Should I draft Donovan Tate?

by MarkyG43 on Jul 1, 2009 12:21 PM EDT Comment 24 comments

Hi,

I'm in a 16-team dynasty league which holds a one-round draft during the season to pick first-year minor leaguers. There is also a five-round winter draft for minor leaguers as we build up a farm system.

I have just made a trade which gets me the #3 pick of the first-year players. I also have the #13 pick.

Ideally, I'd like to draft one hitter and one pitcher.

I'm assuming Strasburg and Ackley will go #1 and #2, but I'm not sure who to take next.

Donovan Tate went to the Padres with the real #3 pick, but I'm not sure I trust the Padres (Matt Bush!) and the thought of him hitting in Petco doesn't excite me.

So who do you think I should go for?

Gamble on Tate at #3? Take another hitter at #3? Or pick a top pitcher and grab a hitter at #13?

Thanks.

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The only other hitter...

I’d say is worth taking a gamble on is Brad Boxberger. Green has limited upside, and it was a really weak crop of position players overall. If you don’t want to dip all the way down to Boxberger, I say take one of the high upside arms.

by slamcactus on Jul 1, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

???

isn’t Boxberger a pitcher?

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Jul 1, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh, borchering, i'd guess.

human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

by variablesdont on Jul 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Id be pretty excited to get Tate

if he pays out, he’s going to be phenomenal. Don’t overthink this. Tate is the obvious choice and has superstar potential. It may take a little while… but so what?

If you do want a pitcher and a hitter Id say Tate is an obvious choice. There are a ton of relatively similar pitchers drafted in the 1st round. Youre certain to get a decent one at #13, and probably have a few decent choices left to pick from. Whereas, position players – there just arent that many good ones and theyre risky. If youre scared Tate is a little risky don’t be afraid to go a safe choice with the pitcher… maybe someone like Hobgood?

by alskor on Jul 1, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There aren't many position players

… and I guess the ones who are there from the late 1st round onwards will likely still be there when we hold the five-round minor league draft this winter.

by MarkyG43 on Jul 1, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Somewhat agree

If you want a pitcher and a hitter, grabbing Tate at #3 then going for a Shelby Miller at #13 will work out great for you.

Honestly though, I was faced with a similar dilema in our recent draft. I went with Jacob Turner over Tate at #5. I am a huge believer in Turner’s arm. You could always grab Mitchell or Wheeler at #13 for your hitter.

by guru4u on Jul 1, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't compare Bush to Tate w/ regards to the Padres

Grady Fuson wasn’t there.
Paul DePodesta wasn’t there.
Sandy Alderson hadn’t put his stamp on things.

It’s almost a completely different scouting/player development system than the one that drafted Bush.

by pffriberg on Jul 1, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If you it’s hitting you want, Tate is your best bet. With your 2nd pick, I’d reccomend Shelby Miller

by Mets2k9 on Jul 1, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd take Aaron Crow

I’d rather an impact pitcher coming up in the next year or two to a guy a long while away

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by OldProspects on Jul 1, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crow would be a good option

… but he was taken in our league’s fantasy draft last year, and his rights stay with that team, regardless of whether he signs or not. If he was available, I’d certainly be considering him.

by MarkyG43 on Jul 1, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best way to get a return on your investment

is to take a pitcher first, then a hitter like grant green or borchering or jared mitchell with the 13th pick.

Matzek and Crow are the 2 guys id be thinking over at 2

by jsmall404 on Jul 1, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’d throw Wheeler in with Crow and Matzek too
But that is the best strategy in your position

by smoooooth on Jul 1, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The counter-argument is

that the gap between Donovan Tate and Jared Mitchell is more sizable than the gap between Matzek and say, Jacob Turner or Matt Purke or Chad James are. But I don’t think that’s a reason to take Tate – ultimately, I think the pitchers in this draft are substantially better than the hitters and insisting on taking pitching and hitting evenly is foolish. I think this is a good draft to stock up on pitchers, and get hitting prospects another year when the options are better

TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems

by OldProspects on Jul 1, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not so sure

The gap between Mitchell and Tate is that sizeable..they are very similar players to me. Fantasy wise I would hope that both turn out to be 15 HR, 30+SBs CFs.

The thing that sets Mitchell apart, and the reason I like him a ton is he already have plate discipline and understands the strike zone..That ability to hit leadoff is a plus in fantasy, we dont know if Tate is capable of that. take the guy who has demonstarted the ability already.

by jsmall404 on Jul 2, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is how the draft in one of my leagues has gone so far

1. Strasburg
2. Ackley
3. Wheeler
4. Matzek, my pick
5. Scheppers
6. Purke
7. Mitchell
8. Turner
9. Green
10 Tate
11. Miller
12 Minor
13. Trout
14 Sanchez
15 Gibson

There is some skipped picks by teams not drafting 20 teams 10 minors guys

by smoooooth on Jul 1, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is Wheeler going so high?

If money isn’t a factor, then how is he being picked ahead of Matzek or Purke or maybe Turner?

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by OldProspects on Jul 1, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I was thinking

was that Wheeler had maybe the best combination of things going for him. He was signable, had good upside, Giant’s had a good track record of development with recent pitchers. I had 3 guys I was looking for, Matzek, Wheeler and Crow, the decision of Matzek over Crow was a lot easier than if I had to go Matzek over Wheeler. Crow should be 16 on the list above, from the guys I talked to, they liked the upside of the HS guys over Crow. The guy who drafted Mitchell really liked him and knew he’d have to take him there. I’m really surprised Borchering hasn’t went yet, along with Hobgood, and given the fact that RP is so scarce and his situation in DC, Storen. Really hoping one of the first two fall to me in the second round. Also Scheppers going so early was a real disappointment to my hopes he’d fall.

by smoooooth on Jul 1, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

was crowe already drafted?

by novaoakland on Jul 2, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Tate goes in the teens in past/future drafts

"Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish Whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."

by strums on Jul 1, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like that the Padres took Tate.

But I can’t justify him at 3. This is fantasy baseball, and if a player’s bat is in question, you have to consider why he is being thought of so highly. He is at least 3 years away too.

Then again, I took Grant Green 5 in my draft and most wouldn’t like that pick either.

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Jul 1, 2009 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sano is a wild card

and maybe should be considered at 3

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Jul 1, 2009 11:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sano isn't eligible for this draft

This one is just for players drafted. But Sano would be available in the five-round winter draft if he has signed with an MLB team by then.

by MarkyG43 on Jul 3, 2009 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I'm one of Tate's biggest doubters

Sure he has excellent tools but for a number 3 pick you definitely want somebody who knows how to hit RIGHT now… rather then take a gamble that they will one day figure it out. While I don’t fault the Padres for the pick since Tate has the highest ceiling of the remaining hitters at that time, I just don’t think it’s a wise investment for a fantasy league team.

To me I’d take whoever you think is the best pitcher at #3 and then take a hitter. More than likely you’ll still get your choice of hitter (not including Tate) and you’ll get a better pitcher as well. I personally prefer Borchering to Tate anyway and since there’s a decent chance he’ll be there at 13 I’d take that risk.

by TRanger on Jul 2, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I have been in a 20 team league with 15 prospects for abot 4 years now.

I would not really condiser taking Donovan Tate, I do not blame SD for taking him in real life..but there are just better players on the board for fantasy…

Also, I have no idea why in a fantasy league someone would take Wheller over Matzek, Turner, and Purke.

I have the 15th pick in my league and I am zeroing in on Green, Mitchell, Borchering, and Sano..because there about 10 pitchers that will all get picked in the top 15.

by jsmall404 on Jul 2, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs