Recap: Yanks Go Yard Writers’ Fantasy League

Feb 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail of a New York Yankees logo painted on the field for a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Yanks Go Yard crew is busy every day giving readers the latest updates on everything New York Yankees, but that doesn’t mean there’s no time to play some games.

On March 6th, 12 of our writers took part in a fantasy draft for our 2014 Yanks Go Yard Fantasy League, and we wanted to take a look back and share how the draft went. This recap will include a look at all 12 teams in the head-to-head league with feedback from a few of our writers on how their draft went.

Scoring:

Batting

Pitching

Snake Draft Order:

1. Brendan Fitzgerald – Andrew Friedman
2. Jacob Winters – Team Winters
3. Matt Mirro – Guardnering Left Field
4. Shawn Maguire – Joe Buck Yourself
5. Mike Montrone – Apex Predator
6. Rick Keeler – Yes We McCann
7. Scott Alfano – Team Alfano
8. Rich Arleo – Team Arleo
9. Jonathan Aron – Tacoby Bellsbury
10. Brian Danuff – Team Danuff
11. Jason Evans – High Socks For Wins
12. (Co-Owners) Billy Brost and Joe Vituli – Billy Ball

Draft Highlights:

Round 1

There were not too many surprises in the first round, but Matt Mirro made a splash going with ace Clayton Kershaw at No. 3 overall. Former Yankee Robinson Cano went No. 8 to me, followed by current Yankee Jacoby Ellsbury at No. 9 to Jonathan Aron’s aptly named team, Tacoby Bellsbury.

Round 2

Billy Ball started the round off by pairing first round pick David Wright with talented but oft-injured shortstop Hanley Ramirez. There is potential galore with Ramirez, but that comes with a ton of risk. Reax:

Rich Arleo: “At No. 17 overall I feel like Bryce Harper can be a steal as he has 1st round potential in what could be a breakout season.”

Rick Keeler: “After getting Chris Davis in Round 1, I was surprised to see Prince Fielder (No. 19) on the board. Nice start to a draft to get two guys that can hit 40-45+ home runs.”

Jason Evans: “Ryan Braun (No. 14) is going to have a monster year. The questions surrounding him about PED usage will go away and next year will be a top five pick.”

Round 3

Pitchers began to fly off the board this round with Yu Darvish, Felix Hernandez, Adam Wainright, Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Cliff Lee and Chris Sale all drafted in the round in order. Billy Ball ended the round with new Yankee catcher Brian McCann. Reax:

Matt Mirro:  I think I got a steal on a first-rounder in Hernandez (No. 27) with Kershaw already on my team.

Joe Vitulli: Brian McCann (No. 36) will be a top fantasy catcher in 2014 and provide a ton of power at a weak power hitting position.  Dude should have 35 jacks with the short porch; his swing was made to dump balls in the seats in right.

Round 4

Shawn Maguire drafted the first closer in Craig Kimbrel. It’s a difficult decision drafting a closer this early, but if any one is worth a pick this high it’s Kimbrel. No Yankees were taken in this round.

Round 5

Another Yankee-less round saw former No. 1 overall pick Albert Pujols fall to Scott Alfano at No. 55. Yankee rival David Ortiz fell to Billy Ball at No. 60 overall to end the round

Round 6

A lot of young talent went in this round with Aroldis Chapman, Wil Myers, Jean Segura and Kenley Jansen flying off the board. Reax:

Ricky Keeler: “Aramis Ramirez (No. 67) is a risky pick after his injury, but I went with the power bat. Needed a 3B and if him and Braun can hit, Milwaukee will be around.”

Round 7

For the first time since Round 3, a Yankee was taken — two in fact. Brendan Fitzgerald started the round with Japanese sensation Masahiro Tanaka and Rick Keeler went with veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran. Tanaka is a risk given the fact he still has not thrown a pitch in the major leagues, but he’s looked good so far this spring and has potential through the roof. Beltran uses to be one of the first outfielders drafted, and while he isn’t quite the same (no more speed), he’s still a second-tier outfielder who can help in a number of categories. Reax:

Scott Alfano: “Jose Altuve (No. 79) is a good 2B to have, but I really wanted Trumbo and thought I had one more round. Trumbo went with the next pick.

