Ten Tidbits -- Keys to Success

Honestly, I meant to put a picture of Rick Moranis up here, but none were suitable.

Yahoo has a feature called "keys to success" which lists the players that most frequently appear on 1st place teams in public leagues. I don't check regularly, but whenever I do, I rarely see Albert Pujols, A-Rod or Johan Santana. The spots are reserved for guys found at rare positions or at extreme values later in the draft. Also, anyone who just explodes beyond all expectations. Common examples from last year would have had to include Dustin Pedroia, Geovany Soto and Cliff Lee. Those three players could have been picked in the 14th, 15th, 16th round of our draft last year, and that kind of production added to your keepers/first couple rounders should equal a VUFSA Champion.

I'm going to take a look at our rosters and identify the one player on each team I believe will be the key for that franchise this season. If you win the VUFSA this year, it will be because of one of the following:

Joey Votto, Toothpick and Do-Rag. I admire Baron for showing restraint on the young Red first baseman. It would have been easy to target the talented Canadian early, but he waited until round 11 to nab a guy with 30 HR potential if he starts hitting more fly balls. As long as Dusty Baker can avoid convincing the Reds to sign Gary Sheffield to play first base, expect a lot from Votto.

Justin Upton, Big Z's Mustache. Eli professes to have drafted him too early, but that may not matter if the other Upton brother produces near the potential that made him the #1 pick in his draft. He doesn't have near the speed of BJ, but has more power and improving plate discipline.

Francisco Liriano, P. Bako Experience. Not many keepers on this list, but if Stem is to hoist the trophy at the end of the season, I would imagine that Liriano would have to absolutely dominate bitches all year. He showed flashes of his previous flashes of greatness last year, but was an overall disappointment in '08. If he churns out 200+ Ks with ratios below 3.20 and 1.15, Stem's in business.

Johnny Cueto, The Human Fund. I was tempted to go with Alexei Ramirez here, but he's already got a 20 HR season behind him plus is going to be expected to produce in the bandbox that is the Joan. Cueto, on the other hand, started out great last year and had a great stretch in August before mostly sucking in September. Subpar overall numbers and the threat of overuse forced a pretty talented guy into the 10th round.

Yovani Gallardo, Wangs on First. Dave's starting pitching is definitely his weak spot, so if he has success, someone on the pitching staff has to step up. This Brewers ace had to put his breakout season on hold due to an ACL tear, but returned late in the season and looked good in limited action. The Brewer offense is still pretty good, so Gallardo and his high skill level should produce ace-esque numbers for Tomke.

Joba Chamberlain, Mark Grace. This is the reverse of the profile above, a late round value or breakout candidate. Joba was taken in the 3rd round (wtf, me?) and as a result will have to produce at a high level as the Yankees #5 starter to make sure Schillinger didn't waste a pick on a hype guy. If he translates his RP success to the rotation, it could mean big things.

Hunter Pence, American Idols. A keeper last season, Pence started slow and never made an impact in the VUFSA. He's got major pop in his bat, and decent speed. His OBA was abysmal last year, mostly due to a BABIP correction. Outside of that, he can be a four-category contributor, and has the potential to push some key offensive categories Drew's way in what will be a vicious cockfight to the top.

John Danks, Lumberjerks. The preview mentioned that Champ has quite a few fragile pitchers on the roster, so a young and to this point healthy budding ace will be key for Mr. Whitlock. John Danks went in round nine despite a 12-win season wtih 3.32/1.23 ratios. A bump in wins and a few more Ks would make Danks a near-elite hurler and do wonders for Champ.

Justin Verlander, Flaccid Weiners. The pitching on this staff is weak. No one denies this. A near Cy in 2007 was followed by an ineffective 2008. Verlander didn't miss any time last year, but we have to speculate that there could have been a hidden injury holding him back. He's got potential for 15 wins and 180Ks with a 3.60/1.25. Actually, check that- it's not potential, he's performed at that level since he came up, excluding last season.

Matt Wieters, Tomke's Asian Momma. He represents an ultimate gamble, a minor-leaguer gone within the first 130 players spoken for. That said, when he gets to the majors, if he can hit like everyone in the world says he will, JR has a huge advantage- basically Joe Mauer with actual power.