The Hardball Times Fantasy Mock Draft Results
by Jeffrey GrossJanuary 20, 2011
On Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, 12 baseball analysts from around the web mock snake-drafted a fantasy baseball team on Mock Draft Central for a 25-player team, using the standard 5x5 categories and a 1500 IP limit.
Teams were constructed to resemble team rosters with three starting pitchers, two relief pitchers, four "generic" pitchers (starter or reliever), one of each of catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, middle infielder and corner infielder, five outfielders and three bench players.
Who drafted who, where and why? We have broken down this 25-round draft into four parts—rounds 1-6, 7-12, 13-19, and 20-25—and in the following weeks, on Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, and Feb. 18, each of the participants in the draft, in attempt to answer this question and provide you with insight as fantasy baseball drafts begin to gear up for 2011, will give their insight into each of their picks.
Below is a list of who participated in the draft and their respective teams. The draft order was random. I have asked each participant to vote on the three teams that they believe were the best drafted and have assigned point values, based on the results of that vote, in parentheses next to each participant's name.
First-place votes were worth three points, second-place votes were worth two points, and third-place votes were worth one point. By the author's own votes system, the three "best" perceived draft teams belonged to Ben Pritchett (Big Ben), Dave Chenok, and me. Who do you think drafted the strongest teams? We welcome everyone to civilly weigh in with their thoughts in the comments section below.
You can access a chart of the entire draft, by round, by clicking here. Below is a simplified breakdown of each team by position. Yes, in hindsight, I do realize that I forgot to draft a corner infielder. Oops. I guess I will have to put out a mock waiver claim on Chase Headley or David Freese!
Though a few teams got virtually no love (votes) from the other drafters, I usually take that as a sign of one's prized assets flying under the radar on draft day rather than that of a bad draft...at least assuming you didn't draft Yuniesky Bentacourt.
Remember, drafting is only 40 percent of the game. The other 60 percent is monitoring the waiver wire over the course of the season (for which Josh Shepardson and I will have you covered with analysis, weekly!)!
Draft Position No. 1: Vincent Carmela of The Hardball Times
Vote Points: 1 (11th)
Position Player Team C Geovany Soto Cubs 1B Paul Konerko White Sox 2B Rickie Weeks Brewers SS Hanley Ramirez Marlins 3B Casey McGehee Brewers MI Reid Brignac Rays CI Ike Davis Mets OF1 Shin-Soo Choo Indians OF2 Corey Hart Brewers OF3 Vernon Wells Blue Jays OF4 Nick Swisher Yankees OF5 Peter Bourjos Angels UTIL Dustin Ackley Mariners SP1 Yovani Gallardo Brewers SP2 David Price Rays SP3 Clay Buchholz Red Sox RP Joe Nathan Twins RP Kyle Farnsworth Rays P Matt Garza Cubs P John Lackey Red Sox P Ervin Santana Angels P Derek Holland Rangers BN John Buck Marlins BN Aaron Harang Padres BN Daniel Bard Red Sox
Draft Position No, 2: Josh Shepardson of The Hardball Times
Vote Points: 9 (4th)
Position Player Team C Carlos Santana Indians 1B Albert Pujols Cardinals 2B Ian Kinsler Rangers SS Alexei Ramirez White Sox 3B Alex Gordon Royals MI Eric Young Jr. Rockies CI Kevin Youkilis Red Sox OF1 Jay Bruce Reds OF2 Drew Stubbs Reds OF3 Delmon Young Twins OF4 Carlos Beltran Mets OF5 Magglio Ordonez Tigers UTIL David Ortiz Red Sox SP1 Cole Hamels Phillies SP2 Chad Billingsley Dodgers SP3 Ryan Dempster Cubs RP Joel Hanrahan Pirates RP Craig Kimbrel Braves P Jeremy Hellickson Rays P Jordan Zimmermann Nationals P Aroldis Chapman Reds P Joel Peralta Rays BN Kila Ka'aihue Royals BN Marc Rzepcynski Blue Jays BN Matt LaPorta Indians
Draft Position No. 3: Ray Flores of Fantasy Baseball Cafe
Vote Points: 7 (5th)
Position Player Team C Matt Wieters Orioles 1B Miguel Cabrera Tigers 2B Martin Prado Braves SS Starlin Castro Cubs 3B Ian Stewart Rockies MI Alex Gonzalez Braves CI Prince Fielder Brewers OF1 Matt Kemp Dodgers OF2 B.J. Upton Rays OF3 Carlos Quentin White Sox OF4 Andres Torres Giants OF5 Jason Kubel Twins UTIL Billy Butler Royals SP1 Ubaldo Jimenez Rockies SP2 Cliff Lee Phillies SP3 Roy Oswalt Phillies RP Jose Valverde Tigers RP Jonathan Broxton Dodgers P Johan Santana Mets P Javier Vazquez Marlins P Scott Baker Twins P Marco Scutaro Red Sox BN Raul Ibanez Phillies BN Johnny Damon FA BN Jose Lopez Rockies
Draft Position No. 4: Adam Kaplan of Game Of Inches
Vote Points: 6 (6th)
Position Player Team C Mike Napoli Angels 1B Mark Reynolds Orioles 2B Dustin Pedroia Red Sox SS Asdrubal Cabrera Indians 3B Evan Longoria Rays MI Kelly Johnson Diamondbacks CI Michael Young Rangers OF1 Alex Rios White Sox OF2 Jason Heyword Braves OF3 Ben Zobrist Rays OF4 Logan Morrison Marlins OF5 Franklin Gutierrez Mariners UTIL Scott Rolen Reds SP1 Roy Halladay Phillies SP2 Chris Carpenter Cardinals SP3 Ricky Romero Blue Jays RP J.J. Putz Diamondbacks RP Fernando Rodney Angels P Brandon Lyon Astros P Gavin Floyd White Sox P Kevin Slowey Twins P A.J. Burnett Yankees BN Jesus Montero Yankees BN Coco Crisp A's BN James Loney Dodgers
Draft Position No. 5: Dave Chenok, the winner of The Hardball Times "Compete Against The Experts" fantasy league competition
Vote Points: 10 (T-2nd)
Position Player Team C Jorge Posada Yankees 1B Adam Dunn White Sox 2B Chone Figgins Seattle SS Troy Tulowitzki Rockies 3B Ryan Zimmerman Nationals MI Jose Reyes Mets CI Chipper Jones Braves OF1 Justin Upton Diamondbacks OF2 Carlos Lee Astros OF3 Nick Markakis Orioles OF4 Bobby Abreu Angels OF5 Austin Jackson Tigers UTIL Vlad Guerrero Rangers SP1 Adam Wainwright Cardinals SP2 Francisco Liriano Twins SP3 CJ Wilson Rangers RP Jonathan Pappelbon Red Sox RP Francisco Rodriguez Mets P Jonathan Axford Brewers P Brad Lidge Phillies P Jair Jurjens Braves P Edison Volquez Reds BN Lance Berkman Cardinals BN Freddie Freeman Braves BN Clayton Richard Padres
Draft Position No. 6: Zach Sanders of RotoHardball and Fangraphs
Vote Points: 4 (T-8th)
Position Player Team C Brian McCann Braves 1B Aubrey Huff Giants 2B Robinson Cano Yankees SS Ian Desmond Nationals 3B Michael Cuddyer Twins MI Neil Walker Pirates CI Derrek Lee Orioles OF1 Matt Holliday Cardinals OF2 Hunter Pence Astros OF3 Juan Pierre White Sox OF4 Jose Tabata Pirates OF5 Rajai Davis Blue Jays UTIL Mitch Moreland Rangers SP1 Jon Lester Red Sox SP2 Mat Latos Padres SP3 Shaun Marcum Brewers RP Brian Wilson Giants RP Heath Bell Padres P Brandon Morrow Blue Jays P Ted Lilly Dodgers P Ryan Madson Phillies P Luke Gregerson Padres BN Brian Fuentes Athletics BN Johnny Cueto Reds BN Kyle Drabek Blue Jays
Draft Position No. 7: Ben Pritchett of The Hardball Times
Votes Points: 12 (1st)
Position Player Team C Joe Mauer Twins 1B Joey Votto Reds 2B Howie Kendrick Angels SS Stephen Drew Diamondbacks 3B Jose Bautista Blue Jays MI Juan Uribe Dodgers CI Adam Lind Blue Jays OF1 Andre Ethier Dodgers OF2 Jayson Werth Nationals OF3 Michael Bourn Astros OF4 Adam Jones Orioles OF5 Alfonso Soriano Cubs UTIL Hideki Matsui Athletics SP1 Tim Lincecum Giants SP2 Zack Greinke Brewers SP3 Jered Weaver Angels RP Carlos Marmol Cubs RP Francisco Cordero Reds P John Danks White Sox P Ian Kennedy Diamondbacks P Brian Matusz Orioles P Kevin Gregg Orioles BN Chris Sale White Sox BN Edwin Jackson White Sox BN Kurt Suzuki Athletics
Draft Position No. 8: Brett Greenfield of Fantasy Phenoms
Vote Points: 4 (T-8th)
