Fantasy Baseball 2011: One Man's Minor League Draft

I am participating in 6 fantasy leagues this year, the most leagues I have ever participated in. Two are expert leagues with other fantasy writers from other blogs/sites. The other four are home money leagues, one of which is the 12 team UBA NL-Only keeper league, where we hold a two round minor league draft before the major league auction takes place.

This season, I went into the draft with 5 picks in the two rounds-two first round picks and three second round picks. I had the following picks-1, 12, 13, 15, and 20. 

My picks, reasons, and the rest of the minor league draft results after the jump:

1.1-Bryce Harper, Nationals-no explanation needed here, except that I traded a $5 Ike Davis for him. That is how high I think of Harper, but I am second guessing the deal as I am primed to compete for the money this year. I think he makes it to AA this season, and could break the Nationals starting lineup out of spring training in 2012. I made the deal for Harper with the thought that 1. long-term Harper will be a better player than Davis, and 2. I can always deal him mid-season should I be in the money and have needs.

1.12-Jerry Sands, Dodgers-I have written enough about this guy that you are probably tired of me writing about him. Not many of the prospect experts rank him too highly, but I think he has a very good shot at a starting job either at first base or left field for the Dodgers in 2012, if not this year. The Dodgers left field situation is not ideal, and it appears Ned Colletti is keeping left field warm for Sands. In a recent interview, Dodgers director of scouting Logan White said he has 30 HR potential.

2.1-Devin Mesoraco, Reds-Mesoraco had a breakout year in 2010, and will start the 2011 season in AAA, where he homered in his first game on Thursday. Mesoraco has plenty of power, and he could get called up as early as this season. I don't think Ramon Hernandez or Ryan Hanigan will block him from playing time in Cincinnati once he's deemed ready.

2.3 Anthony Rizzo, Padres-Rizzo is the Padres first baseman of the future, and was one of the 3 top prospects the Padres received from the Red Sox in return for Adrian Gonzalez this offseason. Rizzo had a solid season in 2010 hitting .260-.334-.480 with 25 HRs and 100 RBIs. He will be playing in the Pacific Coast League where his stats could look even better than last year in AA. He does need to cut down on his strikeouts, but I expect him to contend for the Padres first base job in 2012.

2.8-Rubby de la Rosa, Dodgers-I watched some of RDLR's last spring training start against the Mariners and he was dominant, striking out Ichiro Suzuki twioe. He was impressive in his start against the Giants towards the end of spring training as well. Should the Dodgers need a 5th starter this season, doubtful with the offseason addition of Jon Garland, RDLR could be the pitcher called up. He will start the season in AA, and most likely contend for a spot in the Dodgers rotation in 2012. I don't see the Dodgers sending RDLR to AAA anytime this season.

Here is how the rest of the draft went:

1-Bryce Harper

2-Julio Teheran

3-Delino DeShields, Jr,

4-Billy Hamilton

5-Wilin Rosario

6-Jameson Taillon

7-Kyle Parker

8-Jonathan Singleton

9-Shelby Miller

10-Zach Cox

11-Mike Minor-I wanted him at 12

12-Jerry Sands

13-Devin Mesoraco

14-Tony Sanchez

15-Anthony Rizzo

16-Randall Delgado

17-Jordan Lyles

18-A.J. Pollock

19-Casey Kelly

20-Rubby de la Rosa

21-Jonathan Vilar

22-Nolan Arenado

23-J.D. Martinez

24-Trey McNutt