How To Fix Sports Drafts By Eliminating Age Limits

The NBA is looking to increase their minimum age from 19 to 20 years old. The age limit is quite stupid, because it is definitely not in the players' best interests. It is only to help teams not make mistakes with gambling on younger talent. It is a shame, because some guys are physically ready for the challenges of pro sports before others, and these athletes have such a limited shelf life that they need to do everything they can to maximize their earnings. There is no reason they shouldn't be able to leave after high school, or after any year of their choosing in college.

The problem with this plan is that when these guys declare for the draft, and then they go way lower than they expected or sometimes are not even drafted at all, they end up screwed. They have to go through a lower professional league as they have lost the opportunity to go to college and compete. There is no reason this needs to be the case; it's really just the NCAA trying to protect their prestigious image of righteousness. Why shouldn't an athlete be able to declare for the draft, and if things work out and they are selected where they want to be, they can move on. If they drop further than they expected, they can just head back to college, no harm done.

Now, in this world, the big issue that teams are really not protected in this situation. A player could basically choose their situation, and if they didn't like the team, they could go back to school. So, what I propose is that players preselect the range that they must be drafted in to move onto the pros. If you decide that you need to be a Top-5 pick, and you are selected in those first five picks, you are going pro. If you fall beyond that fifth selection, you are no longer in the draft, and you will return to school. Wouldn't it have been better if Adrian Peterson had a couple extra years in the NFL after he showed he was a monster his Freshman year at Oklahoma? NC State's Carlos Rodon probably could have been the #1 pick had he left college after last year, and he is in danger of dropping (only a couple spots, really) because of a less impressive performance this year. There are countless examples of guys who are forced to spend an extra year in school, and it greatly impacts their first contract.

I will admit that there are some areas to figure out, as the NBA and NFL both have large combines where players try to prove themselves. There is no reason that these can't be moved to the weekend, so the athletes can stay in school. Also, I'm not sure who pays for the athletes to travel and stay for these events, but this seems like something the NFL could pay for. If they're really cheap, and they probably are, the cost can be deducted from their rookie contract if they do make it into the league.

Obviously, the NCAA will never let this happen, but the good news is that the NCAA is such an awful organization that they may be extinct in about ten years. If both the colleges and the professional leagues are actually concerned about these student-athletes well-being, there is no reason that they shouldn't work together to provide the best long-term opportunity for them. It just makes sense.

The Best And Worst Of My Fantasy Baseball Draft - Part 3

Finally, after breaking down rounds 1-12, as well as rounds 13-25, I will give my overall team rankings. This just helps me wrap up thoughts on players and build up my own ego by ranking (SPOILER ALERT) me first. Honestly, I think this is the strongest people have drafted in the years I have been in this league, as even the 12th ranked team isn't terrible. If you told me three teams from the bottom half moved up to the top half by the end of the season, I certainly wouldn't be shocked. But who cares about reasonable thinking. Here are my dead-on rankings of every team in the league.

12. Team Numbers Don't Lie
Bests - 1
Worsts - 4

12	Jason Kipnis, Cle 2B
13	Bryce Harper, Wsh OF
36	Max Scherzer, Det SP
37	Chris Sale, CWS SP
60	Brandon Phillips, Cin 2B
61	Kenley Jansen, LAD RP
84	Pedro Alvarez, Pit 3B
85	Brian McCann, NYY C
108	Brandon Moss, Oak 1B
109	Mike Napoli, Bos 1B
132	Jed Lowrie, Oak SS
133	Adam Lind, Tor 1B
156	C.J. Wilson, LAA SP
157	Khris Davis, Mil OF
180	Lance Lynn, StL SP
181	Tim Lincecum, SF SP
204	Justin Smoak, Sea 1B
205	Jonathan Papelbon, Phi RP
228	Bobby Parnell, NYM RP
229	Alejandro De Aza, CWS OF
252	Nate Jones, CWS RP
253	Michael Brantley, Cle OF
276	Joaquin Benoit, SD RP
277	Nick Castellanos, Det OF
300	Tyler Clippard, Wsh RP

Overall: I really like what he did early, as I am a fan of Kipnis and I think Harper is worth the risk. Following it up with Scherzer and Sale gives him two really strong starting pitchers. After that, I like McCann, Lowrie, and Lincecum but not much else. Castellanos is a worthwhile gamble late, but a lot of the guys that he favored are guys that I'm not that high on. The biggest strength is the power he has in the infield, but I don't see him being strong enough top-to-bottom to compete for a top spot.

