I've had time to look at things and guage others thoughts and such so I guess I can throw my hat into the Mock business here.
1. Olivet Killer Eagles: Robinson Cano 2b
This has been the pick since day one for the most part, put some major thought into it after winning the #1 pick. In the end, 5 year guy hitting in the middle of a stud lineup playing in a little league park who's been consistent as hell. What could go wrong? Adam Dunn approves
2. Hackensack Bulls: Adrian Gonzalez 1b
AGone is arguably the safest and possibly best player in the draft. At only 29 it's scary to think he's just entering his prime. The Bulls won't hesitate locking him up for 5 years
3. Michigan Miracles: Troy Tulowitski SS
Can't really say the team is in "rebuild" mode because this will be 4th time in last 5 years being in lottery. However as far as talent goes Troy is the best in the draft. If he can ever put together a complete season without injuries he would be surefire #1 player in fantasy baseball.
4. Atlantic Surge: Justin Upton OF
This is a tricky pick here as Bautista still lurks. Surge choose the young OF with a ton of upside and lock him up for a long term deal.
5. Julian Javelina: Jose Bautista 3b/OF
Contract length was never a factor for Julian as Zimmerman mans the 5 year deal. This so far is the steal of the draft considering the numbers Bautista has shown he can put up.
6. Springfield Flying Squirrels: Andrew McCutchen OF
Squirrels in major rebuild mode after going all in last season and falling short. McCutchen is a young Five Tool in the making player who is someone the team can build around.
7. Oviedo Knights: Hanley Ramirez SS(3b)
He was likely moving up for Upton or McCutchen but has to settle for the upside of Hanley Ramirez. He was #1 player in fantasy only a year ago now will be duel eligibility as 3b/SS at least for this season. I have a hard time believing Mike passes on the upside here.
8. North Texas Rangers: Mike Stanton OF
The Rangers were one of the first to jump on the Stanton bandwagon a couple years ago and I think they pass on a few Texas Rangers to get this young power hitter
9. Charlotte Orios: Mark Teixeira 1b
Seems to be the name thrown around for the Orios at this pick, but I could see Charlotte taking a look at Stanton here if given the opportunity
10. MidMichigan Tigers: Jose Reyes SS
I think the Tigers are hoping one of the young OFs fall here but that's seeming more and more unlikely. With all their 3 year contracts open and a vacancy at short this is a pretty logical pick.
11. Dallas Redbirds: Josh Hamilton OF
Knowing that the Ants are unlikely to take a pitcher, Dallas opts to go hitting. Doyel has mentioned this would be his pick if given the choice here.
12. San Antonio Fire Ants: Brett Lawrie 3b
Honestly this is an impossible selection to project. The Ants need so much. Lawrie would be a nice 5 year contract but at this point in the 1st round it's a reach. I think the Ants are in no mans land with this pick and should consider trading out.
13. Dallas Redbirds: Cliff Lee SP
Best starter in the draft by far and I think the Redbirds traded Greinke away in order to snag him up
14. Rochester Redsox: Adrian Beltre 3b
Would swap Reynolds over to 1b and give the team a nice 2 year option with a possiblity for a 3rd if he's still producing at that point
15. South Texas Heat: Hunter Pence OF
Heat are another team who could go many different directions. I think they decide its too early for Weeks and go with best available OF
16. Arizona Swarm: Rickie Weeks 2b
Beckham has been a bust so the Swarm pass on Hamels to select Weeks here
Not taking Beltre. Thats a guarantee :)
ReplyDeleteYou were another tough one to choose there
ReplyDeleteSo far Rich has been clear about who he ISN'T taking on every mock, but hasn't given any indication as to who he WILL take. That will be one of the more interesting picks in the draft.
ReplyDeleteI had him pegged for Lawrie but have him being taken before. If not Beltre than I have a couple ideas who it could be but a few of them would be a stretch at 1.14 IMO
ReplyDeletePence is obviously one of the players that I will consider at 1.15.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting - I have enjoyed reading all the mocks. Maybe Rich will step out from the shadows and throw his own opinion out there sometime.
Call it a gut feeling, but my guess is Reynolds would take Reyes before Hanley. Then again, he did unload Alvarez, so Hanley would make some sense given his impending 3B eligibility.
ReplyDelete...and we all know Reynolds has a thing for lazy, underperforming 3B.
ReplyDeleteI like to play my draft picks close to the vest. But I have no issue telling you who I wont pick. I dont lie so no need to worry about bluffing either.
ReplyDeleteRemember I took Mark Reynolds round 1 last year with no reservations once guys didnt drop.
Well guys if you want a clue into the Red Sox's possible picks. He never said NO to Cliff Lee in my mock. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteBTW I have 3 players on my list I can tell you I will get one given the 5 I know for sure are going in front. Just don't know the order.. Then again Renner could pull a Storlie and take Pence..
If Cliff Lee fell to me (which I dont expect him to do so) then I would strongly consider him. I have 2 stud SP's already though so I dont see a SP in round 1 as a need. I prefer to go with a hitter in round 1 though since I took Kershaw round 1 last year. I think quality pitching is very deep in this draft and being undervalued because of the big name hitters. Could get a real good #3 SP in round 2 if I waited. We will see.
ReplyDeleteI would be surprised if Lee fell that far but you never know.
ReplyDeleteNot only could I see Lee falling into the 12-16 range with the hitting depth in the first round, but I could see him being the only Sp taken in the first round.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% about Lee, I wouldn't be surprised at all him being only one taken. So what do I do with Hamels sitting 2.2? Trade down I suppose
ReplyDeleteIssue with Lee is that he is 33yrs old. Id be worried about putting a 3yr deal on a 33 year old pitcher who has been worked pretty hard the last few years.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Rich. I'm not big on using those 3-year contracts on pitchers to begin with, but Lee in particular has logged a ton of innings in the last 3 or 4 years.
ReplyDeleteEven at 33, I think Cliff Lee is one of those pitchers that are 3yr worthy. He is very efficient with his innings, and does it without using a lot of pitches that are stressful on his arm.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hoyle here, although there are exceptions to the rule I suppose. I have said for a few years now that I'll never give a pitcher a 3 year deal again, basically on the thought that if I can get 2 healthy years and another with extension out of a pitcher that's not bad. If Lee were 3 years younger it would be a different story though. We had this same discussion last year with Halladay. Some pitchers are freaks and much like Halladay (like Berg mentioned) Lee throws pretty easy on the arm stuff.
ReplyDeleteNow mind you, this is coming from the guy who signed two 3 year deals last year to Adam Dunn and Kendry(s) Morales
Larry we never know what will happen.. We all make the best choices we can but ANY player can bust any given year.. All we can do is make educated guesses. Larry yours just both backfired. I had plenty of those.
ReplyDelete