Draft Strategy - Lesson 2: The Last Round

Let's say you're planning on breaking up with your girlfriend because she's too clingy and has expensive taste. So, what do you do? Well, any rational person would first have one last night of crazy-kinky, no-holds-barred, can't-ever-look-the-other-person-in-the-eye-again sex. Right? What do you have to lose? With any luck, you'll never see her again, anyway.

That, my friends, is your last-round draft pick (or your last $1 guy for you auction types). Just as you plan on kicking that girl to the curb, chances are you'll drop that last-round guy at some point.

Or...maybe something clicks. Maybe you realize that that girl is just as perverted as you are and you fall in love. Or, in fantasy baseball terms, maybe you land the next superstar.

The point is, when it comes to that last pick, shoot for the moon. If you draft someone and he sucks, oh well. Just drop him.

Here are the players I took in the last round of my eight drafts for last season:

Conor Jackson, 1B - Not bad, but I dropped him pretty early on.

Chris B. Young, OF - The batting average (.237) hurt, but 32 HR and 27 SB from a 21st-rounder felt really, really, really good.

Kevin Millwood, SP - This is an excellent example of what not to do. Not sure what I was thinking.

Anthony Reyes, SP - This made sense in theory. But, I'm pretty sure my wife could go 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA in the NL Central.

Chris Iannetta, C - Again, I like the idea. If it wasn't for that incredibly talented Yorvit Torrealba...

Morgan Ensberg, 3B - If you're into stocks, think of this as a small-cap value pick, whereas Chris Young, for example, was a small-cap growth pick. Apparently, small growth picks are more effective than small value.

B.J. Upton, OF/2B/3B - I was saving this one for last. I was lucky (read: brilliant) enough to snag Upton in the last round of two drafts. My pleasure was so overwhelming that I took to calling him "B.J. effin' Upton" every time I checked the box scores and saw another 2/4, 1 HR, 3 RBI line. This is why you draft for upside in the last round.

Some ideas for 2008:
Adam Jones, OF - This year's Chris Young.

Homer Bailey, SP - He plays in the NL Central.

Alexi Casilla, 2B - Could steal a ton of bases and score a ton of runs.

Brandon Wood, 3B - Keep an eye on the SS/3B situation in Anaheim this spring.

Cameron Maybin, OF - Could pull a Hanley Ramirez.

Jon Lester, SP -Good pitcher with good run support.

Lastings Milledge, OF - Maybe a change of scenery will help.

Travis Buck, OF - Was good when he actually played in 2007.

Billy Butler, Hitter - The kid can hit. He just needs playing time.

Jair Jurrjens, SP - Damn, that name kicks ass.

Mike Napoli, C - Low average, but tons of power.

Jay Bruce, OF - Top prospect. Pure hitter.

Daric Barton, 1B - Probably won't provide much power, but he has killer hair.

Kelly Johnson, 2B - PECOTA liked him last year. Don't count him out.