Rockem Sockem

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.

Top Heavy - Buddy Emmons

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

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

Commish’s Take: It is great that a phoneless JV even made it to the draft as he struggled with UPS and beyond for a digital device. Thankfully he made it and drafted…what exactly he drafted is up for debate.

I kid, I kid, I actually think Jay could turn up roses if his gambles pay off, but he took a lot of gambles. Let’s start with the arms to mix it up, Skurbal put up amazing numbers last year, is he a full fledged numero uno? He better be, because picking his boy Cole before Grayson Gilbert Hader etc is a wing and an MF’ing prayer. If he is back soon, Jay is dynamite, if not? Those pitching stats go boom as I don;t think Rodon, Cease and Buehler will all bounce back…lots’ of if’s on that staff, including in the Pen with the only for sure opening day closer is Tanner Scott…hmm OOOKKKK.

On the bats side things are a bit brighter Soto and Vlad are a killer 1-2 and it was impossible to miss J’s huge hardon for Maikel Garcia swinging around the draft room, he already has him penciled into Cooperstown. Actually I think J’s later bat picks are pretty sweet deals like Chaz, Kiriloff, Fraley and Siri which sounds like one rocking law firm, but could very well surprise on the positive side of things…will the team as a whole?

Commish’s Prediction:… nah. I see JV in the basement again: Bottom Third

Commish’s Take:

Somehow BK drafted a lot of different guys than expected, but still came out just as any BK team would, time is really a flat circle.

On the bat side of things, going young and sexy was the mission for BK and he succeeded. Witt, Albies, Gunnar, Aroz, Royce. Woof, lots of upside there. Also not a lot of proven track record…The speed and power combos are very nice with Addames Hoskins Diaz and Parades all adding to the thumping, but will that be enough dongs to get the job done? I am not sure.

What I am sure about it is that his pitching will keep him in the running for the title all season. Glasnow, Grayson and Efflin are a very solid 1-1a-1b and could all really have huge years in 2024. Even if one or two slips, King Civale and Harrison are nice fill-ins. The pen is based in the AL central and could be a small issue, but overall BK, as always looks pretty good…

Commish’s Prediction: …but not great. I think a small slippage from the champ is in order for 2024. Middle Third.

Commish’s Take: Last year Donny switched it up a bit, drafted a few pitchers before round 13 and almost won the whole F*@#ing thing.

This time he went back to the all bat attack until drafting a closer, will the return to the all meat strategy work? Looking at the stick, he sure loaded up. Mookie, Machado, Devers, Belly, Yelli and Cummy…err Semien. Can’t argue with any of those picks. Pairing them with the likes of Yoshida, Bohm, his boy Castellanos may give Fatty the best Offense in the league. He certainly is the most offensive smelling member Hey-O!

But if we look yonder into the dark reaches of his pen that lonely Romano only has Kyle Finnegan to close games with, and his starters aren’t much better. Bassitt, Pivetta, Byrce Miller. They could have career years, but I doubt all three do at once, give Fatty the weakest staff in the league (Sad Trombone Noise) Flaccid.

In the end…teehee I think the two even each other outout…

Commish’s Prediction: … leaving Fatty smacks in the middle. Middle Third.

Commish's Prediciton: Do you know the last time Wilson drafted Pete Alonso? Rockem ??? Guess who won the league, Wilson. Does the magic return again?! Let’s dive deeper…

Looking at his arms first, Uncle Ebenezer stepped into the freezer and took a few guys on ice to start the season with Gausman, Doran, Max dealing with various injuries and Montgomery not even signed yet. That said, IF (and that is a big if) Wilson gets something from those guys this year that could be a dangerous staff. Nestor and Morton need to do a lot of heavy lifting early but his pen of Hader and Holmes won’t have much trouble at all.

I know I mentioned Alonso and his injured staff, but I really think this team revolves around Judge. If he plays a full season he will be up there with Acuna as the best player in Rockem easy. But will he? The world may never know… As insurance, Campbell Soup dad has good speed (Ruiz Cj and Gimenez), a touch of pop (Seager and Springer) and maybe just enough luck on his side with Alonso and Judge…like a polar bear at a limbo contest…I have no idea what that means.

Commish’s Prediction: NY NY coming home for Wilson. Top Third

1. Like shopping at Fairway, there were a lot of great options, but everything was too expensive.

2. Round one was interesting. Was hoping for Soto, Witt or maybe Carroll, but then Freeman dropped and felt like the obvious choice. I regret not picking Carroll tho. Cruz was a nice grab in round 5. I also feel like I should have gone RP in round 7/8 over Gilbert and Reynolds

3. Bull going 3x on the youngsters. Langford, Holiday, Skenes. Or maybe the best team in 3 years. I'll save this answer for 2027.

