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Rockem 23 Preview:
For the last two years now I said this in the opening of the preview:
“Onto the preview. This is the most wide open draft and the most wide open MLB has been in all our years. No consensus anywhere, could be 100% wrong with my views below and I would not be shocked if the team I pick to finish 12th wins the whole thing; it is going to be a fun year of baseball.”
If anything I think this is season is even more wide open as young players all seem to be arriving at the same time and people have completly different ratings of them. Shizz is all over the place.
Below be my predictions yo, but more than any other year this could go sideways. No one drafted really poorly as some people have in recent years, I truly believe anyone can win. If you are in the bottom fret not.
As always I am just dealing with your team as of the draft with my takes; I can’t keep track if you picked up Johnny Hotnuts or slipped the tongue to Malcolm McVultureSave. I am not going off past managerial performances either…some of you have taken August off in previous seasons. I am also doing this before I read your responses to my questions, any connection is just serendipitous. In Draft Order…
Tom:
1) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
On a scale of Cincinnati Reds with Wayne Krenchiki being 1 and Johnny Bench being 10, I give myself a solid Ron Oester. But you all knew that - you were there.
2) One pick you were stoked about, One you should have changed?
I was happy to get Tristan McKenzie in the 18th round. The fact that about 4 other teams tried to draft him after that is an indicator of the pick's popularity….or perhaps the consumption of Red Breast at that point. One that I wouldn't necessarily change, but was not hoping to do was Yamamoto. I was hoping for Wheeler/Lindor on that swing. But Mike grabbed Wheeler and Yordan Alvarez went to…no one?!
3) Whose team are you most impressed with?
The Champ's team looks pretty solid to me. Someone grab my fainting couch!
4) Who is the “nicest” member of Rockem Sockem?
I'd rather opine on Gatorade colors. But gun to my head, it's probably McNally - you think that gun would have been disqualifying!
5) What percentage of winning Rockem is drafting and what percentage is managing?
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
6) Anything to say to your competitors?
Oh, who cares!
Commish Take: Initially when reviewing Tom's team I thought his roster was in an interesting place, then got a frantic phone call and things spiraled a bit, but in truth there was a larger pattern at work here with all of our teams once I started this preview. After the first few rounds, all of us have no idea what is going to happen. Everyone reached, everyone seems out of sorts and everyone is going on blind luck this year.
As it stands I enjoy the top of Tom’s team and his first two OF’ers might just get him to the zenith of Rockem themselves. Acuna and Yordan would be my picks for MVP to start the season. His offense has some questions, do all of his baby Reds take that next step forward? Is Tim Anderson still in the league? Can Anthony Rizzo see straight? But I think the top heavy squad will be fine on O.
In the pen it really all comes down to Yamamoto. If he is the stud we are led to believe he will be, Tom will be living it up come the end of the season because Gallen as a two is proper. His three closers also are top notch, so in a wild year maybe Tom breaks the curse if you believe in the power of Japan and I am currently watching both Tokyo Vice and Shogun so…
Commish Prediction: Bonsai! - Top Third
Mike:
1) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
On a scale of 360 degrees, I would rate my draft 180 degrees in the opposite direction of what I intended to do as I walked in from the porch for my 2nd round selection. ‘Twas supposed to be Luis Robert (was going to pass on Yordan Alvarez? As a SECOND round pick? AS WE ALL DID?!??!… absolutely shocking), but I said Zach Wheeler. And a boring draft for yours truly was on. Albeit, I think, a productive one.
2) One pick you were stoked about, One you should have changed?
I am psyched that I was not so grafted to a plan (see answer 1) that I got Ha-Seong Kim. I don’t take enough people that fall to me, ever. And then there is the one I probably should have changed (see Yordan Alvarez). But I think I got my porch draft act together shortly thereafter.
3) Whose team are you most impressed with?
I tell ya, the NYC connection in rounds one and two for EWC could be HR leaders in both leagues? Whole sh!t looks pretty legit. Dinner at some dope fly-fishing spot this year? Why not?
4) Who is the “nicest” member of Rockem Sockem?
The nicest member of Rockem Sockem is clearly… Glen. If compensated properly, he will get you booze. He has entertaining stories about his dental woes and graphic photos of his son being born. And, most importantly, he was great company for the last bunch of rounds in my Porch Draft. Really enjoyed my time out there btw. Being positioned squarely in the smoking section, I got drive-by’s from every single one of my Rockem brethren at different points and it was grand.
5) What percentage of winning Rockem is drafting and what percentage is managing?
75/25
7) Anything to say to your competitors?
I just wanted to say… 1, 2, 3, 4…
Commish Take: Drafting from parts unknown. Mike almost mailed it in this year. Well not with his players, those are fine, but literally his picks as he had to deliver them from the back deck. The long distance relay didn’t delay things, and Mike may have benefited from being out of the pressure cooker and by his lonesome.
His bats look a bit underwhelming, yet well rounded. Julio could blow up to Acuna levels, but guys like Lindor, Bregman, Walker, Realmuto are well known and not lighting anyones nether regions ablaze. Maybe slow and steady wins the offense this year but I think Julio needs to be a supernova to put Mike over the top.
On the arms front, a very solid 1-2 of Wheeler and Fried allowed him to wait a bit, but perhaps the steal of the draft came in Round 15 with Verlander. If healthy we all know he can dominate back in Houston, could be a game changer and may need to be with a Bullpen that looks like it is put together with toothpicks, spit, and elbow grease. If Verlander returns to form and Ju-Rod takes off sure…
Commish Prediction: …but I don’t see both happening and I got Mike ending up: Middle Third