I have never played fantasy baseball and have my first draft tonight at 830pm EST.

I was wondering if anybody had any good gems that I could take in the later rounds.

I have searched the websites and found out who the top picks are but I want to know the lesser knowns names who will have good years and I can draft later.

Any chance anybody will be online then and can help me out?

I would love to help out man, but I am drafting right around the same time. What type of league is it? Head to Head, Rotisserie, 5x5? Also what are the catergories? I may be able to give you a couple before draft time. Also, as you can see I am still a Jr. Member so you will have to give me a minute to respond.

No problem man. Do you have chance by IM?

The league is head to head

This is the info for the league:
League ID#: 4136

League Name: Fresh Start 2007

Custom League URL: http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/balcoplus

League Paid For: By Commissioner

Season Type: Full

Draft Type: Live Draft

Draft Time: Wed Mar 28 8:30pm EDT [ Add to My Calendar ]

Max Teams: 12

Scoring Type: Head-to-Head

Player Universe: All baseball

Max Moves: No maximum

Max Trades: No maximum

Trade Reject Time: 2

Trade End Date: August 12, 2007

Waiver Time: 2 days

Can't Cut List Provider: Yahoo! Sports

Trade Review: League Votes

Post Draft Players: Follow Waiver Rules

Min Innings Pitched: 20

Weekly Deadline: Daily - Tomorrow

Start Scoring on: Week 1

Divisions: No

Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, IF, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL

Stat Categories: R, H, HR, RBI, SB, BB, AVG, W, L, SV, K, ERA, WHIP

My first suggestion is to use your first couple draft picks on positions where the talent is minimal. Like 2B, Utley is by far the best guy and after him the drop off is huge. Same thing with OF this year. It is a lot less stacked than years before. Some of the other positions you can get a lot of quality guys. That is unless you have the first pick. Then you take the best guy. Pujols has pretty much been number one in every draft I have seen.

A guy like Bill Hall of the Brewers is great, because he qualifies at many positions.

Chris Young and Carlos Quentin are some a lot may not know about in the OF. Andruw Jones is in a contract year he should have a great one. Delmon Young will be a stud (OF for TB).

People know about him, but Ryan Freel is another good one that qualifies in a few positions and will start in Center for the reds.

At pitcher I like Chuck James for Atlanta. Danks for Chicago is a sleeper. I also think Oliver Perez has a bounce back year and he plays on a good team. Should get you some wins. And you could probably get him real late. Matt Cain and Cole Hamels will be real good, but I don't consider them sleepers.

Akinori Iwamura is one for 3B. He can hit and may get moved to second base enough times that he would have eligibility there to, which would make him much more valuable.

You are more than welcome to e-mail me.

Gerald Laird will be batting in the Texas line-up, they have no decent second string catcher and he should get between 17-20 homers with 450 at bats.

Thanks for the adviceguys...Keep it coming!

be sure you get a good Shortstop, 3B, and at LEAST one solid outfielder that isnt prone to injury

Wait awhile to get a 1b and 3b.. There are a lot of them available. The three best multi positional players are Rich Aurilla ( batting in front of Bonds ) who qualifies at 1b 2b ss and 3b. Ty Wigginton batting fourth for Tampa behind a very good offensive line-up qualifies at all the IF positions except SS. If you are limited to pitching spots that are either releif pitchers or starting pitchers try to take pitchers that are eligible at both thus allowing you the ability to earn stats from more than just your starting pitchers on that date. If a pitcher has made less than 25 starts for two straight years stay away from them. Injured pitchers tend to stay that way. If you leave yourself thin at releif pitcher do not worry. Every year there are pitchers who emerge out of nowwhere to put up decent save numbers.. Just follow the boxscores.

Stat Categories: R, H, HR, RBI, SB, BB, AVG, W, L, SV, K, ERA, WHIP

i would go for offense over starting pitching.....a good hitter will get you 6 categories.....a starting pitcher will get you 4

Couple sleepers are Hamels, Randy Johnson is going late too going to the nl he will pitch alot better, Barry Bonds is the king of walks so take him late since you use bb's watch him have a real good year, Delmon Young, Shane Victorino( get you some cheap steals), Chris Duffy too for steals, Alex Gordon is a good late round pick if you need a 3b. Don't put too much stock into st stats like Dice K he is going too early. 1b has the most depth so I would wait till guys like Giambi, Helton are available and 2b is the weakest spot so you might not like him but if Utley is available take him. I would hold off taking top closers like Rivera and Wagner you can guys like Cordero, Fuentes, Lidge, late and they will get you saves. Remember saves is only 1 stat thats why you can wait late. Jorge Julio is the Marlins closer now so he is a good late round pick. First round pick should be someone like Soriano, Utley, or Santana. I might be online then if you need any help tell me we might disagree with reality, but I have finished in the top 3 of fantasy leagues for the past 2-3 years.

Thanks A.Lang.

I will definately be using everybody's advice.

