Official 9th Baseball ATD Thread (Picks Only)

[Vegeta]

At 25th overall, the Tigers select CF Tris Speaker. Write up to follow...

 

[Voight]

The Atlanta Braves are very happy to pick another one of their own, SP Greg Maddux! He was the anchor of our famed rotation in the 1990s and helped bring us a championship in 1995, along with four other World Series appearances.

The first to achieve a number of feats and records, he was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years (1992–1995), matched by only one other pitcher, Randy Johnson. During those four seasons, Maddux had a 75–29 record with a 1.98 earned run average (ERA), while allowing less than one baserunner per inning.

Maddux is the only pitcher in MLB history to win at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons. In addition, he holds the record for most Gold Gloves with eighteen. A superb control pitcher, Maddux won more games during the 1990s than any other pitcher and is 8th on the all-time career wins list with 355. Since the start of the post-1920 live-ball era, only Warren Spahn (363) recorded more career wins than Maddux. He is one of only 10 pitchers ever to achieve both 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts, and is the only pitcher to record over 300 wins, over 3,000 strikeouts, and fewer than 1,000 walks.

-355 wins, 3371 K
- 4× MLB ERA leader (1993–1995, 1998) including an amazing 1.63 ERA in 1995
- 3× MLB wins leader (1992, 1994, 1995)
-6.06 K/9, 1.80 BB/9
-4 consecutive NL Cy Young Awards (1992-1995)
-18 Gold Gloves
- 116.7 fWAR (4th all time / pitchers, 12th all time))

From 1992-2000, Maddux's 2.32 earned run average is the lowest for any pitcher in a span of eight or more years since World War II.

Sandy Koufax posted a 2.49 ERA from 1959 through 1966; ______ held opponents to 2.43 runs per nine innings from 1968 through 1975; and ____ _______ had a 2.46 ERA from 19XX through 19XX.

 

[UL Washington]

I have the Cubs pick (#27) SS Alex Rodriguez - fWAR 111.4

Career Stats

.297/.382/.554
.937 OPS
142 OPS+
3,070 Hits
687 Homeruns
2,055 RBI
326 SB
5,733 Total Bases
118.9 WAR (12th All-time)

162 Game Averages: 183 H, 41 HR, 122 RBI

Accolades

3x MVP
14X All-Star
10x Silver Slugger
2x Gold-Glove

 

[ryan callahan]

With the 28th pick, the San Francisco Giants select LF Rickey Henderson. He will be the perfect top of the order bat for me.

 

[Winger for Hire]

Tom Seaver, SP

3 time Cy Young winner
1967 Rookie of the Year
12 time All Star

110.5 bWAR
2.86 ERA
3640 Strikeouts

 

[UL Washington]

I'll take 3B Mike Schmidt

1972-1989

106.5 WAR
147 OPS+
548 HR
8(!) Home Run titles
3 MVP awards
10 Gold Gloves

Probably the greatest ginger baseball player off all time.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Pleased to add 2B - Eddie Collins to the team

 

[KaseMeOutside]

With the 32nd overall pick, the Los Angeles Angels are going to select an active player but 9 years is a pretty damn good body of work. He has been unquestionably the best pitcher in baseball the last 4 or 5 years. You can stack his resume against just about any left handed pitcher of the last 20 or 30 years not named Randy Johnson

6 consecutive top 5 cy young finishes
3 time cy young winner
1 time NL MVP
He has the 2nd highest adjusted ERA(ERA+) in Major League History

Clayton Kershaw

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Continuing the theme of high peaks, with the 33rd pick the Los Angeles Angels select, 4 time Cy Young winner, 5 time NL Strike Out king


Steve Carlton

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Pleased to add OF - Joe DiMaggio. Can someone please pm who's next? On my way to work.

