Last night, the Beat Chris Liss "Second Chance" league took place. It was a typical 12-team NFBC online-style format, only stats begin accumulating Memorial Day and continue until the end of the year. I picked 12th, my first choice via KDS
Here are the results:
1.12 Justin Verlander - He was the top pitcher on my board, in part because he plays in a great park and pitchers for the best team, i.e., he could win 24 games if he stays healthy.
2.1 Chris Sale - I considered J.D. Martinez, but I chose 12 as my spot in part because I wanted to double up on top pitchers if I had the chance.
3.12 Vlad Guerrero - He's made the adjustment over the last week or so, and he's up for good. And batting average is the category that lets you take chances later.
4.1 Gleyber Torres - Seemed like the most rock solid offensive player available. I considered Charlie Blackmon, but he was banged up and went on the DL shortly after the draft.
5.12 Manny Machado - I honestly couldn't believe he was still available. He hasn't been great in San Diego, but his performance isn't so bad that I felt the park is a death sentence for him.
6.1 Aaron Nola - I considered a closer, but I couldn't pass up the value in this round.
7.12 Andrew Benintendi - I hated him in the third during draft season, but last I checked he still leads off for the Red Sox.
8.1 Victor Robles - I needed some steals.
9.12 Nick Senzel - More steals, and another leadoff hitter in what should be a decent lineup when the weather warms.
10.1 Eloy Jimenez - Too good of a prospect to fail as long as he stays healthy.
11.12 Corey Seager - Starting to heat up after a slow start. Was a rising star two years ago and still at his peak.
12.1 Daniel Murphy - He seems to be healthy now, and the sky's still the limit in Coors if he is.
13.12 Fernando Tatis - He should be back soon, and he was raking before he got hurt.
14.1 Khris Davis - It's unclear how long he'll be out, but if he's back soon, he'll deliver the power my team needs.
15.12 Hansel Robles - No idea how they let me have both Robleses. Ostensibly the closer for the Angels for now.
16.1 Wade Davis - Reportedly due back soon, and I knew his replacement, Scott Oberg, would be cheap.
17.12 Steven Matz - He's been great except for one terrible six-ER outing where he didn't record an out.
18.1 Corbin Martin - Ideal environment in Houston
19.12 Brendan Rodgers - I was surprised he lasted this long. He's a real pedigreed prospect with a job in Coors.
20.1 Alex Verdugo - With A.J. Pollock out indefinitely, he should play almost every day.
21.12 Wade Miley - My third Astros pitcher.
22.1 Miguel Cabrera - Probably done, but dirt cheap.
23. 12 Yonny Chirinos - Solid pitcher, set up for easy wins after the opener.
24.1 Scott Oberg - Wade Davis fill-in.
25.12 Kevin Gausman - Another arm on a decent team.
26.1 Tony Wolters First catcher, Coors Field starter.
27.12 Julio Urias - Elite middle reliever.
28.1 Bryan Reynolds - Could keep the job if he keeps hitting.
29.12 Tyler Flowers - Second catcher.
30.1 Zach Britton - Closer-in-waiting spec pick.
Team By Position
C Tony Wolters/Tyler Flowers
1B Daniel Murphy
2B Gleyber Torres
3B Vlad Guerrero
SS Corey Seager
CI Manny Machado
MI Brendan Rodgers
OF Andrew Benintendi/Victor Robles/Eloy Jimenez/Nick Senzel/Alex Verdugo
U Khris Davis
SP Justin Verlander/Chris Sale/Aaron Nola/Steven Matz/Corbin Martin/Wade Miley/Yonny Chirinos
RP Wade Davis/Hansel Robles
B Fernando Tatis/Miguel Cabrera/Scott Oberg/Kevin Gausman/Julio Urias/Bryan Reynolds/Zach Britton