Does anybody have AOL IM who will be online around 830pm EST

Also, please dont recommend any Yankees. I refuse to draft them.

Because then I would have to root for them, and I cant do that.

Sleepers and guys you can get late:

C - Piazza going to just dh watch him get 25 hr's, Ronny Paulino hit .300 last year and is developing power, Russell Martin should hit .290 15 80.

1b - Todd Helton put on some muscle and has Coors field, Jason Giambi gets a ton of walks, and Conor Jackson hit over .300 in the 2nd half and is developing power.

2b - Howie Kendrick batting champ in the minors and just flat out hits, Josh Barfield should have a 20/20 year, Chris Burke finally starting and might have a 15/15 year.

3b - Edwin Encarnacion keeps getting better every year and hits in a hitters park, Morgan Ensberg struggled last year because of injuries but in 05 hit 36 hrs with 101 rbis and now is hitting behind Lee, Alex Gordon #1 prospect in baseball and earned the starting 3b job.

SS - Stephen Drew has the starting job and should be a 20/20 guy, Jhonny Peralta struggle last year, but I expect a bounce back year, Troy Tulowitzki top prospect that is starting and plays in Coors.

OF - Alex Rios before he got hurt he was on pace for a .300 30 100 year and he should have that type of year this year, Delmon Young as long as he stays out of trouble he should have a 20/20 year, Nick Markakis in the 2nd half he hit .311 14 41 and is now hitting #2 in front of Tejada, Barry Bonds he has his legs back and I expect a .310 30 100 type of year if he stays healthy, Shane Victorino starting in rf and should have a .285 15 60 type of year with 25 steals, Chris Duffy he will get you some late steals too, Willy Taveras good for late steals and is now playing in Coors.

SP - Cole Hamels down the stretch he started to dominate and by the end of the year he will be the Phillies ace, Matt Cain like Hamels he was dominate in the 2nd half and will pass Zito for ace status, Randy Johnson even with a down year he had a 1.24 whip and a lot of k's going to the nl will help him out, Adam Wainwright pitched great as reliever in the postseason and now he is starting he will good for some k's, Ian Snell good for some k's and should improve his whip, Rich Harden if he stays healthy I wouldn't be surprised if he battled Santana for the cy young this guy is a great late round pick, Rich Hill the 2nd half he had a era under 3 and averaged a k per inning.

RP - Brad Lidge he struggled last year, but I expect a bounce back year, Francisco Cordero when he went to the nl he pitched a lot better and I expect 35 saves from him, Jose Valverde when he came back from the minors he pitched well and if he stays the closer expect a ton of k's with 30 saves, Octavio Dotel the Royals suck, but he will get some saves, Joel Zumaya I expect him to take over the closer eventually, Jonathan Broxton I expect him to be the closer by the end of the year too, Jorge Julio he is inconsistent, but he is the closer for the Marlins and will get some cheap saves.

You da man....even if you like the Phillies :D

Also, please dont recommend any Yankees. I refuse to draft them.

Because then I would have to root for them, and I cant do that.

i know how you feel....of my leagues that have already drafted, i've got jeter on one and cano on another....kinda stinks...but on the plus side, if they suck i'm happy too

I got some Mets on my team too so now I will have to root for Beltran and Wright until they play the Phillies.

Good pick ups. Both will have BIG years.

i have piazza on one team...he might have a nice season without the wear and tear of catching everyday

when should i start drafting these smaller known guys?

I think we have 24 rds

Who are the cant miss guys that I should be taking in the first 3 rounds or so?

A-Rod, Chase Utley, V Guerrero, Pujols, Howard, Santana, C Zambrano, Jose Reyes, A Soriano just to name a few.

sign Ugeth Urbina for your bullpen. :shocked:

I have the 7th pick, then will have the 18th pick....Suggestions

sign Ugeth Urbina for your bullpen. :shocked:

:lol:

I have the 7th pick, then will have the 18th pick....Suggestions

See if Utley drops to you.

Ok I started with Ortiz and then Ichiro...Who do I take next...what position?

I would take a starter.

Only Santana is gone, who do i take?Holliday

Carpenter if he is there.

Just took Roy Halladay withmy 3rd pick

Kind of early I don't like him that much. What other guys were there.

I just took Rollins with my 4th pick...Suggestions?

Can't go wrong with a Phillies player. What starters are there?

I agree that Carpenter is the better pitcher, but I think the Blue Jays are a better team. Could even out. I am down on the Cards this year. Look for another top pitcher here.

Blue Jays face the Yanks and Red Sox while the Cards face the Pirates and Brewers thats the difference.

ok after rollins I took:

lugo
matt cain
bill hall
barry bonds


ideas?

i need a catcher

Wait for Piazza.

i might take tom gordon next, i dont have a reliver. him or jenks or lidge

Is Hall eligibe for 3b? What starters are left?

sorry a.lang i went with jenks.

I just cant be rooting for gordon and the phillies to win.....

