by Chris Kline
March 16, 2006

DREAM DRAFT

BA staffers try their hand at team-building

Round-By-Round Round 1 Round 6 Round 2 Round 7 Round 3 Round 8 Round 4 Round 9 Round 5 Round 10

Teams J.J. Cooper John Manuel Aaron Fitt Chris Kline Alan Schwarz Will Lingo Will Kimmey Alan Matthews Matt Meyers Jim Callis

By The Numbers

Vote For Your Favorite Draft

Pick	Player, Position, Organization (Age as of April 1, 2006)
1.	Mark Teixeira, 1b, Rangers (25)
2.	Ryan Zimmerman, 3b, Nationals (21)
3.	Chase Utley, 2b, Phillies (27)
4.	Victor Martinez, c, Indians (27)
5.	Zach Duke, lhp, Pirates (22)
6.	Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers (21)
7.	Jimmy Rollins, ss, Phillies (27)
8.	Andy Marte, 3b, Indians (22)
9.	Huston Street, rhp, Athletics (22)
10.	Daniel Cabrera, rhp, Orioles (24)

My Philosophy: I wanted to take emerging stars and shy away from aging veterans, while mixing in a few risks here and there throughout the draft. Even though my plan was to stay away from too many arms, I still ended up above the curve, mainly because I could not resist Billingsley in the sixth round.

My Draft: I think it worked out fine, though I wish I could have gotten another big bat. Martinez and Teixeira will hold their own in the middle of the order just fine, however. I didn't end up with any player over the age of 27.

Best Draft: Will Lingo. Those first five picks were the best five rounds selected by anyone.

Worst Draft: Jim Callis. I'm from Philadelphia and even I wouldn't have banged Pat Burrell in the first 100 picks. A lot of health questions with Roy Halladay and Mark Prior, and I'm not sold on Ian Stewart.

Best Pick: I liked two pitching picks a lot, both Brett Myers in the ninth round (to Callis) and C.C. Sabathia in the eighth round (to John Manuel). I thought J.J. Cooper grabbing Brian McCann in the fifth round was also a good move.

Worst Pick: Other than Burrell, I have to go Jason Varitek in the 10th round by Aaron Fitt--purely a sentimental pick from the New England native.

He Wasn't Taken?: Two guys I can't believe I didn't take were Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Russell Martin. I can't believe no one else took them either.

That Hurt: Manuel taking Grady Sizemore and Lingo taking Howie Kendrick as they were moving up my draft lists. Ouch.