AVG: B … HR: A … R: A … RBI: A … SB: B … W: D … ERA: B … WHIP: A … K: C … SV: C
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Carlos Beltran, Round 3 – rebounded nicely last season; great value in what was the 19th round
Kevin’s favorite draft pick: Carlos Beltran, Round 3 – improved hitter’s situation, in terms of home ballpark and supporting cast gives a boost to a guy already coming off a good bounce-back year.
Overview: Once the cream of the DTBL crop, the Kings are poised to return not only to DTBL relevance, but to prominence. Just like OOTP, the projection systems love them some Kings.
While pitching carried the Kings in 2011, the projection systems rate the Kings as the best offense in the league, with top scores in the HR, RBI and R categories. The Kings focused on offense most of the first half of the draft with power-hitting Michael Morse, Coors Field native Michael Cuddyer and Beltran, who has found some protection in the order with St. Louis.
AVG: C … HR: A … R: C … RBI: B … SB: B … W: A … ERA: F … WHIP: F … K: B … SV: A
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Sean Marshall, Round 12 – Mr. Irrelevant could be a gem with the injury to Ryan Madson
Jay’s favorite draft picks: Mike Moustakas, Round 3 / Paul Goldschmidt, Round 4 – A pair to tidy up the corners as well as provide some pop while Ryan Howard nurses his Achilles.
Overview: The Jackalope broke through last year from being a team with a great SP staff to simply a great team. The addition of Mike Stanton provided a much-needed power boost to move the Jackalope to the fourth-best offense and top overall team in the league in 2011.
The 2012 Jackalope are ready to pick up where the 2011 squad left off. Howie Kendrick (Round 1) and Chris Young (Round 2) were among the best veteran DTBL players in the draft pool. By drafting every RP with ties to the Reds, the Jackalope ensured they will get any save opportunity to emerge from the Queen City – unless the Red lose, of course.
Darkhorses
Projected Finish: Second
2011 Finish: Seventh
AVG: A … HR: D … R: B … RBI: C … SB: A … W: B … ERA: A … WHIP: C … K: C … SV: A
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Zack Cozart, Round 10 – seemed like a lot of publications were down on him following surgery on his non-throwing arm
Dave’s favorite draft pick: Matt Moore, Round 1 – An expected ace who could help drive the Darkhorses’ SP staff back to prominence; Moore and Strasburg stood a tier above the rest of the SP pool
Overview: After four consecutive DTBL titles (including one tie), the Darkhorses finally took a step back in 2011.
Other than in the first round, the 2012 draft saw the Darkhorses follow their regular blueprint of drafting more established players rather than splurging on DTBL rookies. Among the rookies drafted by the D’horses, Jordan Walden entered the year looking like one of the top up-and-coming firemen in the league.
(note: Injuries have taken a serious toll on the Darkhorses already this year, with the losses of Jacoby Ellsbury, Chris Carpenter and Brian Wilson)
The first month of the season is coming close to being in the books – yet I still haven’t finished all these team “previews.” It seems pretty ridiculous to write team blurbs at this point, so I’ll post the remaining draft grades along with favorite picks
Moonshiners
Projected Finish: Seventh
2011 Finish: Third
AVG: C .. HR: A … R: A … RBI: A … SB: D … W: F … ERA: F … WHIP: F … K: D … SV: C
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Emilio Bonifacio, Round 5 – Had a great 2011, qualifies at SS and his name is fun to say!
Mike’s favorite draft pick: David Freese, Round 6 – World Series MVP has had trouble staying healthy, but he was one of the more solid hitters at a thin 3B
Naturals
Projected Finish: Sixth
2011 Finish: Second
AVG: A … HR: C … R: C … RBI: C … SB: C … W: F … ERA: C … WHIP: D … K: C … SV: C
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Nick Markakis, Round 4 – I refuse to believe that his power will not break through … some day
Nick’s favorite draft pick: Jesus Montero, Round 1 – expected to put up 1B-type numbers from the C position
Demigods
Projected Finish: Fourth
2011 Finish: Fifth
AVG: A … HR: B … R: B … RBI: B … SB: C … W: D … ERA: A … WHIP: A … K: F … SV: C
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Bud Norris, Round 12 – wildcard flier, could collect a lot of Ks
Dom’s favorite draft pick: Freddie Freeman, Round 1 – Seemed somewhat similar to Eric Hosmer, but wasn’t getting near as much hype
The projections systems have the bottom of the DTBL standings in 2012 looking pretty much the same as in 2011. The Mavericks, Cougars and Gators are projected to place eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Brett Lawrie, Round 1 – the top player on my draft board
Kelly’s favorite draft pick: Brett Lawrie, Round 1 – expected to go 20/20 already this season
Overview: After tying for last place in 2011 and collecting just 12 batting points, the Cougars started 2012 by drafting a player in Lawrie who could help in all five offensive categories. The 2011 Cougars’ offense took quite a hit from the disappointing season by Adam Dunn, for whom the Cougars gave up a first-round pick to acquire, and Grady Sizemore finally wore out his welcome six seasons after being the no. 1 overall pick
However, pitching was an even bigger problem area last year, so the Cougars took two SPs and an RP in the next three rounds to go with their core of Madison Bumgarner and Daniel Hudson. The selection of Gio Gonzalez came a round after I expected the Cougars to add a pitcher from D.C. Perhaps the move to the NL and yet another change of scenery will help Gio lower his walk rate. If not, maybe White Sox GM Kenny Williams can trade for him just to trade him away for the third time.
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Derek Holland, Round 9 – free fell in the draft. Talented lefty in good position to pile up wins
Greg’s favorite draft pick: N/A
Overview: A year after posting the lowest batting point total in the history of the DTBL as a 10-team league, the Gators spent their first six draft picks attempting to bolster their hitting. The Gators traded the no. 2 and no. 12 picks in the draft to the Mavericks for power hitting Nelson Cruz and Mark Reynolds. Hitting was such a priority for the Gators coming into this season that they added just two pitchers – Greg Holland and Derek Holland – in the entire draft.
The Gators could benefit greatly if Kendrys Morales returns to being the hitter he was three seasons ago when he hit 11 home runs in 193 at-bats for the Gators before beginning a run of injuries upon reaching home plate in that 193rd at bat.
Marc’s favorite draft pick: Adam Dunn, Round 6 – I keep telling myself that 2011 had to be a fluke
Overview: Back-to-back eighth-place finishes prompted the Mavericks to accept a full rebuilding plan that involved trading two of their oldest players in Nelson Cruz and Mark Reynolds for draft picks that became highly touted SP Stephen Strasburg and OF Mike Trout. Drafting Trout 12th overall when it already was pretty much a sure thing he was starting the season in the minors was a clear sign that the Mavs were all in on going young.
The Mavs have six players on their roster who were taken in the first round over the past three drafts. If players such as Matt Wieters (10 Dft #1) and Jayson Heyward (11 Dft #1) can become the players they looked to be heading into their DTBL rookie seasons, the stale Mavs offense of 2011 could see solid improvement.
Charlie’s favorite draft pick: Chris Sale, RP, Round 6 – Charlie has made a habit of drafting RP-eligible players who will start in the current year (Phil Hughes/C.J. Wilson in 2010, Tim Stauffer in 2011), and tall, skinny Sale could put up numbers better than any of them in those years
Overview: The Choppers offense broke through in 2011 in a major way with outstanding seasons from Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and free agent pickup Alex Gordon, but outside of SVs and Ks, their pitching staff didn’t pull its weight.
By taking SPs with three of their first four picks (Michael Pineda, Matt Garza and Morrow) as well as a starter with RP eligibility (Sale), the Choppers addressed their biggest need. However, the first-round selection of Michael Pineda was my least favorite of the three. Pineda had a good rookie year in Seattle, a pitchers haven, but he was shipped to the Yankees this year and will have to throw in New Yankee Stadium, where his 44.8 percent fly ball rate could lead to a spike in his 0.95 HR per 9 IP rate.
