Who would you draft?

battists · 06-21-2011, 09:35 PM

So, I'm starting another league, and I always love the moment before your first draft pick. I'm always curious about whether people draft pitching, or position players.

First pick of the draft, and I've narrowed it down to these three choices. Who would you pick, and why? Or, if you have concerns about these guys, what do you look for?

SS Floyd Martin
SS | 22 yo | LHB
Great defensive SS, pretty good at 2B; not great speed
Current: 84/79/12/97/120
Potential: 92/80/14/122/128
Min salary (0 ML service time)
Smart, durable, avg leadership and work ethic

3B Nathaniel McKenzie
3B | 18 yo | RHB
OK defensive 3B (61/100), can play 1B too; not great speed
Current: 76/90/74/51/48
Potential: 92/98/126/85/56
Min salary (0 ML service time)
durable, very low leadership, high work ethic, normal intelligence

SP Tom Thornton
SP | 25 yo | RHP
Current: 78/63/82
Potential: 78/63/88
Min salary (2Y ML service time)
Very smart, low leadership, avg durability, and high work ethic

(Scale is 1-100 for all, with numbers > 100 allowed)

ms2002 · 06-21-2011, 09:53 PM

Not sure what scale those ratings are on, but I almost always take a college hitter at a premium defensive position with my first pick. Unless they are a consensus top talent, I almost never pick a pitcher or high school player. I like the sure thing and I like them to come sooner than later. I leave the gambles (pitchers and high school players) to the later rounds, but I like to make my first pick count.

I would pick the SS in your case. He's a college player, hits LH, and plays at a defensive premium position. Sounds good to me.

battists · 06-21-2011, 10:02 PM

I should clarify: this is an inaugural draft, so there are many older players to choose from as well, but these guys have really advanced "current" ratings, and my league is salary capped as well, so their low demands are very attractive.

Biggio509 · 06-21-2011, 10:02 PM

NM didn't pay attention to who posted this. Just put in a lot of info Battist would already know.

battists · 06-21-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggio509

NM didn't pay attention to who posted this. Just put in a lot of info Battist would already know.

Dude, you overestimate me. Put it back! Besides, other might find it helpful!

Questdog · 06-21-2011, 10:15 PM

I would draft battists to come do the manual and to hell with my team....

oman19 · 06-21-2011, 10:48 PM

Take the SS

Hazza · 06-21-2011, 10:56 PM

I always favor SPs as they are harder to "develop". More of a crapshoot when they are in your feeder league.

Worst comes to worst, you can trade him for a five start prospect down the line.

battists · 06-21-2011, 11:09 PM

Of course, the glorious thing about OOTP. I could take them BOTH. Haha. "Serpentine" be damned!

damientheomen3 · 06-21-2011, 11:09 PM

HE LIVES!!!!!!!!! a

RBLwebguy · 06-21-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms2002

Not sure what scale those ratings are on, but I almost always take a college hitter at a premium defensive position with my first pick. Unless they are a consensus top talent, I almost never pick a pitcher or high school player. I like the sure thing and I like them to come sooner than later. I leave the gambles (pitchers and high school players) to the later rounds, but I like to make my first pick count.

I would pick the SS in your case. He's a college player, hits LH, and plays at a defensive premium position. Sounds good to me.

I thought about this and the SS while good defensively, hits for avg has no speed so he really isn't a leadoff guy. Maybe a good #2 hitter. I do like the fact he is cheap and is pretty much ML ready with no service time. Go with the SS!

Cras · 06-21-2011, 11:22 PM

in the Inaugural draft I have always gone for the most solid hitter first pick. I want that guy to be a star for me for a long time.

But in amature drafts, I draft pitching pitching and more pitching. If I need a hitter, I trade away a pitcher to get him.

MizzouRah · 06-21-2011, 11:23 PM

My vote is the SS.

csridgway · 06-21-2011, 11:23 PM

I'd take McKenzie because of his age. Martin is perhaps a slightly better player, but both are so good I'd want to keep them around long term and that 4 years of age is worth a lot long term.

Woodman19 · 06-21-2011, 11:34 PM

McKenzie.

A power hitting corner infielder will be the stable of your system and franchise in the years to come as well as give you a player to anchor your offence around.

ike121212 · 06-21-2011, 11:45 PM

In fictional league's, the answer is almost always the SP. Top pitching is scarce and goes fast. I'd take the SS though. Inaugural draft leagues are too easy if you take advantage of the AI and stock up on pitching.

Charlie Hough · 06-21-2011, 11:59 PM

I don't care whether it's a fictional or a historical league. I have never used a first draft pick on anything other than a starting pitcher.

If you invest most of your early draft on an outstanding starting rotation, you will dominate your league for years. You can win with almost any team with great starting pitching.

oman19 · 06-22-2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cras

in the Inaugural draft I have always gone for the most solid hitter first pick. I want that guy to be a star for me for a long time.

But in amature drafts, I draft pitching pitching and more pitching. If I need a hitter, I trade away a pitcher to get him.

Exact same way I approach it.

battists · 06-22-2011, 07:19 AM

Well, I picked the SS, and as luck would have it, the AI went fairly hitting-intensive, so I ended up with one of the top SPs as well. I'm fairly pleased. Still only about 30 picks into a 150-pick draft, but I have a pretty good ML roster, along with a handful of really nice prospects.

hyde4us11 · 06-22-2011, 07:33 AM

Nice to see you actually playing the game again. It don't matter who you draft they all accomplish your goal to play the game again.

