Loved Scot’s article on the Tuscany Vespas. Hopefully this gives a view into the Trekkers front office.
Strategy going into the draft: While as Scot pointed out, it is dangerous, we did have a goal of “threading the needle” to be competitive in both years one and two. Above all things, we wanted to be in the Premier League to start out. It was fascinating as the draft progressed into round three and I started charting what I perceived to be each team’s strategies. There were clearly teams that were going for it as well as those that were building for the future.
Strategy for round one: At pick #16, there were players that I was certain wouldn’t be available. I wasn’t sure who would be available. Once our pick arrived on that fateful Tuesday, the draft room considerations were Cory Seager, Elly De La Cruz, and Rafael Devers. I’ve had Seager on a team before, so he was a known quantity. While super exciting, Elly would have put us in a hole for seeding WAR right out of the gate. Would have definitely nabbed either of those shortstops in round two, but come to find out, that was a pipe dream. In the end, I went with “Ralph” as Dan Hoyt calls him. An anchor bat for both years that is still in his twenties. Ideally, I can slide him to DH where he belongs before too long.
Favorite pick overall: Carlos Correa in round 4. He’ll bat low in the order this year, but love the potential offense from shortstop going forward.
Favorite mid-round pick: Byron Buxton in round 19. Ok, you’re probably sensing a trend. Yes, I’m a big Brewers and Twins fan. Came away with a handful of Twins, but from the Brewers only landed (checks notes) Joel Payamps?!? Well, there’s always the trade market. Side note – Buxton will probably be inactive most of the year following the later selection of Joc Pederson.
Favorite late pick: Ronny Mauricio in round 29. Going to stash him along with Shane McClanahan on the ‘two non-carded DL guys rule’ and hope he can provide some pop in the infield beginning in year three. Speaking of that stash rule, Jose Urquidy is available for a team that hasn’t filled both of those slots.
Least favorite pick: Probably Kyle Hendriks in round 13. I don’t love rooting for Cubs or Cardinals. He’s not a bad 5th starter, though.
Biggest reach: Davis Schneider in round 14, but he pairs well as a platoon mate for Brandon Lowe and he has an 80 grade moustache.
2024 Trekkers
Starting rotation: Pablo Lopez, Jordan Montgomery, Seth Lugo, McClanahan, Hendriks, Cal Quantrill
Closer: Camillo Doval – admittedly, I was on tilt here as Scot selected JD Martinez right in front of me in this round (11) and I had to scramble. Cool entrance music, but why don’t we focus on locating home plate.
Bullpen (RH): Griffin Jax, Chris Martin, Payamps, Jose Leclerc, Derek Law, Luis Ortiz
Bullpen (LH): Will Smith, Caleb Ferguson, Angel Zerpa
Across the diamond:
C – Sean Murphy & Travis D’Arnaud (we cornered the market on Atlanta backstops)
1B – Justin Turner (probably waited a little too long to fill this position), Jake Bauers
2B – Lowe / Schneider
SS – Correa, Nick Ahmed will play a couple of road series somewhere along the way
3B – Devers
LF – Randy Arozarena
CF – Corbin Carroll (2nd round pick, #33 overall – where would he have gone if we drafted in the spring?)
RF – Jorge Soler / Manuel Margot
DH – Pederson / Soler
U – Mauricio
Minors: Buxton, Dominic Canzone, Urquidy
Trade chatter: Received an interesting offer earlier this week. While I have my favorite players, it is fair to say that anyone is available if the return is right.