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Fantasy Dr X: Strike Zone
Dynasty draft recap!
January 10, 2008
Author: Antonino Buccellato

By Shane Miller.

In this article, I will give you a recap of my recently drafted dynasty league team. This is a very competitive league and a lot of thought went into every pick. Here's round by round coverage and an explanation of why I took them.
 
 
1st Round- Matt Holliday, Col, OF- To start off I had the last pick in the draft, and it was a snake draft so I had back to back picks. Anyway, the reasoning behind drafting Holliday is that he is an up and coming Outfielder who plays at Coors field. He’s potentially a 30 homerun 110 RBI guy. I suggest you draft him in any league that you're in.    
 
2nd Round- Miguel Cabrera, Det, 3B- This was the second of my back-to-back picks. I selected Miggy because I wanted to add another young piece to my dynasty puzzle, and he brings a lot of pop to the plate. I expect a little more than usual from Miguel this year since he is batting in the best lineup he has ever been in. Expect close to 40 home runs and 135 RBIs this year.    
 
3rd Round- Carl Crawford, TB, OF and Victor Martinez, Cle, C/1B- This was an exciting round for me I traded a few picks away to be able to have two picks in this round. The first of my two picks was a speedy outfielder named Carl Crawford, and besides being speedy, he brings a little pop to the plate. Besides, he hits for a great average, and produces a pretty good RBI amount. Expect about 14 home runs 95 RBIs, and a 325 average. On to my second pick of the third round now, Victor Martinez. Yet again, I got a great young catcher with a ton of pop to help Holliday and Miguel with home run and RBI totals. I expect him to have 45 home runs 127 RBIs.    
 
4th Round- No pick in this round  
 
5th Round- Curtis Granderson, Det, OF- In this round I continued to go with more youth, but at the same time still a solid pick. When I saw Granderson still available in the fifth round, I almost jumped out of my chair. Last year Granderson was a 20/20 guy. I rounded off a very young outfield with this pick, but I expect big things out of them. In this upcoming year, I expect Granderson to have 30 steals, 30 homeruns and 100 RBIs.    
 
6th Round- No pick in this round  
 
7th round- Erik Bedard, BAL, SP- In this round I decided to finally get a pitcher, and let me tell you in the 7th round this is a HUGE steal!! He always puts up great strikeout numbers, and puts up a good amount of wins. Expect Bedard to give your fantasy team anywhere from 16 to 19 wins, and anywhere from 175 strikeouts to 215 strikeouts.  
 
8th Round- no pick in this round  

9th Round- Scott Kazmir, TB, SP- After not having a pick in the eighth round I decided to get another pitcher. Kazmir in my mind is a younger version of Erik Bedard, and believe me this kid can get it done if the Rays can give him good run support he will have even better numbers then he’s ever had. I expect him to give your fantasy team about 15 to 16 wins and 225 strikeouts.  
 
10th Round- Howie Kendrick, LAA, 2B- In this round I decided to go after a middle infielder. This position is one of the more difficult positions to get great players at unless you get Jose Reyes or Brandon Phillips. Kendrick is a great young player who if not injured can put up huge numbers. I expect him if he stays healthy to have about 16 homeruns 85 RBIs and 15 steals.    
 
11th Round- Dustin Pedroia, Bos, 2B- In this round I decided to go second base again to assure myself of a solid back up to Howie. In addition, I can play him at a utility position to assure myself of a solid lineup. I expect him to have a .330 batting average, about 15 homeruns, and 75 RBIs.  
 
12th Round- Adrian Gonzalez, SD, 1B and Bobby Jenks, CHW, RP- Also in this round I had two picks. In this round I decided to get my first base position filled, and let me tell you in the 12th round this is a great value pick. He has good pop in his bat and can get a good amount of RBIs. Expect about 28 homeruns and 105 RBIs. Also in this round, I got my first relief pitcher in the draft Bobby Jenks, and he was the number one reliever on my draft board. He can easily get 40 saves in one season. This year expect about 36 saves with an ERA of about 3.05. 
 
