I have the 1st pick in an 10 team AL only 5x5(obp instead of avg) league, Whom do I pick??????

Question

Johan Santana
Alex Rodriguez
Carl Crawford

I am leaning towards Santana for no other reason than I have never had a great pitching staff and wouldn't mind trying it but somewhat nervous on pulling the trigger on SP 1st overall.

It's a snake draft which means I wont get my first bat until pick #20, What do you think and why? Thanks

Answer 1

I would say go with Santana. Hitting is more predictible than pitching, which makes a solid ace like Santana all the more valuable. In fact, he is the ONLY ace that I would consider to be a lock for his stats. The other two that are a lock for ace-like numbers are both NL - Carpenter and Oswalt. The lack of predictability of pitchers makes Santana all the more valuable.

There are lots of hitters out there, so you should not have trouble filling those. But your pitching will take a huge dive if you pass on Santana.

In terms of the overall strategy, drafting Santana gives you an anchor that guarantees you can skip pitching for at least a few rounds and round out some hitters. You'll get a good solid pair of bats at pick #20 and 21.

Bonus tip: Keep an eye on Joe Blanton as a quality sleeper talent later on.

Answer 2

Santana. In an AL only league you must get the best pitcher. Your next 2 picks get the best Bat possible. Then see what is out there. The Bat generates at least 3 stats {RBI, R, HR so you have to take that second and 3rd, but there is no way you can pass on Santana he averages a strikeout per inning pitched, and no one else in baseball let alone the AL comes anywhere close!

Answer 3

A-Rod or Ortiz!! Santana is a great pitcher, but there are plenty of them around (not to mention hitters are much more consistent than pitchers). A-Rod gives you a good contribution to five cats (at best Santana gives 4). The only minus here is that he strikes out a lot which hurts him comparing OBP vs. AVG. Ortiz is dominant in HRs and RBIs without the NL players (Pujols and Howard) and provides good OBP and runs too.

Answer 4

1. Johan Santana
2. Carl Crawford
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. David Ortiz
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Derek Jeter
7. Vladamir Guerrero

Answer 5

I would go pujols, whos been a more consistant hitter the last couple years... and ya santana is a definite plus, but there will be atleast one pitcher drafted u can snag if u pay attention and catch him right before he has a hot streak, someone like last years wainwright or papelbon...and theres so many pitchers u'll get some teams #1 starter with the 20th pick, but u probably won't get a teams best hitter with the 20th pick... its a hard pick, I hate that position, but I have to say pujols, then even with ur 21st pick, I say mauer, and maybe pick up mccann or martinez in the 3rd or 4th round, because the catching position sucks and they are the 3 best catchers if u get them, u could use them to fill in ur weaknesses after the draft, cause people will be desprate to not have such a shitty catcher...

Answer 6

take ARod. He gives you a lot. Crawford's better if you have a keeper league. I like Santana, but there will be plenty of good pitchers if you don't end up with him. With the snake You might still be able to get Halliday or you could wait for Kazmir with your 40th pick. Kazmir is an upper middle classman's version of Santana.

With 20 and 21, you should get one more power hitter/avg man; and with the other a speedster with run scoring abilities (similar to player similar to suzuki)

Answer 7

BIG PAPI (even though I am a yankee fan), you can always go for some great AL pitching later, like Moose, Wang, or maybe Igawa in NYY, Verlander, or Bonderman in Det, and the list goes on and on

Answer 8

Go with Santana. He is WAY WAY WAY ahead of A-Rod or Crawford.