Who to draft? WHIR

[lilfrier]

I'm in a 12-team keeper league that uses 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, DH, and 2 Util. 5 starters and 3 relievers. In addition, we have added 1 DL spot and 1 minor league spot this year. This is the first year of the league, though 3 of us are carrying over from last year (as of now, might be 2 in the end). The scoring system is a little odd in that it favors the top-5 pitchers over the top-5 hitters, but it favors the top-30 hitters over the top-30 pitchers. I guess that just shows how valuable elite pitching is.

Anyway, to the point. We are planning to have the draft this Sunday. The guy picking first is figuring to take Hanley Ramirez. I pick #11/12, and therefore have pick #2 in the second round (I prefer this because it gives me a bit better 1-2 combo and helps me see opponents' drafting styles a bit). I' wondering who was going at the top of other drafts? I keep hearing Hanley, but the projections have him around #3-5 as hitter with our scoring, and Lincecum is off the charts with the projected stats (#1 pitcher by 25 points or more). It's H2H and a daily league, and I'm just wondering what is good value around the #11 spot.

[kimchi_chigae]

In a standard league, if I'm not in the top 4 or 5, I'd want to be at the very end of Round 1. If pitchers are that valuable in your league, you should probably be thinking about taking Johan or Lincecum if they are available. Hamilton, Teixeira and Howard should be taken at the end of the 1st and beginning of the 2nd Round. It's really not a big deal who you take in the first two rounds because you are taking two studs regardless who you choose.

[lilfrier]

I'm not happy with Howard. He'll strike out 8.6 million times, and we count against players for KOs (though it's only -.5 versus -1 last year). Johan is who I traded to get Lincecum last year, and that's what got me my championship. I'd love to get him, though I doubt it'll happen since some of these people seem like they may go a bit on hype more than in-depth thought (most are fairly new to fantasy and claim to be more of big sports fans than baseball fans, so their knowledge overall may be a bit iffy--could be a blessing or a curse). I am liking the thought of possibly getting Lince and Teixeira together though, even if it IS a bit overly ambitious.