When you hear .225 Lifetime Hitter is bringing the blog back
Welcome to the 2018 Fantasy Baseball Season!
The spring season has blessed us with the best time of year. March Madness, The Masters, NHL & NBA Playoffs, Bears Free Agency, & that's right you beautiful sons o' bitches - Baseball!
Well, we are here. After a long awaited off-season, having yet played since October, not all, but some have endured a longer waiting period than others. Yes, I am speaking of Pat, who we see below no later than 24 hours after the 2017 White Sox finished their regular season at 67-95.
Crazy to think he's been counting down the days to the 2018 season, only to witness James Shields throw out that first punch.
Punch? I met pitch. Yes you heard that right people. James Shields is the opening day starter for your 2018 Chicago White Sox. Let that sink in for a moment.
Here's to hoping the Sox due have a comeback year so it's not all anger out of PQ all the time. In terms of fantasy, who will have the #comebackSZN this year? Could it be one of the new-comers? Could it be Tim who finished bottom two last year? Could it be the one's who got close? I guess time will tell, but for now - let's take a guess at who has the best shot this year to take it home..
Editer's Note: I am going to list these teams in the order we drafted in. They will have a way too early (WTE) power ranking and draft grade at the end of each analysis. Your draft grade may have a slim to moderate exaggeration compared to the WTE Ranking you receive in. There are a couple variables being taken into account with this: experience, draft history, bias, theme of your team and if the makeup of your squad makes sense regarding overall projected output. Number of player's you drafted in MLB.com Fantasy Top 100 Players will be listed as well.
WTE Power Rankings
Rodger Dorn
Top 5 Picks
1. Mike Trout
2. Corey Seager
3. Justin Verlander
4. Kenley Jansen
5. Yu Darvish
Right off the bat we get a draft order controversy courtesy of the commissioner's office. I was awarded the first overall draft pick via drawing names out of a hat. Problem is this was done 7 minutes prior to draft time. Honestly quite funny, especially WHEN YOU WERE THE ONE AWARDED FIRST DRAFT PICK.
Now, we have Jared picking first and he grabs none other than the future 2018 AL MVP Mike Trout.
That is just what the game will do to you, it's so unpredictable. Speaking of unpredictable, how bout those Ramblers eh?
In all seriousness this is a scary team and you can see so very quickly just by looking at the top 5.
You get the MVP candidate, Seager who is a stud, two pitchers who are going to get great numbers and the #1 closer in the game. Hot start for one of our newcomers!
Not to mention Rodger Dorn also drafted Rougned Odor
You cannot underestimate this team, just how you can't underestimate the sneakiness of Johnny Cueto
Some favorable picks: Travis Shaw, Adam Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Jonathan Lucroy
Some not so favorable: Joey Gallo
Draft Grade: B
WTE Power Ranking: 7
Top 100 Players Drafted: 8
The Boowahs
Top 5 Picks
1. Jose Altuve
2. Noah Syndergaard
3. Jose Abreu
4. Carlos Carrasco
5. Byron Buxton
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| Kid's Blue Collar |
If anyone wants to nominate another pitcher for scariest pitcher to go against I would be glad to lay out a debate blog as to why or why not. But, it's going to be difficult to take it away from a pitcher as Blue Collar as Noah.
As is tradition every year, we like to take a look at how quickly Pat's homerism kicks in when he will first draft his favorite White Sox players. This year it took a whopping 3 rounds, where PQ snagged a formidable first baseman who considers him a leader of this team, Jose Abreu.
I expect a big year for Abreu and the hopeful comeback White Sox. Look for him and some of the young Sox to gain traction this year as elite fantasy assets.
Other notes for The Boowahs - Looks like Pat wants to establish a threat on the base paths this season in drafting Byron Buxton & Billy Hamilton just two rounds apart. That says to me he's looking to corner the market on bases stolen, hope your catcher's have great arms!
Some favorable picks: Gerrit Cole, Jose Berrios, Raisel Iglesias, Adam Duvall, Marcus Semien, Billy Hamilton
Some not so favorable: Tim Anderson, Jay Bruce, Yasmani Grandal
Draft Grade: D+
WTE Ranking: 10
Top 100 Players Drafted: 8
Don Jahns
Top 5 Picks
1. Nolan Arenado
2. Freddie Freeman
3. Cody Bellinger
4. Marcell Ozuna
5. Nelson Cruz
This team is going to hit bombs against every single opponent this year. Don't take it personal when you eventually lose your week's matchup against Don Jahns, I mean what type of bodies do you think these players on Jahns' team would look like? They are a true Progression of how Jahns has evolved over the years. There is no way you can tell me this isn't an accurate description of Jahns' transformation over the years into now one of our cities finest.
