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Fansided

Flashback to the 2011 ESPN MLB Franchise Draft to Review Picks

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a two-run homerun in the ninth inning during the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Rays defeated the Angels 5-3. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a two-run homerun in the ninth inning during the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Rays defeated the Angels 5-3. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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A look back at what has happened in the seven years since ESPN held an MLB Franchise Draft done by a group of baseball experts.

Seven years ago, ESPN invited a group of 30 “resident baseball experts” to participate in ESPN’s MLB Franchise Draft. The concept was simple: if you were starting a franchise and you could pick any player in professional baseball, who would be your franchise player?

In some ways, seven years in baseball can seem like an eternity. The best position player in baseball seven years ago was Jacoby Ellsbury, worth 8.3 WAR according to Baseball-Reference. Ellsbury hasn’t been worth any WAR this year because he hasn’t played at all.

Also in the top five among position players back in 2011 were Jose Bautista, Dustin Pedroia and Ryan Braun. They are all just shells of their former selves these days. Of course, the number three guy in Baseball-Reference WAR was Matt Kemp, which just proves that sometimes what’s old is new again.

Outside of baseball, seven years ago Adele was dominating the charts around this time with her song “Rolling in the Deep.” LeBron James was the best player in the NBA, but his Miami Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the finals. Oprah Winfrey had just hosted the final episode of her daytime program. At the box office, Green Lantern was the superhero flavor of the month.

For the ESPN MLB Franchise Draft, with the 30 “resident baseball experts” picking players, the contract status of each player did not matter. The experts were free to pick the guy they wanted, regardless of how much that player was making. Minor league players were also available.

This is always good for a passionate debate. Do you take a pitcher as your franchise player, despite the greater likelihood of injury? Do you take an established guy who may be at the peak of his production or a young guy who is more likely to improve? How important are the “up the middle” positions?

Now that seven years have passed, it seems as good a time as any to revisit this MLB Franchise Draft. Who were the hits and misses? Which participants were most prescient in their picks? Who picked the biggest dud?

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