2020 Draft Overview
The MLB Dynasty League 2020 Draft looks to have many intriguing players available likely being headlined by its top prospects and quality closers. The biggest deficiency in this draft appears to be its lack of quality starters. This absences will lead most teams with no other choice then to gamble on previously injured producers or high-risk/high reward arms and hope for the best.
Beer & Brat Brigade Draft Preview
While this team does have some nice building blocks, it needs a lot more support to re-claim its days of competing. Owning the #1 overall pick allows BBB to control its own destiny. Most people would see Adley Rutschman (Bal-C) as the slam dunk choice here but BBB may choose another option. It owns 2 very coveted backstops already and Rutschman will likely be a better reality player than fantasy player (ex: Joe Mauer). For this reason, BBB could easily select masher Andrew Vaughn (ChW-1B) to fill a weakness at first base while adding a power bat for the long-term.
Prediction (NA Need = 2)
RD 1: A. Vaughn (ChW-1B) - See above
RD 2: K. Hayes (Pit-3B) - Has nice pedigree and Pirates want to extend him already
RD 3: D. Bundy (LAA-SP) - If healthy he could finally live up to his potential
RD 4: K. Kim (Stl-SP) - A left-handed Japanese Miles Mikolas?
RD 5: H. Bishop (SF-OF) - At 6'5, one of the biggest college bats available
RD 6: B. Lowe (TB-1B,2B,OF) - Rule 5
Gotham City Knights Draft Preview
Not much is known about this rookie manager in terms of tendencies and risk vs reward aversion. Still, being armed with the 2nd overall pick might could be like being armed with the 1st pick since Adley Rutschman (Bal-C) would still be on the board in this case. Rutschman would be the best and most seamless heir to HOF Buster Posey possible.
Prediction (NA Need = 2)
RD 1: A. Rutschman (Bal-C) - See above
RD 2: J. Jimenez (Det-RP) - Young fireballer could close in Detroit for the next decade
RD 3: B. Anderson (Mia-3B,OF) - Needs a 3B, sneaky good and very versatile
RD 4: Yoe. Cespedes (NYM-OF) - IF he can come back healthy, would pay big dividends this late
RD 5: C. Abrams (SD-SS) - Toolsy shortstop with room and time to grow into his frame
RD 6: R. Laureano (Oak-OF) - Rule 5
Wildcard Bluejays Draft Preview
After Picks 1 and 2, things get a little murky in terms of prospects. The team need some pitching so focusing on prospect pitching might be the play here. Brendan McKay (TB-SP/Util) could be an option here but Wildcard could wait until in the draft since he'll take up 2 spots so fellow lefty Tarik Skubal (Det-SP) makes a lot of sense here. Skubal should move fast up the ranks but not too fast.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: T. Skubal (Det-SP) - See above
RD 2: G. Gallegos (Stl-RP) - Many predicting good things and it'll be his job to lose on a good team
RD 3: M. Melancon (Atl-RP) - The apparent closer in Atlanta will a lot of experience
RD 4: N. Solak (Tex-2B,3B) - Injury to Calhoun make him fantasy relevant right now
RD 5: J. Bleday (Mia-OF) - Bats from the left with mature and refined approach, will move fast
RD 6: C. Kimbrel (ChC-RP) - Rule 5
Chevy Chase Coopers Draft Preview
In a year where finding a legit pitching breakout candidate is so difficult, look no further than Adrian Houser (Mil-SP,RP). Houser averaged more than a K an inning while maintaining a sub 4.00 era. Playing on an improving team doesn't hurt and is at the magic age of 27 where many pitchers find their grove. Is he perfect? No. But he has a lot less warts than most of the guys available and he offers some upside to boot.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: A. Houser (Mil-SP,RP) - See above
RD 2: S. Akiyama (Cin-OF) - Ichiro-lite? Hitting atop improved Cincy lineup won't hurt
RD 3: B. Bradley (Cle-1B) - Big bopper is having a nice spring on a good team
RD 4: A. Wood (LAD-SP) - High upside when healthy and being back in LA helps
RD 5: F. Whitley (Hou-SP) - Rule 5
RD 6: S. Apostel (Tex-3B) - Keeper
Third Day Draft Preview
With the 5th overall pick, TD finds itself in a great position to snag who most people believe to be the best prep prospect in last year's draft in Bobby Witt, Jr. The son of a former big league pitcher, scouts have been ooing and awing at this guy since he was a freshman in high school. In time, fully expect this guy to be a difference maker in fantasy and in reality.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: B. Witt, Jr. - See above
RD 2: K. Lewis (Sea-OF) - Had a great call up last year with big power, tools galore
RD 3: W. Davis (Col-RP) - Could be a steal here if he can reclaim his past 9th inning heroics
RD 4: T. Walker (Sea-SP) - Great arm that has yet to put it together, will this season be the season?
