MLB AC Fantasy League Team - Memphis Warfighters

2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft. For 2009, I decided that I would participate in one fantasy baseball league due to my other commitments. I decided to join a league put on by one of the AC Sports Writers, Hawk 32. Draft night got here, and we have a league of 18 teams! With that many teams, the draft will definitely prove which owners have done some research and which haven't! 30 minutes before draft time, the site opens up to login and check draft order. I pull the 13th overall pick. Not as bad as it could have been, but definitely means that I'm not going to get Al Pujols! The following are the picks that I made in each of the 21 rounds and my thought process behind the pick(s).

Javanx3d's Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009

Round One - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - 1B
Finally, its my turn! I'm the thriteenth pick in the first round.The best player of the Tier-1 players on the board is Yankee, Mark Texeira so I don't think twice and snap him up! I was a little surprised he was still left, but some of the owners were going with team loyalty over overall capability, so I had to take him. No telling what offensive capability I'll have left to pick from by round 2, let alone round 10!

Round Two - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - OF
The draft pickings are already starting to get thin. Looks like I will be the 6th pick in the even rounds and 13th in the odd-rounds with how the draft rotation is working. Chicago White Sox, Carlos Quentin is still left for a quality hitter/outfielder, so I decide to go with him for my second choice. Just can't bring myself to go-there with A-Rod though that will likely prove to be a mistake once he gets healthy.

Round Three - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - SP
Ok, quality pitching is really going quick! I may have waited a bit long on this pick, but take Boston's Josh Becket. I think he's due this year after being a little off last year so pick him up. Really interesting so far seeing some of the varying draft strategies in the league. Many owners are focusing on daily players first but there are a few snapping up the Tier-1 pitchers at the expense of taking big time hitters.

Round Four - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - SS
I come into this round thinking I need to get a third baseman...but wait, Derek Jeter's still on the board. I'm taking him since there's not a lot of depth at Shortstop to start with and I've at least heard of him!!

Round Five - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - 3B
Ok, coming into round 5 I want to get a decent position player. Adrian Beltre, 3B, is one of the better Third Basemen left in the draft so I go with him in this round.
Round Six - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - RP
About half of the owners have taken relief pitchers by now, so its time. I take Jose Valverde. You can't beat a 1.18 WHIP, 44 saves, and 83K's in this round!

Round Seven - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - C
Heading into round 7, I really need a catcher or a second baseman. San Frans catcher, Bengie Molina is still up. Decent numbers for a catcher still around this deep and I can't resist! I had considered Jorge Posada from the Yankees, but he was just hurt too much last year for me to take as my primary catcher.

Round Eight- Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - 2B
Ok, I'm looking for a decent second baseman or outfielder in this round. Cleveland 2B, Mark Derosa is the best of what I see left, so he's my choice.

Round Nine - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - SP
Before I start focusing on my other position holes, I want to get another quality starter. Ted Lilly was still available and put up decent numbers last year so he's getting my nod here.

Round Ten - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - OF
OF, Jack Crust is my pick to further flesh out my outfield. His numbers are ok, but I need to get the best I can for starters at this point.

Round Eleven - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - OF
Ok, we're pretty deep into the draft now and I still need one more outfielder. I decide to go for someone who will put me on the board for SB's and take Carlos Gomez. Looking back at my round 10 pick, I think I probably should have emphasized this category in Round 10 vice HR's and RBI's. We'll just have to see.

Round Twelve - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - RP
While there's still some talent left, I decide that a second relief pitcher is what I need and take George Sherry.

Round Thirteen - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - PI don't know why, but I start having self doubts aoubt Josh Becket being healthy this season and decide I need to take another pitcher that I can use in a starting role if need be. Branon Arroy is that guy!

Round Fourteen - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - Util
I know it was risky and he's old but I go with Jim Thome since if he plays all year will likely put up decent numbers.

Round Fifteen - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - P
I know, I know. Why take another pitcher when I still need one more decent outfielder. I take Randy Wolf here just to make myself feel more comfy!

Round Sixteen - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - OF
JD Drew is still up on the board, so I take him. He's going to start on the bench for me, but I won't hesitate to platoon him with Jack Crust once we start the season.

Round Seventeen - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 - P
I decide to take my final pitcher, Todd Wellemeyer. He gives me another pitcher that can be used as a starter if any of my previous picks flame out and makes me feel more comfortable at that position now.

Rounds Eighteen Thru Twenty One - Fantasy Baseball Draft 2009 Ok, so for my final four picks I'm focused on gettin decent backups for my position players. WIth my final pick of the draft, I take rookie catcher, Francisco Cervelli of the New York Yankees. I just couldn't resist, and I think he's going to get a fair amount of playing time this year when Posada gets hurt.

Refs:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1428221/fantasy_baseball_draft_guide_2009_first.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1600500/fantasy_baseball_guy_dont_be_him.html?cat=49http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1599288/fantasy_baseball_ac_league_michael_pg2.html?cat=14
http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/2028/2009_fantasy_baseball_drafting_strategies.html?cat=14
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1432368/fantasy_baseball_draft_strategy_guide.html?cat=14
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/113751/hawk32.htmlhttp://www.hawkfantasysports.com/
http://hawkfantasysports.today.com/
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1417069/top_5_overall_new_york_yankees_rookies.html?cat=14