06-21-2011, 09:35 PM	#1
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506 Blog Entries: 7	Who would you draft? So, I'm starting another league, and I always love the moment before your first draft pick. I'm always curious about whether people draft pitching, or position players. First pick of the draft, and I've narrowed it down to these three choices. Who would you pick, and why? Or, if you have concerns about these guys, what do you look for? SS Floyd Martin SS \| 22 yo \| LHB Great defensive SS, pretty good at 2B; not great speed Current: 84/79/12/97/120 Potential: 92/80/14/122/128 Min salary (0 ML service time) Smart, durable, avg leadership and work ethic 3B Nathaniel McKenzie 3B \| 18 yo \| RHB OK defensive 3B (61/100), can play 1B too; not great speed Current: 76/90/74/51/48 Potential: 92/98/126/85/56 Min salary (0 ML service time) durable, very low leadership, high work ethic, normal intelligence SP Tom Thornton SP \| 25 yo \| RHP Current: 78/63/82 Potential: 78/63/88 Min salary (2Y ML service time) Very smart, low leadership, avg durability, and high work ethic (Scale is 1-100 for all, with numbers > 100 allowed) __________________ Come check out my dynasty report, Funky Times! Last edited by battists; 06-21-2011 at 10:04 PM.

06-21-2011, 10:02 PM	#3
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506 Blog Entries: 7	I should clarify: this is an inaugural draft, so there are many older players to choose from as well, but these guys have really advanced "current" ratings, and my league is salary capped as well, so their low demands are very attractive. __________________ Come check out my dynasty report, Funky Times!

06-21-2011, 10:02 PM	#4
Biggio509 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,027	NM didn't pay attention to who posted this. Just put in a lot of info Battist would already know. Last edited by Biggio509; 06-21-2011 at 10:03 PM.

06-21-2011, 10:48 PM	#7
oman19 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metro Detroit Area Posts: 1,305	Take the SS __________________ GENERATION 10: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. My OOTP wishlist: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...-wishlist.html

06-21-2011, 10:56 PM	#8
Hazza Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 281 Blog Entries: 21	I always favor SPs as they are harder to "develop". More of a crapshoot when they are in your feeder league. Worst comes to worst, you can trade him for a five start prospect down the line. __________________ "The Mets is a good thing. They give everybody jobs. Just like the WPA" - Billy Loes "I never said half the things I really said." - Yogi Berra

06-21-2011, 09:53 PM	#2
ms2002 All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,437	Not sure what scale those ratings are on, but I almost always take a college hitter at a premium defensive position with my first pick. Unless they are a consensus top talent, I almost never pick a pitcher or high school player. I like the sure thing and I like them to come sooner than later. I leave the gambles (pitchers and high school players) to the later rounds, but I like to make my first pick count. I would pick the SS in your case. He's a college player, hits LH, and plays at a defensive premium position. Sounds good to me.

06-21-2011, 10:15 PM	#6
Questdog Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a dark, damp cave where I'm training slugs to run the bases...... Posts: 16,142	I would draft battists to come do the manual and to hell with my team....

06-21-2011, 11:09 PM	#9
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506 Blog Entries: 7	Of course, the glorious thing about OOTP. I could take them BOTH. Haha. "Serpentine" be damned! __________________ Come check out my dynasty report, Funky Times!

06-21-2011, 11:22 PM	#12
Cras Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: LEO Posts: 3,789	in the Inaugural draft I have always gone for the most solid hitter first pick. I want that guy to be a star for me for a long time. But in amature drafts, I draft pitching pitching and more pitching. If I need a hitter, I trade away a pitcher to get him. __________________ The Chicago White Sox 1906, 1917, 2005 World Series Champions 1900, 1901, 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005 American League Champions 2000, 2005, 2008 American League Central Division Champions 1983, 1993 American League West Division Champions OOTP \| Orbiter \| SSMS \| FSX \| LoL \| MLP:FIM!

06-21-2011, 11:23 PM	#13
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Troy, Mo Posts: 6,251	My vote is the SS.

06-21-2011, 11:23 PM	#14
csridgway Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 17	I'd take McKenzie because of his age. Martin is perhaps a slightly better player, but both are so good I'd want to keep them around long term and that 4 years of age is worth a lot long term.

06-21-2011, 11:34 PM	#15
Woodman19 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 88	McKenzie. A power hitting corner infielder will be the stable of your system and franchise in the years to come as well as give you a player to anchor your offence around. Last edited by Woodman19; 06-21-2011 at 11:36 PM.

06-21-2011, 11:45 PM	#16
ike121212 All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 938	In fictional league's, the answer is almost always the SP. Top pitching is scarce and goes fast. I'd take the SS though. Inaugural draft leagues are too easy if you take advantage of the AI and stock up on pitching.

06-21-2011, 11:59 PM	#17
Charlie Hough Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,625	I don't care whether it's a fictional or a historical league. I have never used a first draft pick on anything other than a starting pitcher. If you invest most of your early draft on an outstanding starting rotation, you will dominate your league for years. You can win with almost any team with great starting pitching.

06-22-2011, 07:19 AM	#19
battists Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,506 Blog Entries: 7	Well, I picked the SS, and as luck would have it, the AI went fairly hitting-intensive, so I ended up with one of the top SPs as well. I'm fairly pleased. Still only about 30 picks into a 150-pick draft, but I have a pretty good ML roster, along with a handful of really nice prospects. __________________ Come check out my dynasty report, Funky Times!

06-22-2011, 07:33 AM	#20
hyde4us11 Major Leagues Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 358	Nice to see you actually playing the game again. It don't matter who you draft they all accomplish your goal to play the game again. __________________ AIM: hydecubs FCB- Washington D.C. Freedom FOD- Washington D.C. Freedom HRBL- Hartford Riverhawks