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| Jahns circa 2001 tackling practice dummies |
Jahns being kinda fat in 7th grade
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| Jahns Pictured Left:2009, Jahns Pictured Right: 2007 |
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| Jahns going that extra mile on Defense, 2012 |
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| Jahns ripping dingers on 19 year olds at Pioneer Park, present |
He's picking the strongest, scariest dudes at the plate, and it's clear as day that these top 5 are exactly the way he's seen his own development age over the years. Arrenado, freeman, bellinger, ozuna, cruz. Think about it.
With that being said, he also drafted relatively high in terms of snagging amount of top 100 players. Should be interesting to see how he manages throughout the year, as he has been known to just show up for draft night. #ComebackSZN?
Some favorable picks: Edwin Diaz, Ian Kinsler, Zack Cozart, Chris Archer, Cody Allen
Some not so favorable: Ryan Braun, Tyler Chatwood, Dustin Pedroia
Draft Grade: A-
WTE Ranking: 4
Top 100 Players Drafted: 10
Tim's Terrific Team
Top 5 Picks
1. Trea Turner
2. Corey Kluber
3. Alex Bregman
4. Andrew Benintendi
5. Justin Upton
Welcome to the fantasy league Tim, we've had a fun couple years doing this and gladly welcome you. With that being said, I am going to take a hot steamy dump on my opponents, with no exception to you. You beat me, you got my respect. Also, do us all a favor (especially me for having to type these names out) change your name to either:
Alex Brickma
That's right, Alex (Brickma) Bregman is one of my favorite picks, the kid's a star. Also get to utilize him in either your 3B or SS slot. Astros = $$
Bregman slides right in and gets the job done. He doesn't let distractions like beautiful women disrupt his 'Win & Get the Job Done' mentality. Potential to be fave pick of the draft.
Or
You can elect to make your name:
Benintendo64
I thought you also got him in a great spot, took him at 45, while I took Rhys Hoskins at the 44 spot, after having Benintendi last year, it will be interesting to see where these two are at down the season. We'll have to catch up on this at the break.
This is an essential young OF slugger for your team who has quick hips & a see-ball-hit-ball attitude.
Following that up with the fact that I also had Corey Kluber last year is the one that bites the most. Guy gets double-digit-K-outings up the ying-yang. Will easily win you a playoff matchup if you wind up there.
I like Kyle Hendricks and where you drafted him. He pitches a Quality Start (QS) essentially every outing while also maintaining a low ERA & K/BB Ratio.
Add that with the fact that your infield is stacked may surround out the core of your team.
Could any other managers who are OF heavy be of potential trade suitors? I would think so...
Really like & am interested in how Acuna Jr. & Torres pan out this year as rookies. It's always exciting to see rookies explode on the scene and I think these could be two pretty quickly.
Do not underestimate this league and think you're as safe as Trea Turner stealing 3rd on Jon Lester
The fact you took Schwarber where you did says a lot about your makeup of this team. He rounds the team out, but will the weight loss in the offseason effect his Power & Slugging % ? Will he rip dingers on the top of the Budweiser sign per usual?
If you think so, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Just ask what happened to Nolan when he drafted him in the 4th round and snapped his knee during the 2nd game of the year..
This is the moment Nolan knew his Schwarbo-Bombs Season Ended
Some favorable picks: Yoan Moncada, Ender Inciarte, J.T. Realmuto, Ronald Acuna Jr.
Some not so favorable: Alex Claudio, Alex Reyes, Kyle Schwarber
Draft Grade: B
WTE Ranking: 6
Top 100 Players Drafted: 8
Mookie & The Betts
Top 5 Picks
1. Charlie Blackmon
2. Mookie Betts
3. Gary Sanchez
4. Rhys Hoskins
5. Craig Kimbrel
I really liked Charlie Blackmon last year, tried trading for him multiple times... his numbers were off the charts. Unfortunately, that production won't hit this year, but should be a great asset.
El Gary Sanchez is a fucking G who rips doubles.
Lack starting pitching (aces in particular). I am officially in the market for an ace if anyone is willing to trade.
Some favorable picks: Lance McCullers Jr., Jake Lamb, Ken Giles, Eugenio Suarez
Some not so favorable: Shohei Ohtani, Charlie Morton, Wilmer Flores
Draft Grade: C
WTE Ranking: 9
Top 100 Players Drafted: 9
Nolan's Red Team
Top 5 Picks
1. Chris Sale
2. George Springer
3. J.D. Martinez
4. Jacob deGrom
5. Buster Posey (buster posey rule - thanks for ruining cool plays at the plate like aj pierzinski vs. cubs)
I sure hope your first round pick pans out. I personally think Sale was drafted a little high here, but then realize he throws pitches like this:
George Springer has a lisp, IDK if anyone knew that - so it fits you well that you drafted a guy who also has a speech impediment.