The Choppers are putting a fair amount of faith in Mark Trumbo getting enough ABs to warrant being their only full-time 1B. However, if the Giants ever give Brandon Belt a real shot and he succeeds, he could prove to have been a great eighth-round pick this year.
It was surprising to see the projection systems rank the Choppers’ offense in the middle of the DTBL pack. However, a strong set of OFs could make up for a more ordinary group of infielders.
Choppers dscx- Projected Finish: Fifth 2011 Finish: Sixth AVG: D
HR: B
R: C
RBI: C
SB: C
W: B
ERA: B
WHIP:B
K: A
SV: B Marc’s favorite draft pick: Brandon Morrow, SP, Round 4 – solid 200 K contributor
Charlie’s favorite draft pick: Chris Sale, RP, Round 6 – Charlie has made a habit of drafting RP-eligible players who will start in the current year (Phil Hughes/C.J. Wilson in 2010, Tim Stauffer in 2011), and tall, skinny Sale could put up numbers better than any of them in those years
Overview: The Choppers offense broke through in 2011 in a major way with outstanding seasons from Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and free agent pickup Alex Gordon, but outside of SVs and Ks, their pitching staff didn’t pull its weight.
By taking SPs with three of their first four picks (Michael Pineda, Matt Garza and Morrow) as well as a starter with RP eligibility (Sale), the Choppers addressed their biggest need. However, the first-round selection of Michael Pineda was my least favorite of the three. Pineda had a good rookie year in Seattle, a pitchers haven, but he was shipped to the Yankees this year and will have to throw in New Yankee Stadium, where his 44.8 percent fly ball rate could lead to a spike in his 0.95 HR per 9 IP rate.
The Choppers are putting a fair amount of faith in Mark Trumbo getting enough ABs to warrant being their only full-time 1B. However, if the Giants ever give Brandon Belt a real shot and he succeeds, he could prove to have been a great eighth-round pick this year.
It was surprising to see the projection systems rank the Choppers’ offense in the middle of the DTBL pack. However, a strong set of OFs could make up for a more ordinary group of infielders.
Charlie’s favorite draft pick: Chris Sale, Round 6 – Charlie has made a habit of drafting RP-eligible players who will start in the current year (Phil Hughes/C.J. Wilson in 2010, Tim Stauffer in 2011), and tall, skinny Sale could put up numbers better than any of them in those years
Overview: The Choppers offense broke through in 2011 in a major way with outstanding seasons from Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and Alex Gordon, but outside of SVs and Ks, their pitching staff didn’t pull its weight.
By taking SPs with three of their first four picks as well as a starter with RP eligibility (Sale), the Choppers addressed their biggest need. However, the first-round selection of Michael Pineda was one of the picks I didn’t like. Pineda had a good rookie year in Seattle, a pitchers haven, but he was shipped to the Yankees this year and will have to throw in New Yankee Stadium, where fly balls turn to home runs.
The Choppers are putting a fair amount of faith in Mark Trumbo getting enough ABs to warrant being their only full-time 1B. However, if the Giants ever give Brandon Belt a real shot and he succeeds, he could prove to have been a great eighth-round pick this year. The projection systems are down on the Choppers offense this year
The 2012 season could be one of the most-wide open years in recent DTBL history, with a number of teams in position to compete for the title.
Over the next week I will post team overview snippets that include a letter grade for each of the 10 scoring categories for all teams. These grades are based on a combination of three player projection systems, and they rate a team against other DTBL teams.
The projections are the product of hard work from a friend of mine who is much more
proficient than I am at using spreadsheets. He built out full-year projections using Pecota, Zips and a composite set of projections from MLB.com.
Thanks to those of you who responded so quickly with feedback on your draft! Also, as an FYI, unlike a certain league commissioner I didn’t rig these projections to brag about how great my team is
The projections systems have the bottom of the DTBL standings in 2012 looking pretty much the same as in 2011. The Mavericks, Cougars and Gators are projected to place eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively