When do you take your first SP?

[lesgrant]

I'll usually pick up pitching starting in round 2. I'll alternate back and forth between positional players and pitching for most of the draft unless an exceptional availability stands out. Closers are late round pick-ups only. That strategy has worked no matter where I am in the order.

[JDD]

Excellent idea for a thread.....

I would say you need to make a list of ten starting pitchers who you would love to anchor your staff. And go get two of them.

Do NOT have your heart set on any one guy, or you may reach too high for him.

And if you are among the first to draft, you might want to go for that stud pitcher first, and draft pitchers in the odd numbered rounds 1-3-5.

If you draft late in the snake draft, you might be able to pick up two of those guys, with one going early in the fourth round, so you might want to draft hitter-pitcher-hitter-pitcher early on.

The key here is when do you draft in the fourth round, early or late.... if early, your second starter will likely be of high quality, so you can afford to draft a hitter first.

Good luck, and try a few mocks before spring, to see what works best for you.

[kentx12]

I rarely take 1 before the 5th round. That being said if I can get Santana in the 2nd this year I will break my rule.

[Mustangs989]

I'll almost always have one SP after the first 3 rounds. I have no problem taking one in the 2nd round either, the 1st round is strictly hitters for me though

[xeifrank]

My philosophy has always been NOT to have a plan that is set in stone. I never say I will take such in such player or such in such position by or in a certain round. My philosophy is to stay flexible, drafts are very dynamic events and you have to be able to change strategies on the fly. jmho.

vr

Xeifrank

[mikcou]

My philosophy has always been NOT to have a plan that is set in stone. I never say I will take such in such player or such in such position by or in a certain round. My philosophy is to stay flexible, drafts are very dynamic events and you have to be able to change strategies on the fly. jmho.

vr

Xeifrank

me too

[GreenMonsterGoon]

I have a ranking system as well and go with the highest ranked early. I don't hesitate to take a pitcher in round 1 if he ranks their and is excellent in 4 of the 5 fantasy categories. Yet I wouldn't take a pitcher who has high wins, era, and whip yet doesn't strike any guys out. Becuase most of the top hitters are good in at least 4 categories.

[wkelly91]

I took Vasquez in the 2nd, and Mussina in the 3rd last year. This year I will wait longer for pitching