I thought you basically stole J.D. Martinez who does nothing but produces. Drafted him 30th overall, he is ranked around 16 on preseason fantasy rankings. The rest of your draft was pretty boring, and I can't really figure out the makeup of your team.
Not only that, but you draft Buster Posey. Yes, the Buster Posey who ruined the game of baseball as we once knew it because he broke his shit when some dude slid into him. Because of this, we probably won't get another AJ/Barret incident at the plate again. So, thanks dickhead.
Some favorable picks: Roberto Osuna, Didi Gregorious, Ozzie Albies, Kevin Gausman
Some not so favorable: Wade Davis, Brian McCann, J.A. Happ, Todd Frazier
Draft Grade: C-
WTE Ranking: 11
Top 100 Players Drafted: 7
Tom's Team
Top 5 Picks
1. Carlos Correa
2. Jose Ramirez
3. Aaron Judge
4. Edwin Encarnacion
5. Carlos Martinez
You would be lying if you told me before the draft that Aaron Judge would be drafted in the 3rd Rd (31st Overall). From there, I would have gone on to tell you that Judge doesn't leave the 1st Rd. Yet here we are gentlemen, what were people thinking? He is going to rimp bombs! However, I for one am a little nervous on Judge this year. Obviously trying to repeat last year will be tough, but the Yankees have enough talent & big names around him, that I don't think he will feel the sophomore year slump most young stars go thru. I do like the fact that he denounced himself from the HR Derby, he's honest in the sense that he knows it ain't fair if he contends. To be fair, just like my comment about Blackmon earlier, there is just no way I see these guys matching last year #'s.
Here's to hoping Judge's K-Rate improves..
^Colon still got it
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| Jahns take notes |
The overall top 5 picks cannot be better IMO. Couple that with the fact that Tom's Team has maybe the best infield on any team in the league and watch out for this team. Has the potential to be very good and it just seems like every year Tom has one of my favorite drafts. Will this be the year? #ComebackSZN
P.S. I would also call you a liar if you told me you've seen Jose Ramirez WITHOUT the biggest chaw in at all times throughout the game.
Some favorable picks: Khris Davis, Trevor Bauer, Felipe Rivero, Jameson Taillon, Fernando Rodney
Some not so favorable: Evan Gattis, J.P. Crawford, Jason Vargas
WTE Ranking: 1
Top 100 Players Drafted: 9
Shane Falcos
Top 5 Picks
1. Max Scherzer
2. Manny Machado - will he be on Orioles by end of trade deadline?
3. Stephen Strasburg
4. Madison Bumgarner
5. Starling Marte
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| (first pitcher to throw a 20 K game with two different colored eyes) |
I'm not really sure where to begin, other than the fact that your entire team is a pitcher or a 2nd Basemen. It is an odd strategy to me, but maybe time will tell. I hope you do also realize that starters typically get ~1 start per matchup, so was the going starter heavy strategy worth it? I do not think so. Madison Bumgarner is hurt, he could've dropped a few more rounds, Greg bird is also hurt. Your 1st basemen will strike out or hit 1HR or Double per game. I think this is a team that may find itself in a deep rut the first 6 weeks into the season and have to test out the trade market... I know a team that could use some starting pitching!
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| Shane Falcos riding off into the sunset #ComebackSZN? |
Some favorable picks: Alex Wood, Chris Davis, Corey Knebel, A.J. Pollock
Some not so favorable: Greg Bird, Madison Bumgarner, Justin Smoak, Jonathan Villar
Draft Grade: D
WTE Ranking: 12
Top 100 Players Drafted: 8
North Side Kings
Top 5 Picks
1. Anthony Rizzo
2. Francisco Lindor
3. Brian Dozier
4. Anthony Rendon
5. Whit Merrifield
I thought NSK's draft was a pleasant surprise. If you take a look at the first 5 picks, he really solidifies his infield and let's the other managers around the league know that just because he is knew, doesn't mean he can't take a couple ground balls. Rizzo is a future captain, and should be considered the captain of this team. Gonna be another Great year for the North Side (Kings).
This team has Wit & Wisdom - see what I did there?
Other than not drafting a closer, this is one of the more well-rounded teams. It should be exciting to see how this ball club is managed throughout the year, look for them to come out of the gate hot.
I also noticed you have quite a bit of trade bait on your team. (Word of advice, Mccutchen is Pat's favorite player, make him a trade down the road and he will essentially give up anyone for him, even James Shields).
Should be interesting to see how Arrieta holds up in his new home of Philly, city is hot right now. I expect Jake to be just fine and limit his pitch count in the process this year to making an all star appearance for the city of brotherly love.