11. Team PrIDAHO 
Bests - 2
Worsts - 0

11	Adam Jones, Bal OF
19	Carlos Gomez, Mil OF
30	Ian Kinsler, Det 2B
35	Ian Desmond, Wsh SS
59	Eric Hosmer, KC 1B
62	Hunter Pence, SF OF
67	Matt Kemp*, LAD OF
86	Jayson Werth, Wsh OF
107	Matt Adams, StL 1B
110	Mike Minor*, Atl SP
131	R.A. Dickey, Tor SP
155	Wilson Ramos, Wsh C
158	Will Middlebrooks, Bos 3B
182	Clay Buchholz, Bos SP
203	Jim Johnson, Oak RP
206	Grant Balfour, TB RP
211	Joakim Soria, Tex RP
222	Jimmy Rollins, Phi SS
227	Ryan Howard, Phi 1B
230	Bartolo Colon, NYM SP
251	George Springer, Hou OF
254	Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mia C
275	Dee Gordon, LAD SS
278	Josh Willingham, Min OF
299	Junior Lake, ChC OF

Overall: According to the bests and worsts of each round, he did fairly well, but he was very close to many worsts throughout the draft. I'm pretty low on Kinsler as he is aging, and he is moving to a much tougher offensive ballpark. Honestly, Gomez, Hosmer, Adams, and Dickey would all have me concerned, and the end of his draft didn't do anything for me. It seemed like he got waiver wire fodder for the most part. That is why I see him ending up in the bottom half of the league.

10. JVD's Only Friend 
Bests - 2
Worsts - 4

2	Miguel Cabrera, Det 3B
6	Adrian Beltre, Tex 3B
43	Madison Bumgarner, SF SP
47	Elvis Andrus, Tex SS
50	Albert Pujols, LAA 1B
71	Homer Bailey, Cin SP
74	Alex Gordon, KC OF
95	Josh Hamilton, LAA OF
102	Doug Fister*, Wsh SP
119	Billy Butler, KC DH
122	Shane Victorino, Bos OF
143	Daniel Murphy, NYM 2B
167	Aroldis Chapman, Cin RP
170	Francisco Liriano, Pit SP
174	Adam Eaton, CWS OF
191	Salvador Perez, KC C
194	Marco Estrada, Mil SP
215	Ernesto Frieri, LAA RP
218	Corey Hart, Sea 1B
239	Drew Smyly, Det RP
242	Neil Walker, Pit 2B
263	Oscar Taveras, StL OF
266	Phil Hughes, Min SP
287	Brett Anderson, Col RP
290	Byron Buxton, Min OF

Overall: There's a lot to like here, as I really like Cabrera and Bumgarner, and think he picks some decent guys all throughout the draft. Obviously, his late run on prospects are two picks I don't like that much. He definitely favored established players on offense while taking more risks on the pitching side with young or unproven commodities. This is a fine but unspectacular team.

9. Regular Joel
Bests - 2
Worsts - 1

9	Clayton Kershaw*, LAD SP
16	Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY OF
33	Dustin Pedroia, Bos 2B
40	David Price, TB SP
57	Ben Zobrist, TB 2B
64	Matt Holliday, StL OF
81	James Shields, KC SP
88	Kyle Seager, Sea 3B
105	Jered Weaver, LAA SP
112	Chase Headley, SD 3B
129	Curtis Granderson, NYM OF
136	Jonathan Lucroy, Mil C
153	Coco Crisp, Oak OF
160	Hiroki Kuroda, NYY SP
177	Nick Swisher, Cle 1B
184	A.J. Burnett, Phi SP
201	Colby Rasmus, Tor OF
208	Jake Peavy, Bos SP
225	Rafael Soriano, Wsh RP
232	Erick Aybar, LAA SS
249	Dan Straily, Oak SP
256	Marlon Byrd, Phi OF
273	Chris Johnson, Atl 3B
280	Matt Harvey, NYM SP
297	Chad Qualls, Hou RP

Overall: I'm not an Ellsbury fan, and Matt Holliday is a traitor, but most of his other early picks look good. One of his bests is Matt Harvey who is not likely to contribute anything this season. His offense seems fine everywhere, and his pitching has 1.5 relievers which isn't good enough to beat anyone in saves outside of the teams that ignore it. This is a totally fine team but lacks much upside outside of Headley and Granderson.

8. Team Cock Boy
Bests - 0
Worsts - 1

10	Edwin Encarnacion, Tor 1B
15	Hanley Ramirez, LAD SS
34	Shin-Soo Choo, Tex OF
39	David Ortiz, Bos DH
58	Adrian Gonzalez, LAD 1B
63	Matt Carpenter, StL 2B
82	Aramis Ramirez, Mil 3B
87	Shelby Miller, StL SP
106	Alex Cobb, TB SP
111	Julio Teheran, Atl SP
130	Hisashi Iwakuma*, Sea SP
135	Will Venable, SD OF
154	Matt Wieters, Bal C
159	Justin Masterson, Cle SP
178	Jonathan Villar, Hou SS
183	Glen Perkins, Min RP
202	Steve Cishek, Mia RP
207	Huston Street, SD RP
226	Jim Henderson, Mil RP
231	Nate Schierholtz, ChC OF
250	Eric Young Jr., NYM OF
255	Justin Ruggiano, ChC OF
274	Avisail Garcia, CWS OF
279	Trevor Plouffe, Min 3B
298	Brad Miller, Sea SS

Overall: Solid is the best way to describe this team. He got little love on the best and worsts of the draft breakdown. Still, I think his picks were some of the better picks of the round more often than they were towards the bottom end. He did a nce job acquiring relief pitching, but I still worry about his lack of top end starting pitching. There is no terrible weakness, but I am also not wowed by any aspect of the team, so he is just hanging out near the middle of the league.

7. Team Disney
Bests - 0
Worsts - 6

5	Chris Davis, Bal 1B
20	Yasiel Puig, LAD OF
29	Alex Rios, Tex OF
44	Jose Fernandez, Mia SP
46	Jose Reyes, Tor SS
68	Carlos Santana, Cle C
77	Jason Heyward, Atl OF
92	Gerrit Cole, Pit SP
101	Xander Bogaerts, Bos 3B
116	Trevor Rosenthal, StL RP
125	Brandon Belt, SF 1B
140	Andrelton Simmons, Atl SS
149	Zack Wheeler, NYM SP
164	Brett Gardner, NYY OF
173	Josh Reddick, Oak OF
188	Alex Wood, Atl SP
197	Yordano Ventura, KC SP
212	Jake Odorizzi, TB SP
221	Nolan Arenado, Col 3B
236	Fernando Rodney, Sea RP
245	Joe Kelly, StL SP
260	Jurickson Profar*, Tex 2B
269	Archie Bradley, Ari SP
284	Martin Perez, Tex SP
289	Oswaldo Arcia, Min OF

Overall: This is the team that best exemplifies that a best and worst of each round does not do a great job of estimating talent. This would be by far the worst team in the league by that measure, but I actually like this team. His worsts were rarely terrible, but more just the bottom guy in a good round. He didn't get a best, but he still had a lot of picks that I really liked. You know what pick I really like? Oswaldo Arcia. I think he could surprise some people and be a guy who is 100% owned by the end of the year. In the last round, it is tough to do much better than that. But I do think he has good starting pitching depth and enough offense to be a solid contender this season.

6. The Big Nasties
Bests - 1
Worsts - 2

1	Mike Trout, LAA OF
24	Felix Hernandez, Sea SP
25	Giancarlo Stanton, Mia OF
48	Craig Kimbrel, Atl RP
49	Yoenis Cespedes, Oak OF
53	Allen Craig, StL 1B
72	Starling Marte, Pit OF
73	Jose Altuve, Hou 2B
96	Jeff Samardzija, ChC SP
97	Brett Lawrie, Tor 3B
120	Michael Wacha, StL SP
121	Asdrubal Cabrera, Cle SS
144	Pablo Sandoval, SF 3B
145	Alexei Ramirez, CWS SS
168	Jason Castro, Hou C
169	Joe Nathan, Det RP
192	Dexter Fowler, Hou OF
193	Jason Grilli, Pit RP
216	Dan Haren, LAD SP
217	Norichika Aoki, KC OF
240	Trevor Bauer, Cle SP
241	Wade Miley, Ari SP
264	Tommy Hunter, Bal RP
265	Andre Ethier, LAD OF
288	Jackie Bradley Jr., Bos OF

