Scouting/drafting

[Birdland24]

So I'm coming to the end of April and it's almost time for my draft pool to be announced. I wanted to get some ideas and strategy on how some go about approaching the draft?
Do you have your scout get a scouting report on a new player each day? Do you just focus on potential and ratings on draft day?
Right now I have a notepad to write the players I like but I could use some help on how I can draft the next Ken Griffey Jr. Or Cy Young.

[DJP53916]

Typically, I start off sorting by potential rating, and my focus is 100% on best player available, regardless of position in the earlier rounds.

SInce you get a handful of players listed on the page at the time, I'll take my time and sort through the scouting reports (yes, this does take some time), and see if any player catches my eye. If one player jumps out at me, I take him. If I'm still unsure after that, I ask my scouting director's opinion on who to take, and then I review that player. If that player seems comparable to what was at the top of the board, then I take my scout's recommended player.

Once it gets to the later rounds, I focus more on position. I like to draft as many catchers, shortstops, and center fielders as possible. If I don't like those players, I look at second basemen, third basemen and right fielders next. I try to find good character players who have at least one skill that's rated decent or better. I look at contact, power, speed, and defensive ability in that order. If any pitchers catch my eye, I try to take any starting pitchers that may be left, and if they don't develop in the minors, maybe I can turn them into relief pitchers.

[Birdland24]

Originally Posted by DJP53916

Typically, I start off sorting by potential rating, and my focus is 100% on best player available, regardless of position in the earlier rounds.

SInce you get a handful of players listed on the page at the time, I'll take my time and sort through the scouting reports (yes, this does take some time), and see if any player catches my eye. If one player jumps out at me, I take him. If I'm still unsure after that, I ask my scouting director's opinion on who to take, and then I review that player. If that player seems comparable to what was at the top of the board, then I take my scout's recommended player.

Once it gets to the later rounds, I focus more on position. I like to draft as many catchers, shortstops, and center fielders as possible. If I don't like those players, I look at second basemen, third basemen and right fielders next. I try to find good character players who have at least one skill that's rated decent or better. I look at contact, power, speed, and defensive ability in that order. If any pitchers catch my eye, I try to take any starting pitchers that may be left, and if they don't develop in the minors, maybe I can turn them into relief pitchers.

Thanks for the advice.
I started a 2016 MLB season and I'm the Orioles. Their pitching staff is brutal so I think I'm gonna focus a lot of time on pitchers.
I plan to scout a few pitchers and write them down with an order next to them that I like them using my scouts judgement.

[DJP53916]

Originally Posted by Birdland24

Thanks for the advice.
I started a 2016 MLB season and I'm the Orioles. Their pitching staff is brutal so I think I'm gonna focus a lot of time on pitchers.
I plan to scout a few pitchers and write them down with an order next to them that I like them using my scouts judgement.

Not a bad idea, as long as you remember that even if you draft a sure-fire ace in this draft, he isn't likely to be ready for a call up for at least two seasons.

Maybe in your game Gausman breaks out, or one of (or both) Bundy and Harvey FINALLY stay healthy. Maybe Gallardo and/or Tillman hold steady, and at least don't make your rotation worse in that time. Plus there are free agents, trades, international free agents, waiver wire claims that could come along during this time to enhance what you have.

Your pitching may be meh right now, but after a season, maybe it becomes at least serviceable, or maybe even good.

Don't use the draft to chase holes on your ML roster, basically.

[Birdland24]

Originally Posted by DJP53916

Not a bad idea, as long as you remember that even if you draft a sure-fire ace in this draft, he isn't likely to be ready for a call up for at least two seasons.

Maybe in your game Gausman breaks out, or one of (or both) Bundy and Harvey FINALLY stay healthy. Maybe Gallardo and/or Tillman hold steady, and at least don't make your rotation worse in that time. Plus there are free agents, trades, international free agents, waiver wire claims that could come along during this time to enhance what you have.

Your pitching may be meh right now, but after a season, maybe it becomes at least serviceable, or maybe even good.

Don't use the draft to chase holes on your ML roster, basically.

Gausman has pitched solid so far. Bundy is in my bullpen and made a spot start and right now he's looking good and getting some K's. Harvey is doing well in AA. So the future looks bright.
I'm not a fan of the contracts that the Orioles have given out this past offseason and their system is a joke so I'm trying to rebuild overall.
I plan to wait for July to see where I am in the standings before I start a spree of unloading guys. I don't want Davis, Hardy or O'Day for their current contracts.
Jones can probably real in some talent. And I recently tried to extend Machado but he wants 225 mil over 10 years with an opt out after 4 so I am on the fence about that deal.