Fantasy Baseball Analysis Draft: Round 17

February 16, 2012 @ 10:27:23

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) Edwin Encarnacion, 3B/1B, Toronto Blue Jays

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

Looking for a little extra power, I like Encarnacion's spot as the primary DH in Toronto's fairly potent offense. If opposing pitchers are going to walk Jose Bautista more often this season, "E5" should be in good position to cash in those RBI opportunities. When he was in the lineup regularly last season, he put up an OPS of over .900 in July and August. That potential, plus eligibility at both corners, will make him valuable.

2) Kurt Suzuki, C, Oakland Athletics

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

I wanted to wait another round for a backstop; I'd prefer to take a closer here, but I just didn't have much faith in the remaining backstops.

A rare combination: MI and power

3) Carlos Pena, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays

Team: Joe Hamrahi, Baseball Prospectus | Roster

A lot of question marks surround the remaining available corner infielders so I went with a safe choice. What you see is what you get with Carlos Pena, but one can do worse than averaging 34 homers, 97 RBI and 80 runs over the past five seasons.

4) Jason Kubel, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Team: Pasko Varnica, Mastersball | Roster

Since a few rounds ago, I have been making a run at OFs and SPs. With Kubel, I like his new full-time job and over 20 HR and a high BA projected for 2012.

5) Rafael Betancourt, RP, Colorado Rockies

Team: Howard Bender, FanGraphs | Roster

Thought about Bryce Harper and would have had it been a keeper league. The need for a second closer was more important than the risk of a rookie, and Betancourt's 9.13 K/BB is too hard to pass up.

6) Aaron Hill, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Team: Mark Chamberlin, Baseball Sharks | Roster

This is it, all downhill from here on middle infielders. Hill has 30-plus HR power and 20-plus SB speed, but who knows what you will get from him year to year. His three-year average stats come to 78/24/84/9/.250. I'll gladly take 80-90 percent of that at this point in the draft.

7) Coco Crisp, OF, Oakland Athletics

Team: Nicholas Minnix, KFFL | Roster

I've accumulated a bunch of talent, but not a ton of projected stolen bases. At that point, perhaps the last player who's a good bet for 40-plus calls my name, so I call his. Health is the only requirement. Easy choice, and remember, mid-round or later outfielders are where to pick up steals.

8) Jeff Francoeur, OF, Kansas City Royals

Team: Bill Macey, Baseball HQ | Roster

Francoeur's 20 home runs last year weren't a complete surprise, but the 22 stolen bases sure were. But since that jump in SB was a team-wide trend, there's reason to think he can keep most of those gains.

Cuckoo for Coco

9) Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals

Team: Josh Shepardson, The Hardball Times | Roster

Increasing sentiment for Harper breaking camp with the Nationals. I'm buying into the possibility, and a five-man bench with weekly lineup changes makes it palatable if he doesn't. Can't pass up the power potential.

10) Tim Hudson, SP, Atlanta Braves

Team: Doug Anderson, RotoExperts | Roster

My team has a lot of high risk and Hudson fits right in. When healthy he's a rock, but he may start the season a little late after back surgery. Still, I can find a decent pitcher to get me through the first few weeks, and Hudson is a given when healthy.

11) Jose Tabata, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Team: Tim Heaney, KFFL | Roster

Needed boosts in batting average and stolen bases. I considered other OFers here, including Vernon Wells, but Tabata fit my needs better. Restored health should net him something around 30 swipes with a .280 batting average and 80 runs. The Pirates lineup won't be as bad as many think ... again.

12) Wilson Ramos, C, Washington Nationals

Team: Jeff Paur, RTSports | Roster

I actually have Ramos rated similar to my other catcher (Yadier Molina), who I took in the eighth round. So, needless to say, I was somewhat surprised to see Ramos still out there this late, especially with so many catchers already off the board. Ramos can near 20 home runs and 70 RBI, getting more consistent playing time for the Nationals this season.

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
League Home Page | Scoring Rules | Rosters | Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

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