First Overall Pick (Strategies)

[ironman]

So you get first overall pick. You flirt with ideas of Pujols or Vlad but eventually come to terms with taking A-Rod.

So now what?


I'm in a twelve team league and I've been dealt first pick in the draft. Barring any serious injuries I'm taking A-Rod with the first pick. So what sort of strategy do I follow after that? for 24-25 should I nab a SP and a slugger? What about 48-49? What sort of paths have you taken with the first pick. Honestly I'm notorious for getting last pick or at least somewhere in the bottom half so I'm at a loss for exactly how to handle this. I've looked at the mock draft results but I was hoping for some insight from the cafe addicts.

[Valman]

In a 14 team, 5x5, I got A-Rod, Giambi, Gagne, M Giles, and Furcal. I took Furcal with the idea of moving A-Rod to 3b. We don't have CI or MI positions. I later got Koskie (#169) to cover 3b the beginning of the season.

[ctylkoko]

in your situation i would grab 2 SPs with your 2-3 Rd pick, then fill your position needs as you need for the next few rounds. I feel that there are still good quality hitters in the 3-4 Rd, where SP quality really drops off

so something like this to give you an idea

1.A-Rod
2.Hallady/R. Johnson
3.Schilling/Vazuez
4.Berkman/Bagwell
5.G. Anderson/Kaz/Reyes/A. Jones/etc

[dannahann]

Draft are TOO difft to tie yourself to any given strategy.
Likely there'll be a few suprises between pick #1 and #24 and EVEN MORE suprises between #25 and #48. Take advantage and grab as many top players as possible that inevitably slip to you in rounds 2-5. Don't worry about specific positions at that time...JUST GET STUDS. You can fill in any holes (categorically or positionally) later. The middle to late rounds are where leagues are won

[polyphonic]

It really all boils down to what's left if you don't get the guy you're looking at. If Castillo is the last solid 2b on your board, you have to take him, even if Berkman is still available, because Green and etc and etc are also available. If there is still depth at 2b even if you don't get Castillo, take the outfielder.

[DGroundhog]

I'd grab one SP and one bat in round 2-3 and probably do the same in rounds 4-5. If you can get Vazquez, Wood, Halladay, Schilling, maybe Johnson or Schmidt with your 2nd pick.

For a bat, I'd look for Delgado, Giambi, Sosa or hopefully some obvious player who falls. Vernon Wells or Preston Wilson are the usual OF options at that spot unless another guy falls.

You could grab Chavez or Rolen and lock up SS and 3B. If you pass on them, make sure you get Lowell, Blalock or Cabrera in a later pick. A-Rod is most valuable playing SS obviously.