A Fantasy Love Story

One of the most important draft day rules I have learned is to be aware of your host site rankings. Many of us will use ESPN or Yahoo as a fantasy league host. While its imperative to have your own rankings, the most important numbers to remember are the ones you’re going to stare at in the draft window. I’ve noticed that no matter how many different rankings you look at, the ones with the most pull are the ones beside a guys name when the draft window launches. Generally in the first two rounds, the highest ranked player available is taken and usually no one falls more than 3 or 4 picks. The gap increases as the rounds move on. Its important to have your own rankings and not be swayed by the chalk like most of your league will be. I conducted simultaneously mock drafts on the two big sites and noticed a few discrepancies.

One of the biggest was Carl Crawford. ESPN has ranked him No.3 with ADP of 4.2. Yahoo on the other hand has him ranked 12 with an ADP of 12.6. What this tells me is that most drafters are just towing the company line. He’s being taken before Longoria and Braun on ESPN but sometimes not till the 2^nd round on Yahoo. And the only discernable reason is that too many players wowed by the shiny little number beside his name.

Yahoo users picking late first round, take note. You may have no interest in Crawford but think about that ESPN no.3 ranking as the 1^st round moves on. Crawford is going to look pretty attractive at 10 and 11 and will look absolutely gorgeous at 2am, err in round 2 in yahoo formats.

I’m not saying Carl is the ugly girl at the end of the bar at last call, he’s a beauty wherever you get him, but keep in mind that in a leagues one cyber neighborhood away, people aren’t just picking him up early, they’re taking him to dinner. ESPN users need to very wary as he seems to be overrated while Yahoo blokes can sit back enjoy a few cocktails and grab him before the lights come on.

Speaking of cocktails, try to have a few. It’s a big day and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating. And if your state or country allows it, a little weed can sharpen your draft day focus. But know your limits. There’s a lot of Gonzalez’s and Ramirez’s out there it only takes a momentary lapse of concentration and you end up with Horacio instead of Hanley.

Here are some other notes and discrepancies I found while drafting:

Roy Halladay- rising in both formats and rarely falling out of the first round

Matt Holiday-ranked 14 ESPN/27 Yahoo

Dustin Pedroia-falling in both formats

Jimmy Rollins- going around 40 Yahoo and 60 ESPN

Jason Werth- mid 40’s ESPN/high 60’s Yahoo

Mike Stanton-ranked 69 ESPN/91 Yahoo

Pedro Alvarez—ESPN Rank 127/Yahoo Rank 95

Adam Lind-falling in both formats

Rankings aren’t an exact science. If Jason Werth is being taken 40^th in one league and 70^th in another, perhaps anything beyond 55 could be considered good value. Compile your own rankings and don’t be distracted by the draft window rankings.

Speaking of distractions, try to eliminate them. And by them I mean woman. Whether it’s your wife, girlfriend or mother, impress upon them how important it is that they don’t bother you. Taking the garbage out beforehand is a good idea. The last thing you need is nagging while you’re trying to shore up your rotation. I also like to keep a rolled up magazine close by in case one of them gets too close. Just remember how sacred fantasy is to men, don’t let the ladies in! They may feign some interest but don’t be sucked in, they’re only going to ruin it. A long time ago before Fantasy Baseball, men engaged in a different ritual; it was called James Bond. Ninety minutes of gold, packed with stunts, fighting and unapologetic sexual escapades with foreign woman. It was beautiful until someone broke rank and brought their wife. Today couples on date nights sit together and watch Bond movies and every time they do an angel loses a nut. Don’t let Fantasy go the way of 007; the draft board is for your eyes only.