Fantasy Baseball Analysis Draft: Round 22

by KFFL Staff on February 16, 2012 @ 16:45:49 PDT

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1) Jair Jurrjens, SP, Atlanta Braves

Team: Jeff Paur, RTSports | Roster

It seems I'm grabbing a lot of guys that are injury risks or coming off injuries. Jurrjens certainly fits this profile. But when healthy, he can be as good as it gets. He was dominant at times last season. I'll take his risk-reward factor this late in the draft. I really think this is a great value pick.

2) Bud Norris, SP, Houston Astros

Team: Tim Heaney, KFFL | Roster

Another of my favorite sleepers last year, Norris didn't disappoint. I'm not buying him for wins potential; I'm counting on continued WHIP improvement and the K/9 that'll approach 9.00. A stud in the making....

E-Jax in new digs ... again

3) Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals

Team: Doug Anderson, RotoExperts | Roster

I needed a middle infielder and with no real investment in pure speed guys, I like the mix of moderate speed and power that Desmond offers. He's also young enough to think that some batting average improvement is possible.

4) Yonder Alonso, OF, San Diego Padres

Team: Josh Shepardson, The Hardball Times | Roster

Power outburst with the Reds is probably going to prove flukey. He has a solid approach, though, and should hit for average. I needed a corner infielder, so I'll take one that's likely to slot in the heart of an order.

5) Javy Guerra, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Team: Bill Macey, Baseball HQ | Roster

While Kenley Jansen might have better skills, Guerra did hold onto the closer's role through the second half, including eight saves in September. They say possession is 9/10 of the law; I hope Don Mattingly agrees.

6) Jake Peavy, SP, Chicago White Sox

Team: Nicholas Minnix, KFFL | Roster

He's as healthy as he's gonna get. His 2012 price will make him well worth the shot. These are the rounds in which you gamble on high-reward picks. I like a hurler like Tim Stauffer, but I view him as a FAAB consolation prize - I can find someone similar if this doesn't work out.

7) Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Cleveland Indians

Team: Mark Chamberlin, Baseball Sharks | Roster

Even after reviewing the draft after it was done, I am still fine with my strategy at 3B. The only pick in the draft in which I even considered a 3B was my first-rounder with Evan Longoria, but I believe I made the right choice.

8) Yunel Escobar, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Team: Howard Bender, FanGraphs | Roster

With a solid walk rate, low strikeouts and sound on-base skills, Escobar will make for a great plug-and-play backup that should help in batting average and runs scored.

What lies Yonder?

9) Tim Stauffer, SP, San Diego Padres

Team: Pasko Varnica, Mastersball | Roster

At this late stage one cannot be too choosy, and yet I was counting on Brandon McCarthy. When McCarthy was snatched right under me, I opted for the No. 1 starter in San Diego.

10) Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Team: Joe Hamrahi, Baseball Prospectus | Roster

Heralded as one of the top-three prospects in the game today, Trout brings potential that players drafted even 10 rounds before him don't have. Whether he gets enough playing time this year or even realizes that potential early on remains to be seen. Truly a gamble but mitigated by the fact it's the 22nd round.

11) Scott Baker, SP, Minnesota Twins

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

I've been staring at Baker for two rounds now. If healthy, there's little reason to think he won't be a top-50 hurler at worst, so this is good value this late.

12) Edwin Jackson, SP, Washington Nationals

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

The Nationals got a below-market value when they signed Jackson late in the offseason and fantasy owners have the opportunity to do the same thing. Jackson improved his walk rate consistently as he's gotten older and has lowered his FIP in each of the last four seasons. A very good bet for 200 innings, he'll amass a helpful number of strikeouts – especially for a No. 6 starter.