The First is Easy and the Second May be Too Late

It's easy for fantasy baseballers (does that work?) to know who to pick in the first round.  After the surefire five, you're looking at the realm of Cabrera (a no-brainer to me at 6 if available), Sizemore, Kinsler, Braun, Utley, Teixiera, and Holliday/Hamilton.  I think Hamilton is good value towards the end of the first round, but don't expect the production that he had in the first half of 2008.

In the second round you're planning on taking more risks.  Check for the higher upside players. It's not that a player like Ichiro is bad value here, it's just a safe bet.  After a monstrous postseason, I'm expecting a powerful year out of B.J. Upton.  Another Ray (it's so hard not to put Devil in front) who is going to have a bounce back year is Carl Crawford.  I wouldn't want to be the player stuck with Longoria though.  He struggled in the Series, and I think his production would better suit him in the 4th or 5th rounds, not mid-2nd.  After those high upside guys, there is not much more for early in the 2nd, and Beltran, Morneau, Berkman, and Manny should all be somewhat involved in the conversation following.

My phenomenal pick in rounds 2-3 is gonna be Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers.  If you haven't seen this kid play, well....just watch him.  He kind of reminds me of a Brandon Jacobs baseball player. 6'2", 230 built like a linebacker who runs like a runningback.  I'm expecting a .300-100-25-110-35 season.  

All I'm saying, if you are scrounging around for a pick that is highly uninteresting (Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rios, Vladdy), why not take a guy that could be a 30-30 player this year late in the 2nd round and get a Grady Sizemore value off your investment. 

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Fantasy