2008 Buffalo Keeper League Team Draft Analysis
“Putting the Anal back in Analysis”
Kris Robillard
Campaign ‘08
History
Exp: 8th
Titles: 1 2006
Avg Finish: 9.4 (8th)
Best: 1st 2006
Worst: 17th 2007
Average Moves: 75 (6th)
Average Trades: 7.2 (2nd)
2007 Finish: 17th
2007 #1: Matt Holliday
2007 #18: Clay Meredith*
2006 #1: Albert Pujols
2006 #18: Jon Papelbon
Stats
Pick: 7th
Overall Rating: 2.76 (12th)
Offense
: 2.77 (14th)
Infield + Catcher: 2.95 (6th)
Outfield + Utility: 2.88 (7th-t)
Pitching
: 2.55 (13th)
Starting: 2.94 (9th)
Closing: 1.38 (14th)
TDA in a Nutshell:
Keepers: Harang 13, Verlander 14, Haren 16, Tom Gorzelanny 17
Blue Chip: (1) Jimmy Rollins
Best Pick: Raul Ibanez 15th
Worst Pick: Julio Lugo 11th
Overrated: Andruw Jones
Underrated: Aaron Harang
Not on my team: Lugo
Not on any team: Zito
Sleeper: Broxton
Super Sleeper: Barry Zito
Bust: B.J. Ryan
Major Bust: Aramis Ramirez
Rotation: Harang, Verlander, Haren, Gorzelanny, Zito
Closers: 1.0 B.J. Ryan
 
Overview:
Robz has had to deal with the worst fate an owner has to endure. He joined the league, finished poorly and was secretly contracted. After a season off he rejoined the league and went on to win the league championship only to sink back to the fantasy abyss the following season. Armed, literally, with four pitching keepers, Robz sets forth to undo the blunders of 2007 and once again make a charge towards the league title.
What Went Right?
Robz entered draft day with his starting rotation set. He left the draft with a good mix of power and speed from the top to bottom of his lineup. Even though he is widely perceived as a terd, Raul Ibanez and his one hundred RBI make a much better fifteenth round pick than a back end of the second round selection. Zito was the IED that no one wanted to touch. Rather than picking him up as a free agent with no keeper value, he has the ability to be a tremendous eighteenth round keeper. Provided he can get his career back on track. Juan Pierre is a one category stud and makes sense in the eighth round. Overall Robz was able to walk the fine line of drafting proven stars, while taking the time to look for rookies and super keepers. He has had some luck with this. See Jon Papelbon in 2006.
What Went Wrong?
With the rotation in order and having been granted the ability to focus on offense, Robz did just that. The problem lies in over drafting positions while leaving others fallow. This has created a log jam at the corners, while weak positions like catcher and second base are vacant. This strategy often pays off for short durations, but will lead to a long term disaster. Closer is another position neglected. Robz was only able to come up with B.J. Ryan. Now a year after Tommy John surgery, he has encountered numerous setbacks this spring.
Hitting Analysis
As previously stated, Robz has a lot of power spread throughout his lineup. In fact, seven or eight players are candidates to reach or top thirty homeruns. What is lacking is a solid OBP from players like Dye and C.B. Young. Dye’s best days are behind them, but always seems to chime in with a monster season every so often. Young is an up and coming star. Added to the hit or miss list is Andruw Jones. Having moved cross country, he is virtually always a disappointing fantasy player. Aramis is another player who has refused to live up to his potential. When the blurb next to a player often includes what his numbers would project at per 162 game season, which is usually a sign of an injury concern. Ibanez is an underrated producer. For the time being those one hundred RBI are slated to spend the season riding the pine. With all this homerun power and no second basemen or catcher, Robz will need all his players to step up their games in order to fill the void. Robz was recently seen leaving the post office after mailing brand new catcher’s gear to Ryan Garko(!) hoping he will take up the position.
Pitching Analysis
Robz has three big, live arms warming up for the season. All three will donate two hundred strikeouts while posting a WHIp under 1.25. Gorzelanny lacks the strikeout proficiency of the big three and needs to work on his control. Still, one hundred fifty punch outs is not a sign of a soft tosser. B.J. Ryan is still working on his comeback after the Blue Jays first overspent on him, broke him then lied about it. He will be back at some point, but will continue to battle injuries associated with rehab. Broxton has a live arm and will provide spot saves, perhaps even a full time job if Saito should fall.
Overall/Prediction
Robz has routinely taken a beating in the TDA’s and has often turned the ratings on their head, posting consecutive second and first place finishes in 2005 and ‘06. He has earned the right to have his name thrown into the yearly discussion for league champion and is no longer the contraction candidate he once was. Until he is able to completely fill out his roster, that talk will have to be set on the back burner to cool.