Fantasy Baseball Analysis Draft: Round 3

March 14, 2012 @ 09:38:49

By KFFL Staff

Rnd: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
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1) Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Team: Steve Gardner, USA TODAY/Sports Weekly | Roster

Surprise. Taking Braun this early, despite his impending 50-game suspension, is a huge gamble. But if I'm able to find a semi-decent outfielder to hold his place for the first part of the season, I'm going to get huge production out of that roster spot. And in a 12-team league, the chances of finding that decent outfielder late in the draft is easier than in a larger league. Plus, the top players available at that point in the draft were all pitchers and outfielders. I didn't feel the need to take one of the aces and the potential difference between Braun and Mike Stanton/Hunter Pence/Nelson Cruz/Jay Bruce was enough to make drafting him worth the risk. And you know … there's still a slim chance he could win his appeal.

2) Kevin Youkilis, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Team: Ray Flowers, Baseball Guys/SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio | Roster

Really didn't love this pick. Was tempted to go with another outfielder, but settled for the stability that Youkilis should bring. Plus, everyone is likely to go heavy on third base, so the next time I pick I'll be hard pressed to find a comparable talent to Youkilis.

3) Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers

Team: Joe Hamrahi, Baseball Prospectus | Roster

I'm not a big fan of drafting pitchers this early. In fact, I may sell myself short up the middle because of it, but when you have a chance to get arguably the best starting pitcher in the game, you take that chance. I've been a fan of Justin Verlander long before he became a mega-star, and I'll continue to ride the wave. Will he repeat his magical performance of 2011? Probably not. But I bet he comes mighty close. 20 wins, 2.60 ERA, 225 K, 1.00 WHIP.

4) Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers

Team: Pasko Varnica, Mastersball | Roster

I guess this year position scarcity has affected my draft strategy. After picking a SS and a 3B, I wanted a top OF in the third round. Matt Holliday was considered, but without Pujols I opted for another Ranger. Hamilton is going to have close to 30 HR and a .300-plus BA.

5) Roy Halladay, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Team: Howard Bender, FanGraphs | Roster

I don't normally like taking starting pitching this early but felt an ace was needed with this group. With Verlander gone and 14 picks between this and my next, I felt the elites would go soon. No one more elite or consistent than Doc, so better safe than sorry.

Pitchers coming off the board

6) Mike Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins

Team: Mark Chamberlin, Baseball Sharks | Roster

I like Stanton so much this year I almost took him with my 2.7 pick had McCutchen not made it. The high wall in left is gone, the right field porch is in 10 feet, and he already mashed 34 home runs at just age 20. I'm penciling in 40 home runs and more wouldn't surprise me.

7) Carlos Santana, C/1B, Cleveland Indians

Team: Nicholas Minnix, KFFL | Roster

I don't always look to nab a top-tier catcher, but I'll take one who brings a great potential advantage: Only Santana, Joe Mauer and perhaps Mike Napoli will play another position regularly and, thus, receive many more AB than a typical backstop. Santana's power production is second only to Napoli's, and he's a lock for the PT as well as a BA upswing.

8) Pablo Sandoval, 3B, San Francisco Giants

Team: Bill Macey, Baseball HQ | Roster

Not only were five 3B (a scarce position this year) already off the table, but there are big questions with many of the remaining options. Grabbing Sandoval, who I expect to bat .300 or higher with above average power, helps my team to continue building a solid foundation of skills while filling another scarce position.

9) Mike Napoli, C/1B, Texas Rangers

Team: Josh Shepardson, The Hardball Times | Roster

Doing the Texas Two Step selecting Napoli after Kinsler. Reigned in the strikeouts and reaped the benefits of Arlington. Two-catcher leagues enhance Napoli's value. Happy to nab a catcher that should hit 30-plus home runs and better than .275 even with some strikeout regression to previous year rates.

10) Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Team: Doug Anderson, RotoExperts | Roster

Faced a battle that many fantasy owners will face this year: Hosmer vs. Brett Lawrie. I trust Hosmer more, but the 3B eligibility of Lawrie was tugging at me. Went with Hosmer and of course Tim Heaney took Lawrie with the very next pick.

11) Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Team: Tim Heaney, KFFL | Roster

As much as Lawrie might be overvalued in some circles, this is as long as I'm willing to wait for a starting 5er. I passed up Alex Rodriguez and Aramis Ramirez to take a chance on a hyped 20-20 candidate in a hitter-friendly environment. Perhaps this is a reach, but given the remaining options elsewhere, I'm comfortable making it. Never say you'll never take a player.

12) Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Team: Jeff Paur, RTSports | Roster

Normally, I like to wait another round or two to grab my first pitcher, but picking last changes my view on things. I really felt I needed to get an elite pitcher because I wasn't sure what would be left by the time I pick again. Kershaw was the best on the board and an easy choice for me. I doubt he matches last year's unbelievable season but he can come close. He is in the prime of his career.

Rnd: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
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