I drafted my second NFBC Online team last night, otherwise known as Beat Chris Liss 2. The parameters are the same as they were for the first one, $100K grand prize, $1500 league prize, 12-team, 5 x 5 format. I picked from the five slot.
Here are the results:
1.5 Giancarlo Stanton - This is what I was hoping for, though when Dalton Del Don joined the league and got slotted at three, I thought I might miss out (I knew he'd take Stanton or Clayton Kershaw.) My fallback was Chris Sale, but at the time he had been hit by a comebacker, and it was unclear if he was okay, so I also considered Nolan Arenado and Trea Turner (who I got at six in the Main Event), had Stanton been taken.
2.8 Noah Syndergaard - This was also an easy call, especially after reading this. If Syndergaard has been this good as a "thrower," imagine if he learns to pitch even a little bit.
3.5 Francisco Lindor - I was 50/50 between Lindor and Luis Severino. I got Severino and Syndergaard in the YF&F draft and I decided to switch it up.
4.8 Craig Kimbrel - I have him almost everywhere as he keeps falling to me in the fourth round. That includes BCL 1 and the NFBC Main Event, as well as in the Staff Keeper League which auctions next week. I thought about getting Byron Buxton, but I wanted one of the league's three reliable closers.
5.5 Corey Seager - He's apparently healthy again, and this was a nice discount. The one negative is he doesn't run, and he's my second SS, so I'm using up a middle infield slot without getting the speed you typically need from it. Considering I got Stanton and passed on Buxton, speed was becoming a concern. I considered Aroldis Chapman, but saves aren't as scarce in the 12-team, and I already had Kimbrel.
6.8 Roberto Osuna - I passed up Nelson Cruz here - didn't want to clog my utility with a slow player (and I took him in the Main Event) for my clear No. 4 closer.
7.5 Miguel Cabrera - I passed on Cruz again. I preferred to get a first baseman, and Cabrera has a better chance to hit over .300.
8.8 Yasiel Puig - This was the same choice I had in the Main Event in Round 7 between him and Joey Gallo. Here I took Puig, there I took Gallo.
9.5 Jake Arrieta - He was clocked at 94-95 during his spring training outing, and I needed pitching.
10.8 Madison Bumgarner - I took him in the second round of the Main Event, unfortunately, but in the 12-team, in the 10th round, this made sense. I'm hoping for four months of great numbers, and I'll cobble it together in the meantime.
11.5 Adrian Beltre - It was him or Rafael Devers, and even though Beltre might have lasted another round, I hewed to my cheat sheet, where Beltre was one spot higher. I considered Jonathan Villar because I still needed steals, but thought he might last. He didn't.
12.8 Daniel Murphy - With Villar gone, I realized I had to get Jose Peraza and some fast outfielders later. Instead, I went for the most upside in Murphy, who like Bumgarner is hurt. In the 12-team, upside is everything.
13.5 Taijuan Walker - Pitching as usual was flying off the board and because I took Syndergaard and no second elite arm to back him up, I wanted to dive in earlier than usual in this tier.
14.8 Evan Gattis - Gattis was named the full-time DH, so at this spot, he was a nice value.
15.5 Justin Turner - I figured I'd go all-in at this point on the injured stars. If I can survive April and half of May, this team should be in good shape.
16.8 Jose Peraza - My concession to speed. Peraza could even lead off, and while Murphy's out, I need a second baseman.
17.5 Michael Wacha - Another frequent target of mine. He threw 95 mph last year, is in a good park and was once a big prospect.
18.8 Carlos Gomez - More speed and some pop. Plus, Murphy, Seager, Lindor, Beltre and Cabrera allow me to absorb the batting average.
19.5 Michael Brantley - Another player I land on frequently who can contribute in average and a little speed.
20.8 Chris Davis - I had enough batting average to absorb another low-average power bat at the CI spot.
21.5 Andrelton Simmons - It's odd having a SS at UT, but he ran last year, hit for a little power and was by far the highest player on my board.
22.8 Cameron Maybin - Another source of steals. Can he stay healthy? Is he worth the hit in runs and RBI? In Round 22 it was worth finding out.
23.5 Tim Beckham - The last thing I needed was a fourth SS, but he'll qualify at 3B before long and could hit 30 HR.
24.8 Yoshisha Hirano - He could close for the Diamondbacks.
25.5 A.J. Minter - Fireballer who can fill in when my starters have bad matchups. Closer in waiting.
26.8 Miles Mikolas - He has a spot in the Cardinals rotation and was good overseas.
27.5 Travis d'Arnaud - I needed a second catcher, and he's one.
28.8 Jackie Bradley - An OF with some pop and a little speed.
29.5 Hyun-Jin Ryu - He's a low-risk starter in a good environment.
30.8 Tyler Skaggs - He has a home start against the A's this week.
By Position:
C Evan Gattis/Travis d'Arnaud
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Jose Peraza
3B Adrian Beltre
SS Francisco Lindor
CI Chris Davis
MI Corey Seager
OF Giancarlo Stanton/Yasiel Puig/Carlos Gomez/Michael Brantley/Cameron Maybin
U Andrelton Simmons
SP Noah Syndergaard/Jake Arrieta/Taijuan Walker/Michael Wacha/Miles Mikolas/Hyun-Jin Ryu/Tyler Skaggs
RP Craig Kimbrel/Roberto Osuna/Yoshisha Hirano/A.J. Minter
Bench: Madison Bumgarner/Daniel Murphy/Justin Turner/Jackie Bradley/Tim Beckham