Round 8

Cole Hamels is dealing with some arm issues this spring, which is why he fell this far. Given his fatigued arm there’s still some risk taking Hamels here, but he can pay huge dividends if healthy. Speedy shortstop Everth Cabrera will help Brendan Fitzgerald dominate the steals category on a weekly basis.

Round 9

Fitzgerald followed up his pick up Cabrera with Cuban slugger Jose Abreu on the wrap-around. Abreu’s power potential is immense but it remains to be seen how he handles major league pitching. Promising young arm and former Yankee draft pick Gerrit Cole could become an ace for Matt Mirro this season.

Round 10

Cheap power was taken this round with Pedro Alvarez, Domonic Brown and Josh Hamilton going back-to-back-to-back. All have 30-homer potential but could be a drain on batting average. Reax:

Jon Aron: “Despite his power, Pedro Alvarez (No. 112) is way too inconsistent offensively. 180 strikeouts is a gimme.”

Round 11

Budding aces Julio Teheran and Michael Wacha will, at minimum, provide solid depth for the rotation’s of mine and Evans, respectively. They each have potential to become front-line starters this season as well. Former Yankee Curtis Granderson was taken at No. 126. Reax:

Matt Mirro: “I missed out on Andrelton Simmons for Martin Prado (No. 123) and, in hindsight, really would have rather had Simmons over Prado.

Jason Evans: “I feel as though I might have reached for Wacha with some more proven commodities still on the board. He could have sophomore issues.

Round 12

I went with new Yankee closer David Robertson at No. 137. He has a lot to prove this season and has struggled as a closer in the past, but he is too good not to take to this role. He should hold onto the job and rack up at least 40 saves this season. Alfonso Soriano went right after to Team Alfano. A bit underrated at this point because of his age, Soriano has now hit at least 20 home runs in 13 straight seasons.

Round 13

Yankee ‘ace’ CC Sabathia, one of the top pitchers taken in last year’s fantasy drafts, fell all the way to No. 153 to Tacoby Bellsbury. He has a lot to prove coming off his worst season in years, but can still rack up wins and has a chance to rebound if he can learn how to pitch with decreased velocity. Reax:

Rich Arleo: “I needed a catcher and Matt Wieters (No. 152) was the best on available at the time, but I feel like I could’ve addressed another need and waited a little bit longer for someone like Jason Castro or Wilson Ramos.”

Round 14

Hiroki Kuroda and Mark Teixeira went back-to-back (No. 165, 166) in this round. Kuroda is a very valuable fantasy pitcher at a cheap price and Teixeira at No. 166 could be one of the biggest values of the draft. He is just one year removed from clubbing 24 home runs in 123 games and, if he can stay healthy for a full season, can easily hit 30 home runs and drive in over 100.

Rounds 15-25

With many big names off the board, owners turned to comeback candidates, young talent and potential to round out their teams. Brett Gardner went to Team Alfano in Round 15 while Xander Bogaerts was taken a pick later by yours truly. Ivan Nova (No. 195), Kelly Johnson (No. 275) , Derek Jeter (No. 278) and Michael Pineda (No. 296) were the final Yankees taken in the draft. Reax

Scott Alfano: “While he’s not Cy Young quality anymore, Tim Lincecum (No. 234) is going to be a relative strikeout machine for a 20th round pick, and who knows..he’s still only 29.”

Brendan Fitzgerald: “Rick Porcello (No. 240) is an xFIP guy that I needed to have. As a heavy groundball guy, the ERA should fall much more in line with his peripherals with a full year of Jose Iglesias at short, no Prince Fielder, and Miguel Cabrera shifting to first.

Jon Aron: “Considering how dominant Johnny Cueto (No. 201) was only two years ago, a late round flyer on him could be a steal.”

Click here for a look at the entire draft and to follow along with the league all season long.