Ohhhh man the drafts are so close, the 180 or so nights of watching the numbers...and my thoughts have already begun their yearly migration, not in one direction, but to that number-filled, breezy and perfect world between the foul lines. Steroids? This is fantasy, MY fantasy, and I don't care. Players have had their issues, but the game itself is perfect, and I have no fear that this particular DUI will ruin baseball's ability to connect people across generations and class lines unlike any other before or since.Many people simply don't care about how happy this makes us. Many of our friends and family start by entertaining our stories about how we won the week by benching Rick Ankiel, made sweeter by the fact that we lost in the playoffs last year to the guy we just beat, by starting Denard Span instead of Corey Hart, trusting our guts for a change. Our recently dispatched league-mate gave us so much shit for rocking us last year that we are reluctant to call him, and must temper our early-season jawing. It's a framework for camaraderie. But I am never, NEVER as cutthroat in my life as I am in fantasy sports.
It is what it is.-Belichick said it first, and everyone who uses it and enjoys it's unique satisfaction should pour some out for The Now's biggest badass with love handles.
My intention is to write the occasional fantasy article, share what I have learned, and help you, you shrewd, 'net-savvy bastard, you, to win your league for a change. You deserve it. You have earned it through years of almost getting there...only to peter out or be checkmated during what should have been your endgame. I'm still working on mine. Anyone who is passionate about developing a mastery with this stuff really has to learn their way through multiple full playoff seasons to get a handle on it. I have been doing pretty well the past few years, and feel like I actually have something to say on the matter. I haven't won them all, but I have won some.
I read all the other guys; MLB.com, CBSSportsline.com, ESPN.com, Baseballdocs.com, FantasyCafe.com...I listen to podcasts from time to time, and I think those guys do a great job. If you're just starting out, I'm not going to rehash the things they have said. They are far more experienced than I am. Some of them have been doing this for almost as long as Fantasy Baseball has been around. Absolutely, read them. Questions/comments for me? PLEASE. I do actually want your opinion. And your bullshit. Some actual, 'name' advice that I think you should have after reading all the 'Normals'-
Carlos Quentin is not getting any love this year. He's frequently going in the third round, or for something like $15 in many of the auction drafts I look at. If he's there at 3 (even late 2 for my money, I'll get plenty of looks, but I'll say it: I reach for Carlos Quentin every chance I get!) or afterward, grab him. If he doesn't break a bone in his wrist last year, he's your no-question AL MVP. He sees pitches, takes walks, and smashes the HELL out of the ball. He's young, hits in the middle of a potent lineup in the second or third most hitter-friendly park in MLB, and has .280-45-145 potential (with an OBP around .390? In the third round???) There is the potential that the wrist injury slows him down this year, but I don't think so. Dude kept playing. Dude's cool.
Nate McLouth, Kevin Youkillis-Are you kidding me? Again, more dudes that see pitches, walk, and produce. McLouth is surrounded by young talent in Pittsburgh, who will finish this season with a winning record for the first time in maybe 13 years. He's 27 this year, which begins, according to the experts (and I believe them), the prime production years for a baseballer. McLouth is another guy who went in the 13th roundish last year, who may go in the 4th this year. Who cares? Grab his all-star ass and confidently ink in .285-25-90-25. Practically half his hits last year were for extra bases. Drool. The Pirates lineup is much stronger than years past, and he's the biggest contributor in there.
Draft these dudes for what they are, prime-of-their-career, patient hitters who are young enough to bounce back from injuries, but wise enough to walk. This is your fantasy gold.
Ryan Spilborghs-Here's where I talk just a little bit of mess. I think Spilborghs is "this year's last year's Nate McLouth." Only he's the version that hits .300 ALL YEAR, 'cause he plumb don't miss. Last year he struck out twice or more in only six out of eighty-nine games. He pinch-hits well, meaning his approach is reliable and productive. He walked only three fewer times than he struck out last year. When I see this characteristic, I get all geeked because these guys don't slump like your Jay Bruces and your Matt Kemps. If you get .300-30-100 out of a guy who strikes out 150 times (like Bruce and Kemp will this year), it's about as meaningful from a fantasy perspective as a guy like Spilly, who'll go .300-15-80 and cancel his own K's with his walks. If he gets 500 AB's, he'll easily reach those numbers, with plenty of doubles and triples to boot. I'm guessing the Rockies will run a little bit, as they don't have too many obvious threats to go deep. Spilly will surprise, and he might end up undrafted in your league. Plus that little bump from the thin Coors' Field air shouldn't hurt too much either.
Now, it's not as if I'm the first person to mention these guys. But after reading everyone I've read, they are all tempering expectations about the first three, with one resource calling Spilborghs a sleeper. I would encourage you to draft all these players for your team because they still represent good value, even at the rounds in which they are being drafted, DOUBLE SUPER FOR SURE, if your league penalizes for strikeouts.
Anyway, got two drafts tomorrow, must go finish up preparations. Peace and sweet drafts, doggs and doggettes.
Nicely done.
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