Both have injury problems so I wouldn't of taking either. I don't put much value in saves because there is always 4-5 guys come out of nowhere that get 30 saves.

hall is eligible for 3b.

plenty of starters left but the top tiers are gone.

Get another outfielder and maybe a starter.

just took edmonds

Edmonds he sucks man.

Had to be better outfielders than him. Markakis, Rios, Burrell, Young, etc. were gone?

edmonds.....not a good pick

all of those guys were gone a.lang. But your right,I should have taken somebody else..I was up against the clock.

Who are your outfielders hopefully your not starting Edmonds.

no, bonds,ichiro and baldelli

In good shape if Baldelli stays healthy.

ibanez....cuddyer is available at both of and 1b.....brad hawpe

oh i thought we were looking for outfielders

Freel, Duffy, Taveras, Victorino for steals.

King, in order to play fantasy baseball, you have to put your prejudices aside.

I drafted Julio Lugo. I mean...jesus...

Freel, Duffy, Taveras, Victorino for steals.

i have victorino on all 3 of my fantasy teams...he better not suck

now I really need the gems...

dave, i know, i did it.


I took Wang and Pettitte.

Also have Jimmy Rollins.......

Take Alex Gordon.

are we looking for a particular position?

Jorge Julio should still be there he will help with saves.

best avilable gems???

Ian Snell, Chuck James, Joel Zumaya, Jonathan Broxton, Jorge Julio.

3b- edwin encarnacion
c- ronnie paulino
of- terrmel sledge
1b- adrian gonzalez

1b- ryan sheal
3b- mark teahan

i got hawpe and i am taking snell now.
2 more picks

3b chad tracey
2b kendrickson

i have victorino on all 3 of my fantasy teams...he better not suck

Don't expect Abreu #'s, but I think he can end up with .285 10 65 with 25 sb's. Hitting between Rollins and Utley he will get some pitches to hit.

Is Gordon there?

gordon is long gone.

Ok, here is my squad:

LoDuca
Ortiz
Lugo
bill Hall
Rollins
Renteria
Ichiro
Bonds
Baldelli
Edmonds
Edwin Encarnacion
Brad Hawpe
Orlando Hudson
Milledge

Pitchers:
Halladay
Cain
Jenks
Wickman
Ming Wang
Pettitte Colon
Ian Snell

Everybody, thanks for your help!!!

Got a decent team, but I would drop some of those bench players for more pitchers. Hudson, Milledge and probably Edmonds I would cut. I would try to get a better #2 closer than Wickman I doubt he stays the closer. Pick up M.Gonzalez or R. Soriano if they are on the waiver wire.

Got a decent team, but I would drop some of those bench players for more pitchers. Hudson, Milledge and probably Edmonds I would cut. I would try to get a better #2 closer than Wickman I doubt he stays the closer. Pick up M.Gonzalez or R. Soriano if they are on the waiver wire. two words Ugeth Urbina.

Just wanted to see what you think of my starting fantasy squad:

C: K Johjima (SEA)
C: G. Laird (TEX)

1B: A Pujols (STL)
2B: H Kendrick (ANA)
3B: A Ramirez (CHC)
SS: B Hall (MIL)

Corner INF: E. Encarnacion (3B)
Middle INF: J Peralta (CLE)

FIVE OF's:
A. Jones (ATL)
V. Wells (TOR)
J. Francoeur (ATL)
M. Cuddyer (MIN)
C. Duncan (STL) or S. Sosa (TEX)

6 Starting Pitchers:
C Zambrano (CHC)
R Oswalt (HOU)
D Matsuzaka (BOS)
J Bonderman (DET)
M Cain (SF)
J Lackey (ANA)

Closers:
T Saito (LA)
B Lidge (HOU)

I picked up Soriano and got rid of Milledge.
Gonzalez was drafted

Maybe look to deal Bill Hall for another sp or closer. Encarnacion will a solid 3b.

ok good deal..I will put him on the market..I need a good reliver.

Also

Just wanted to see what you think of my starting fantasy squad:

C: K Johjima (SEA)
C: G. Laird (TEX)

1B: A Pujols (STL)
2B: H Kendrick (ANA)
3B: A Ramirez (CHC)
SS: B Hall (MIL)

Corner INF: E. Encarnacion (3B)
Middle INF: J Peralta (CLE)

FIVE OF's:
A. Jones (ATL)
V. Wells (TOR)
J. Francoeur (ATL)
M. Cuddyer (MIN)
C. Duncan (STL) or S. Sosa (TEX)

6 Starting Pitchers:
C Zambrano (CHC)
R Oswalt (HOU)
D Matsuzaka (BOS)
J Bonderman (DET)
M Cain (SF)
J Lackey (ANA)

Closers:
T Saito (LA)
B Lidge (HOU)

Looks like someone had first pick, then took SP way early.

I need a young NL catcher...top 5 are gone

In the middle of a draft.....anyone????

I think LoDuca will have good #;s