why do we rush to pick up prospects..

[MasterX1918]

I think this could be answered with one word: hype

[coyotedelmar]

I do it basically so no-one else can have them. Or the slightly more complexed, I rush to pick up a prospect because I don't want the guy(s) in the league that are drooling over the prospect to get him for free, I want them to have to offer me something of value if they really want the guy. Sometimes grabbed them, don't get any offers, and it works out (Like Pineda and Beachy so far).

Granted do the same thing with closers 90% of the time, often might end up with 5-6 closers on the team due to the strategy.

[chargerss24]

I don't concern myself with prospects in re-draft leagues. It's rare to pick up a Buster Posey-ish prospect and have him produce right out of the gate and sustain it.

Keeper leagues are a whole different story. You can rush to pick up the guy(s) to have on your team for the future or use the hype surrounding said prospect(s) as a bargaining chip to land someone you want on your team.

As for my keeper league, I'm already picking them up just as their stock is beginning to rise. I scour the minor league system and put them on my scout list. Last year, I drafted Eric Hosmer in our reserve draft and just a couple weeks ago, I picked up Shelby Miller. Most everyone in my 12-team league said, "Shelby who?" I like to beat everyone to the punch before they know the prospects. I have a pretty good track record when it comes to minor leaguers making it big in the majors. I think this helps me field a competitive team year in and year out and keeps some of my friends a notch below me.

Of course, the FBC helps me keep one step ahead as well.

[kab21]

I'll disagree with some of you about redraft leagues. It really depends on the depth of the league and the size of the bench. I am absolutely getting killed starting Dejesus, JD, Valencia everyday (14tms, 13 hitters) and if a prospect can come up and post decent numbers then he's a major upgrade that can't be found on the waiver wire. So I just grabbed Jesus and chisenhall since I have room on the bench. but in my 12 team, 10 hitter league prospects aren't as interesting. Picking up Hosmer would mean cutting Soto, Joyce or Hafner. And I already need to make a cut when Morrison comes back on Friday (hopefully). Maybe Hosmer outperforms that group but it's kind of a toss up imo.

[striderex]

I just dropped Hosmer for Kubel

[striderex]

and Hosmer hits a hr

[kab21]

and Hosmer hits a hr

A good example. Kubel also hit a hr today. And he has been really hot at the plate this year (I think the only Twin with this claim). It's pretty likely that Kubel outperforms Hosmer this year although Hosmer has the higher upside.

[striderex]

Most people in a redraft won't give you anything for prospects you just picked up for nothing

[Tennessee Jed]

Honestly, I got addicted when I managed to grab Braun a week before he came up, and I've been chasing that high ever since...

[Montana168]

Upside.