There are always predictable favorites on draft day, players like Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez to name a few hitters. Johan Santana, Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt and pretty much any Detroit starter are also quite popular these days. Getting past the predictable favorites to the real meat of the draft is where the excitement begins. The middle rounds of a draft can really decide the outcome of many leagues, as sleepers and breakout studs are scored by savvy managers who rely on gut instinct, number crunching, or the hard work of paid advisors. While some may advocate that the real draft day stars come at the end of most drafts, there is solid reason to believe that the manager(s) who dominate the middle rounds of any draft with smart and solid picks have an advantage over those who wait for the bitter end. The middle rounds are a great place to value shop because there are still plenty of major players who were not big enough to go in the early rounds, but are too big to wait until the final rounds. These guys are the meat of any good fantasy team, and more than anyplace else this is where emotions and favorites need to be put aside in favor of taking the very best talent available. Follow a sound strategy through the middle rounds and it becomes the difference between being a contender or a bottom feeder.

Still, there is a lot to be said for taking at least a few of your favorite players in the draft, because the good thing about favorites is that they are often – but not always – top 25 or 50 players anyhow. So, if nothing else it should mean that you are at least going to get a few great players to anchor your team. For example, being a diehard Red Sox fan, I actually go out of my way to avoid drafting Red Sox players for the simple reason that most of them go for inflated values in our Northeast-based league. Of course, there are no complaints with the one exception that was made this year – Josh Beckett – who finally appears to have found both his place and the zone. Go Red Sox! On the theme of the Red Sox, Tim Wakefield owners sure are enjoying the ride this season, and odds are good more people drafted him out of fondness more than any prescience regarding the fact that he currently leads the American League with the lowest earned-run-average. On the National League side, Brad Penny is the ERA leader, but in his defense it can at least be said that his career was revitalized when he arrived in Los Angeles. Still, how many people really call Penny their favorite pitcher? Probably some, but it is tough to say how many fantasy managers can truthfully say that. The aforementioned Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler are both having breakout seasons, and have surely contributed to the success of many fantasy teams so far this season. However, they likely were both mid to late draft picks across the majority of leagues. Should these two players continue their hot seasons, it is likely the last time they are drafted so low, and odds are good that a lot more people will count them as favorites in the future. Aaron Rowand is another hard fighting and scrappy player who is only sporting the fifth highest batting average in the game so far, with pop and speed to boot. A pleasant surprise for sure, however, in my own league he went unselected until a reserve draft several weeks after the main event of the season. Just another lucky pickup for sure, but in this case thanks to the way he plays in real life he likely does have a fan following…it was not until now that his fantasy performance created the same feelings in people however. Finally, take a look at Gil Meche – we laughed at the contract the Royals gave him in the offseason, almost as much as we hated KC for driving up the market value of every other free agent pitcher. Remarkably, Meche has gone out and been one of the most solid starters in baseball, even if he is on the worst team in the game. Odds are good he has a lot of new fans now, especially in and around Kansas City where that team has really needed some good news. Meanwhile, highly lauded prospect Zack Greinke still struggles with so much adversity – but I still count him as one of my favorites in the game. Here is hoping that the kid finally catches a break and can enjoy his life for a change.

Have a question or comment for Chris? Send it to chrismeyer@sportsgrumblings.com.