13th Round- Yunel Escobar, ATL, SS- In this round I got my short stop, but another good thing about Yunel is that he can play 2nd, SS, and 3rd. Yunel is a great upcoming offensive force in the Braves order and for fantasy team. Expect a 310 batting average 15 homeruns and 73 RBIs.   
 
14th Round- Manny Corpas, Col, RP- In this round I realized I needed another relief pitcher, and let me tell you this Corpas’s performance in the playoffs warranted me picking him here. This guy is one of those new breed of closers a great fastball and kills you with his breaking ball. For your fantasy team expect 25 to 30 saves a low ERA and a low WHIP.  
 
15th Round- Chris Young, SD, SP- I got another great option at starting pitcher in this round. He’s the number 2 pitcher in the Padres rotation and he is good for 15 to 16 wins a year, a low ERA and an even lower WHIP. I see him having 16 wins this year and a 3.15 ERA.      
 
16th Round- Delmon Young, Min, OF- To me this was another great value pick here he could very easily be the next 30/30 guy, and he came in 2nd to Dustin Pedroia in the AL rookie of the year award. Now that he is playing with the Twins, I see him having a HUGE career, which makes this an awesome dynasty pick. For seasonal leagues, I’d wait one or two more rounds before drafting him. Expect a .325 average 20 homeruns and 90 RBIs.  
 
17th Round- Oliver Perez, NYM, SP- Since this is a dynasty league, I took Oliver Perez as kind of a work in progress. In every draft you have one or two sleeper picks and this is one of them. He has remarkable stuff, and I only see him improving as his career as a Met goes on. Expect about 15 wins and a 3.75 ERA.    
 
18th Round- Shane Victorino, Phi, OF- This I feel is another big steal he has a ton of speed, and is a great candidate for 60 steals this year as the main left fielder for the Phillies. I am very high on him this year if your in seasonal leagues have this guy on your watch list throughout your draft. Expect around 60 steals from Shane and a batting average around .325.  
 
19th Round-Mike Lowell,Bos,3B- This was the pick of the draft here I had Lowell as the 4th best third basemen in the draft I almost fainted when I saw him left in the 19th round, and drafted him almost immediately. I think Lowell has at least 2 or 3 more good years left of good fantasy production, but for this year expect 27 homeruns 110 RBIs.  
 
20th Round: Troy Percival, Closer, TB- Even with time off due to injury I believe that you can’t pass up a former all star closer. Percival is with a new team and will be the main player closing for the Rays. Look for him to get his opportunities in Tampa Bay and improve their bullpen. I look for anywhere between 25 to 30 saves this season.

21st Round: John Maine, SP, NYM- John Maine in the 21st round to me is a steal. With 15 wins in 2007, he will be a great pickup late in any draft. I project around the same stats for him 15 wins with around an ERA under four.

22nd Round: J.D. Drew, OF, Bos- The Steal of this draft. He had a nice postseason and I expect to see him bounce back this season in Boston. Look for him to hit close to 15 homeruns and drive in 70 RBI’s.

23rd Round: Chris Snyder, C, Ari- Every draft needs to have that one player that you target that nobody knows about. Chris Snyder is my guy. He didn’t have the huge numbers last year, but he is a good young catcher. I wouldn’t draft him in seasonal leagues, but would put him on my watch list and track him throughout the year.

24th Round-Kazuo Matsui, 2B, Hou- Should be a nice replacement to Craig Biggio at second base, but then again nobody will ever replace Biggio. He will get on base for the three and four hitters Lance Berkman, and Carlos Lee. Matsui will bat close to .290, drive in around 40 to 45 RBIs, and steal around 30 bases. Matsui will be a decent late pickup to any draft.   
 
This team may seem very young but I have drafted a few veterans to help my bench out. In my mind this team is a winner, if not instantly it will be in a year or two as I drafted for long-term purposes. Take my advice or leave it, but if you draft using this pattern, I guarantee you a winner!
This is Shane signing off, look for more fantasy baseball advice to come later in the season.

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