RD 5: M. Givens (Bal-RP) - Everybody needs saves
RD 6: L. Arraez (Min-2B,3B,OF) - Rule 5
Hair Of The Dog Fred Draft Preview
While fairly rounded, this team does need some upper echelon pitching. But where do you find that this season? Well, if you squint hard enough at Matthew Boyd (Det-SP) on some nights he might look like the 10th best strikeout artist in baseball last year because he was. Boyd doesn't play on the best team and he can be erratic at time but when he's on, he's on and 238 strikeouts don't grow on trees.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: M. Boyd (Det-SP) - See above
RD 2: G. Polanco (Pit-OF) - Another guy that is well rounded and productive if healthy
RD 3: T. Watson (SF-RP) - Looking more and more like he'll be the closer in SF
RD 4: Y. Puig (FA-OF) - The guy is going to sign somewhere and put up near 20/20/80 stats
RD 5: L. Brinson (Mia-OF) - Killing it in spring training and hoping it translates to season
RD 6: O. Mercado (Cle-OF)- Rule 5
Squeeze Play Draft Preview
Look! Another team that needs pitching. Are you noticing a trend? After Houser and Boyd, it might be best to focus on a good pitcher on a winning team rather than banking on a breakout or a big statline. In that case, look not further than Kenta Maeda (Min-SP) who is the only pitcher available in the draft that ranked inside the Top 100 (No.99). On the verge on contending, SP could go another direction here but if the teams waits to long the pickings become thinner quickly.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: K. Maeda (Min-SP) - See above
RD 2: J. Means (Bal-SP) - All-Star last year and finished 2nd in AL ROY voting
RD 3: K. Kela (Pit-RP) - Entrenched as the 9th inning man in Pit, could do worse
RD 4: T. Edman (Stl-3B,2B,OF) Rule 5
RD 5: R. Paulson (Oak-SS) Keeper
RD 6: T. Freeman (Cle-SS) Keeper
The Judgesicles Draft Preview
After taking a small step back last year, TJ wants to get back to its winning ways. With that in mind, the team will likely look at safe returns with some chance of over performing. No better player exemplifies that possibility than Justin Upton (LAA-OF). Upton suffered an injury marred 2019 season but his peripherals were in line with his 2018 numbers where he hit 30 home runs with 80 RBIs.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: J. Upton (LAA-OF) - See above
RD 2: Z. Plesac (Cle-SP) - Another of the rare potential breakout arms this season
RD 3: N. Eovaldi (Bos-SP) - A nice arm when healthy on a good team but risky any earlier
RD 4: Z. Thompson (Stl-SP) - Probably the best 2019 draft arm after Lodolo but better system
RD 5: J. Davis (NYM-3B) Rule 5
RD 6: M. Nunez (Stl-3B) Keeper
Slimedog Draft Preview
This team is poised to contend this year and in the future. It needs a few more pieces to help it along and that looks doable due to its talent and youth. Finding players to provide depth will be key in both offense and pitching. The versatile Ian Happ (ChC-2B,3B,OF) looks to have a starting gig in Chicago and can be counted on to accentuate this already good team.
Prediction (NA Need = 0)
RD 1: I. Happ (ChC-2B,3B,OF) - See above
RD 2: F. Peralta (Mil-SP) - Big arm and high K rate might be enough to entice here
RD 3: M. Chavis (Bos-1B,2B) - Good bat at very thin position could be in play
RD 4: S. Murphy (Oak-C) - Needs a catcher and Murphy is a popular name for catchers
RD 5: J. Lester (ChC-SP) - Veteran depth is not the worst thing to have when games are meaningful
RD 6: M. Bumgarner (Ari-SP) Keeper
Loveable Losers Draft Preview
LL surprised some with its late season push and success but it wasn't with smoke and mirrors. Instead, it was with balance and peripheral stats that allowed this team to succeed. Not one hitter had more than 86 RBIS but experienced a fine balance of homeruns and stolen bases. One hole the team has is in saves so why not draft the closer for the World Champion Nationals? Sean Doolittle (Was-RP) is one of the best closers in the game, plays on a team predicted to contend again and already has the job. Health has been a factor but when he's on in the game he's a worthy selection.
Prediction (NA Need = 3)
RD 1: S. Doolittle (Was-RP) - See above
RD 2: R. Mauricio (NYM-SS) - Young but possesses some of the best offensive tools in game
RD 3: C. Kelly (Ari-C) - Former Cardinals farm hand has found a place in Arizona
RD 4: J. Jung (Tex-3B) - Polished college bat that will stay in the hot corner
RD 5: R. Greene (Det-OF) - Projectable bat capable of great fantasy numbers in time
RD 6: A. Bradley (Ari-RP) Rule 5
Tenth Man Out Draft Prospect
What more can you say? This team is stacked and continues to find gems where there shouldn't be. Look for that trend to stay the same as TMO attempts to keep the status quo here. If there is a crack in its armor, it might be its starters. The team is top heavy and then kinda of falls flat at the end. So why not add the best pitching from last years draft to mix? Nick Lodolo (Cin-SP) posses everything TMO looks for in a prospect. Lobolo is a projectable lefty, looks to be a quick moving college arm and he's a Texas transplant. What is not to love?
Prediction (NA Need = 1)
RD 1: N. Lodolo (Cin-SP) - See above
RD 2: S. Matz (NYM-SP) - When's healthy he can be one of the best lefties in baseball
RD 3: S. Hilliard (Col-OF) - Pros: Powerful, fast, Coors Field. Cons: Strikes out a lot
RD 4: B. Kintzler (Mia-RP) - Endorsed by Mattingly as closer, cheap saves
RD 5: B. Marquez (ChC-SP) - Many see him as the next great Cubs arm in the minors
RD 6: R. Lewis (Min-SS) Rule 5
Prospect Draft Projections still to come...
