League 03 - San Francisco Giants
Team Name: Giants w /Mathewson (07,36,24,16,11)
Ballpark: AT&T Park
Salary: 121,155,301
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Round 2, Pick 5 - 1936 (.597)
When I made my 1907 pick in round 1, I knew I would get a high pick in round 2 and was hoping to get 1936 in round 2 (since 1933 went in round 1). I was thrilled 1936 was still available at pick 5 in round 2. Everybody knows I love Carl Hubbell (320 ip,, 2.19 erc#). Although 1933 Hubbell is better than 1936 Hubbell, it's very close. But 1936 Mel Ott (.328, .444, .586, B+/D+) is way better than 1933 Mel Ott. And landing SS Dick Bartell (.298, .352, .416, B-/A+) is more important than landing 1933 Bill Terry. I am very satisfied with my second round selection.
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Round 3, Pick 7 - 1924 (.608)
There are so many great Giant franchises, that a .597 win% still gets me a pick in the top half of round 3. I knew all along that I would take either 1924 or 1923 in round 3, if either made it to me. Although 1923 has Dave Bancroft, I preferred 1924. 2B Frankie Frisch (.328, .383, .463, B-/A+) is my favorite sim 2B of any era. OF/DH Ross Youngs (.356, .436, .516, D+/D+) is a stud hitter. Hank Gowdy (232 pa, .325, .407, .440, B-/D/A-) will platoon at catcher. And 1B George Kelly (.324, .367, .526, B/A) gives me four hitters from this year. I considered Hack Wilson (.,295, .365, .481) but decided on adding a RP, Claude Jonnard (95 ip, 2.46 erc#). I love my start. I was hoping to get a good Willie Mays season, but his remaining seasons don't have much in terms of other useful pieces.
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Round 4, Pick 13 - 1916 (.566)
The 1924 pick dropped me to pick 13 this round. After taking 4 hitters with the last pick, I decided I needed more pitching, as I only have Mathewson, Hubbell and Jonnard and I don't expect much pitching to be left in round 5. Of course, the two pitching gems of 1916 are Ferdie Schupp (150, 1.55) and Slim Sallee (120, 2.18). I originally also added Rube Benton (255, 3.05) but after my round 5 pick, I no longer needed him. Much to my surprise, this season provided me many useful hitting pieces. Catcher Lew McCarty (266 pa, .339, .419, .455, B+/B/B+) is part of a 3-player catching platoon. Walter Holke (129 pa, .351, .404, .452) will play some DH and pinch hit. Benny Kauff (.264, .362, .436, C-/B+) will get some time in the OF. Heinie Zimmerman (.286, .331, .418) will split time at 3B. And Buck Herzog (.264, .340, .360) can play 2B, 3B, SS and OF. Not yet sure what his role will be.
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Round 5, Pick 10 - 2011 (.531)
I still needed a third catcher, but I also wanted to upgrade the 3B position, add another OF/DH and also add some more decent pitching. 2011 was the best fit for all these needs. Buster Posey (185 pa, .284, .373, .385, A-/A+/A) fills the catcher spot. Pablo Sandoval (466 pa, .315, .362, .547, B+/A-) fills the 3B upgrade. Carlos Beltran (598 pa, .300, .390, .520, A/D+) will start in the OF. He also makes it three switch-hitters in the starting lineup. The fourth batter is a pinch hitter, Brett Pill (53 pa, .300, .326, .556). Since I added 4 hitters, that means I added 5 pitchers. SP Matt Cain (222 ip, 2.35 erc#) is way too good to still be available this late in the draft. Tim Lincecum (217, 2.98) gives me the cushion in innings that I like to have. I also added 3 RPs, Ramon Ramirez (69, 2.62), Santiago Casilla (52, 2.15) and Sergio Romo (48, 1.10). Romo is the best but his 0.74 ip/g scares the crap out of me. I guess I am supposed to his pitch count 5? In fact, all three of these modern RPs scare me.
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Outlook:
Based on the raw stats, my pitching staff should be very good. Including all 1626 innings, the staff average is 1.04 whip, .216 oav, 2.2 bb/9 and 0.28 hr/9. I have Frisch and Bartell with A+ range up the middle. My OF range is weak with B+ in CF and D+ in RF and LF. Ugh. The hitting is ok, not great. I was very optimistic about my team after my 3rd round pick (1924), but somehow the last two rounds didn't go exactly as I had hoped. By taking 1916 in round 4 instead of a good Willie Mays-led hitting season, my team is a bit too pitching heavy and does not have enough offense. I am playing in AT&T which will hopefully mute all the Barry Bonds, Willie McCovery and Willie Mays seasons that I will be facing. I was expecting more from this draft but I think this team will disappoint me. Feels like 82-84 wins and just missing a round 2 advancement.