Fake Teams

The next position up in our early trend report is Shortstop. Yea, besides the pretty salmon colored chart the position as a whole is pretty dreary come draft day. The good people over at Mock Draft Central, continue to give us tons of pre-draft information on draft trends, to see who is picked where and before or after whom. So continue reading, take a look at the pretty chart and analysis will follow.

• The SS position is the only one where i tell myself "Hey self it's ok to be mediocre at". It all comes down to chance in the first 2 rounds for the top 3 players. If your in a spot where you can grab Tulo,(top 3 picks) you do it, if not the next guy will. The only thing bad with that is the other 2 prolly wont make it back to you, as Hanley and Reyes have been going early to mid round 2.
• Next guys up Starlin Castro and Elvis Andrus, I am basically not even thinking about. As steals and runs are a plenty in about 6 rounds. Youth and position scarcity be damned there are more pressing needs then to draft 3 category guys in round 4. Both are being drafted near top quality OF's (Pence, Jay Bruce) and the lower tier 1 SP (Haren, Greinke, Price).
• Then you hit the senior part of the draft with Jeter and Rollins. Both have done well previously and both are on the down slope of their careers. Continue to pass. I'd rather gamble later on the position. They are being selected in prime 2nd tier SP category.
• I'm starting to think about SS, if i missed on the top 3 guys, around Alexei Ramirez at pick 170 or so. Guys like Peralta and Yunel Escobar. Decent options who will give you stats, play everyday and not be a fantasy drain or too much of a gamble.
• Good later round gambles include Scutaro in Colorado, yea he will be playing 2B, but he still counts. He should slot in well in the 2 hole in front of the big sluggers who like to get drafted in rounds 1 and 2. Health is his only drawback.
• My deep sleepers from shortstop aren't really asleep just forgotten about as they just haven't been very good or injured lately. I like where Jason Bartlett and Rafael Furcal are being taken. I know persecute me, tie to a post and light a match. I am purely basing this on draft spot and if they can stay healthy. Furcal can easily swipe ya 20 bags and has some decent pop for someone nicknamed "Boogie". Bartlett suffers from being in Petco but as a last or second to last round pick could be a nice bench option.

Personally if I miss out on the top 3 ranked guys I am waiting. There is no reason to jump up and gamble on what I call "Star Search" players. Example Derek Jeter receives 3 and 3/4 stars. Jokes aren't as funny when you need to explain them but any-the-who. I can wait til the 12th round or later to fill a spot that will be on par with most of the picks taken 4 rounds prior. You may have a different opinion and that's cool that's why I write this stuff. To hear outside opinion and get yelled out for outlandish stuff like I invented gelato ice cream. So as always questions, comments are most welcomed. Happy drafting.