Draft Strategy: Position Runs

[pokerplaya]

I have a unique, (or maybe just unique to me) situation.

I'm in a Cafe Keeper league where we are currently drafting. Through 5 rounds, I have found myself on the back end of two SP runs. Here's how it happened.

I have 10th overall pick of 14 teams. First round I draft Soriano, and with the 19th overall pick in the 2nd round I choose Ichiro over Schmidt and with the 20th overall pick Schmidt was drafted and the run began. All "top tier" SP's were drafted who had not gone earlier (RJ, Santana, Prior) Pedro, Zambrano, Schmidt, Oswalt, etc. went off the board in short order.

When the pick got back to me in the third round, (39 overall) all the true aces were off the board. I went with someone who I felt will have a big year, and early in the 4th is where I projected him to go - Nomar. No real stud SP's were there to entice me, and I felt I could draft a pitcher with the 47th overall pick. When that pick came to me, it was between Wood and Delgado. I went back and forth on the decision, but ultimately chose Delgado because I felt that I could grab a similar pitcher in the next round who would have just as much upside as Wood.

That turned out to be a big mistake. Before my very eyes, a massive pitching run took place, and Wood, Burnett, Halladay, Beckett, Mulder, Vazquez and the like were picked one after the other. The fifth round was almost all pitchers and when it got to me with the 65th (or thereabouts, I lost track a while ago - damn 14 teamers!) I was left with a bunch of crap in the SP pool, and no one who even came close to warranting a 5th round selection. So with the 65th overall pick, I drafted Pudge.

Now that you have all this background, the sixth round poses a similar question as the 5th did - draft out of necessity, or draft some of the more talented hitters who are still available here and there? I still don't see any SP's who I would jump to grab at this position in the draft. There is still some talent available, along the lines of Moose, Clemens and Zito - but this is a dynasty league (or will be, shortly) and long term aspects for the team have to be considered.

So would you draft for necessity, as most teams will be looking for their 3rd pitchers at this point, and my team has none, or do you still go with the "best available player" standard, and hope to draft a diamond in the rough, or trade to someone who is offensively lacking. I find their to be better values left than Moose, Clemens and Zito at this point - but, if I choose not to draft one of the final top of the rotation pitchers left, will I leave my team lacking so much in pitching that it cannot recover??

I pose these questions to all of you, as I believe it is an interesting question, and one with no definitive answer. It all boils down to draft strategy, whether that be "draft the best available player" or draft out of "necessity." When does it become time to abandon your initial plans?



I look foward to all your responses!

[curious_george_43545]

Unlucky

[thomasps3]

I would do this:

At this point, I would continue down the path of best available. My thought process is that if you weaken your team by reaching, then you are playing into everybody else's hands when considering post draft trades. Look at other teams, and I am positive you can make a deal with a team that is pitching laden, but only if you have enough depth on offense.

My vote? Best available. You've painted yourself into a corner, now make sure the paint you've applied is thick enough to cover the surface, if you know what I mean.

[raiders_umpire]

i say "punt" the pitching categories



but i know your pain...in a keeper league of mine this year, i got left out of the closer run due to having first pick.....and considering it is roto, it is going to kill me until i make some trades to get a legit closer for my team..... but thankfully my offense is strong enough to trade some away to get the closer i need...and i think that is what u will have to do as well.....

[bleach168]

Thanks for showing why I believe drafting in the middle position is best. You stand a good chance of missing out an entire tiers worth of players the closer you are to one of the ends. I wonder if those three teams who drafted after you are in the same position?

[esm]

If everyone is drafting pitchers, draft the best position players available. Pitchers break down left and right, and little know hurlers suddenly find their groove.

You'll be in a lot better position to jump on a low-ranked pitcher who starts the season hot rather than those guys who have lots of "aces" who they are afraid to drop if they get lit up early in the season.

[Bloody Nipples]

I'd say go for a guy like Richie Sexson. He should be pretty good.

[ensanimal]

i say "punt" the pitching categories

i agree, i think it would be very valuable research for the cafe to see how a team does not only punting a category, but the entire pitching side of the team.

[mocabeenow]

Hey don't sweat it.. I'm drafting in a 16 team dynasty and didn't draft a pitcher until the 7th and 8th round. i have Clement and Dotel. There's still some value on the rim of that barrel.

~Moc

[pokerplaya]

Yeah, that was my initial idea, thought it would be a good experiment for the cafe.

Well, I'm halfway there...I better win every freaking offensive category! <img src=/forums/images/smiles/kiss.gif>

Anyone with some real criticisms? As BN elluded to, I chose to draft Sexson for my CI slot.