The first RotoBaller Pros vs. Joes league drafted Thursday night with a mix of self-proclaimed "expert" writers and some lucky readers who were ready to put their advice to good use. The league was set to standard 5x5 rotisserie rules, with the following roster positions:  2 C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, CI, MI, 5 OF, Util, 8 P, 5 BN. Having to fill five starting outfielder positions threw off a couple of owners. I know it certainly altered my strategy in comparison to other drafts. When it was all said and done everyone agreed on two things: they hated their teams, and Canadians are slowly taking over America (don't ask). Here are some of the highlights, round-by-round.

 

RotoBaller Draft Recap and Analysis

1st round

No big surprises to start out the draft. Trout goes #1, followed by Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, and Clayton Kershaw. Manny Machado is picked 5th, just ahead of reigning MVP Josh Donaldson. Miguel Cabrera goes #7 as he looks to stay healthy this year and reward owners who expect him to maintain his elite production level. Picks 8-11, in order: Nolan Arenado, Giancarlo Stanton, Andrew McCutchen, and Anthony Rizzo.

Takeaway: Unless you have a wildcard owner in your league, the rankings should hold true early on.

2nd round

A pair of Astros open the 2nd round, with Carlos Correa followed by Jose Altuve. Toronto sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion also go back-to-back at #17 & 18 respectively. Max Scherzer is the first pitcher taken after Kershaw at #14 overall. The round ends with Joey Votto at #22, a full round after counterpart Rizzo.

Takeaway: Other than Kershaw, it is likely there will only be one or two SPs selected before round 3, at the most.

Rounds 3-4

The first of the Mets' vaunted staff members to be selected is Jacob deGrom at #25. The 3rd round sees a nearly even split of pitchers and hitters as Jake Arrieta, Madison Bumgarner, Jose Fernandez and Corey Kluber are all selected between picks 29-33. The pitching run continues in the 4th with Matt Harvey followed by Stephen Strasburg. Also drafted, in order, Starling Marte, Gerrit Cole, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Greinke, David Price, Nelson Cruz, Dallas Keuchel, Chris Archer.

Takeaway: Once the first tier of hitters is gone, the pitchers will fall off the board fast and furious.

Rounds 5-6

Carlos Carrasco finishes the mini-run on pitching, which leads way for the second tier of outfielders to come off the board. Yoenis Cespedes, Adam Jones and Justin Upton are picks 46-48. Two of the most intriguing picks are young sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Sano, drafted at #50 and #54 overall. Wade Davis is the first pick in the 6th round and becomes the first reliever taken in a format that rewards saves but not holds. Kenley Jansen follows eight picks later at #64.

Takeaway: If you're looking for Rookie of the Year candidates, nab yours after the 5th round but don't wait much longer.

Rounds 7-10

Old meets new: Rookie of the Year candidate Corey Seager becomes pick #73 and David Ortiz, in his farewell season, is pick #74. Youth is served again in picks 79 & 80 with Francisco Lindor and Maikel Franco. Six closers are taken between picks 91-104, including suspended Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman.

Takeaway: The elite closers will likely not be taken until 50 picks in and a top 10 reliever can be found as late as the 100th pick.

Rounds 11-15

A pair of New York rookie pitchers go in round 12, with Steven Matz getting the nod at #126, two picks before Luis Severino. The 12th round also sees catchers Salvador Perez, Brian McCann, and Russell Martin get selected. Astros starters Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers are taken in rounds 13 and 14 respectively. Yu Darvish finally gets picked up in the 15th round.

Takeaway:Even in two catcher formats such as this, there is no reason to draft one (outside of Buster Posey) in the first ten rounds. Some owners selected#2 catchers late in the draft that could outproduce some of the #1 catchers.

Rounds 16-20

With the first pick of the 16th, someone takes a chance on Trevor Story. Jose Reyes is then selected first in the very next round. Four more catchers go off the board in round 17 in the form of Devin Mesoraco, Matt Wieters, Yian Gomes and Wellington Castillo. Kenta Maeda is a hit-or-miss pick at 192. Shelby Miller lasts until the second pick of round 19, #200 overall. Jung Ho Kang, who will start the season on the DL, is a coveted commodity in round 20 but is snatched up at #216.

Takeaway: It's hard to lose a draft after round 16, but this is often where drafts can be won. Players who are projected to regress (Miller), unheralded rookies (Trevor Story), overlooked veterans (Dexter Fowler) and bounceback candidates (Marcell Ozuna) are the ones to target here. Look for upside, this isn't the time to play it safe.

Rounds 21-27

The later rounds are a mix of aging but proven veterans and skilled but unproven prospects. Among the vets: Mark Teixeira is taken at #229, Victor Martinez at #235, Brandon Phillips at #268, Carlos Beltran at #271, and Yadier Molina at #288. Prospects selected include: Jorge Soler at #239, Travis Shaw at #250, Aaron Nola at #254, AJ Reed at #275, and Lucas Giolito with the final pick of the draft at #297.

Takeaway: Every team seemed to find at least one rookie to stash for later. Just because a player didn't make the cut for opening day doesn't mean they won't be back up soon enough to help your team before the All-Star break. Choose players with clearer paths to playing time and strong spring performances.

Reactions

Pierre - This draft turned out very different than I expected. I was really hoping for Stanton or Arenado at the 10th spot, but of course both were taken right before my pick. I considered Correa, but went safe and took McCutchen. On the way back, in the 3rd and 4th rounds, not only did I take a pitcher earlier than expected, I took two. I wasn't crazy about the hitting options at that position and seeing strikeout mavens Fernandez and Strasburg available, I couldn't pass them up. Sano at 54 seemed right until I saw Franco last until pick #80, directly after my pick at #79. I could have picked up Tulowitzki in the 5th and Franco in the 8th. We'll see if my Sano-Lindor combo outperforms Tulo-Franco this season. No huge surprises but . . .

Jason - Seemed to be a lot of runs during the drafts - starting pitchers earlier and closers later. There are a couple teams without closers, so I'll be interested to see how that plays out.

Your favorite pick?

Gurminder - Michael Brantley in the 10th round. With such deep rosters, including a 5 man OF, getting Brantley that late was big for me. Sure, he will start the year on the DL, but with one DL slot, I can put him there and add another player for the first month.

Your most questionable pick?

Jason - Ian Kennedy. It was in the 24th round, so it was't a backbreaker. But there were plenty of pitchers available that I liked more than Kennedy. Call it draft fatigue, but I dropped Kennedy this morning.

Best value?

Gurminder - Dellin Betances in the 18th round. I love this pick. He will dominate ERA and WHIP, pitch close to 90-100 innings, get 120 plus K, and throw in a couple saves and wins. Could get as many Ks as many starters.

Biggest reach? 

Jason - Gerardo Parra, round 12- Parra is overrated based off his career-year and arrival to Coors. Choo, Grichuk, Hanley, DeShields, Dickerson, and Conforto all went after him.

 

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