GSI Mock Draft: Round 13

22. February 2008  - Published by Jim Humbert
Comments (7)

Lucky number 13 is all wrapped up and quite a few owners rolled the dice in this one. The list of players includes Japan's latest import, a couple of young guys hoping to avoid a sophomore slump and two veteran pitchers that are no strangers to the DL. Take a look:

ROUND 1 | ROUND 2 | ROUND 3 | ROUND 4 | ROUND 5 | ROUND 6 | ROUND 7
ROUND 8 | ROUND 9 | ROUND 10 | ROUND 11 | ROUND 12

145) CLASGENS - Willy Taveras, OF, COL

146) SIMONS - Ben Molina, C, SF

147) MURDICO - Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS

148) HUMBERT #1 - Kosuke Fukudome, OF, CHC

149) FISCHER - Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, SD

150) MUEHLENKAMP - Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS

151) DINSMORE - A.J. Burnett, SP, TOR

152) BARTEL - Aaron Rowand, OF, SF

153) BOLTON - Todd Helton, 1B, COL

154) WETZEL - Pedro Martinez, SP, NYM

155) POLKING - Rafael Soriano, RP, ATL

156) HUMBERT #2 - James Loney, 1B, LAD

Fantasy Baseball

Comments

Bret Sims
Bret Sims
2/22/2008 12:12:37 PM #
Is it really necessary to post the 13th round picks?  How many rounds are there?
Jim Humbert
Jim Humbert
2/22/2008 12:14:26 PM #
Team #1 went with a big unknown in Fukudome. Although he has had some power in Japan it is most likely that he'll do best in the runs and stolen base categories. He's likely to bat second or third for the Cubs so he should be very productive.

The second team was hoping to grab Todd Helton but settled for Loney. This might actually be a good thing. If Loney avoids a second-year slide he should hit more HR than Helton and maintain a .300+ average.
Jeremy Fischer
Jeremy Fischer
2/22/2008 12:27:25 PM #
I actually was eyeing Helton as well.  But then I realized that I hadn't filled out my 3B need yet.  We are entering a point where owners have to start grabbing CM, MI and UT slots.

I didn't want to hit that part of the draft and have to fill those slots listed above AND not have a solid 3B.  So I left Helton out there, and went with The Kouz.

I like Kouz's youth.  He has a definite starting gig, now that the Padres are moving Chase Headley to OF.  He hit .302 with 17 dingers since May 1 last season, after a horrendous start.

I think he avoids the sophomore slump.  And as an added bonus, I think he'll hit near .290, which is good because Helton's average was the main reason I wanted him.  Kouz won't hit in the Helton stratosphere, but as Mercury Morris would say, "he' on the block."
Dan Clasgens
Dan Clasgens
2/22/2008 1:22:17 PM #
It is interesting that I too was considering Helton, but there are about five other guys at 1B, that I opted to go with a fourth outfielder and some much-needed speed in Taveras.

Coupled with Rafael Furcal, BJ Upton, and some other well-balanced players like Nick Markakis, Hunter Pence, and Matt Kemp I am feeling good about being competitive in stolen bases.

I liked Taveras with Houston and loved him in Coors Field, where the spacious ballpark plays well with his speed and gap-hitting abilities. He missed 65 games last season, so a healthy year could propel him even higher. He has almost zero power and has never topped 30 RBI despite logging over 500 at-bats twice, but Taveras' amazing speed makes him a good bet to post a strong batting average and he has legitimate 50-steal potential if given the green light as often as he was last season.
Jimmy Dinsmore
Jimmy Dinsmore
2/22/2008 3:04:20 PM #
If Burnett can remain healthy grabbing a guy like him this late was a bargain. I also like taking the chance on Pedro this late. I think most of the offensive guys taken here are all the same. The only one who stands out as a potential breakout player is Kouzmanoff. I like that guy and expect big things again.
Wow, I really am a JFish accolyte now?
Chris Wetzel
Chris Wetzel
2/22/2008 3:38:24 PM #
Yes, Bret, the 13th round is necessary.  Would it help if we drafted some ex-Wildcats?  (Brandon Webb was taken a long time ago, but Joe Blanton should be drafted within a few rounds.)  Just stay tuned!
Chris Wetzel
Chris Wetzel
2/22/2008 3:45:03 PM #
As for my Pedro pick...I'd been targeting him for a couple of rounds and figured people would stay away because of the rotator cuff injury.

However, he came back aggressively and posted a sub-3.00 ERA in the five starts he was back.  (His WHIP was high for those starts, but command wasn't always a strong suit of his.)  If he can make the switch from power-pitcher to finesse-pitcher, he should be a steal from this round.
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