In part two of the LABR Mixed League Draft Review, http://old.lastwordonsports.com/2015/02/12/labr-mixed-league-draft-review-part-2/, I highlighted picks from Rounds 7 through 16. In the final part of the review, we will review the remainder of the draft. The full LABR Draft can be found here: http://www.rtsports.com/LABR-Mixed-Draft.
Rounds 17/18 – Hinkie selected Michael Saunders (OF/TOR) with pick 17.02, even though this was 53 picks ahead of his NFBC ADP, I think Saunders is a great OF sleeper playing in a much improved situation in Toronto. Over the past three seasons, Saunders has shown the potential to put up a .275 AVG/20 HR/20 SB season which would be an absolute steal at this point of the draft. Gardner selected Jhonny Peralta (SS/STL) at 17.06, which represented a 56 pick value over his NFBC ADP of 190.2; a perennial underrated favorite of mine, Peralta can provide a solid AVG with 18 to 20 home runs as your third Middle Infielder or a late tier Shortstop. Erickson selected Chris Tillman (SP/BAL) with the last pick of Round 18; while Tillman will not blow anyone away with his stuff, he provides a safe inning eater with good run support, solid K numbers and very good ratios for this range of the draft.
Rounds 19/20 – Anderson selected Dioner Navarro (C/TOR) with pick 19.05, although Toronto signed Russell Martin to be their primary backstop, Navarro has the inside track at being the main DH in the Blue Jay lineup; great stats for a catcher a strong AVG with 12-15 HR, 50+ R and 50+ RBI. You can do a lot worse than Navarro as your second catcher. Glaser/Schwartz took Josh Hamilton (OF/LAA) with pick 20.06, even with a 5-8 week rehab following AC Joint surgery, there is little downside to this selection of a former MVP. With pick 20.10, Gardner selected LaTroy Hawkins (RP/COL), this was the final full-time Closer selected in the draft – even with very little upside, this represents a good investment for a decent shot at 25+ saves.
Rounds 21-24 – Ciely selected Wade Miley (SP/BOS) with pick 22.04. Many people will overlook Miley because of his move the AL East, but as an extreme ground ball pitcher, (51.1%) he will be supported by a much better defense and much better lineup; there will still be some WHIP issues, but the Wins, Ks and ERA should be a decent value at this draft spot. Zola selected one of his 2015 favorites, Jose Peraza (2B/ATL) with pick 23.13, I am buying in as well even though Peraza will likely remain in AAA until the Super Two deadline. Even two-thirds of a season Peraza can get you a .300 AVG with 40 SB and looks to be one of the only insurance policies for Billy Hamilton drafters. Podhorzer selected Yusmeiro Petit (P/SF) with pick 24.05, while Manager Bruce Bochy has stated that Petit will be a “Super Reliever” this upcoming season, I am willing to bet Petit sees a lot of starts this season as his stuff is too good to relegate to a “Long Reliever” role; while his ERA as a starter (5.03) suffered from some bad luck, his other metrics were significantly better (3.56 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 9.8 K/9).
Rounds 25-29 – Murphy selected Andrelton Simmons (SS/ATL) at 25.09 and while he has failed to live up to the hype bestowed upon him, this draft value was too good to pass up at 76 spots past his NFBC ADP; the loss of some stars in the Atlanta lineup may cause others to knock the remainder of the hitters on the Braves, but I see it as an opportunity for Simmons to move up in the lineup behind a group of hitters with better OBP figures than the previous group. Collette/Sporer selected Garrett Jones (1B/NYY) with pick 28.13, which looks to me like a great upside play as the better half of a 1B platoon; I would expect an increase in batting average while being able to come close to maintaining his counting stats (15 HR, 59 R, 53 RBI) in fewer AB. Gamble selected Danny Farquhar (RP/SEA) with pick 29.04, although he is stuck behind Fernando Rodney in the line for save opportunities, I believe the end of the line is near for 38-year old Rodney and Farquhar is ready to step in at that time; this was a savvy late round selection that could pay some nice dividends.
I hope I was able to provide you with some insight to some key picks through the LABR Mixed Draft, and good luck in the weeks ahead with your drafts.
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