against RHP), but Ausmus is a zero, and how long will Kendall last? My situation is even worse, as I have Yadier Molina (who can throw out base thieves but is otherwise completely worthless). I guess if I had Kendall/Ausmuss, I'd bump up my valuations by about 10% on Martin, Johjima, Iannetta, and perhaps Montero and Paulino too. I'm pretty sure that still doesn't move Martin ahead of the potential "ace" pitchers out there (Billz and Hamels for sure), but I could see taking him ahead of a player I think is "better".

In short, I'd rather "overpay" by 10% in the draft than be in a vulnerable situation where other league members can exploit my obvious weakness at a position and make me overpay by even more in a trade later (and why wouldn't they?) IMO, good catching is a "seller's market".

by BobbyMac on Oct 11, 2006 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

many?

I actually meant to type "far too few" "acceptable" catchers.

by BobbyMac on Oct 11, 2006 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

See your point

Personally, I wouldn't overdraft Martin over Hamels, Billz, etc., but I can see the logic behind what you are saying. I always prefer players up the middle, so catchers, SS, etc. will always be among the best available players for me. Therefore, Martin would be highly ranked, but below potential ace starters like Hamels and Billingsley. But, at least in a sim league, he would be ahead of a guy like Quentin based on positional need, even though he won't be the offensive player that Quentin will be.

"Best available player" is in the eye of the beholder for sure, and sometimes positional scarcity dictates that.

by jc3 on Oct 11, 2006 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Up the middle

I have Tejada, O.Hudson and Beltran or V.Wells in center. Getting a guy like Martin who will come in and play next year would be great. If I take a guy like Napolli, Johjima, Iannetta or Paulino I think I would be all set until the next crop of prospects come up through.

by ChrisRef19 on Oct 11, 2006 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too

I also play in a sim league, and this year pick 7th. Figure I get one of: Delmon, Drew, Markakis, Weaver, Hamels, Sanchez and Billz. So yeah, there are a ton of good young players available.

My answer to the poll question was grab a pitcher in the 1st, if one of the above is available, and take a Montero or Iannetta with one of the 3 2nd round picks. Kendall is sufficient for next season, and those arms are too special IMO to pass up.

by drwmsu1 on Oct 11, 2006 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Zumaya

If your league values holds and saves, take Zumaya.

Hamels is still an injury risk and throws in a hitters's park and Billingsley's control problems will prevent him from being a frontline starter right away.

Zumaya is a top 100 player next year barring injury and is well on his way to being the next K-Rod.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Oct 11, 2006 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

Aren't the Tigers gonna give him

A shot to start? I know he was a starter throughout his career until this year.

by Fett42 @ Minor League Ball on Oct 11, 2006 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Sim

Player's stats matter, but only to make them a stronger player. A guy with a sub 2 era and around 97 ks in 68 innings will be a solid APBA player. If he can keep this up he will be valuable. I have Chris Ray, Mike Gonzalez, John Broxton and Adam Wainright now in the pen. Picking up Zumaya will help that group out a lot.

CP - Zumaya
SU - Broxton / Ray
Lefty - Gonzo
MR - Wain.

by ChrisRef19 on Oct 11, 2006 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions