Anyone can read an ADP list, even though most folks don’t use those correctly (How to Use ADP Properly). Nuance though, like as reading the draft room, is likely even more important than the same old list. That said, there’s still another way to use an ADP list to your advantage that was listed in the above article, and that is the basis of this piece. Jeff Mans will lay out for you Draft Pockets, the jingle that is sweeping the nation (here is a link to the original Hot Pockets songs that Mans has changed to Draft Pockets). Jeff points out where the value lies at each of the positions on the diamond, where you might consider striking for maximum value, as you assemble your fantasy squad.
CATCHER
- If you’re in a one catcher league I like to take a guy in rounds 10-12 (#120-145). The names available include Wilson Ramos, Willson, Contreras, Buster Posey and Yadier Molina
- The first pocket for catchers in two catcher leagues this year is rounds 14-16 (#155-190).
- Players available in this spot include Danny Jansen, Wellington Castillo, Yan Gomes, Robinson Chirinos, Francisco Mejia and Jorge Alfaro
- The second pocket is rounds 22-24 (#250-290) Where Francisco Cervelli, Tucker Barnhart, Jonathan Lucroy, Kurt Suzuki, Austin Hedges & Chris Iannetta
FIRST BASE
- The first pocket for 1B falls later this year in rounds 6-8 (#60-95 overall)
- Players found in this pocket include Joey Votto, Matt Carpenter, Jesus Aguilar, Jose Abreu and Joey Gallo
- The second pocket for 1B in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 12-14 (#130-170)
- This is good for a CI spot. Players available include Edwin Encarnacion, Ian Desmond, Miguel Cabrera, Luke Voit and Eric Hosmer
- Value for 1B is rounds 20-22 (#230-265) players like Jose Martinez, Justin Smoak, Trey Mancini & CJ Cron
SECOND BASE
- The first pocket for 2B falls later this year in rounds 8-10 (#85-120 overall)
- Players found in this pocket include Jonathan Villar, Travis Shaw, Dee Gordon, Rougned Odor and Robinson Cano
- The second pocket for 2B in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 16-18 (#180-220)
- This is good for a MI spot. Players available are Jonathan Schoop, Caesar Hernandez, Nick Senzel, Ketel Marte, Asdrubal Cabrera and Marwin Gonzalez
- Value for 2B is rounds 25-27 (#290-325) Niko Goodrum, Jed Lowrie, Starlin Castro, Ian Kinsler, Jason Kipnis and Ben Zobrist
THIRD BASE
- The first pocket for 3B is really early in round 3-5 (#35-60 overall)
- Players found in this pocket include Kris Bryant, Anthony Rendon, Vlad Guerrero Jr., Eugenio Suarez and Matt Carpenter
- The second pocket for 3B in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 7-9 (#85-110)
- This is good for a CI spot. Players available are Miguel Andujar, Travis Shaw, Josh Donaldson, Wil Myers, Justin Turner and Matt Chapman
- Value for 3B is rounds 22-24 (#250-290) Maikel Franco, John Lamb, Ian Happ, Kyle Seager, Miguel Sano and Evan Longoria
SHORTSTOP
- The first pocket for SS falls later this year in rounds 5-7 (#50-85 overall)
- Players found in this pocket include Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Jean Segura, Gleyber Torres, Corey Seager and Jose Peraza
- The second pocket for SS in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 13-15 (#145-180)
- This is good for a MI spot. Players available are Eduardo Escobar, Paul DeJong, Garrett Hampson, Elvis Andrus and Asdrubal Cabrera
- Value for 2B is rounds 18-20 (#215-240) Chris Taylor, Marwin Gonzalez, Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons and Willy Adames
OUTFIELD
- The first pocket for outfield this year is early in rounds 4-6 (#35-70)
- Players available in this spot include Rhys Hoskins, Starling Marte, Cody Bellinger, George Springer, Tommy Pham, Yasiel Puig, Lorenzo Cain, Eddie Rosario, Marcell Ozuna and Victor Robles
- The second pocket is rounds 9-11 (#95-135) Wil Myers, Conforto, Justin Upton, AJ Pollock, Dee Gordon, Mallex Smith, Randal Grichuk, McCutchen and Ian Desmond
- The third pocket for outfield this year is rounds 17-19 (#190-#230) with players like Ryan Braun, Harrison Bader, Adam Eaton, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Chris Taylor & Randal Grichuk
- Fourth pocket is rounds 23-25 (#265-#300) with Gregory Polanco, Shin-Soo Choo, Jay Bruce, Cedric Mullins and Manuel Margot
- The power pocket for OF is rounds 18-20 (#205-240) where Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Jake Bauers, Trey Mancini, Jose Martinez & Jay Bruce available
- Speed pocket 27-29 (#310-350) Matt Kemp, Lewis Brinson, Delino DeShields, Kevin Kiermaier, Brett Gardner and Leonys Martin
STARTING PITCHER
- The first pocket for SP is rounds 4-6 (#35-75). Players available here are Carlos Carrasco, Walker Buehler, Noah Syndergaard, Luis Severino, Clayton Kershaw, Patrick Corbin, Jose Berrios, James Paxton, Zach Greinke, Stephen Strasburg and Jameson Taillon
- The second pocket for SP in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 9-11 (#95-132)
- Players available are Miles Mikolas, David Price, Luis Castillo, Charlie Morton, Chris Archer, Robbie Ray, Kyle Hendricks and Masahiro Tanaka
- The third pocket for SP is rounds 15-17 (#170-205). Players available here are Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, Yusei Kikuchi, Sonny Gray, Jose Quintana, Joe Musgrove, Jake Arrieta, Ross Stripling and Jon Lester
- The fourth pocket for SP in fantasy leagues this year is rounds 23-25 (#265-300)
- Players available are Marco Gonzales, Kyle Gibson, Sonny Gray, Carlos Martinez, Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Carlos Rondon & Trevor Williams
RELIEF PITCHER
- The first/best pocket for RP is rounds 11-13 (#120-155 overall)
- Players found in this pocket include Raisel Iglesias, Kirby Yates, Sean Doolittle, Jose Leclerc, Wade Davis, Ken Giles and Corey Knebel (before injury)
- The second pocket for RP is value closer in rounds 16-18 (#180-215). Available here are Jordan Hicks, Will Smith, A. Bradley, A Vizcaino, Matt Barnes & Seranthony Dominguez
- Best setup/middle reliever pocket is rounds 28-30 (#325-360) where Betances, Britton, Ryan Pressley, Colome, Soria, Holland, T Rosenthal and Hector Neris are available