4.I think we should do a Rockem nicest draft. Looking forward to being picked last. BK probably the champ of that as well.

5. Is this question for everyone? As someone who drafted Mike Trout in the 18th round of his 2012 rookie year (.326 AVG, 129 R, 30 HR, 83 RBI, 49 SB) only to drop him for Sean Marshall (P - CIN) on March 23rd, I'd lean 51% to draft. The rest is about scooping up closers and maximizing games and innings pitched.

6. Was there a question six?

7. It was great to see everyone together in the same place for once, but it did go by too fast. Need more hang time before and after.

Commish’s Take: The middle of this year's draft seemed to be a pretty safe place to be as players seemed to just fall into Moon’s lap like Red Breast 12.

Reliable bat (Freeman), ace (Burnes), all around vet (Altuve), OF pop (Garcia) but as things progressed the whiskey flowed and we shall see if the middle rounds were nice to him. Is Outman for real? Brown ready to take the jump? Cruz going to be the real deal Holyfield?

I kinda feel like Moon’s and Neezer’s teams have the greatest swing rate between great and shizzy this year. Most teams to me are flawed and I can see anyone winning or losing, but for me Moon and Neezer, in the middle of the draft, seem to be all or nothing for some reason.

Commish’s Prediction: I don’t think so…bottom third

Commish’s Take: If you showed me all of the teams without who drafted them or in what draft order I would say that this one is pretty solid, pretty boring, 4th or 5th in the order and probably BK’s. High praise for Bird who put together a good one.

On the Bartman side of things…

err Bat Man…

Never mind, Tucker is a lock for his gaudy numbers, Riley is a beast and Bo could be a steal in the third round, if he ever learns to steal some bases himself. I think that is the one thing Bird is lacking, SB”s but if Mullins bounces back he should be pretty set as his pop is all there with Vinnie Teoscar and Gleyber who sound like a wild Mafia enforcement crew.

PItching seems pretty well rounded as well. Two 1A’s with Pablo and Perralta, a really solid three with 1 upside in Bieber. Darvish and Javier who two years ago were aces. The Willam Penn is quakering as Iglesias and Dovell are top line, he may need some more help there, but overall there is not much to critique in a year when every team seems to be lacking something…

Commish’s Prediction: …maybe Bird’s recent lack of Eet’s A Boat ends this year. Top Third

1) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?

I drafted 4 injured pitchers. I think that’s a scale.

2) One pick you were stoked about, One you should have changed? 



Was surprised Corbin Carroll fell to me. Changed my whole draft. And by that I mean I went from having no plan to having even less of a plan.

3) Whose team are you most impressed with?

BK, Moon

4) Who is the “nicest” member of Rockem Sockem?

Bird

5) What percentage of winning Rockem is drafting and what percentage is managing?

Depends on the year, sometimes entirely. But I think it’s generally on the order of 50/50.

6) Anything to say to your competitors?

Love you all. What an honor and a pleasure.

Commish’s Take: Towards the end of the draft I think a few of us “backend drafters” (Starting with Jeff) went a bit off the rails, one of us at the back of the pack I think has a legit shot, but the others? Me thinks, not so much. Jeff’s team feels full of potential…for three years from now!!! Very little of a sure thing this season. He is a hell of a manager and will work those waivers but the preview just deals with the draft and things are a bit wonky.

Hard to argue with Carroll at 9 and Turner on the swing, but The double Nolan’s will need to be hitting bombs for Jeffe to be in the power company as the only other true HR threats are..umm…Casa’s? Walker? Each having half a good season so far?

With Colt Keith, Churio Westburg this is team Young Guns.

This is also team Young arms as Kirby Perez Steele and Ragans lead the staff. TONS of potential, but is this the year they all reach it? Two of them? One? Meh. Kodai could be a real good sneaky late pick if the Mets decide to play him this year but not drafting a confirmed closer certainly doesn’t help. Sure, he will be vulturing that waiver wire and he is going to be needing some help…

Commish’s Prediction: …think this team is a year or two away in keeper leagues. Bottom Third.

1) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?

On a scale of: Which piece of discarded roadside furniture “repurposed” in the Brownstone Cowboy Apartment is my squad? I will rate this team the wobbly table. No bed bugs, but might not hold up until August.

2) One pick you were stoked about, One you should have changed? 



Odd draft all around for me, lots of guys going right before me on both sides which was a bit unexpected. One to change is probably Goldschmidt in the third. Had Altuve Bo and Nolan and they all went in order before me, so a bit flummoxed and I went Goldie. Solid, but should have gone sexy with Elly or Oneill.

One stoked, I think I actually got real good value with Nimmo in the 13th, but c'mon, now I have destination viewing of the best player on the planet every night. Shohei for the win. (Wrote this before the betting news broke ZOINKS!)

