In my latest mock draft, I conducted a categories mock with an early pick. In this second mock draft, I ran another categories mock, but this one was with the No. 10 pick. So I don’t get a chance at a top-five player, but I do get two selections out of the top-15 picks.
The roster is as follows: C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, three OF, UTIL, five SP, three RP and four BN.
It was conducted using the FantasyPros Draft simulator. This is based on H2H categories scoring, so finding a balance of hitters and pitchers who can help produce runs, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, average, wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP is important.
FANTASY BASEBALL MOCK DRAFT PICKS, STRATEGY & ANALYSIS
1.10: Vladimir Guerrero (1B – TOR)
2.03: Mike Trout (OF – LAA)
3.10: Max Scherzer (SP – NYM)
4.03: Michael Harris (OF – ATL)
5.10: Jordan Romano (RP – TOR)
I decided to attack more hitters early based on how the draft went. I was deciding between Mike Trout and Sandy Alcantara in the second round but elected to take the chance on Trout. His recent injury history makes him risky, but he still didn’t miss a step when he was healthy last season. Trout offers top-five overall upside when he is healthy.
After hesitantly passing on Alcantara, I took Max Scherzer as my top starting pitcher in the next round. I addressed more speed with Michael Harris, followed by my anchor closer, Jordan Romano. When it comes to closers in any format, I usually look to target one anchor player and then wait on the position, given the volatility of closers each season.
6.03: Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI)
7.10: Andres Gimenez (2B, SS – CLE)
8.03: Robbie Ray (SP – SEA)
9.10: Carlos Correa (SS – MIN)
10.03: Kris Bryant (1B, OF – COL)
After focusing more on power hitters early in Vladimir Guerrero and Trout, I focused more on higher average players in this group. Kris Bryant is also an injury risk like Trout, but again it is about the value here in the 10th round for a player who was being drafted several rounds earlier heading into last season.
Robbie Ray is an interesting selection. He certainly struggled overall in his first year in Seattle last season. Still, he showed flashes of elite play at different points in the year, and he’ll certainly have less pressure on him this season. The high strikeout numbers were what I focused on most drafting him, to go along with what I believe will be an overall better season from him in year No. 2 with the Mariners.
11.10: Clay Holmes (RP – NYY)
12.03: Nick Castellanos (OF – PHI)
13.10: Paul Sewald (RP – SEA)
14.03: Drew Rasmussen (SP – TB)
15.10: Brandon Nimmo (OF – NYM)
16.03: Patrick Sandoval (SP – LAA)
17.10: Mitch Haniger (OF – SF)
18.03: Christian Vazquez (C – MIN)
19.10: Anthony Rendon (3B – LAA)
20.03: Tyler Anderson (SP – LAA)
21.10: Whit Merrifield (2B – TOR)
In the double-digit rounds, I took fliers on a couple of closers in Clay Holmes and Paul Sewald. It all comes down to the potential opportunity in attempts they should see. The risk with Sewald was the Mariners ran more of a committee last season. Yet, Sewald was still the clear team leader in saves, and I believe there is a good chance that will be the case again this season. As I also previously stated, closers are typically the most volatile position every year, so I usually target one anchor closer early and then target a couple of closers late so that I can get me by early in the season while addressing other positions.
Drew Rasmussen and Patrick Sandoval are two of my favorite value starters in drafts late in the double-digit rounds this season. They both showed tremendous flashes last season, and they have room to take a slight step back, still holding value to where they are being drafted this year.
Mock Draft Results
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