2014 LABR Mixed League Draft Results

The second of the big experts league drafts occurred tonight, as the League of Alternative Baseball Reality mixed league draft took place over at RT Sports. The LABR league is a 5 x 5 mixed league, consisting of 15 fantasy experts from across the internet.

You can view the full draft results here.

The participants in the 2014 LABR mixed league draft are:

1. Todd Zola, Mastersball
2. Craig Glaser/Bradley Ankrom, Bloomberg Sports
3. Ray Murphy, Baseball HQ
4. Bobby Colton, Rotowire
5. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports
6. Tim Heaney, KFFL
7. *Bret Sayre/Mike Gianella, Baseball Prospectus
8. Rudy Gamble, Razzball
9. Mike Podhorzer, Fangraphs
10. Doug Anderson, DFS Edge
11. James Quintong, ESPN
12. Fred Zinkie, MLB.com
13. *Jake Ciely, RotoExperts 
14. Jason Collette/Paul Sporer, Towers of Power Baseball Hour podcast
15. *Jeff Erickson, Rotowire

* - new to league this season

As you can see, former Fake Teams writer, Bret Sayre, participated in this draft for the first time this evening. Bret now manages the fantasy content over at Baseball Prospectus.

Here is a look at the first round picks:

1.  Todd Zola, Mastersball - Mike Trout, Angels

2.  Craig Glaser/Bradley Ankrom, Bloomberg Sports - Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

3.  Ray Murphy, Baseball HQ - Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

4.  Bobby Colton, Rotowire - Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

5.  Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

6.  Tim Heaney, KFFL - Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies

7. Bret Sayre/Mike Gianella, Baseball Prospectus - Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers

8.  Rudy Gamble, Razzball - Chris Davis, Orioles

9.  Mike Podhorzer, Fangraphs - Ryan Braun, Brewers

10.  Doug Anderson, DFS Edge - Adam Jones, Orioles

11. James Quintong, ESPN - Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees

12. Fred Zinkie, MLB.com - Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays

13. Jake Ciely, RotoExperts  - Robinson Cano, Mariners

14. Jason Collette/Paul Sporer, - Bryce Harper, Nationals

15. Jeff Erickson, Rotowire - Adrian Beltre, Rangers

Quick Thoughts

I will come back this weekend with more thoughts on the LABR draft, but here are a few quick thoughts on the first round:

1. The first four picks won't change much in most drafts this season. Trout and Miggy will go 1-2 or 2-1, followed by Goldschmidt-McCutchen. Then it gets interesting after pick #4.

2. Loved the Kershaw pick by Steve Gardner at #5. He represents little risk and is the most dominant starter in the game. With few 40 home run hitters left in the game, starting pitchers will offer more production going forward.

3. Some on Twitter felt that Hanley Ramirez at #7, taken by Bret and Mike from Baseball Prospectus, was too much risk to take. I disagree. Hanley is a totally different hitter in Los Angeles. I see more of the same from him in 2014, albeit not with the .345 batting average.

4. Love the Braun pick at #9 by Mike Podhorzer from Fangraphs. I see Braun being Braun again in 2014, and see him coming back with a chip on his shoulder. Small chance of a monster season from him.

5. Robinson Cano fell to #13 in the first round for the first time in a few seasons, if I remember correctly. Not surprising to me and I think the experts are starting to feel that his numbers could take a hit in Seattle this season.

6. I would have taken Bryce Harper over Jacoby Ellsbury at 11, and there are several more hitters I would have taken over Ellsbury including Adrian Beltre, Prince Fielder, Evan Longoria, among others. With that said, I could see Ells bitting 15-16 home runs in Yankee Stadium this season.