3) Whose team are you most impressed with?

Read the Preview!

4) Who is the “nicest” member of Rockem Sockem?

This came up during this year's Sockies and I initially said BK. After thinking on it a bit though I think I am going to have to go with the limo driver back from Rockem 5. He seemed nice, wanted to talk wrestling, and didn't mind us devouring his mystery brown. Good soul, def the nicest, his essay was three beers a peachy…glad he is in the league.

5) What percentage of winning Rockem is drafting and what percentage is managing?

Originally when Jeff asked this at the Draft order gathering I was thinking 90% drafting since the league never trades, and free agent pickups that change the league in a champions favor are ultra rare. That said, a few years back my draft wasn’t very good and yet I won with lots of maneuvering and luck.

I actually think it is probably 70-30 (draft manage) at this point with players health a major spoiler in all of this, you need to be a good manager but if you draft a team that stinks you have zero chance of winning…maybe free eats, but even that is a long shot.

6) Anything to say to your competitors?

Read the Preview!!!

Guest Preview: Ladies and germs…Mr. Tom Gallagher

Commish’s Prediction: Thanks Doubting Thomas…I see my team: Bottom Third

Commish’s Take: I always like the symmetry when East Coast and West Coast Don’s draft like Yin and Yang.

If you could combine them? Super team. Where Fatone loaded up with one of the strongest O’s in the league, McNally did it on the D side. His 4th starting pitcher was last years NL Cy Young winner. A 1-1-1-1 of Strider, Castillo, Valdez and Snell is MEGA. For some reason (booze) he drafted Berrios and Ed Rod to go along with that and could have really used another Bullpen arm to go along with heart (attack) broken Kenley, but if those four arms fire Don can easily trade one for some Pen help.

On the bat side of things are a touch less rosey, but not barren. McNally seemed to be drafting all Athletes…kinda like the Padres. Power/speed combos with maybe not enough of each, but a chance for success with tons of natural ability. Tatis, Robert, Chisholm, Arrazez, O’Neill. Unfortunately all of these guys have seemed to under perform recently, but potential is there…will it come through…

Commish’s Prediction: … probably some, but not enough. Middle Third.

1) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?

Since my team is filled with the kids (de la Cruz, Holliday, Langford, Skenes). I’m going for the Chris Hansen Catch a Predator Scale. I’d rate my draft a Jared from Subway

2) One pick you were stoked about, One you should have changed?

Jackson Holliday - All draft the talk was no one knew where to reach for the rookies/unproven guys. Holliday fell exactly where his rank was and the mock draft said he could go. I didn’t want to reach, since I already did that a little with the other young guys.

3) Whose team are you most impressed with?

Actually going with my own team. After all the mock drafts, I thought I would have a really tough time putting together a team that would not be a clear bottom 3 team. I tried every combination at the snake and every team felt gross. Somehow this draft allowed me to put together a balanced team, which I thought would have been impossible. If I can’t say myself….I’m going with BK. Because why would you not go with BK in Rockem Sockem?

4) Who is the “nicest” member of Rockem Sockem?

Clearly it must be someone who believes in Green gatorade.

5) What percentage of winning Rockem is drafting and what percentage is managing?

50%. Drafting 30% Managing. 20%. Believing in the guys you drafted and not over managing

7) Anything to say to your competitors?

Great to see everyone and too bad no one got naked. Also what happened to question 6? I’m going with Green for the answer to that one.

Commish’s Take:

This is the one bottom drafter that I think has a shot, but one or multiple of his young stud gambles needs to cash in for big bull. That sounds like g*y cowboy p*rn:

(Bull Pic)

Anyways. Solid bats with Harper and Jose at the first SNAAAAKE! And adding the upside of Elly with Michael Harris could be mega. Is Wyatt Legit? We shall see, but he may need to be with only Santander and Kerry Carpenter in the OF to help him out. Better is Bull MI trifecta of Gelof Volpe and Holliday, but the true harbinger of Bull’s fate lies on the side of the stat line.

No lying in Bull’s penn, no question there as Dennis has the strongest three closer combo in the league with Diaz Clase and Lange, the question is at the top of the starters. Was last year a blip for Nola or is he descending like the city itself? The Phils signed him to big money, so they are hoping a blip, but he was worryingly bad last year, if he turns it around and can be an ace with a CG here or there Bull can win this thing because Miller Gray Keller and Kelly are an excellent supporting cast in need of a Top Gun!

Commish’s Prediction: Goose gets it done…not dead. Top Third.

Final Prediction Order:

12. Winston

11. Vig

10. Moon

9. SPD

7. TIE: Fatone and McNally

6. Mike

5. BK

4. Eben

3. Bull

2. Tom

1. Bird