My Minor Leaguers

by ajw on Oct 28, 2008 11:01 AM EDT

I'm in a 24 team Strat-O-Matic baseball league and each team can have seven players that have never played in MLB. Unfortunately, none of my guys graduated last year, so I have a full seven heading into the off-season. I really like to scout and draft the minor leaguers, so it's a bummer that I won't have any open slots for our draft next spring.

With that in mind, I wonder if I should consider cutting one of these guys. I like them all, but I could be convinced to cut one or more. So, what do you think? The top four are obvious keepers. I like Beltre as a "lottery ticket" type player. Teheran is similar. I'm a Giants fan, so I'm probably biased towards Sosa.

Matt Wieters

Rick Porcello

Neftali Feliz

Angel Villalona

Julio Teheran

Engel Beltre

Henry Sosa

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I think Sosa will be a likely candidate for a very good year next year. OTOH, he has had health issues, so it might be wise to drop him for someone who a bit more of a sure thing.

Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?

by shikantaza on Oct 28, 2008 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

It really depends on who else is available

by aCone419 on Oct 28, 2008 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

Of course that’s true. I guess the real question is: do you think my seven guys are seven of the top 168 top players with no MLB experience. I think I do a good job of scouting and drafting, so I’m confident I can get quality players to replace anyone I cut.

As an example, here’s where I drafted some prospects in the 2008 draft:

Detwiler – pick 14
Feliz – pick 28
Sosa – pick 98
C Weathers – pick 122
Beltre – pick 146
Teheran – pick 218

by ajw on Oct 28, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they're all fringe top-168 players

They wouldn’t be terrible #5-7 people for your system, but there might be better

www.loftylantern.com

by OldProspects on Oct 28, 2008 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I started to type the same thing and then saw you nailed it already.

You can do better than Teheran and Sosa. Im not a Beltre believer, but if you want to go lottery ticket, he would be your guy.

You can do better.

by alskor on Oct 28, 2008 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m starting to think the same thing. I hate cutting guys that I still like, but I guess it’s probably the best move.

by ajw on Oct 28, 2008 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

Top 168

The only guy who might not be in the top 168 is Sosa, but like the original poster said, he could really shoot up next year with a full year of health.

by aCone419 on Oct 29, 2008 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Sure

but the top 168 now is probably a great deal different than the last time they drafted. There are probably tons of guys who have shot up. My league does 150 top and there are a TON of great prospects, like Michael Saunders and Derek Holland, who are not owned.

There will definitely be better options unless the people in your league are psychic. Tons of guys emerged this season.

by alskor on Oct 30, 2008 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions