arod, pujols, vlad, tex, manny, big papi....then who's next?

[Dan Charette]

I would rank Santana 7th, because as it's already been mentioned the closeness of the next 7-8 players. This way you could take any batter with your next pick. Pick the batter that fits your style or draft plan. With having such an ace, you could then pehaps take batters with your next few picks, because there's plenty of depth at sp this year.

Dan the Bluesman

[daullaz]

Definitely put Santana next and look offense for the next 5-6 picks.

Then...

Cabrera (3B/OF eligibility)
Abreu
Bay
D.Lee
Crawford
M.Young
Tejada
Ichiro

16-20 would look something like...

D.Wright
Helton
Utley
Delgado
Matsui

[hoosier1032]

This thread has caught on quite nicely. When I started this thread I had been pondering this topic for the last couple of weeks. I have some time before my draft and hopefully by then I'll have everything layed out. I've always drafted offensive players early and pitching in the middle rounds and had alot of success that way but like a few people have said with alot of the batters being quite equal, drafting Santana at #7 is making sense. Then of course after that drafting offensive players for the next five rounds. All of your input has been greatly appreciated. If I get time tomorrow I 'll average everyone rankings in this thread and post them. Thanks!

[AcidRock23]

this is a very useful thread, I was getting all squirrelly w/ 'what if my favorite pick in there goes?' questions but however I slice it, the options are still very good.

[dewey finn]

Well after doing 4 yahoo pub drafts and a private 10 team draft, I've seen Bay taken in the 2nd round for most, if not all of the drafts - either by me or the bastard ahead of me.

But I'm puzzled with the Bay vs. MCab thing.

[hoosier1032]

Here are the results of the people (seven total) who ranked the nine players named in the original post.

7. santana
8. bay
9. cabrera
10. wright
11. young
12. tejada
13. abreu
14. crawford
15. lee

Looks like santana wins out. Santana Best value? Most talent? at the #7 pick. I would like to hear what the rest of you think.

[AcidRock23]

7. santana
8. lee
9. cabrera
10. young
11. tejada
12. wright
13. bay
14. crawford
15. abreu

I like Santana there, every time I read something new about him it's impressive. Barring an injury, he's a total stud and worth it. That being said, I'm hoping to pull of the MCab/ Wright angle but am not sure I can get 'er done. I think that I might go for a bit more power and reach for ARam for my second pick but am going 8/10 in our office money league as we had some 'casualties' so I think Wright may be doable...

[BritSox]

Interesting that nobody's mentioned Hafner. If you put Ortiz at #6, then Hafner will be an absolute steal at number 13 or 14 (or wherever he might get drafted in the 2nd round).

.

Really? I thought i was reaching a bit when i took him late third. This, of course, may have a lot to do with me then also taking Helton in the fourth (couldn't resist so late) and ending up with no pitching.

I'd rank:

7. santana
8. cabrera
9. Lee
10. Tejada
11. Bay
12. Abreu
13. Crawford
14. Young
15. Wright

[HOOTIE]

Cabrera is a steal at #7. I don't think Tejada should be mentioned here. The lineup worries are overrated.

[BronXBombers51]

7. Santana
8. Cabrera
9. Wright
10. Bay
11. Abreu
12. Young
13. Crawford
14. Tejada
15. Peavy