We’re almost there. Only… TWENTY?! Ok, fine, twenty more rounds is a lot of rounds but we’re going to hammer them out here in the next two posts, meaning I’ll have recapped each and every one of my 40 picks, plus the small trade my partner and I made in the first week. Let’s get to it before the motivation leaves me.

Round 21 – Pick 419 – Matt Joyce, OF, TB

Sense a theme? More outfielders! Joyce is pretty much a platoon guy only at this point, but he’s very good against right-handed pitching (career 841 OPS) and he’s far enough down my outfield depth chart that I can bench him in a week with a bunch of lefties. Even if I don’t, the Rays won’t play him much against them, so the damage should be minimal. Was very excited to get someone who could provide the rate stats Joyce can this far down.

Round 22 – Pick 422 – Mike Olt, 1B (eligible), CHC

This should harken back to the Round 20 selection of Aaron Hicks. I’m gambling on pedigree here, and I think the 22^nd round of a 20 team draft should more than justify the pick. Since making it, things have worked out well with Olt making the team and getting platoon at-bats. It even seems like he’ll get some regular ABs once his shoulder is completely healthy, and I think he’s got 20 home run potential. What Olt has enabled me to do is shift Sandoval to 3B, Moss to the OF, Xander to SS (from 3B) and just allow for some extra depth overall.

Round 23 – Pick 459 – Danny Duffy, P, KC

As happy as I am with my gambles that have worked out thus far (Hicks, Olt), Duffy is a risk that hasn’t panned out. I wasn’t counting on a full season from the lefty, but I did think he’d break camp as a starter for them. Instead, he’s in Triple-A, and while I should reap some rewards this season, it would work out better for me if he began the year as a starter and then transitioned into relief as opposed to the other way around.

Round 24 – Pick 462 – Nomar Mazara, OF, TEX

This pick drew a couple “really”s in the draft room, to which I replied “no, just kidding”. It wasn’t a joke though. Nick Williams draws most of the buzz out of the group of prospects that played in Hickory last year, but I believe that Mazara is the best combination of overall skill. Obviously his defense won’t matter as much in a fantasy setting, but I really like Mazara’s combination of hit and power. This was the first of nine consecutive minor league picks for me, as I focused on filling out my major league team rather than compete with others for prospects in the early going.

Round 25 – Pick 499 – Miguel Almonte, P, KC

One of my favorite pitchers in the minors, I think it’s insane that he lasted as long as he did, going behind guys like Tyler Chatwood, Braden Shipley, Kaleb Cowart, and others. I’m not picking on these guys, as their teams are built differently than mine, but I love Almonte’s arsenal and think he can move faster than people expect. I’m probably just the high man here, but his changeup is sublime and the fastball is real too.

Round 26 – Pick 502 – Alberto Tirado, P, TOR

Another personal favorite, Tirado has yet to reach full season ball, but I think he could dominate there this season, inflating his stock and allowing me to move him for profit. As much as I like him, I doubt he sticks on my team long enough to see the major leagues, instead being moved for major league value as I try to compete.

Round 27 – Pick 539 – Nick Kingham, P, PIT

There was a lot of value to be had in pitching prospects this late, so far be it from me to avoid it. Kingham concerns me a bit as a changeup first righty who made his bones in the lower minors, but he does flash a solid enough breaking ball to give me hope. He’s back at Double-A right now (where he finished last season) but I don’t think Triple-A or the majors is inconceivable this year. The Pirates might have need of him with Taillon out for the year as well.

Round 28 – Pick 542 – Edwin Diaz, P, SEA

I’ll admit this was an aggressive pick. I got a little ahead of myself and instead of taking one of the guys I’ve talked non-stop about (Ryan McMahon) I went with Diaz. It’s not an awful selection as I think he could really explode this year, but I do think if I had it to do over, I’d go with the high upside bat rather than the mid-rotation (albeit strikeout heavy) starter.

Round 29 – Pick 579 – JR Graham, P, ATL

This was partially a pick of desire and partially situation. Atlanta had just lost 60% of their rotation to start the year and while Graham didn’t rack up a ton of innings in Double-A last year, I really don’t think he’s that far off from contributing to the major league club. He’s yet another personal favorite and while he might be bullpen bound in the long run, I think he generates enough groundballs to stay in the rotation at least for a while.

Round 30 – Pick 582 – Lewis Brinson, OF, TEX

Surely this was aggressive given he struck out more than Joey Gallo last season, but at pick 582 this was all about upside. There’s probably a two percent change Brinson figures this crazy game out, but if he does he has massive upside in steals and home runs. Even if he shows signs of figuring it out, I could potentially spin that into a worthwhile value via trade. The odds are against this, sure, but if you’re not willing to take a risk this deep into a draft, you’re never going to get the high upside guys you likely covet.