ESPN Franchise Player Draft

[edabbs44]

Joey went 4th. Interesting to watch.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?pa...franchisedraft

[Ghosts of 1990]

It's cool. Been watching the whole thing. They're seemingly just selecting guys who have been good the last decade, not guys who will be good for the next 10-15 years, but whatever. Joe Mauer? He might never be the same and he's soon to be past his prime.

Tulo number 1 overall? That's a reach. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are at least with the concept but to take them before Upton/Kemp/or Bruce is just totally a mess by these guys.

The best part of it all is watching Ol' Leatherpants dominate the chat log. These other guys can't get a word in edgewise. Makes you wonder what Jimbo was really like on REAL MLB draft day in the war room.

[bucksfan2]

Tulo would be my #1. The only other guy who would come close would be Han Ram. You have a GG defensive SS who may just be one of the best offensive hitters in the NL.

[edabbs44]

Tulo would be my #1. The only other guy who would come close would be Han Ram. You have a GG defensive SS who may just be one of the best offensive hitters in the NL.

HanRam went #20.

[bucksfan2]

HanRam went #20.

There is no way I am taking a starting pitcher as high as they are going. Give me a player who can impact the outcome of a game every day of the week instead of one who can impact the game once every 5 days. Starlin Castro ahead of HanRam?!?!?!

[Ghosts of 1990]

Love how they took Halladay and Bautista... have fun with your 'franchise' when those guys are 35 and 37 in a few years. I hate ESPN.

[edabbs44]

Love how they took Halladay and Bautista... have fun with your 'franchise' when those guys are 35 and 37 in a few years. I hate ESPN.

You gotta take Bautista.

[mace]

Interesting that 8 of the top 10 and 18 of the top 30 are National Leaguers. I suspect that wouldn't have been the case a couple years ago.

[Hoosier Red]

There is no way I am taking a starting pitcher as high as they are going. Give me a player who can impact the outcome of a game every day of the week instead of one who can impact the game once every 5 days. Starlin Castro ahead of HanRam?!?!?!

Yeah but a pitcher only has to face 20-25 hitters to match the "impact" of your every day player. I suppose you could argue the every day player plays defense every play, but even then, he makes a play on what 3 or 4 balls per night?

[bucksfan2]

Yeah but a pitcher only has to face 20-25 hitters to match the "impact" of your every day player. I suppose you could argue the every day player plays defense every play, but even then, he makes a play on what 3 or 4 balls per night?

Yea and if a pitcher wins every start he wins what 35 games? A position player has the chance to effect 162 games. I know the argument being brought up, but I don't buy it.

[dougdirt]

Given how easily it is for a pitcher to get hurt and never be the same, I wouldn't have drafted one at all. I was wondering where Bryce Harper was going to go, I was guessing around 15, but wasn't surprised when he went a little earlier. I would have certainly drafted Jay Bruce in the first round, even ahead of a few other outfielders that went before him (Justin Upton for example).

[IslandRed]

For what it's worth, focusing on the core confrontation of Batter vs. Pitcher: Rickie Weeks led the major leagues last season with 754 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Felix Hernandez faced 1,001 batters.

I suppose I'd give a slight edge to the hitter anyway because of the defense factor (presuming he's actually good), but it's splitting hairs. The position player can affect the game every day, but most days he's not the difference between winning and losing. The starting pitcher goes only every five days, but his performance almost always matters greatly to whether the team wins or loses that day. Six of one, half dozen of the other.