Overall: I'm kind of surprised with how much I like this team, but he has Mike Trout which is a pretty nice get, and I'm also head over heels in love with Giancarlo Stanton. But I also like the upside of Samardzija, Lawrie, Wacha, and even guys like Cabrera and Sandoval. I think there's a good chance they provide fine value for those rounds but a very good chance that they could greatly outperform their draft positions. Towards the end, I didn't like the players he rounded out his roster with, as after Sandoval, there is nothing that excites me in the rest of his draft. The offense looks good, but the depth of his pitching staff is definitely a concern.

5. Cor Cor Loves To Scor Scor
Bests - 3
Worsts - 1

7	Robinson Cano, Sea 2B
18	Troy Tulowitzki, Col SS
31	Stephen Strasburg, Wsh SP
42	Buster Posey, SF C
55	Ryan Zimmerman, Wsh 3B
66	Anibal Sanchez, Det SP
79	Jean Segura, Mil SS
90	Gio Gonzalez, Wsh SP
103	Michael Cuddyer, Col OF
114	Domonic Brown, Phi OF
127	Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD SP
138	Alfonso Soriano, NYY OF
151	Nelson Cruz, Bal OF
162	Matt Garza, Mil SP
175	Johnny Cueto, Cin SP
186	Ivan Nova, NYY SP
199	Tony Cingrani, Cin SP
210	Justin Morneau, Col 1B
223	Grady Sizemore, Bos OF
234	John Lackey, Bos SP
247	Adam Dunn, CWS 1B
258	Michael Pineda, NYY SP
271	Nick Markakis, Bal OF
282	LaTroy Hawkins, Col RP
295	Mariano Rivera, NYY RP

Overall: I really like this team. There is not a ton of risk on this team, but it still possesses upside to be a top team. Out of his first ten picks, it looks like all guys will perform at least adquately for where they are drafted, and they have the potential to shine brighter. After that, I like the starters that he took late in the draft, as it's a good mix of guys who can pitch well and guys who can strike out a lot of players.The only weakness is probably in the outfield where Soriano and Cruz could struggle with aging, Sizemore is a wildcard, and Markakis will probably be put on waivers. Still, this is going to be a tough team to beat.

4. Team Pills For Thrills 
Bests - 4
Worsts - 2

4	Andrew McCutchen, Pit OF
21	Adam Wainwright, StL SP
28	David Wright, NYM 3B
45	Yadier Molina, StL C
52	Jose Bautista, Tor OF
69	Starlin Castro, ChC SS
76	Mat Latos, Cin SP
93	Anthony Rizzo, ChC 1B
100	Martin Prado, Ari 3B
117	Aaron Hill, Ari 2B
124	Greg Holland, KC RP
141	Addison Reed, Ari RP
148	Carl Crawford, LAD OF
165	Torii Hunter, Det OF
172	Mark Teixeira, NYY 1B
189	Yovani Gallardo, Mil SP
196	Chris Archer, TB SP
213	Angel Pagan, SF OF
220	John Axford, Cle RP
237	Kyle Lohse, Mil SP
244	Jhonny Peralta, StL SS
261	Ricky Nolasco, Min SP
268	Rajai Davis, Det OF
285	Jeremy Hellickson, TB SP
292	Josh Beckett*, LAD SP

Overall: I think you can make a solid case for everything he did through 141. After that, things get a little shaky. I'm not a big fan of Crawford's for this season, and Torii Hunter will be fine. Teixeira is a far ways from glory and Gallardo had major issues last season and never looked like himself. I wasn't going to be the guy betting on that. His picks after that rotate between fine and completely boring. Still, he created a really strong offense, and the key will be finding enough pitching to support his hitters.

3. Rosie > Ellen 
Bests - 2
Worsts - 1

3	Paul Goldschmidt, Ari 1B
22	Yu Darvish*, Tex SP
27	Freddie Freeman, Atl 1B
51	Justin Verlander, Det SP
70	Wil Myers, TB OF
75	Joe Mauer, Min C
94	Manny Machado, Bal 3B
99	J.J. Hardy, Bal SS
118	Billy Hamilton, Cin OF
123	Matt Moore, TB SP
142	CC Sabathia, NYY SP
147	Sonny Gray, Oak SP
166	Christian Yelich, Mia OF
171	Kelly Johnson, NYY OF
190	Michael Bourn, Cle OF
195	Brian Dozier, Min 2B
214	Evan Gattis, Atl C
219	Ben Revere, Phi OF
238	Dillon Gee, NYM SP
243	Travis Wood, ChC SP
262	Rex Brothers, Col RP
267	Neftali Feliz, Tex RP
286	Cody Allen, Cle RP
291	Javier Baez, ChC SS
293	Gregory Polanco, Pit OF

Overall: This draft really impressed me, which probably makes sense with them being ranked this high. Out of the 300 players selected, I'm only actually considering drafting half of them, either due to me not liking them or just knowing that they are overvalued for where I would be trying to draft them. Somehow, this guy, who is an avid judge of lesbian talk show hosts, took guys on my list in the first 15 rounds, so I can't complain too much about any of those picks. Down the stretch, his picks got a little boring with two setup guys, and a couple guys who will be worthless for the first few months, and the lack of a fourth round pick hurts him. Still, the top half of the draft, especially Verlander, Moore, and Gray, should keep this team strong enough to keep him in the playoff hunt.

2. Juggalos 4 Life
Bests - 4
Worsts - 2

8	Carlos Gonzalez, Col OF
17	Prince Fielder, Tex 1B
32	Cliff Lee, Phi SP
41	Jay Bruce, Cin OF
56	Josh Donaldson, Oak 3B
65	Mark Trumbo, Ari 1B
80	Carlos Beltran, NYY OF
89	Jordan Zimmermann, Wsh SP
104	Everth Cabrera, SD SS
113	Desmond Jennings, TB OF
128	Jon Lester, Bos SP
137	Victor Martinez, Det DH
152	Andrew Cashner, SD SP
161	Austin Jackson, Det OF
176	Sergio Romo, SF RP
185	Ervin Santana, Atl SP
200	Howie Kendrick, LAA 2B
209	Casey Janssen, Tor RP
224	Rick Porcello, Det SP
233	Anthony Rendon, Wsh 2B
248	Taijuan Walker*, Sea SP
257	Miguel Montero, Ari C
272	Kole Calhoun, LAA OF
281	Corey Kluber, Cle SP
296	Tim Hudson, SF SP

Overall: The first runner up. His draft was strong top to bottom with only a few hiccups thrown in there, as nobody is perfect. He's got good balance with guaranteed producers, and he has guys who have a chance to make big impacts. Also, he has guys at the back end, including Porcello, Walker, Calhoun, and Kluber who could all take big steps forward this season. This will definitely be a tough team to beat, but not impossible as there is a reason he is not number one.

1. Hott Joe
Bests - 4
Worsts - 1

14	Ryan Braun, Mil OF
23	Evan Longoria, TB 3B
26	Joey Votto, Cin 1B
38	Justin Upton, Atl OF
54	Zack Greinke, LAD SP
78	Masahiro Tanaka, NYY SP
83	Wilin Rosario, Col C
91	Matt Cain, SF SP
98	Cole Hamels*, Phi SP
115	Chase Utley, Phi 2B
126	Jose Abreu, CWS 1B
134	Jedd Gyorko, SD 2B
139	Danny Salazar, Cle SP
146	B.J. Upton, Atl OF
150	David Robertson, NYY RP
163	Leonys Martin, Tex OF
179	Koji Uehara, Bos RP
187	Chris Tillman, Bal SP
198	Chris Carter, Hou 1B
235	Jose Veras, ChC RP
246	Mike Moustakas, KC 3B
259	Ubaldo Jimenez, Bal SP
270	Josh Johnson*, SD SP
283	Edwin Jackson, ChC SP
294	Derek Jeter, NYY SS

Overall: Strengths are basically everywhere. The only things to nitpick are the utility spot as Moustakas could be terrible yet again and shortstop where I took Derek Jeter out of indifference. I should probably remedy that, but still, all the other picks were on point. There is some risk, but a lot of high reward players here. This is the team to beat.

And that wraps up everything I have to say about fantasy baseball for the foreseeable future. Time to focus on the NFL Draft.