The 2009 Fantasy Draft for the keeper Grand Slam league in its 10th season came and went on Saturday, March 14. After the first seven rounds were completed with keepers being claimed, the real draft began.
Here's how the second free agent round played out:
1. (13 overall) NC Hair Pie Lovers selected David Price (SP, Tampa Bay)
After selecting Rich Harden with the final pick of the first round, Pie came right back with the first pick in the second round and took another pitcher in young phenom David Price. Despite the possibility that Price may start the season in Triple A, his performance in last year's post-season was too good to ignore.
2. (14 overall) Full Count selected Victor Martinez (C, Cleveland)
Martinez was bit by the injury bug last year during a season where he had his worst offensive season by far. Even before the injury, the catcher wasn't putting up his usual production that going into last season was giving him high preseason rankings. However, after nine rounds, Full Count has yet to add a starting pitcher to his roster.
3. (15 overall) Sportin' Lumber selected James Shields (SP, Tampa Bay)
The second Ray pitcher to go in the last three picks as Lumber continue to use his early picks to boost his pitching staff. In each of his past three seasons, Shields wins have gone up, while his era has continued to drop. His 2.88 ERA in 25 post season innings last season also boosts his credentials as a big time pitcher.
4. (16 overall) Sleeper selected Derrek Lee (1B, Chicago Cubs)
Anyone who's paid attention to the Sleeper team over the years knows that first base has always been the Achilles heel of this team. Year after year a new player was brought in but their performance wasn't enough to be kept around. Lee has never been the same since his injury back in 2006 but Sleeper would happily accept another season of .290-20-90 like he put up last year.
5. (17 overall) The Instigators selected Justin Upton (OF, Arizona)
Justin Upton produced 15 home runs and 45 RBI in 108 games in his first full run with the Diamondbacks. But this spring is off to an early hot start hitting an even .400. Look for the production numbers to steadily rise.
6. (18 overall) Rebuilding Cubs selected Scott Kazmir (SP, Tampa Bay)
Tampa Bay's third pitcher to go in the first half of this round with Kazmir joining Josh Beckett as Cubs top two starting pitchers. The lefty has put up three consecutive seasons of sub 3.50 era pitching. However during the past four seasons, he's averaged over eight losses each year.
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7. (19 overall) Sheedmen selected Joey Votto (1B, Cincinnati)
Joey Votto got less attention then first year teammate Jay Bruce but his numbers speak for themselves. Only Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira, Aubrey Huff, Kevin Youkilis, and Lance Berkman had more more home runs combined with a higher average than Votto's 24 while batting .297.
8. (20 overall) Hotlanta selected Jonathan Broxton (RP Los Angeles Dodgers)
With Takashi Saito gone to Boston, Broxton slides into the closers role where he had 14 saves last year to go along with 88 strikeouts in just 69 innings of work. Jonathan Broxton is the first relief pitcher to get onto Hotlanta's roster.
9. (21 overall) Stealing Home selected Aubrey Huff (1B/3B Baltimore)
Huff hit 32 home runs last year which was only the second time he's ever hit more than 30 and the first 2005 that he hit at least 20 home runs. To call last year a career year would be wrong be cause back in 2003, Huff had better numbers across the board when he was playing for Tampa Bay. But a solid player and a good pick up for Stealing Home who fills the needs for first base and also has the option of using Huff at third while Alex Rodriguez sits out with an injury for the first month of the season.
10. (22 overall) Carolina Mudcats selected Edison Volquez (SP, Cincinnati)
After selecting Matt Weiters in the previous round, Mudcats again went with young talent in Volquez who came out of nowhere with the Reds after spending a few years and putting up less than spectacular numbers with the Texas Rangers. Volquez is Carolina's second starting pitcher along with Ervin Santana.
11. (23 overall) MN Snow Dawgs selected Garrett Atkins (1B/3B Colorado)
Atkins has seen his home run, rbi and batting average drop each of the past three seasons. With the decline of Todd Helton and the off-season trade of Matt Holliday, the Rockies lineup doesn't offer much protection for Atkins who is now the only player along with Brad Hawpe who hit over 20 home runs and batted in over 80 RBI.
12. (24 overall) Screaming Eagles selected Jon Lester (SP, Boston)
After selecting the first player in the free agent draft, Screaming Eagles had to wait through 22 picks before it was their turn to select. Jon Lester joins Red Sox teammate Diasuke Matsuzaka as the second pitcher on Eagles staff. Lester probably isn't as sexy of a name as some of the earlier pitchers taken in this round, but his numbers can be put head to head with of any of them.
Best Value in the second round: Joey Votto
Worst Value in the second round: Garrett Atkins
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