*The Best*

[jellyroll]

hehotcorner wrote:

I'm not a big fan of drafting either nomar/rent/tejada with a first round pick. Yes they play premium positions but still to me not worth picking so early. It bothers me that Nomar is 8th avg pick overall in ESPN Live Drafts. He'd have to match his numbers from last yr AND stl even more bases in my opinion to warrant a pick that high. We can't expect the bosox offense to match last yrs record setting yr can we?

With your first picks grab the best available maybe a Manny/Bonds/Helton/Thome. Suitable middle infielders can be had a bit later (berroa, reyes etc.). Let other leaguemates waste their top picks on lesser players at premium positions and just grab the best hitters you can. It takes a lil smarter drafting to make sure you don't get jerked on those scarce positions later, but imo is the best way to do it.

I agree

[Pogotheostrich]

I really like the Nomar/Boone idea.

[Pete O]

The more I look at mock drafts and cheat sheets, the more obvious it is that it is easier to get a good quality OF or 1B in the middle rounds than it is to get a very productive position player. I'll take 35 HR and 100 RBI from my SS or 2B any day and "settle" for OF like V. Wells, Giles, or Berkman later in the draft. 1B is deep as well with probably about 12 guys who could post 30+ HR and 100+ RBI with decent avg. Go with position scarcity first couple of rounds and have a blast in the middle rounds taking offensive studs while everybody else is fighting over Ray Durham.

[astimeexpires.com]

i agree with that. my stud ss and 2b with average at best of's will do better than stud of's with crappy ss/2b (ie. fernando vina). while it does seem good to have the best players, i dont like also having to have some crappy players.

[Dude86]

If I were you i would just assume that someone will take Coco Crisp in the first round and just take it from there.

[Fort]

I'd take Manny/Sheff/Maggs/Helton/Beltran type guy with the first pick... and Nomar/Tejada in Round 2. The only SP I'd take in the top 14 picks is Prior, and he likely won't be there when it gets to you at 11

[EugeneStyles]

If I were you i would just assume that someone will take Coco Crisp in the first round and just take it from there.

Or you should take him in the first round, to make sure nobody beats you to him.

[ramble2]

Good question.

First of all, don't worry too much about whether you are taking a player at the right spot - when you are at a bookend of a draft you need to think about both the round you are in and the following rounds.

I'd target Prior, Pedro or Schilling with your 1st pick, and then Nomar or Tejada with your 2nd pick. That will give you a solid foundation for your pitching and take care of a tough to fill spot. Remember, you have to wait through the entire rest of the 2nd and 3rd round before you get to pick again. If Nomar and Tejada are gone, I'd pick Vernon Wells.

With your next two picks, I'd go with the biggest bats you can get. Wells will be gone (or should be - if not, take him!). I'd look for guys like Berkman or Giambi (who's been sliding in drafts). If you didn't take a MI with your 2nd pick, take best available here. You might get lucky and be able to get Renteria or Kent.

Good luck, and let us know what you do!