Yasiel Puig Drafted at End of Round 2
By Bill Pivetz
October 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) strikes out in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game two of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
After a almost predictable Round 1 in my mock draft, found here, Round 2 focused on two positions. Starting pitchers and second basemen. Six of the 10 players picked this round were either a pitcher or second baseman.
There was one player picked that surprised me as a second-round selection. Drafting Yasiel Puig at the end of Round 2 poses a big risk-reward occurance. He is fast, no question, but the inconsistencies at the plate raise some eyebrows. The other players drafted in the round make sense. They are at or near the top of their respective positions and should not fall past Round 2.
2.11 SS Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
Compared to the rest of his colleagues, Tulo is the best shortstop in the game. The big question will be about his health. He hasn’t played more than 150 games since 2009. As the first pick of the second round, there is a lot of risk with this pick. He was able to run bases after undergoing hip surgery in August. Things look to be going good for Tulo, but fingers are always crossed if you own him.
2.12 SP Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Hernandez was the clear-cut No. 2 starting pitcher. He continues to get better with age. He posted his best ERA in 2014, 2.14 in a career-high 34 starts. If you’ve read my other articles, I believe you should wait on starting pitching. Outside of the top three or four pitchers, they are practically the same. While passing on King Felix may hurt, bolstering your hitters will prove to be valuable. Though, if you do pick Hernandez, expect superstar-like numbers again this season.
2.13 2B Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
Altuve was a fantasy monster last season. If you owned him, like I did, he provided huge numbers in the hits (225), stolen bases (56) and batting average (.341) categories. I don’t think Altuve will get anywhere near these totals in 2015. As a primarily one-category hitter, Altuve does not provide as much value as the other players in the second round. Speed can be found late, so if you can, pass on Altuve this early.
2.14 OF Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Jones’ power continues to increase as the year increases. He went from hitting nine home runs in 2008 to hitting 33 in 2013 and 29 last season. However, as a result of the increased power, his stolen bases suffered. After stealing over 10 bases in each of the last three seasons, he stole just seven in 2014. That actually doesn’t bother me as much See above more my thoughts on stolen bases.
2.15 2B Robinson Cano, Mariners
With the poor park factor of Safeco Field and not being able to outrun Father Time, Cano’s value continues to drop. Yet, fantasy owners continue to select him in the middle of the second round. Luckily for Cano, he will be drafted in the top 20 because of the lack of depth at second base. Owners should be ecstatic if Cano surpasses 20 home runs. He’s not worth drafting this early anymore.
2.16 2B/3B Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals
Rendon will be one of the more popular picks in the second round. He has a lot going for him. His huge upside, age, dual eligibility, and five-category production make him a bona fide top-20 pick. In his first full season, Rendon finished with 21 home runs, 17 stolen bases and a .287 batting average. With eligibility at two shallow positions, Rendon will get a lot of looks early in the second round. If he was available to me, I would have picked him.
1B. Chicago Cubs. Anthony Rizzo. 2.17. player. 9. First base is a very shallow position. It became more evident when four of them were drafted in the first round. Pairing Rizzo with Stanton makes for a dangerous 1-2 power-hitting combo. The Cubs lineup is nothing to scoff at, either. Rizzo will have protection, which will help his 2015 production. He will get his 30 home runs with a .285 average.
2.18 SP Max Scherzer, Nationals
After dominating batters in Chicago over the last two seasons, Scherzer brings his talents to the nation’s capital. As the projected ace of the staff, Scherzer is the third-best pitcher to draft. The move to the National League will help Scherzer’s fantasy value. The lineup will provide enough run support and defensive help, which will allow Scherzer to keep his ERA and WHIP down.
2.19 SP Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
As noted in the opening article, this mock draft took place before any news was released on Sale’s foot injury. When he does return, Sale will be a top-five starting pitcher. In 26 starts, he went 12-4 with a 2.17 ERA. He has back-to-back 200+ strikeout seasons and dropped his home run totals from 23 to 13. There is some hope that Sale will be ready by Opening Day, however, it’s unlikely. The injury will drop him to a third-round pick.
2.20 OF Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
This was the biggest surprise, to me, in the draft. Puig can be a five-category player, but there are some question marks. He can hit, drive runs home, hit home runs, steal and provide with a +.290 average. However, with 124 strikeouts last season, his OBP will be cause for concern. It also pairs with the drop in power from 2013 to last season. He is a good player, but not worth a second-round pick.