 

[UL Washington]

At pick #35, The Cleveland Naps select 1B Jimmie "The Beast" Foxx

1925-1945

.325 BA
.428 OBP
1.038 OPS (163 OPS+)
96.4 WAR
534 HR
1,922 RBI
3 X MVP (this was in the Ruth/Gehrig era)

His World Series numbers are pretty much identical to his regular season numbers.

 

[td_ice]

With the 36th pick in the draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates are thrilled to select, C, Johnny Bench.


Arguably the greatest catcher of all time, Johnny Bench was the rock of the Big Red Machine. Anchoring the catching duties with excellence, and providing tremendous offense production. The perfect blend of offense and defense from the vital Catcher position.


2 time league MVP


13 consecutive All star appearance, 14 total.


10 consecutive Gold gloves.


Plus glove, with a Def WAR of 19.3, according to B-R.


World Series MVP, and 2 time World Champion.


led league in HR's twice, with 45 and 40. Career total 389


Total WAR 75, OPS+ 126.


Rookie of the year winner.

 

[ryan callahan]

With the 37th pick, The SF Giants select SP Warren Spahn. He will make the perfect top of rotation starter for me.

 

[Ben Grimm]

SP Nolan Ryan - fWAR 107.5

NOLAN RYAN

Lynn Nolan Ryan
Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 1999
Primary team: LA/California Angels
Primary position: Pitcher
Two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy called Nolan Ryan “the only pitcher you start thinking about two days before you face him.â€

Ryan’s career spanned four decades and when all was said and done, he retired with 324 wins and a major league-record 5,714 strikeouts.

Ryan’s career began with the Mets organization in the mid- 1960s, but his commitment to his country, through military reserve service, prevented him from really hitting his stride in New York. It was not until the completion of his military service, and his trade to the California Angels, that the real Nolan Ryan emerged.

During his time with the Angels, he hurled four no-hitters and broke Sandy Koufax’s modern-era single-season strikeout record. Reggie Jackson, one of the most dominant sluggers of the generation, explained what it was like to face him. “I love to bat against Nolan Ryan and I hate to bat against Nolan Ryan. It’s like ice cream. You may love it, but you don’t want it shoveled down your throat by the gallon. I’ve never been afraid at the plate but Mr. Ryan makes me uncomfortable. He’s the only pitcher who’s ever made me consider wearing a helmet with an ear flap.â€

As the 1970s turned into the 1980s, Nolan Ryan returned home to Texas, signing with the Houston Astros and becoming baseball’s first one million dollar per year player. The 1980s were a decade of milestones for Nolan Ryan as he passed Walter Johnson’s all-time strikeout mark, broke Sandy Koufax major league-record four no-hitters, and struck out the 5,000th batter of his career.

Before hanging up his spikes at age 46, Ryan topped the 300-win mark and hurled a record seventh no-hitter as a member of the Texas Rangers.


SEE CAREER STATISTICS
FROM THE COLLECTION
VIEW RELATED CONTENT
DID YOU KNOW

THAT NOLAN RYAN IS THE ONLY PITCHER TO STRIKE OUT THE SIDE ON NINE PITCHED BALLS IN BOTH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE (APRIL 19, 1968) AND THE AMERICAN LEAGUE (JULY 9, 1972)?

"He was the only guy that could put fear in me. Not because he could get me out, but because he could kill me. You just hoped to mix in a walk so you could have a good night and go 0-for-3. " Reggie Jackson

http://baseballhall.org/hof/ryan-nolan

 

[Voight]

The Atlanta Braves are happy to select 2B Joe Morgan!