Position Player Team C Buster Posey Giants 1B Justin Morneau Twins 2B Brian Roberts Orioles SS Rafael Furcal Dodgers 3B David Wright Mets MI Yunel Escobar Blue Jays CI Kendry Morales Angels OF1 Carl Crawford Red Sox OF2 Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox OF3 Colby Rasmus Cardinals OF4 Shane Victorino Phillies OF5 Will Venable Padres UTIL Luke Scott Orioles SP1 Tommy Hanson Braves SP2 Trevor Cahill Athletics SP3 Madison Bumgardner Giants RP Chris Perez Indians RP Evan Meek Pirates P Frank Francisco Rangers P Jhoulys Chacin Rockies P Tim Hudson Braves P Brett Myers Astros BN Homer Bailey Reds BN Mike Minor Braves BN Rick Porcello Tigers
Draft Position No. 9: Jeffrey Gross of The Hardball Times and Game Of Inches
Vote Points: 10 (T-2nd)
Position Player Team C Russell Martin Yankees 1B Carlos Pena Cubs 2B Chase Utley Phillies SS Derek Jeter Yankees 3B Pablo Sandoval Giants MI Danny Espinosa Nationals CI NONE (Oops…) N/A OF1 Ryan Braun Brewers OF2 Nelson Cruz Rangers OF3 Mike Stanton Marlins OF4 Desmond Jennings Rays OF5 Angel Pagan Mets UTIL Manny Ramirez FA (Rays?) SP1 Josh Johnson Marlins SP2 Dan Haren Angels SP3 Max Scherzer Tigers RP Drew Storen Nationals RP Matt Thornton Tigers P Koji Uehara Orioles P Colby Lewis Rangers P Ricky Nolasco Marlins P Travis Wood Reds BN Brandon League Mariners BN Joba Chamberlain Yankees BN Takashi Saito Brewers BN Ryan Raburn Tigers
Draft Position No. 10: Tim Heaney of KFFL.com
Vote Points: 2 (10th)
Position Player Team C Chris Iannetta Rockies 1B Adrian Gonzalez Red Sox 2B Dan Uggla Braves SS Jimmy Rollins Phillies 3B Alex Rodriguez Yankees MI Gordon Beckham White Sox CI Pedro Alvarez Pirates OF1 Andrew McCutchen Pirates OF2 Chris B. Young Diamondbacks OF3 Denard Span Twins OF4 Jason Bay Mets OF5 Dexter Fowler Rockies UTIL Julio Borbon Rangers SP1 Justin Verlander Tigers SP2 Wandy Rodriguez Astros SP3 Josh Beckett Red Sox RP Joakim Soria Royals RP Huston Street Rockies P Gio Gonzalez Athletics P Jorge De La Rosa Rockies P Ryan Franklin Cardinals P Matt Capps Twins BN Bud Norris Astros BN Gaby Sanchez Marlins BN J.J. Hardy Orioles
Draft Position No. 11: Paul Singman of The Hardball Times
Vote Points: 5 (7th)
Position Player Team C Victor Martinez Tigers 1B Mark Teixeira Yankees 2B Aaron Hill Blue Jays SS Alcides Escobar Royals 3B Adrian Beltre Rangers MI Tsuyoshi Nishioka Twins CI Sean Rodriguez Rays OF1 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies OF2 Ichiro Suzuki Mariners OF3 Grady Sizemore Indians OF4 Brett Gardner Yankees OF5 Travis Snider Blue Jays UTIL Domonic Brown Phillies SP1 CC Sabathia Yankees SP2 Brett Anderson A's SP3 Dan Hudson D'backs RP Mariano Rivera Yankees RP Neftali Feliz Rangers P Jonny Venters Braves P Octavio Dotel Blue Jays P Rafael Soriano Yankees P Hiroki Kuroda Dodgers BN David DeJesus A's BN Jed Lowire Red Sox BN Cliff Pennington A's
Draft Position No. 12: Lane Rizzardini of Bruno Boys
Vote Points: 0 (12th)
Position Player Team C Miguel Montero Diamondbacks 1B Ryan Howard Phillies 2B Brandon Phillips Reds SS Elvis Andrus Rangers 3B Aramis Ramirez Cubs MI Mike Aviles Royals CI Adam LaRoche Nationals OF1 Josh Hamilton Rangers OF2 Curtis Granderson Yankees OF3 Torii Hunter Angels OF4 Tyler Colvin Cubs OF5 Ryan Ludwick Padres UTIL Omar Infante Marlins SP1 Felix Hernandez Mariners SP2 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers SP3 Matt Cain Giants RP Andrew Bailey Athletics RP David Aardsma Mariners P Jonathan Sanchez Giants P James Shields Rays P Phil Hughes Yankees P Jaime Garcia Cardinals BN Placido Polanco Phillies BN Nyger Morgan Nationals BN Miguel Tejada Giants
A great big thank you to Mock Draft Central for hosting the draft and to everyone who participated.
Jeffrey Gross is an attorney (and die-hard Cubs fan) who currently resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In addition to writing for The Hardball Times, he also reviews tasty adult beverages as part of a side project titled "saBEERmetrics." He previously worked for The Daily Illini and Northern Star newspapers as a film critic and sportswriter (respectively). You can reach him by email at saBEERmetrics AT gmail DOT com.
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