Last week, I did my first mock draft for the 2022 season. I kept it pretty generic for the first go around, so I wanted to make it a bit more specific this time. Since Yahoo is the most popular platform, I figured that would be an excellent place to start. So today’s mock uses Yahoo’s default roster positions (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, 3 OF, 2 UTIL, 2 SP, 2 RP, 4 P, 5 Bench) and player eligibilities.
Last time I gave myself the 5th pick in a ten-team league. This time, I went with the 10th pick in a 10-team snake draft to get a different perspective. Once again, I drafted against all experts and composite ADP using FantasyPros Draft Simulator, but I added Yahoo’s pre-draft rankings since this mock draft was Yahoo-specific. The results were as follows:
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TURN-BY-TURN ANALYSIS
Picks 10 & 11
Mookie Betts (2B, OF - LAD) was the best player on my board at Pick 10. He's a five-category player coming off an injury-plagued year but has overall #1 upside. His 2B eligibility this year makes him even more valuable. Usually, I'm not particularly eager to select a pitcher this early, but I was worried about what would be left by pick 30, so I grabbed Corbin Burnes (SP - MIL). Burnes has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball for the past two seasons, and his peripherals were even better than his baseline stats. By the way, my reasoning was correct, as the best pitcher left at pick #30 was Julio Urias (SP - LAD) - an excellent pitcher, but not who I wanted as my No. 1.
Picks 30 & 31
My perspective in drafting offense is generally to grab as much power as I can. Thus I was happy a premier homerun hitter like Aaron Judge (OF - NYY) was still available. Tim Anderson (SS - CWS) is another guy who can help in all categories. I love taking players like this early on, as it gives me flexibility later.
Picks 50 & 51
I was looking at starting pitchers here, but the best options seemed like reaches at this point of the draft. So I nabbed Jose Altuve (2B - HOU) and Byron Buxton (OF - MIN) instead. Altuve's 2021 was underappreciated. He doesn't need trash cans to hit. Unfortunately, he doesn't run much anymore. Buxton has No. 1 overall talent if he can just stay on the field. C'mon Byron, give us 140 games this year!
Picks 70 & 71
Still seeking power and needing a first baseman, I went ahead and took Jose Abreu (1B - CWS). He's not the most exciting pick but is always a solid bet for HRs and RBIs. I felt I needed to grab another starter, so I chose Max Fried (SP - ATL) next. I like Fried slightly better than Luis Castillo (SP - CIN) and Frankie Montas (SP - OAK), whom I also considered here.
Picks 90 & 91
I'm a big believer in Bryan Reynolds (OF - PIT) and was surprised he was still available at Pick 90. So I happily added him to my roster, even though I wasn't looking for another outfielder. Trevor Rogers (SP - MIA) is a great young pitcher - just the type I always seem to gravitate towards.
Picks 110 & 111
Shane McClanahan (SP - TB) is another young stud, similar to Rogers. Plus, you can't go wrong with Rays pitchers most of the time. I'm not entirely sold that Jared Walsh (1B, OF - LAA) can repeat his 2021 success, as discussed here, but I was still concerned with power and he gave me depth at two positions.
Picks 130 & 131
I like to wait on closers, but felt it was time I grabbed one since there weren't that many great options left. Giovanny Gallegos (RP - STL) was excellent down the stretch last year and could end up as one of the top performers at the position. Yoan Moncada (3B - CWS) was the best third baseman left, and I had a hole at the position. In hindsight, I probably could have waited as players like Matt Chapman (3B - OAK), Ke'Bryan Hayes (3B - PIT), and Ryan McMahon (2B,3B - COL) didn't end up going until the 19th round.
Picks 150 & 151
I don't love the Mark Melancon (RP - ARI) choice, as I'm nervous about him flaming out in Arizona (also detailed here). However, he was the only non-committee closer left at this point, so I figured I'd take my chances. Tarik Skubal (SP - DET) fits the mold of a young starter with upside that I can't seem to resist. Plus, he strikes out tons of guys, and I love drafting high K/9 rate pitchers.
Picks 170 & 171
I may have panicked a bit selecting Tyler Stephenson (C,1B - CIN) here, but I still needed a catcher, and he should get a ton of at-bats this year with Tucker Barnhart (C - DET) now in Detroit and the DH coming to the National League. Joey Gallo (OF - NYY) just felt like a steal here, given his potential for a 40 HR season.
Picks 190 & 191
Luis Urias (2B,3B,SS - MIL) helped fill the void I left when I didn't take Chris Taylor (2B,3B,SS,OF - LAD) in the 16th round. I thought he would make it back to me but went two picks before my Round 17 selection. I love guys with a ton of eligibility for my bench as it gives me so much flexibility. Scott Barlow (RP - KC) is a gamble but could end up being the guy to close games for the Royals. He's probably their best bullpen arm, but you never know how the team will use him.
Picks 210 & 211
Much like the Gallo pick, I took Jorge Soler (OF - FA) here even though he didn't fit a positional need due to his power potential. I will have scored if I get "second half of 2021 Soler" vs. "first half of 2021 Soler." Eduardo Escobar (1B,2B,3B - NYM) is another guy with pop who can fill in at several positions.
Pick 230
I wanted another starter here, so I went with the guy I felt had the most upside left in Hyun Jin Ryu (SP - TOR). He wasn't very good last season, but we saw how good he could be in 2019 and 2020, so he was worth the gamble here.
RECAP & ANALYSIS
The computer gave me an "A-" (91 out of 100) and an estimated 3rd place finish. I can live with that. Looking at my offense, I probably should have grabbed another SB guy at some point, as I'm a bit lacking in that category. I like my power potential, though. My pitching staff will come down to the three young starters (Rogers, McClanahan, and Skubal) and how they develop. If two of the three work out, I should be in good shape.
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