Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks Draft Recap: Part 4

Oct 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

As you have seen in the other draft recaps, the Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks staff had our own draft made up of 12 teams full of staff writers and readers. The categories are R, HR, RBI, SB, and OPS for hitters and QS, SV, ERA, WHIP, and K/9 for pitchers. There are 22 starters, 5 bench players, and 2 DL spots. The positions are C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 1B/3B, 2B/SS, U, 9 x P, 5 B, and 2 DL. It is a head-to-head league with six teams making the postseason.

Here are the full league settings and here are the full draft results.

The numbers listed represent the round and overall pick that the player on my team was drafted.

1.5 Paul Goldschmidt

I was happy that Clayton Kershaw went a pick above me and allowed me to get my fourth guy on my board, or I would have went with Miggy.

2.20 Adrian Beltre

I was really hoping one of Adam Jones, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Donaldson, or Ian Desmond would be there.

3.29 Bryce Harper

Why not? I just hope Harper stays healthy and becomes a 2016 first rounder.

4.44 Nolan Arenado

I think it was pretty obvious that I was going to pay for Arenado even if I had to slot him at the corner infield position. I really wish Desmond fell one more slot, but I like Arenado to flirt with .300/30/100.

5.53 Cole Hamels

I needed an ace and 11 starters had already gone. In a QS league, Hamels will be a very solid SP1. Also, Brian Dozier went at 5.52. I guess someone likes him as much as me.

6.68 Nelson Cruz

The power will not disappear just because Cruz is in Safeco. He has stayed healthier in recent seasons, and I am hoping for 25-30 homers.

7.77 Jeff Samardzija

Not a great pick, but I just got sniped on Hunter Pence. I liked the pitching options here better than the available bats.

8.92 Starlin Castro

I think I paid a fair market price for Castro, and I believe he will surpass Jose Reyes as the #4 shortstop in fantasy baseball this year as Joe Maddon lets him run more.

9.101 Jake Arrieta

After falling a drop behind the eight ball in terms of pitching, I am content with this starting trio.

10.116 Cody Allen

Cody Allen will be an elite closer this year with 35+ saves, a sub 2.00 ERA, and an 11+ K/9.

11.125 Brandon Moss

My favorable opinion on Moss is not unique in the baseball world, but here are my thoughts. I love the power I am getting with this pick.

12.140 Neil Walker

Of course I was going to draft Neil Walker. Here is why. I think Walker goes for 80 runs, 25 homers, and 90 RBI’s this season in 150+ games played.

13.149 Drew Storen

Not my favorite closer, but a healthy Storen could save 40 games.

14.164 Brandon Belt

Huge upside pick here for my utility slot, and I think that Belt slid way too far in the draft.

15.173 Oswaldo Arcia

I originally had Arcia a good bit higher in my 2015 rankings, so I was happy to grab his power this late in the draft. I think 20 to 25 homers from my fourth OF will be a good deal.

16.188 Wil Myers

The San Diego outfielder also fell pretty hard in the draft, and I was fine to end the skid even though my opinion on Wil Myers has soured in recent weeks from what I have heard from Eno Sarris. At pick #188, I can live with some negative news about not being very coachable.

17.197 Travis d’Arnaud

This was my catcher this year. I think he could finish in the top five at the position in 2015 according to this article.

18.212 Brett Cecil

The southpaw will make a very solid third closer for me. I trust Cecil to keep his ERA in the low 3.00’s or better. I feel great about my team’s save potential.

19.221 Javier Baez

Whoops. I need to find a new 2B/SS.

20.236 Danny Salazar

I was thinking that Salazar had a spot in the rotation, and I totally forgot about Zach McAllister. The good news is my stupidity was masked by the fact that it was the 20^th round. I still like Salazar’s K potential, but do not follow my pick here.

21.245 Mike Napoli

I decided to draft a Major League player here. Napoli is a fantastic bench bat. If his sleep apnea made a huge difference, then I can hopefully relax and watch Napoli crush 20 bombs and drive in 80+ RBI’s.

22.260 Rajai Davis

Rajai Davis is my AL steals leader even though I think he will only get around 450 plate appearances. Give me about one steal per ten plate appearance for the veteran speed demon.

23.269 T.J. House

I picked an active starter on the Indians this time. House will give me stats, and that is probably an upgrade from a Minor League pitcher.

24.284 Bobby Parnell

Parnell is supposed to be the closer once he gets activated from the DL. I could have four closers come mid-April. That will either be a huge weekly advantage, or I will have an asset that I can trade to another team.

25.293 Shane Greene

I got to hear Paul Sporer and Eno Sarris rave about Shane Greene on their RotoGraphs podcast, and I am excited. He is a complete flyer at this point, but I think he has a lot more upside than the average 25^th round pick.

26.308 Derek Norris

I cannot believe that no one drafted Derek Norris as their starting catcher. If I have space on my bench, then I will take advantage of owning two catchers and starting Norris when d’Arnaud has an off day.

27.317 Michael Saunders

I am buying the hype on Saunders returning sooner rather than later from his meniscus tear earlier in Spring Training. With my last pick, why not?

Overall, I targeted power, a strong K/9, and I seemed to draft a good bit of saves as well. I definitely got some players that I am exciting about, but in-season management is how I can make my team a winner. A great draft can only get me so far (unless my late round picks all win MVP’s or Cy Young awards).

More from FanSided

Home/Fantasy Baseball