Real Mock Draft #1 - Discussion Thread

[BigJonEmpire]

For the first pick I considered taking Pujols and Bautista before settling on Kemp.

I eliminated Pujols for a few reasons:

1. The injuries last year have me worried he is starting to break down.
2. He's changing leagues, and though he's the type of batter that shouldn't be too affected by that, Adam Dunn proves you never know.
3. I hate owning players in the first year of their huge new contracts, it never seems to go well for me.

I was actually much more interested in Bautista than Pujols. I really liked the idea of all that power at third base. Ultimately I chose Kemp over both because I figured I could get 75 percent of the power and 40 stolen bases in one shot. My hope is that this doesn't cost me all of the big power corner guys.

[Erik]

Of course, it turned out 2009 was the worst year to own Hamels since he became a stud.

[BuckyBuckner]

Of course, it turned out 2009 was the worst year to own Hamels since he became a stud.

Thanks for reminding me.

[In the Corn]

For the first pick I considered taking Pujols and Bautista before settling on Kemp.

I eliminated Pujols for a few reasons:

1. The injuries last year have me worried he is starting to break down.
2. He's changing leagues, and though he's the type of batter that shouldn't be too affected by that, Adam Dunn proves you never know.
3. I hate owning players in the first year of their huge new contracts, it never seems to go well for me.

I was actually much more interested in Bautista than Pujols. I really liked the idea of all that power at third base. Ultimately I chose Kemp over both because I figured I could get 75 percent of the power and 40 stolen bases in one shot. My hope is that this doesn't cost me all of the big power corner guys.

I hate having picks on the ends of this draft. I think every year I've been involved I have toward the end of order. Nothing like sitting back and waiting for 36 picks in between.

Pujols, IMO, is a known commodity. I'm not concerned about injuries, as that can happen to anyone. Yes, he's broken down recently. I'm not concerned about the new contract or the new league.

[joncarlos]

For the first pick I considered taking Pujols and Bautista before settling on Kemp.

I eliminated Pujols for a few reasons:

1. The injuries last year have me worried he is starting to break down.
2. He's changing leagues, and though he's the type of batter that shouldn't be too affected by that, Adam Dunn proves you never know.
3. I hate owning players in the first year of their huge new contracts, it never seems to go well for me.

I was actually much more interested in Bautista than Pujols. I really liked the idea of all that power at third base. Ultimately I chose Kemp over both because I figured I could get 75 percent of the power and 40 stolen bases in one shot. My hope is that this doesn't cost me all of the big power corner guys.

I think I'm with you on Kemp/Bautista as 1-2. I also think I'd really consider Miggy ahead of Pujols. Hopefully if Kemp has another "bad" season he still comes close to 30/30, even with a lower AVG and not too many runs scored. Bautista's 3B eligibility is a huge plus.

[BuckyBuckner]

I don't really see a comparison between Pujols and Dunn. Dunn's batting average has been all over the map. Pujols is so consistent that it's scary. They are two very different hitters.

BTW, I believe in the past it is frowned upon to mentions names of players that have not been drafted yet. I know I have been very guilty of that so far but I think we all know who's who in the first round but I think it's a good idea to mention it. I'll stop name dropping going forward.

[BigJonEmpire]

I don't really see a comparison between Pujols and Dunn. Dunn's batting average has been all over the map. Pujols is so consistent that it's scary. They are two very different hitters.

BTW, I believe in the past it is frowned upon to mentions names of players that have not been drafted yet. I know I have been very guilty of that so far but I think we all know who's who in the first round but I think it's a good idea to mention it. I'll stop name dropping going forward.

I wasn't really comparing Dunn to Pujols as much as the situations. Dunn's peripherals have been very consistent, and I didn't hear anyone question his ability to switch flawlessly to the other league. Hopefully someone drafts Dunn in the first round because of this early mention.

[Erik]

1.10 Jose Reyes, SS FLA

This is a reach, but he isn't making it to 31, shortstop is a wasteland and I'm hoping that getting him the hell away from the Mets' training staff will do him a world of good.

I was probably going to take him at 15 for the same reason if he was there.

The good news is I now won't be forced to root for him. The bad news is, I have to play someone at SS and it's a really thin crop.

[joncarlos]

I was probably going to take him at 15 for the same reason if he was there.

The good news is I now won't be forced to root for him. The bad news is, I have to play someone at SS and it's a really thin crop.

10 was a lot higher than his ADP, BUT we are starting more than the usual number of shortstops. Reyes wasn't the guy I wanted to take... surprised you didn't take the guy I wanted to take... but I felt like he was worth the roll of the dice.

[BigJonEmpire]

10 was a lot higher than his ADP, BUT we are starting more than the usual number of shortstops. Reyes wasn't the guy I wanted to take... surprised you didn't take the guy I wanted to take... but I felt like he was worth the roll of the dice.

Not to take any advantage away from you but which set of ADP's do you follow? I like the NFBC ones but they aren't out until March usually. MDC is okay but I always wonder about some of their picks.

I happen to like Reyes at 1.10 but I know why some wouldn't. Plus, it wil be fun to have one of the new Marlins. They're going to get crazy coverage.

[BigJonEmpire]

Plus with Ozzie in Florida and less cold weather to deal with, Reyes has a shot at 100 sbs if he stays healthy.

[Grinch]

Plus with Ozzie in Florida and less cold weather to deal with, Reyes has a shot at 100 sbs if he stays healthy.

That's part of the problem, the less he runs, the greater chance he stays healthy.

[BigJonEmpire]

That's part of the problem, the less he runs, the greater chance he stays healthy.

I suppose that's true. Still, under Ozzie, if he manages his usual 120 games he still might set a new career high.

[Don Quixote]

I hate having picks on the ends of this draft. I think every year I've been involved I have toward the end of order. Nothing like sitting back and waiting for 36 picks in between.

I'm in the opposite situation. I always wind up near the middle. I was really hoping to have an early pick this year, for once.

Just an observation, not a complaint. The grass is always greener and all that.

[joncarlos]

Upton was the guy I was going to take instead of Reyes. I love J-up this year. He's the Felix of hitters, you know he'll be very good and there's a chance of greatness. Maybe Longoria is like that too but he didn't run at all last year and I don't get all the hype as long as he's playing in that soul-crushing ballpark.