I play in 3 competitive NL-only fantasy/roto leagues every year, and have done so for the past 3 years. But only one of the leagues is a straight draft, non-keeper, league. Every year at least one player that was drafted in the first round turns out to be a bust.
In 2009, there were three: Jose Reyes, David Wright and Manny Ramirez. I was looking at the ESPN mock draft that took place last week, trying to guess who will be the 2010 first round bust. Let's take a look at the first round and then I will discuss a few candidates:
1. Albert Pujols
2, Hanley Ramirez
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. Matt Kemp
5. Ryan Braun
6. Chase Utley
7. Carl Crawford
8. Miguel Cabrera
9. Prince Fielder
10. David Wright
OK. Everyone knows I am not shy in saying that Wright is not a first round pick, especially with Tim Lincecum, Joe Mauer, Evan Longoria, and Ryan Howard still on the board. But, Wright's too easy. I will give you two candidates who could be first round busts in 2010.
1. Carl Crawford-I will never draft a big SB guy in the first round, unless he can hit 25+ HRs for me as well. Crawford at 7 is too high for me. Sure he will get you 50 SBs and low double digit HRs, but you cannot pass up a Ryan Howard and his 45-140 projection for 2010.
2. Matt Kemp-this choice will surprise many people, because I may be one of the biggest Kemp supporters, but there is a slight chance that Kemp does not meet my 30-30 projection for him in 2010. It is also possible that he doesn't match his 2009 season-26-101-97-34-.297-.352-.490. Bypassing Ryan Braun and Chase Utley at the 4 for Kemp could be too much for many fantasy owners (I am not one of them).