I'll start the ROH review tomorrow, probably, but right now I want to talk about my fantasy baseball team that just drafted. It's a ten team head-to-head league, run by me. For each player, I'll note in which of the draft's 25 rounds I got him, and make some kind of comment on why he's awesome. The draft was done automatically based on each player's rankings of the players.

C: Ivan Rodriguez (Fla, 8th round)
Sure, he's getting older, but he's still clearly one of the top offensive catchers in the game, and I think he's a pretty good pickup this late. He was the fourth catcher selected, also. Piazza was first obviously, and I wish I had him, but Paul LoDuca getting picked in the sixth round seems a bit high. And Jorge Posada was third, which is reasonable.

1B: Todd Helton (Col, 2nd round)
The second first baseman picked, behind that Thome fellow, he'll probably put up monstrous, Coors-assisted numbers again. His home runs dropped off a bit last year, but he still put up an OPS over 1.000, and he's only 29, so he's not likely to hit a major decline yet.

2B: Jose Vidro (Mon, 9th round)
A very good pickup this late, in my opinion. He was the fifth second baseman taken (sixth if you count mutli-position eligible Mark Bellhorn) and I'd take him over Boone or Bellhorn. Bound to ably represent the Expos at the All-Star game again.

3B: Eric Chavez (Oak, 4th round)
I have more third basemen than I know what to do with. He was the second taken in the draft, if you count Albert Pujols. He's definitely worthy of that pick, and he's only 25, so who knows where he could go from here?

SS: Edgar Renteria (StL, 11th round)
Yeah, I missed out on all the AL's big guns (not that I wanted the pretty-boy from the Bronx with the ever-declining numbers, anyway), but he's probably the best of the bunch in the NL and a fine way to round out my infield.

LF: Raul Ibanez (KC, 14th round)
He can play multiple positions, which is a bonus, but he's definitely not the class of my outfield. His numbers have increased significantly each of the last two years, though, and I've got some decent options at LF on the bench if he falters.

CF: Preston Wilson (Col, 10th round)
And of course the important part there is where it says "Col." Not only does Coors inflate power numbers, but it's been known to cut down on strikeouts as well, so Wilson has a chance to put up some big numbers.

RF: Ichiro Suzuki (Sea, 3rd round)
Third round may be a bit high, but he'll get a lot of hits, take some walks and steal some bases.

OF: Austin Kearns (Cin, 15th round)
A good late selection who put up good numbers last year (.315/.410/.500) and is still only 23.

IF: Troy Glaus (Ana, 6th round)
Another of the aforementioned third basemen. Picking two guys at the same position this early is odd, but if they're both this good and I can play them both, it's great. His numbers have declined somewhat, which is troubling and surprising at only 26, but he still hit 30 home runs last year, so even if he doesn't regain his 2000 form, he can still be a more than solid contributor.

My bench consists of Edgardo Alfonzo, who will be good if healthy, Jeremy Giambi, who will get more of a chance to do what he can do, which is hit the baseball, in Boston, Adrian Beltre, who is just excessive on this team, Jose Cruz Jr., who I will probably waive before long, Toby Hall, who'll make a decent backup at catcher, and Jay Gibbons, who is, shockingly enough, a good young player on the Baltimore Orioles' roster.

SP: Curt Schilling (Ari, 1st round)
Yeah, he's 36 year old. And yeah, he's still great, with little sign of ceasing. The second pitcher taken, behind his teammate, obviously.

SP: Tim Hudson (Oak, 4th round)
Another guy picked behind his more celebrated teammate, and another great pick.

SP: Mark Prior (ChC, 7th round)
This time I got the better of the two on the team. Maybe. A great young prospect poised to really show what he can do.

SP: Joel Pineiro (Sea, 13th round)
Spent some time in the bullpen last year, which was bad news for his numbers, but perhaps good news for him arm.

SP: Josh Beckett (Fla, 13th round)
He had some blister issues last year, but he could do very well this year if he remains healthy.

RP: Mike Williams (Pit, 17th round)
I could question what a team as bad as the Pirates needs a closer for, but he put up good numbers last year, so I'll just hope that continues.

RP: Scott Williamson (Cin, 23rd round)
Good numbers, but he's got some injury issues and may not last too long on my team. If he's healthy, he'll get more save opportunities than in the past.

And on my bench, I've got Vincente Padilla and likely waiver wire-bound Ismael Valdes.  ¶ joe | 2:28 AM |