Dr. Roto's LABR Mixed Draft Breakdown

The League of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) had its draft this past Tuesday night featuring some of the top fantasy baseball analysts in the industry. You can see the results of the draft here https://rtsports.com/labr-mixed-draft to check out how the teams did and help you prepare for your drafts.

Here’s how my draft unfolded with some commentary about my picks and my thought process throughout.

Final Roster (round selected): Hitters:

C: Elias Díaz (16) C: Luis Torrens (22) 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1) 2B: Jonathan India (6) SS: Jorge Polanco (5) 3B: Jeimer Candelario (15) CI: LaMonte Wade Jr. (21) MI: Kolten Wong (12) OF: Myles Straw (8) OF: Chris Taylor (9) OF: Jarred Kelenic (11) OF: Hunter Renfroe (14) OF: Yoshi Tsutsugo (23) U: Shohei Ohtani (2) Pitchers:

SP: Shohei Ohtani (2) SP: Sandy Alcantara (4) SP: Logan Gilbert (10) SP: Huascar Ynoa (17) SP: Elieser Hernandez (18) SP: Jameson Taillon (20) RP: Liam Hendriks (3) RP: Jordan Romano (7) RP: David Bednar (13) Reserves :

Julio Rodríguez (19) Kole Calhoun (24) Nolan Gorman (25) Luis García (26) Domingo Germán (27) Zach Eflin (28) Seth Beer (29) Round-by-Round Analysis: Round 1— Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , Toronto Blue Jays

I was incredibly excited to get Vlad as he is one of the few players in the league capable of winning the Triple Crown. A bad season for him would be .280/30/90.

Round 2— Shohei Ohtani , Los Angeles Angels

Shocked is the only word I have for why Ohtani lasted to me in the second round. Were the other teams afraid of a letdown after last season? Even if that happens, he is still a dual threat that is unmatched. He usually goes in the first round in all NFBC formats so to get him here is absolute theft.

Round 3— Liam Hendriks , Chicago White Sox

Normally I don’t like taking closers early, but I am having a change of heart this season. With most starting pitchers only throwing about 150 to 160 innings it seems to me that a good closer who can throw about 80 innings and get about 40 saves provides a distinct advantage.

Round 4— Sandy Alcantara , Miami Marlins

One of the things I like to do when I draft, especially when there are two players I like, is to think about which player has the better chance to make it back to me if I don't select him. I really thought about taking Alcantara in Round 3, but I decided to go with the closer, so to get Alcantara in Round 4 felt like a steal. Not too many pictures throw for 200 innings and 200 strikeouts anymore and he is one of them.

Round 5— Jorge Polanco , Minnesota Twins

I have always been a huge fan of Polanco. He qualifies at multiple positions and is a five-category talent. Do I expect him to get another 30 home runs this season? Probably not, but if he gets me 25 home runs and 15 stolen bases I'll be ecstatic.

Round 6— Jonathan India , Cincinnati Reds

When I took Polanco in Round 5 I knew that I wanted one of Brandon Lowe , Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Jonathan India in Round 6. When Lowe went two picks before me, I considered myself very lucky to get India who I think is a player on the rise. I know the Reds are not a great team, but they play in one of the friendliest hitter ballparks in baseball and I think India has the makings of a future star.

Round 7— Jordan Romano , Toronto Blue Jays

This pick will probably draw a bunch of criticism because I already had one closer, but Romano should throw for about 80 innings and get me about 80 to 100 strikeouts with 40 saves. I can't ask for much more in the seventh round.

Round 8— Myles Straw , Houston Astros

I tend not to draft guys like Straw who are basically one category players. However, I felt that my team could handle his lack of power because I had built up my power earlier in the draft. Straw provides 30+ stolen bases which is almost impossible to find and he gives my team an anchor in a difficult category.

Round 9— Chris Taylor , Los Angeles Dodgers

I have a soft spot for players who play multiple positions on good offensive teams. With the DH now in the National League I expect that Taylor will have over 550 at bats. He's got good power and he's got surprisingly decent speed and I know that I can use him all over the place especially when injuries arise. There may have been better players on the board but I'm very comfortable taking a guy like Taylor who I think helps me win in the long run.

Round 10— Logan Gilbert , Seattle Mariners

When I asked Lou Landers about this pick he said that Gilbert reminded him of this year's version of Dylan Cease . That's a pretty darn good comparison considering that Cease went in Round 7 in this year’s draft. If I can get that kind of upside from Gilbert as my second or third starter, I will be very happy.

Round 11— Jarred Kelenic , Seattle Mariners

Many times, you will hear players referred to as post-hype sleepers. What that means is that the player did not perform as expected in the previous season and now in the upcoming season they are playing post “hype”. Kelenic is just that kind of guy as he can hit 25 home runs and steal 20 bases after struggling in 2021. Will that happen this season? I tend to doubt it, but I'm always willing to take a chance on a player with incredible upside at this point in the draft.

Round 12— Kolten Wong , Milwaukee Brewers

Wong is a solid hitter in the middle of a good lineup. He was an easy choice at this point in the draft.

Round 13— David Bednar —Pittsburgh Pirates

I had originally gone into this draft assuming that Bednar was going to be my top closer, but when Hendrix and Romano were available I felt like I couldn't pass on them. It's a long season and I can either use Bednar to solidify a good strong lead in saves or perhaps trade him to a competitor who is looking for saves at some point during the season.

Round 14— Hunter Renfroe —Milwaukee Brewers

He’s a 30-home run hitter in the middle of a very good lineup. So long as his average stays above .240 I will be happy.

Round 15— Jeimer Candelario , Detroit Tigers

Last week on SiriusXM fantasy sports radio I talked about my LCD drafting philosophy. With that means is that I'm looking for a player who is the lowest common denominator at a certain position. Candelario is that guy for me at third base. I know that I can take him in the mid rounds and get a solid hitter who can get me 20 home runs in about 70 or 80 RBI's.

Dr. Roto's LABR Mixed Draft Breakdown

Final Roster (round selected):

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