Unless you are obsessed with SP* pitchers, you would put your must-have hitters at the top. Then again, I don't know if 2012 is typical but EVERYONE seems to try to get 4 SP* pitchers in my leagues. So then maybe those people have to put those higher?
I found that idea of trying to fail at the draft bizarre. If I'm Progressive, I don't think "Gee, I hope I don't get Moss." There's definitely some players who are unique and there's no point in not trying to get them in the draft before waivers.
The BAL for a pitcher's or hitter's card can be a little misleading. All it means is that particular card (say a 3L) is better against LHP than RHP. Obviously, a .50 9L is not gonna be better against LHP than the E 9.55 Cobb is.