#1 pick in mixed 5x5 roto (no keepers)

by acr on Mar 23, 2011 3:23 AM EDT

Well my draft room on Sportsline shows me as in the #1 position. I guess the thing to do is just take Pujols without too much deliberating? I'm assuming the only other potential #1's would either be Hanley or Roy Halladay, depending on draft strategy? Anyone else even in the picture considering the scoring format? I don't like to pay a lot for speed - or draft speed too early.

For picks 20 and 21 I'm assuming I'll go my usual route and try to build the other corner (best 3b) and grab a pitcher. Although a good outfielder would be difficult to pass up (instead of a 3b). I'm thinking with the waiting time for my picks I should just use my strategy of taking a pitcher and hitter - alternating with each of my picks. What's anyone's thoughts?

I think this is the first time I have had #1 overall in a long time. Being a Cards fan it would be impossible to pass on Pujols - unless he steps in front of a bus before draft time.

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Pujols

yes, Pujols should be the #1 pick….his average year is better than everyone else in baseball.
How long have you been using the alternating pitcher hitter strategy and how successful has it been?

Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on Mar 23, 2011 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

Pujols or HanRam are your only options

And out of them I’d take Pujols 8 times out of 10. I know that makes no sense.

And I’ve never heard of alternating pitchers and hitters – how’s that working out for you?

by rmarx on Mar 23, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve used it in NL only and AL only h2h leagues for the past 5 years or so. I don’t remember not making the playoffs (10 team leagues, 4 make the playoffs). I have noticed though- it’s one thing to want to draft this way and another to actually stick to the strategy through the whole draft. It’s easy to vary, especially when you really want a certain hitter that you know won’t be available the next time through the picks. But I just write it down and stick to the strategy and at the end of the draft have a pretty well balanced team. The main thing is to never pick three hitters in a row. You will find yourself behind the 8 ball at the end of the draft that way.

by acr on Mar 23, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

In h2h leagues where the roster size is closer to an equal number of hitters and pitchers the alternating hitter/pitcher strategy has worked well for me. It usually means I end up with a stud front line starting pitcher and some decent #2
/#3 guys. Then I can plug holes with upside players toward the end of the draft. Every year the first thing that usually is posted on a league message board is that several teams need pitching. I just got tired of falling into that category.

With the 23 man roster in 5×5 (14 hitters/9 pitchers) I’ll need to tweak my strategy for the extra hitters needed. But getting the 1, 20 and 21 picks means I really don’t want to make my first pitcher selection at pick #40. So I’m 99% sure I go two hitters and a pitcher with my first 3 picks. Maybe it’ll help start a run on SP’s which will give me some breathing room to grab a decent bat at pick 40.

by acr on Mar 23, 2011 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Since outfielders are thin and starting pitching is much deeper I think I may go with Albert at pick #1 and for #20 and 21 go with for power/position scarcity. That means if Prince or Zimmerman and a quality OF that is still on the board (Holliday) I will go that route. Then I’ll try to land pitching and maybe speed the next two picks.

by acr on Mar 24, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions