Solid number 2 or 3 pitchers..opinions

[j24jags]

Pitching definitely looks pretty strong this year. I am targeting Bedard in all my leagues.

Whats everyones opinion on Harang? I know he pitched great last year but I really did not follow him. Is he the real deal?

He's a workhorse, that is either a good thing or the total innings end up injuring him. I know he was solid 2 years ago so we can't pin last year as a "fluke," but I do not expect to have him on many of my teams this year unless I can grab him as a 3rd starter.

[willy-t]

I'll be trying that strategy too, probably hitting for the first 4 picks and maybe 5 unless theres an ace left on the board.

[ZOINKS22]

Seems they have summed up pretty well. I agree that the winning strategy is to draft thumpers in the early rounds and worry about pitching in the later. This has always been my strategy as there are always a multitude of surprise arms to hit the scene each year, but only a couple of mashers. This season, it does seem as though there is a wealth of pitching...

[tuff_gong]

That is a nice list. Because of the large amount of decent 2-3 sp's that can be had this year, I have been wondering if a good strategy would be to draft hitting hard the first 6 rounds, then try and load up on maybe 3 of those caliber guys. Anyone agree with this kind of strategy?

That was precisely my strategy going into our Cafe Bums draft. Drafted hitters with my first 6 picks, then grabbed Lackey/Sabathia on the snake. I also eventually ended up with Bedard, as well as Mussina, Rich Hill, and Chuck James. I think a pretty solid rotation is within reach while still concentrating on the bats.

I see. What 6 hitters did you get in the first 6 rounds?

[Steve-o]

I just read a chat where Shandler says he likes to try and go 8/2 or 7/3 hitters over pitchers in the first 10 rounds. depending on value of course. I think that's about right, and it's close to what I have been doing for the last few years also.

[Fade2White12]

That is a nice list. Because of the large amount of decent 2-3 sp's that can be had this year, I have been wondering if a good strategy would be to draft hitting hard the first 6 rounds, then try and load up on maybe 3 of those caliber guys. Anyone agree with this kind of strategy?

That was precisely my strategy going into our Cafe Bums draft. Drafted hitters with my first 6 picks, then grabbed Lackey/Sabathia on the snake. I also eventually ended up with Bedard, as well as Mussina, Rich Hill, and Chuck James. I think a pretty solid rotation is within reach while still concentrating on the bats.

I see. What 6 hitters did you get in the first 6 rounds?

This is a 10 team keeper league hosted here at the Cafe, so obviously this would be slightly less quality in a 12+, but:

Ortiz
Vlad
Wells
Morneau
Zimmerman
Furcal

[Omaha Red Sox]

This is a 10 team keeper league hosted here at the Cafe, so obviously this would be slightly less quality in a 12+, but:

Ortiz
Vlad
Wells
Morneau
Zimmerman
Furcal

Wow. That's a heck of a start. Surprised Zimm went before Furcal with 3B being as deep as it is.

[Fade2White12]

I had the last spot in the draft order, so I had snake picks. I'm not too sure whether what order I drafted Morneau/Wells vs Zimm/Furcal, but they were consecutive picks.

Mock drafts are always somewhat suspect, but in my first draft for a league this year, this strategy seemed to work quite well.

[tuff_gong]

That is a nice list. Because of the large amount of decent 2-3 sp's that can be had this year, I have been wondering if a good strategy would be to draft hitting hard the first 6 rounds, then try and load up on maybe 3 of those caliber guys. Anyone agree with this kind of strategy?

That was precisely my strategy going into our Cafe Bums draft. Drafted hitters with my first 6 picks, then grabbed Lackey/Sabathia on the snake. I also eventually ended up with Bedard, as well as Mussina, Rich Hill, and Chuck James. I think a pretty solid rotation is within reach while still concentrating on the bats.

I see. What 6 hitters did you get in the first 6 rounds?

This is a 10 team keeper league hosted here at the Cafe, so obviously this would be slightly less quality in a 12+, but:

Ortiz
Vlad
Wells
Morneau
Zimmerman
Furcal

Interesting...that's a very solid start to a team, imo.

[BillyHallDisciple]

I've been trying the "Shandler Strategy"/LIMA plan (7/3 or 8/2 hitter-to-pitcher ratio) for years now with no success and I've been extremely unlucky with it.

With the depth in pitching though, I'm tempted to try it just one more time.