Scouting the Draft

blazertaz13 · 07-16-2015, 07:24 PM

I am finally getting along in a fictional association and I was wondering how you go about scouting the draft. How do you go about scouting players that may be drafted in later rounds?

I have never gotten to this point of doing it myself (I would create leagues, sim, not happy with something, start over, etc.). So I am really trying to get a handle on the best way to do it.

I am open to any suggestions. Thanks.

Padreman · 07-16-2015, 07:32 PM

Well first look at aging players in your ML or players you might not be able to afford in the future. So take note of those positions first l. Do you have currently in your minors that fill those future gaps? If not then you have a starting point.

Once you feel those future gaps are filled with your drafts then start drafting to fill holes in your minor league system. What positions are you lacking depth in?

Look at the players that have good potentential that play the position you want. Take note of their strength and weaknesses. Also remember don't just look at one guy because he might get drafted before your turn look at 5-6 per position. Write down all players you want in a paper so you don't forget. War room baby!!!

sabrtoothtiger · 07-16-2015, 07:42 PM

Find guys with at least one MLB trait in the latter rounds, and hope they develop elsewhere. Pure glove Middle infielders or center fielders, or defense first catchers. Guys with good hit tools ( as hit is a carrying too)

ThePretender · 07-16-2015, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padreman

Well first look at aging players in your ML or players you might not be able to afford in the future. So take note of those positions first l. Do you have currently in your minors that fill those future gaps? If not then you have a starting point.

Once you feel those future gaps are filled with your drafts then start drafting to fill holes in your minor league system. What positions are you lacking depth in?

Look at the players that have good potentential that play the position you want. Take note of their strength and weaknesses. Also remember don't just look at one guy because he might get drafted before your turn look at 5-6 per position. Write down all players you want in a paper so you don't forget. War room baby!!!

Goodness no. Don't ever draft for need. Best player available every single time.

Padreman · 07-16-2015, 11:36 PM

Best available can backfire then you have a good player in the majors and a ml ready guy in the minors that should be a starter and he will be pissed

IsaacR · 07-17-2015, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padreman

Best available can backfire then you have a good player in the majors and a ml ready guy in the minors that should be a starter and he will be pissed

And that's when you initiate a trade of either the majors guy or the prospect guy. I'm a big fan of the best player available strategy (within reason - some positions (SS, SP, C, CF) are more important than others (1B, LF, RP), since prospects are so volatile in development.
For the OP, I draft for tools late. Guy has a 6-7 power? (2-8) Drafted. Hopefully that 2 contact and 3 eye develops into something more.
Also, be wary of the potential ratings. A lot of the time, they're inflated by defense and/or speed. I keep them on as a way to sort players, but otherwise they're dangerous, as you never want to draft a guy in the first round who won't hit enough to be more than a fourth outfielder.
Additionally, just because the draft says a pitcher is a starter doesn't mean he is. A lot of the time, they only have two pitches or have a terrible third pitch. Be careful of these guys, otherwise you'll end up with a bunch of relievers as your top picks.
Lastly, beware of first basemen. Their bats are usually better, but because they're defensively limited they're rarely worth as much as a middle infielder/outfielder/pitcher.

ThePretender · 07-17-2015, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padreman

Best available can backfire then you have a good player in the majors and a ml ready guy in the minors that should be a starter and he will be pissed

How is that a bad thing? Then you can trade from depth (your major leaguer) and use him to get a player you need at the major league level at a different position, and your minor leaguer gets a spot. Not only does that make your major league team stronger, but it keeps you younger and cheaper. There's literally no downside here. And don't tell me the BPA guy won't develop, cause I can say the same thing about drafting a lesser talent.

That statement basically says you lack creativity as a GM. There's no reason to ever draft a lesser talent.

MikeS21 · 07-17-2015, 12:07 PM

Actually, I tend to overload on CF and SS players. I figure they can (and should) be moved to less demanding defensive positions without too much trouble. I always aim for the absolute best starting pitching I can find. Usually if a guy doesn't pan out, he still could be useful out of the bullpen or become a closer. Catchers, for some reason, I end up with about six catchers on each of my rookie teams because my upper minor league rosters are full and I have no where else to move them.

One other trick I have learned on this board. In later rounds, sort through undrafted players to see if someone is "out of position." You may discover a 2B who may be a better RF. My favorite find is to discover a relief pitcher who really has no future on the mound, but you discover they have decent batting/power potential. Could they make a move to the OF? I had one find like that, who has moved up to AA as a LF, and is holding his own both in the field and at the plate. I doubt he will ever be a superstar, but he might make it as a bench player/pinch hitter. Plus, I can always use him as a mop up pitcher who comes in when I am losing 15-0.

NoOne · 07-17-2015, 12:12 PM

Weight/priority:
1. pitching
2. position players
3. trade bait

it's not meant to be rigid. always let facts determine what is best not dogma or some generalized rule. weight trade bait less, because you need a willing partner with complimentary weaknesses. you have one more concern, in addition to the risk of not developing. i weight pitching over offense, because i think it's easier to get position players via FA and trades (often using picthing prospects). if pitching is a dime a dozen in your league and your settings, you should do the opposite.

one question summarizes it best:
what gives my team the most value at that particular time in the draft?

pjh5165 · 07-17-2015, 01:28 PM

Best player available 99% of the time. I could see need based drafting in the most extreme situations, but I'm a hardcore believer in BPA.

rstoomeyii · 07-17-2015, 01:43 PM

the first few years of my current sim i tried drafting for need. left me really bare in a lot of other spots. i still target hitters vs pitchers but i still go best available in those groups.

07-16-2015, 07:24 PM	#1
blazertaz13 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Windsor, CO Posts: 185	Scouting the Draft I am finally getting along in a fictional association and I was wondering how you go about scouting the draft. How do you go about scouting players that may be drafted in later rounds? I have never gotten to this point of doing it myself (I would create leagues, sim, not happy with something, start over, etc.). So I am really trying to get a handle on the best way to do it. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks.

07-16-2015, 07:32 PM	#2
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,131	Well first look at aging players in your ML or players you might not be able to afford in the future. So take note of those positions first l. Do you have currently in your minors that fill those future gaps? If not then you have a starting point. Once you feel those future gaps are filled with your drafts then start drafting to fill holes in your minor league system. What positions are you lacking depth in? Look at the players that have good potentential that play the position you want. Take note of their strength and weaknesses. Also remember don't just look at one guy because he might get drafted before your turn look at 5-6 per position. Write down all players you want in a paper so you don't forget. War room baby!!! __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

07-16-2015, 11:36 PM	#5
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,131	Best available can backfire then you have a good player in the majors and a ml ready guy in the minors that should be a starter and he will be pissed __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

07-17-2015, 12:07 PM	#8
MikeS21 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 279	Actually, I tend to overload on CF and SS players. I figure they can (and should) be moved to less demanding defensive positions without too much trouble. I always aim for the absolute best starting pitching I can find. Usually if a guy doesn't pan out, he still could be useful out of the bullpen or become a closer. Catchers, for some reason, I end up with about six catchers on each of my rookie teams because my upper minor league rosters are full and I have no where else to move them. One other trick I have learned on this board. In later rounds, sort through undrafted players to see if someone is "out of position." You may discover a 2B who may be a better RF. My favorite find is to discover a relief pitcher who really has no future on the mound, but you discover they have decent batting/power potential. Could they make a move to the OF? I had one find like that, who has moved up to AA as a LF, and is holding his own both in the field and at the plate. I doubt he will ever be a superstar, but he might make it as a bench player/pinch hitter. Plus, I can always use him as a mop up pitcher who comes in when I am losing 15-0. Last edited by MikeS21; 07-17-2015 at 12:09 PM.

07-16-2015, 07:42 PM	#3
sabrtoothtiger Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 137	Find guys with at least one MLB trait in the latter rounds, and hope they develop elsewhere. Pure glove Middle infielders or center fielders, or defense first catchers. Guys with good hit tools ( as hit is a carrying too)

07-17-2015, 12:12 PM	#9
NoOne Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,273 Infractions: 0/1 (3)	Weight/priority: 1. pitching 2. position players 3. trade bait it's not meant to be rigid. always let facts determine what is best not dogma or some generalized rule. weight trade bait less, because you need a willing partner with complimentary weaknesses. you have one more concern, in addition to the risk of not developing. i weight pitching over offense, because i think it's easier to get position players via FA and trades (often using picthing prospects). if pitching is a dime a dozen in your league and your settings, you should do the opposite. one question summarizes it best: what gives my team the most value at that particular time in the draft?

07-17-2015, 01:28 PM	#10
pjh5165 Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 410	Best player available 99% of the time. I could see need based drafting in the most extreme situations, but I'm a hardcore believer in BPA.

07-17-2015, 01:43 PM	#11
rstoomeyii Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Currently Baltimore originally Boston Posts: 97	the first few years of my current sim i tried drafting for need. left me really bare in a lot of other spots. i still target hitters vs pitchers but i still go best available in those groups.