Troy Patterson of FantasyPros911.com Draft Analysis

Draft Analysis by Troy Patterson of www.FantasyPros911.com

Round 1 – Albert Pujols – I was going to go with one of the SS if they made it to #4, but Pujols makes sure I can take a lower average guy later and still break even. Add in 37-40 homers and I have a great first rounder.

Round 2 – Chase Utley – Had just heard he thinks he will be ready opening day and think that makes him a sure second rounder. I have some risk, but the payoff is elite.

Round 3 – Carlos Beltran – Should out produce Holliday with the move to OAK, but picked 2 rounds later. Might not have 30 steals anymore, but a return to 30 homers is possible.

Round 4 – Brandon Webb – I was going to wait on pitching a bit, but Webb late in round 4 was to tempting.

Round 5 – Russell Martin – Another I expected to go early, but can help me maintain a roster with balanced speed. No other catcher can get you 15+ steals and be the only true 5-category catcher.

Round 6 – Bobby Abreu – Another 5-category guy to balance my roster. Expect another 20/20 season and although his team is unknown for now.

Round 7 – James Shields – I now have two ace pitchers who fall slightly compared to similar arms. I had targeted Oswalt and Shields, but took Shields here with both available.

Round 8 – Jhonny Peralta – I had missed out on the elite SS, but felt Peralta was the last of the SS I would want to start. He will supply me with plenty of power from a SS.

Round 9 – Bobby Jenks – I usually take a closer here so I don’t have to stuff them all together in the 13-18 round. Jenks makes a good top closer and should be solid all year.

Round 10 – Ben Sheets – A bit of an injury risk, but should supply me with plenty of strikeouts. Could be my top pitcher if healthy all season.

Round 11 – Raul Ibanez – Expecting a few extra homers, but not a return to 30. His RBI’s should stay above 100 playing on this lineup.

Round 12 – Lastings Milledge – Wanted to round out a few more steals, but the possibility of 20 homers makes this a pick I like more.

Round 13 – Matt Capps – Capps had one of the best K/BB of any closer in 2008. He doesn’t strike out a lot, but he walks no one.

Round 14 – Mike Napoli – My favorite pick of the night. He is going to hit 30 homers and steal 10 bases. I should have the best power speed numbers of any teams catchers.

Round 15 – Mark DeRosa – I’m not sold on another 20 homers, but as a MI with the possibility to fill in at 3B and OF with injuries I thought he was good here.

Round 16 – Aaron Harang – Making up some more strikeouts with a comeback player in Harang. His season was wrecked by injuries and with rest I expect a full return.

Round 17 – Mark Reynolds – I finally cashed in my Pujols average for 30 homers and 10 steals at 3B. Bill James thinks he could hit .270 this year and that would be a robbery in the 17th round.

Round 18 – Pablo Sandoval – Makes a good CI player, but if he can get catcher eligibility by the end of May I can move him or one of my other catchers for help elsewhere.

Round 19 – Jason Giambi – I like to look for power late that is usually coming off a down year or young, but Giambi just hit 32 last year. Might decline power a bit in OAK, but he shouldn’t drop much.

Round 20 – Andrew Sonnanstine – Another talented Tampa pitcher. He is another one light on strikeouts, but a superb K/BB and has a good offense helping him.

Round 21 – Carlos Gomez – I thought I had really solidified my power and could help myself by adding Gomez and a possible 40 steals. Could improve his contact rate, but his average won’t be great.

Round 22 – Brad Ziegler – Not sure if he will end up closing, but worth a shot as my third closer now.

Round 23 – Hiroki Kuroda – A very undervalued pitcher for his 2008 season. Pitching in LA should only continue to help him.

I really think I found some great value late and built a good team for all stats. My strikeouts may be my weak spot, but it shouldn’t be horrible.