Fantasy Baseball Analysis Draft: Round 7

February 14, 2012 @ 15:24:21

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) Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atlanta Braves

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

This was another case of having to predict which direction the draft would take over the next two rounds. I was looking to finish off my middle infield after taking Rickie Weeks with the first of my picks at the turn, but there were several still on the board (J.J. Hardy, Alexei Ramirez, Derek Jeter, Erick Aybar) so I decided to take the risk and wait. Kimbrel's strikeout ability is superior to any other reliever's and since it was about the time closers usually start coming off the board, I figured it was better to get ahead of the curve than fall behind it. Even though this pick did not start the closer run I expected, I'm still happy with my choice.

2) Shane Victorino, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

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

Solid, consistent, across the board producer. That's Shane Victorino. I was tempted by Shin-Soo Choo here, but I'm worried about Choo returning to .300, and I don't know if he's going to swipe 20 bases anymore, either. Shane might be slightly boring to some, but he's a fantastic third outfielder.

3) Dan Haren, SP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Team: Joe Hamrahi, Baseball Prospectus | Roster

I really would have liked to have had Jered Weaver, who was picked just six spots earlier, but I "settled" for his teammate and a darn good pitcher in his own right, Dan Haren. After moving from Arizona to Anaheim in 2010, Haren has pitched brilliantly, and he has a real chance to pad his win totals this season on a team that should provide plenty of run support. Upside: 18 wins, 3.00 ERA, 220 K, 1.05 WHIP.

4) James Shields, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Team: Pasko Varnica, Mastersball | Roster

Several others were considered: Jon Lester, Stephen Strasburg, Yovani Gallardo, Chris Carpenter to name a few. Had David Price been available I would have gone with him. Shields was selected because of his good showing last year; hoping for a repeat this year.

Anderson on the Strasburg Express

5) Adam L. Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Team: Howard Bender, FanGraphs | Roster

OF is deep but needing five thins it out even in a 12-team league. Debated taking Mike Morse, but I like Jones' age, growth and balance as a player more than risking a potential one-year wonder. He's entering his peak years, so a 25-15 season is nowhere near out of the question.

6) Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Cleveland Indians

Team: Mark Chamberlin, Baseball Sharks | Roster

2011 just was not Choo's year. A slow start, then just as he started correcting himself he got the DUI, followed by another slump, then an injury, then he got hot upon his return only to get hurt again and see his season come to an end. I'm a sucker for a good story and I see a strong bounceback this season to the 20-20 guy we all expected last season.

7) Alexei Ramirez, SS, Chicago White Sox

Team: Nicholas Minnix, KFFL | Roster

When I took Carl Crawford, in Round 5, I'd debated selecting Jimmy Rollins there. Oh! And then J-Roll almost made it back to me in Round 6. It was too early to take Ramirez then, and some might even say that it is now. But, I think the counting stats that he offers, plus his likely rebound in BA, makes him a cut above what else remains at the position.

8) Miguel Montero, C, Arizona Diamondbacks

Team: Bill Macey, Baseball HQ | Roster

"Reliable" and "catcher" are a bit of a contradiction, but Montero has been remarkably consistent on a per-AB basis the last three years. Assuming he stays healthy, he should approach 20 HR in 2012. He's just 28 and surrounded by a young and improving team - there's further upside here, too.

9) Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals

Team: Josh Shepardson, The Hardball Times | Roster

Gordon's detractors will point to his .356 BABIP and scream for regression. I'll politely point them to his 22 percent line-drive rate and miniscule 4.4 percent pop-out rate and refrain from deeming him incredibly lucky - and instead label him kind of lucky. Kauffman Stadium is a tough venue to hit home runs in, but Gordon should once again hit more than 20 in 2012.

10) Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals

Team: Doug Anderson, RotoExperts | Roster

First time I've rostered Strasburg because I always try to avoid being the guy sucked in by all the hype. Well I'm buying in. He's already got his Tommy John out of the way and seemed good to go last year. Maybe a little early, but he wasn't gonna last much longer. Besides, what could go wrong with a golden arm like that? Mark Prior is still sailing along, right?

11) Brett Gardner, OF, New York Yankees

Team: Tim Heaney, KFFL | Roster

Gardner has enough time under his belt to provide a small breakthrough in batting average, especially if he shows any improvement versus southpaws. You can do it, Kevin Long. Runs and swipes are Gardner's givens, especially in this lineup. If he hits .260, this pick will have been worth it. I'm up to about 100 steals, which was my goal before Round 8.

12) Lance Berkman, OF/1B, St. Louis Cardinals

Team: Jeff Paur, RTSports | Roster

Berkman is a bit of a risk because of his recent injury woes, but I love his upside in this offense. I actually think his RBI and run totals can improve with Albert Pujols gone. He'll get more chances to drive in runs, so I wouldn't be surprised if he tops 100 RBI once again. I was close to taking Mike Morse with this pick but felt Berkman was the safer play (even with injury risk) since Morse hasn't played at a high level very long. Hopefully, I made the right choice.

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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