2/6/2008 9:34:09 PM

This round went pretty much as expected. Texieira might be a little high, but not much. He's traditionally a slow starter but he played really well in his limited time with the Braves in the latter part of the year last season. I like him and was actually hoping he would fall to me at the #3 pick in the third round.

I went with Carlos Lee in this round to match my speed that I have with Reyes with some power. Lee won't steal many bases but he's pretty much guaranteed to get me 30-35 HRs, 100+ runs and 120+ RBIs. With the lineup the Astros are going to have this year with the addition of Tejada (assuming he gets to play...which in all liklihood he will) and Lance Berkman giving him protection in the lineup or knocking him in, Lee is going to have another solid year.

Chris Murdico

2/6/2008 10:08:45 PM

Just one man's opinion, I don't think there'll be much difference between Teixiera and the other top first basemen. He adjusted quite well to Turner Field, the park issues don't concern me much. And he smoked NL pitching, .317 average from August 1st on. If he hits 40 homers and hits .320 - both reasonable expectations I think - he's right there with the big boys.

Adam Bartel

2/6/2008 10:46:52 PM

this was an interesting round for me. It's only Round 2, but here's where I had decisions to make and disappointments to deal with (damn you Wetzel for taking Crawford). I thought both Peavy and Texeira were risky, but interesting picks. I didn't feel strongly about my Phillips pick, but saw his average ranking was 19 and I got him at 18, so not the stretch I thought. I had to look at position scarcity vs. what I was considering taking. I had four guys on the board: Ichiro, Sizemore and Beltran and Phillips. Since I already had a five category OF in Holliday, I was looking for a pickup in speed. Ichiro fits that mold, but he's really only a 3 category and he is getting old (although I like the guy). Sizemore is Holliday-light, so I eliminate him as he doesn't get the SBs I was looking for. Beltran lacked consistency that I wanted and had some injury issues. So then I went with Phillips and yes my Reds fan bias came into play, but heck it's not like Phillips isn't the second best 2B in baseball or won't contribute in numerous categories for me.

Jimmy Dinsmore

2/7/2008 8:59:14 AM

This round wasn't too hard for me. I went Santana in the first round. So I knew I had to grab a solid foundation in speed, as the truly elite speed guys (elite being definite as 30+ SB's) would be gone by Round 3.

I was looking at most of the guys already mentioned (Ichiro, Phillips, Sizemore, Beltran, Crawford, etc.). I immediately eliminated Beltran, as he has never managed to play a full season, and I really don't have a feeling that he'll get 30+ SB.

Then Crawford, Phillips, & Sizemore all went off the board in the three of the four picks before mine. So I had no choice but to take Ichiro (not a bad leftover if you ask me). Unlike Jimmy, I have no concerns about his age (see my one-man draft columns). Until he falls on his face, I'm a believer.

And not to go all stereotype on you, but Asian people live vibrantly forever. Something in their diet and Eastern philosophy of life, I guess.

I don't think Tex went too high. I'm in the minority in the industry on that, I guess. He is a slow starter, but I think the year he'll have this year in Turner will, in the end, justify his 17th overall selection.

Jeremy Fischer

2/7/2008 9:12:34 PM

I personally endorse Teixeira. You can argue his numbers in a Braves' uniform. I was hoping he would've dropped to me at #24 and #25.

With Phillips, Ortiz, and Beltran not slipping either I was torn with the last pick of Round 2. This is another reason I would rather be fourth or fifth so that I can grab a better player in Round 2.

I am not going to wait to the 48th or 49th overall pick to grab me a pitcher. So if I don't grab one in the second round, look for me to grab one to start Round 3.

I gambled a bit on one of my favorite early round steals, BJ Upton. He will man centerfield for the Rays, but is also 2B-eligible. Upton has immense potential and could be a 30/30 guy and drive in 100+ runs as soon as this year! I don't look for him to hit.300 again unless he can cut down on strikeouts. I will use him at 2B, where he ranks ahead of both Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips in my 5x5 rankings.

Dan Clasgens