.271/.392/.427/.819 career slash line

22 seasons played
2517 hits
268 home runs
1133 runs batted in
132 career OPS+
100.3 career Wins Above Replacement
1865 career walks to 1015 career strikeouts
Ranks 5th all-time in career walks
10x All-Star (1972 All-Star Game MVP)
6x National League Offensive WAR leader (1972-77)
5x National League Gold Glove Award winner
4x National League WAR leader (position players)
4x National League OBP leader
2x National League WAR leader
2x National League OPS/OPS+ leader
2x National League MVP (1975, 1976)
2x Major League Player of the Year (1975, 1976)

A vaunted member of the Cincinnati Reds legendary "Big Red Machine" in the 1970s, Joe Morgan was one of the most prolific offensive second-basemen in MLB history. One of the most disciplined hitters of all-time, Morgan was a master of recognizing the strike-zone and compiled a nearly two to one walk to strikeout ratio throughout his career, with a lifetime OBP just a shade below .400 over 22 productive seasons.

His 100.3 career WAR ranks fourth all-time amongst players at his position, as does his peak 7 year WAR rating, and his overall JAWS score. Morgan was an excellent defensive player who teamed up with Dave Concepcion to form a formidable middle infield duo for the Reds during their most dominant seasons in the mid-1970s, and Morgan was arguably the Reds most important player on back to back World Series champions in the 1975 and 1976 seasons. Those two years were especially prolific for Morgan, as he won the National League MVP award both years, and was also named as TSN's Major League Player of the Year in each season.

After his Reds career ended after the 1979 season, Morgan played another five years with stops in Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and a lone season played in the American League with Oakland in 1984. He was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990 on the first ballot with 81.8% of the vote. Underrated in his time because of the lack of appreciation for the value of walks, and the lack of emphasis on the importance of OBP, Morgan's legacy has since been re-evaluated in the years since his retirement. His true value, as one of the most patient and intelligent hitters in MLB history, has since been recognized. A testament to his incredible all-around performance, Morgan appeared in a noteworthy cover of Sports Illustrated during his playing career, being dubbed "The Complete Player."

 

[Winger for Hire]

Yomiuri Giants select first baseman Albert Pujols

Career Highlights

10 Time All-Star
2001 Rookie of the Year
3 Time MVP
6 Silver Sluggers
2 Gold Glove
'08 MLB Player of the Year
'08 XXXX XXXX Award Winner
'09 Lou Gehrig Award Winner
'09 NL Hank Aaron Award Winner

Career Stats

101.1 WAR (30th)
.309/.392/.573
157 OPS+ (20th)
602 Doubles (15th)
591 Home Runs (9th)
1817 RBI (20th)
302 Intentional Walks (2nd)

1214 Walks
1053 Strikeouts

In his first 10 seasons Albert averaged .331/.426/.624, 172 OPS+, 123 RBI, 41 HR, 43 Doubles, 65/91 K/BB.

Also 8 straight seasons of 7+WAR

AND he also has a fun postseason triple slash of .323/.431/.599 (77 games)

 

[Tecumseh]

With the 41st pick in the 3rd round, the Albuquerque Dukes select C Yogi Berra. Ranked the best catcher of all time by baseball histroian Bill James, he lacked for nothing on and off the field and will fit in nicely behind the plate and in the batter's box for the Dukes.

Yogi Berra is a cultural icon whose fame transcended the baseball diamond. “Yogi-isms†such as “it ain’t over till its over†and "a nickel ain't worth a dime anymore†have found their way into the vernacular. People think Yogi is funny, but as his old manager Casey Stengel once put it "They say he's funny. Well, he has a lovely wife and family, a beautiful home, money in the bank, and he plays golf with millionaires. What's funny about that?â€

Lawrence Peter Berra got the nickname Yogi during his teenage years, when he was playing American Legion Baseball. One afternoon, after attending a movie that had a short piece on India, a friend Jack Maguire noticed a resemblance between him and the “yogiâ€, or person who practiced yoga, on the screen. Maguire said “I’m going to call you Yogi†and from that moment on, the name stuck.

One thing is clear, as colorful as Yogi’s stories were and as popular as his star shined off of the field, he was also quite the character behind home plate. He had a reputation as a talker, attempting to take opposing batters off their game. In the 1958 World Series, Yogi kept telling Hank Aaron to “hit with the label up on the batâ€. Finally Aaron turned and said “Yogi, I came up here to hit, not to readâ€.

In addition to his colorful persona, what made Yogi so great was that he was one of the most feared hitters the game had ever seen. Teammate Hector Lopez said “Yogi had the fastest bat I ever saw. He could hit a ball late, that was already past him, and take it out of the park. The pitchers were afraid of him because he'd hit anything, so they didn't know what to throw. Yogi had them psyched out and he wasn't even trying to psych them outâ€. What was even more amazing was that when he donned the “tools of ignoranceâ€, he had a reputation as being one of the best in the business behind the plate as well, as his manager Casey Stengel praised “Why has our pitching been so great? Our catcher that's why. He looks cumbersome but he's quick as a catâ€.

Yogi hung up the spikes for good after the 1965 season, a fifteen-time All-Star, a three time American League MVP Award winner and a ten time World Series champion.

19 year career

.285/.348/.482/.830
125 OPS+
2,148 hits
358 HRs
1,430 RBIs
59.5 WAR
Caught 49% of runners stealing
18x All-Star
10x World Champion
1951, 1954, 1955 AL MVP
Member of the MLB All-Century Team
Postseason: .274/.359/.452/.811, 71 hits, 12 HRs, and 39 RBIs in 75 games played​

 

[Pwnasaurus]

The St. Louis Cardinals are pleased to select a player they are thrilled to see available at this spot, 2B - Nap Lajoie. Lajoie is ranked 3rd all-time among second basemen in bWAR. It feels kinda neat to have both Cobb and Lajoie as teammates seeing as how they battled each other for the likely the most interesting batting title in MLB history:

Wikipedia Link

A doubles machine (7th all time), he slots in just fine in the 2 hole as a dominant 2 way player hitting behind former rival Ty Cobb.

- BBHOF (1937)
- 6 Times Led League in WAR for position players (9 Times Top 5)
- 5 Times Led League in Batting Average (8 Times Top 5)
- 3 Times Led League in OPS (8 Times Top 5)
- Led League in Homeruns (1901) (3 Times Top 5)
- 5 Times Led League in Doubles (7 Times Top 5)

 

[Vegeta]

The Tigers select SP Kid Nichols.

Career Stats

361-208
2.96 ERA
140 ERA+
1.224 WHIP
1881 Ks
532 Complete Games

If Nichols had played longer, then he could have had a career similar to his contemporary Cy Young. This old time right hander is one of the most reliable workhorses of all time, and the Tigers are delighted to tap him as their ace once again.​

 

[darko]

Eddie Mathews, 3B

 

[Pwnasaurus]

I have NJ's pick:

Getting some right-handed heat to pair with Sandy:

Feller was the ace on the last Indians team to win a World Series and reknown as one of the hardest throwers in the history of the game. His stats of 266 wins, 279 complete games, 44 shutouts and 2581 strikeouts are impressive enough, doubly so when you consider he missed 3.5 years at the peak of his career due to World War II. If Feller had pitched those years he could easily have surpassed 300 wins and 3000 strikeouts.

From Wikipedia:

Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before the age of 21. During his career, he threw no-hitters in 1940, 1946, and 1951. Feller also recorded 12 one-hitters (his no-hitters and one-hitters were records at the time of his retirement). He helped the Indians win a World Series title in 1948 and an American League-record 111 wins and the pennant in 1954. Feller led the American League in wins six times and in strikeouts seven times. In 1946, he recorded 348 strikeouts, a total not exceeded for 19 years. An eight-time All-Star, Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was named the publication's "greatest pitcher of his time". He was a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.

Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams called Feller "the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career." Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was "probably the greatest pitcher of our era." He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 on his first ballot appearance; at the time only three players ever had a higher percentage of ballot votes. He was elected the inaugural President of the Major League Baseball Players' Association and participated in exhibition games which featured players from both the Major and Negro Leagues. Feller died at the age of 92 in 2010.

 

[Gootie]

Chicago Whales select SP Carl Hubbell

 

[Porn*]

So sorry for the delay fellas... and for taking Pedro (stoner move)

Toronto Blue Jays select

Chipper Jones

Career: 1993-2012, Braves
Fun fact: Record-tying 14 extra-base hits in 14 straight games in 2006

Second perhaps only to Mickey Mantle among switch-hitters and one of the greatest third basemen of all time (more career RBIs than either Mike Schmidt or George Brett), Jones hit .303 lifetime, and won the NL batting title (.364) in 2008.

One of only 14 players in the history of the game to top .300/.400/.500 in career BA/OBP/slugging percentage (.303/.401/.529).

 

[Tecumseh]

With the 48th overall selection in the 3rd round, the Albuquerque Dukes select 1B Hank Greenberg. One of the best power hitters of all time and missed over four full seasons due to military service much like previous selections Williams and Feller.

Hank Greenberg is widely regarded as one of the best hitters ever. Born Hyman Greenberg on Jan. 1, 1911, in New York City, his hometown Yankees offered him a contract, but he would spurn them, instead choosing to join the Detroit Tigers.

Greenberg would win two MVP awards in his career with Detroit. The first came in 1935 when playing first base he hit .328 and led the league in both home runs (36) and RBI (168). Greenberg's Detroit Tigers would win the World Series that year, though he missed the majority of it after breaking his wrist in the second game. Greenberg acquired his second MVP in 1940 as an outfielder; he batted .340 and again paced the American League in homers (41) while driving in the most runs (150). This would be the first time in MLB history that a player won an MVP award at two different positions.

War spreading across the globe in the 1940s would cut out a significant portion of Greenberg's playing career. Hank was initially brought into military service in May 1941, only to be honorably discharged on Dec. 5 of that year, a mere two days before the attacks at Pearl Harbor. Greenberg would immediately re-enlist. In June 1945, his military service concluded and the Hammer jumped right back into baseball.

Even though he had been out of baseball for a number of years, Greenberg's skills hadn't waned. His return in the latter half of the 1945 season helped drive the Tigers to another World Series appearance. Greenberg's performance was spectacular, as he drove in seven runs in seven games while hitting .304, propelling the Tigers to victory.

In 1946, the Hammer put on a vintage performance, once again leading the league in home runs (44) and RBI (127). That would be his final year as a member of the Detroit Tigers, however, as the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased his contract before the 1947 season. He would play only one season with the Pirates before retiring to take over direction of the Indians' farm system. Greenberg would shortly become their general manager and would later serve the White Sox in the same capacity.

"He was one of the truly great hitters, and when I first saw him at bat, he made my eyes pop out. "

-Joe DiMaggio

13 year career

.313/.412/.605/1.017
158 OPS+
1,628 hits
331 HRs
1,274 RBIs
57.5 WAR
5x All-Star
4x finished top three in MVP voting
1935, 1938, 1940, 1946 AL home run king
1935, 1945 World Champion
1935, 1940 AL MVP
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956 receiving 85% of the vote on his eighth ballot
Postseason: .318/.420/.624/1.044, 27 hits, 5 home runs, and 22 RBIs in 23 games played​

 

[UL Washington]

The Naps are please to select slugging RF Mel “Don’t Call me Melvin†Ott

1926-1947

107.8 WAR (16th all time for position players)
.304 BA
.414 OBP
.947 OPS (155 OPS+)
511 HR
6X HR champ
6X RBI champ
#1 all time for appearing in crossword puzzles

Ott was one of the few elite power threats in the first half of the 20th century. Yes, 500 home runs may not be that special anymore, but even through 1960, Ott was still one of only 3 players to break the magic 500 HR barrier, along with Ruth and Foxx.

Ott was also consistently excellent through his career. From 1928 to 1945, his OPS+ never dropped below 134.