DRAFT ANALYSIS
2. Joe Mauer, Twins catcher: I wasn't going to let the AL batting champion get by me. True, he only hit 13 home runs last year but had 84 RBI and scored 86 runs to go along with a lofty batting average.
3. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels closer: I was just a bit surprised that the best relief pitcher in the game was still available in the third round, but I'm not complaining.
4. Justin Morneau, Twins first baseman: Last year's AL MVP is only 26 years old and I think he's going to be even better than he was in 2006, when he had 34 homers, 130 RBI and hit .321.
5. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks starter: My first pitcher was the runner-up for the NL Cy Young in 2006. He'll give me lots of innings, wins, a low ERA and low WHIP. And like Morneau, I think he's going to be even better this season.
6. Johnny Damon, Yankees outfielder: I took my first outfielder a bit late, but this guy is steady. He hits for average and a bit of power, and stole 25 bases last season.
7. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox starter: I had my eye on this "rookie" and there is no doubt in my mind that he is going to blow away American League batters this year. Plus, he doesn't have to face my number one pick.
8. Chipper Jones, Braves third baseman: He's 35 and has been injury plagued the last few seasons, but when he does play he puts up solid offensive numbers. Hopefully he'll stay off the DL in 2007.
9. Nick Swisher, A's outfielder: I had to start reaching for outfielders at this stage, so I grabbed a guy that is still very young and poised to break out. He wasn't too shabby last year, with 35 homers and 95 RBI, but his .254 average was a little on the mediocre side.
10. Justin Verlander, Tigers starter: Did you see this guy throwing smoke in the playoffs last season, his rookie year in the bigs? He's going to win 20 games and strike out 200-plus this year.
11. Dan Uggla, Marlins second baseman: I couldn't get Chase Utley or Robinson Cano, but as a rookie last year this kid mashed 27 home runs and 90 RBI. He's also in a talented young lineup surrounded by a few smoking bats.
12. Jeff Francoeur, Braves outfielder: Another youngster with plenty of upside, Francoeur's batting average digressed last year, but he had decent power numbers and can only get better.
13. Bobby Crosby, A's shortstop: Yeah, I know. This was a stretch, considering how much time Crosby has spent on the DL with a bad back. But I waited too long to grab a stud at this position and needed to gamble. If Crosby’s back flares up, there are plenty of steady free agents like Omar Vizquel available.
14. Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees starter: True, he only had 76 strikeouts, but Wang finished second in the AL Cy Young voting behind only Johan Santana. His 19 wins and a 3.63 ERA will do that.
15. Joel Zumaya, Tigers closer: He won six games as a set-up man, but more importantly I like my relief pitchers to throw smoke, and Zumaya had 97 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. At some point, he's going to take the closer’s job from Todd Jones, and that point could be now.
16. Brad Hawpe, Rockies outfielder: I wanted one Colorado player on my team just because Coors Field inflates numbers. And I expect Hawpe to build on a solid 2006, when he batted .293 with 22 homers and 84 RBI.
17. Cliff Lee, Indians starter: He's 28 years old and has averaged 15 wins his first three years in the bigs. The Indians underachieved in 2006, and as a result Lee only had 14 wins. But he's going to have 20 of his team's 100 wins in 2007. I can feel it.
18. Craig Monroe, Tigers outfielder: Yeah, I was stretching here, but Monroe did have close to 100 RBI in 2006 and hits in a potent lineup that added Gary Sheffield.
19. Brandon Phillips, Red second baseman: As my second utility player chosen, I got a guy who came of age last year and finally lived up to his potential. And he's still only 26.
20. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers reliever: Another young guy with a live arm (97 strikeouts in 76.1 innings), Broxton just may steal the closer's job away from Takashi Saito this season. Actually, I’m banking on it.
21. Anthony Reyes, Cardinals starter: This late in the draft, I wanted to add another starter with upside. Reyes won Game 1 of the World Series last season, and that's enough upside for me.
22. Josh Bard, Padres catcher: Taking over for Mike Piazza this season, my backup catcher hit .333 last season with 9 homers and 40 RBI in just 249 at-bats. Projected as the Padres' starting catcher in 2007, Bard has an outside shot at 100 RBI.
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