This article is part of our Rounding Third series.
The LABR Mixed Draft was held online at RT Sports again on Tuesday night. It's a 15-team mixed league, with standard 5x5 categorical scoring rules and the usual roster size (14 hitters, nine pitchers, six reserves). As with last year, I drew the eighth slot in the draft order. This was generated from a random draw, but I've continued to draw middle or near-middle spots in all of my leagues so far this draft season. My draft slots, including three mocks, this season have been: 11 (of 15) - Mock, 10/15 - Mock, 7/15 - Mock, 9/15 - NFBC Draft Champions, 6/15 - FSGA League, 12/15 - AFL Draft Champions, 9/12 - Best Ball 10 Listener League. So at least I should be comfortable with the player pool from this location.
Last year, my final place in the standings matched my location in the draft - smack-dab in the middle, in eighth place. My hitting was strong, my pitching ... was not strong.
I never made up the saves I punted at the draft table, and the "Draft Rick Porcello Plan" was not a smash hit. I was actually in first place for two months, made a great trade to get Jorge Soler in May, but it all fell apart over the summer. At one point I had 10 players on the IL for a full-month stretch. I didn't manage my FAAB very well either. LABR doesn't allow for $0 bids, nor does it allow for the trading of
