2K24: 1st Round

[revo]

Since there's a discussion of sorts in another thread, let's discuss 2024's 1st rd (let's call it Top 15).

In no order:

Definite 10
1 - Acuna
2- Ohtani (even as a batter only)
3 -Betts
4 - Freeman
5 - J. Rodriguez
6 - Carroll
7 - Witt
8 - Tucker
9 - J. Ramirez
10 - Judge

Probables
Tatis
Robert
Y. Alvarez
Soto
Strider

Possibles
Olson
A. Garcia
Riley
Seager
Alonso
Cole
Albies

Back in the Conversation?
Yelich
Bellinger
Lindor

No Longer in the Conversation?
T. Turner
Harper
Bichette
Trout
Machado
Goldschmidt

Trea Turner will be a steal for someone in rd 2. Bichette's lack of speed (3 SBs) is perplexing in a year when everyone and their mother is stealing bags, and he's down from 25 just 2 years ago. Goldy's having a good follow-up year, but he's down to rd 3 stats now. Same with Harper unless he goes bonkers in September. Trout, fugheddaboutit.

[harmon]

Good topic!

Seager is in top 10 for me. Injury history is concerning but he is HOF material when healthy.

[revo]

Good topic!

Seager is in top 10 for me. Injury history is concerning but he is HOF material when healthy.

So answer this — Seager or Trea?

[harmon]

So answer this — Seager or Trea?

Seager

[revo]

Seager

Interesting. Turner's previous important skill-set, his speed, is less of a deciding factor in this SB boom era. Power from the MI spots is now far more important, I agree.

[harmon]

Interesting. Turner's previous important skill-set, his speed, is less of a deciding factor in this SB boom era. Power from the MI spots is now far more important, I agree.

If Turner seemed like a threat to steal 60 I would feel differently but those days look to be over. He should improve his game next year, second season in Philly, but Seager is more intriguing.

[Pauly]

Strider is a definite. No question.

[revo]

Strider is a definite. No question.

I think you're probably right.

[onejayhawk]

Watching him come up as I did, It's surprising that Adolis Garcia is even in the conversation. He was already 25 when he made his debut. His cup of coffee was two hits, no walks, and seven Ks in 21 games. Next came two lost years due to COVID. Seven PA produced zero hits and four more Ks. I was shocked when they handed him a regular job in 2021.

You have to like the package now that he has his BB% above 9% and the K% below 30%. The power is real, the lineup around him is excellent, the runs are up and the RBIs are consistent. However, you need to remember that he turns 31 in March.

[revo]

Watching him come up as I did, It's surprising that Adolis Garcia is even in the conversation. He was already 25 when he made his debut. His cup of coffee was two hits, no walks, and seven Ks in 21 games. Next came two lost years due to COVID. Seven PA produced zero hits and four more Ks. I was shocked when they handed him a regular job in 2021.

You have to like the package now that he has his BB% above 9% and the K% below 30%. The power is real, the lineup around him is excellent, the runs are up and the RBIs are consistent. However, you need to remember that he turns 31 in March.

Yeah, good point. I don't think he's a top 15 draftee, but top 30? That seems likely.

[rsf]

Considering he's coming off a super-fast TJ return and his second half line is 308/397/593 while Harper may fall out of a lot of first rounds, he likely shouldn't!

[madducks]

Considering he's coming off a super-fast TJ return and his second half line is 308/397/593 while Harper may fall out of a lot of first rounds, he likely shouldn't!

I paid $25 for half a season of Harper in my keeper league. It was a fair price for this year. I'm considering keeping him in 2024 at the same price. If he stays healthy next season he should be worth at least twice that amount in my league.

[Sharky]

Broader question: with a spike in SBs this year, is speed more or
less important for these first rounders?

[madducks]

Broader question: with a spike in SBs this year, is speed more or
less important for these first rounders?

It looks like there are enough elite speed/power guys for everyone to get one in the first round. If you take a pitcher, you will create an opportunity for someone picking on the turn (or close to the turn) to take two of the elite speed/power guys.

Speed only guys are probably less important now because there are more options to get SB's in the middle and later rounds.

[DMT]

It looks like there are enough elite speed/power guys for everyone to get one in the first round. If you take a pitcher, you will create an opportunity for someone picking on the turn (or close to the turn) to take two of the elite speed/power guys.

Speed only guys are probably less important now because there are more options to get SB's in the middle and later rounds.

Definitely agree. I had E Ruiz for $2 and thought he was a no-brainer, but at this point I'm probably not even going to keep him.