Some favorable picks: Luke Weaver, Yasiel Puig, Jose Peraza, Taijuan Walker
Some not so favorable: Kyle Freeland, Russell Martin
PS. Hands down best name in baseball goes to Scooter Gennett.
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| People forget he hit 4 bombs in a game last year |
Draft Grade: B+
WTE Ranking: 8
Top 100 Players Drafted: 10
Brian's Team
Top 5 Picks
Brian's Team
1. Kris Bryant
2. Joey Votto
3. Luis Severino
4. Robinson Cano
5. Elvis Andrus
Anybody who thought Brian would've let KB slip to the 2nd round doesn't truly know him. A true classic pick for fantasy from the north side die hard. Follow that up with one of the most lethal choke up batters at the plate in Joey Votto who seems to either get a BB or Hit every time he is up at the plate.
I really like the makeup of this team and think it is one of the more well-rounded teams drafted. solidified his offense early, got some nice pitching and even Chapman. What I will say is this, Brian drafted Lester, Price, & Hamels in 3 back-to-back-to-back picks. I am going to make a bold statement and say 2 of these 3 pitchers don't pan out this year in terms of the expected production and may hurt this team down the road. Other than that, expect this team to make a deep playoff run.
Will Lester make a throw over to first this year?
Hope Wilson Ramos can throw some guys out for this manager, cuz Lester won't!
Some favorable picks: Lorenzo Cain, Dexter Fowler, Brett Gardner, Julio Teheran
Some not so favorable: Justin Boar, Wilson Ramos, Stephen Piscotty
WTE Ranking: 5
Top 100 Players Drafted: 9
DP's Agreeable Team
Top 5 Picks
1. Bryce Harper
2. Clayton Kershaw
3. Dee Gordon
4. Josh Donaldson
5. Xander Bogaerts
Anytime a manager has a late round pick, it is always intriguing to see what they do with their somewhat close back-to-back picks. In DP's case, he absolutely crushes it right off the bat in snagging not only Bryce Harper, but Clayton Kershaw in the 2nd Rd (14th Overall Pick). Kershaw was the third pitcher to be drafted, behind Sale at the 6th pick, and Scherzer at the 8th pick. Anyone can make the case for either of these 3, as to who will have the more fantasy output at the end of the season (I'll also include Kluber on this list), but the fact remains. Kershaw is a top 10 pick, letting him drop to 14 is scary. Just goes to show what some managers this year were thinking and how they want the makeup of their team to look like. Harper and Kershaw may potentially lead this team to the promised land.
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| Cya! |
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| Cya! |
I like how you went out and got Dee Gordon early. He has speed and massive skill at the plate and in the field. I will never forget when Dee Gordon hit a leadoff Home Run the first game after his team Jose Fernandez passed away. For a guy who never hits home runs, to lead off the game with a home run (against Bartolo Colon, no less) was really something special and just goes to show how awesome baseball really is and these kids that are playing day in and day out are 1 big family.
Josh Donaldson is going to defend a hot corner for this team, while also hitting 30+ HR's
Some favorable picks: Brad Hand, Marwin Gonzalez, Garret Richards, Brandon Belt
Some not so favorable: Ben Zobrist, Mark Melancon, Starlin Castro
Draft Grade: B
WTE Ranking: 3
Top 100 Players Drafted: 7
Marty Weeds
Top 5 Picks
1. Giancarlo Stanton
2. Paul Goldschmidt
3. Christian Yelich
4. Wilson Contreras
5. Jose Quintana
great first 5, starts with power, reliability, great duo with wilson and Q
Jack's reaction when he picked Stanton & Goldschmidt back-to-back
Well, there isn't much I have to write up about drafting these two players back to back. It would surprise me if they don't combine for 100 Hr's. Yelich is a great pick, similar to grabbing Dee Gordon with your third pick, an all around great ball player and I legitimately think the Brewers give the Cubs some trouble this year for the NL Central.
On top of that, you have a great 1-2 punch with Contreras & Q. Great chemistry between the two and should bode well for your team. I expect Contreras to be the best catcher in baseball this year.
Finding it hard to see any issues with this team. Great startig pitching, power, fielding & a great catcher. May need some improvement with a legitimate closer, but Andrew Miller will get enough K's where you may not need one. #ComebackSZN?
P.S. look out for Marty Weeds Radio dropping soon! Should be a fun segment on the blog.
Some not so favorable: Matt Chapman, Bradley Zimmer, Michael Wacha
Draft Grade: A-
WTE Ranking: 2
Top 100 Players Drafted: 7
P.S. HOW COULD NOBODY DRAFT THE JAPANESE CENTAUR?!?!?
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