Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Bobby Witt Jr., Pete Alonso, Corbin Burnes, Aaron Nola (2024)

My task in these upcoming articles is to take part in quick mock drafts using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator. I will draft from the front, middle and back of the draft, discussing the results and other potential picks available in that part.

In the end, remember these are just mock drafts and should be used to help build a better player pool concept. To realize when to target pitchers, certain hitting positions or statistics, and more. Below we dive into a full notable picks. Here’s the full mock draft.

Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Early Pick (2024)

Results

The lineup for this 12-team draft is 2 C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, CI, MI, 5 OF, UTIL, 8 P and 4 BN, conducted using FanasyPros Draft Simulator.

1.2: Bobby Witt Jr. (SS – KC)

After the obvious Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s pick at 1.1, It becomes a Witt vs. Julio Rodriguez debate. I continue to lean toward Witt based on more steals from Witt and the continued improvements at the plate. In 2023, Witt increased his walk rate while lowering his strikeout rate below 20%. Continued improvements at the plate could lead to a better batting average and more production in all five ROTO categories.

Others Considered: Julio Rodriguez (OF – SEA)

2.11: Pete Alonso (1B – NYM)

Power has always been a primary focus of mine in the early draft, and Alonso is one of my primary targets. The ability to lock in 40+ home runs is excellent, not to mention strong run and RBI production. Alonso only hit .217 this past season, but a .205 BABIP significantly affected the average decline. I would not count on that for a second season, as most other metrics aligned with previous seasons. Returning to hitting .260-.270 could lead to a monster season for Big Meat Pete.

Others Considered: Luis Robert Jr. (OF – CWS)

3.2: Corbin Burnes (SP – MIL)

In a 12-team format, I debated waiting on pitching a bit longer, but the opportunity to draft a fantasy ace was tough to pass up. Yes, Burnes is still a fantasy ace. He had a down season to some in 2023 but finished with a 3.39 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 193 innings pitched. It was his worst season over the previous four years, but still solid. Heading to a better team in the Orioles can’t hurt either.

Other Considered: Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI), Michael Harris II (OF – ATL)

4.11: Aaron Nola (SP -PHI)

After drafting Nola and so many of my hitting targets drafted afterward, I decided to double-tap fantasy stud starting pitchers. Nola is a puzzle to so many, yet he’s one of the best workhorses in baseball. Nola threw 193 innings this past year and has now thrown at least 180 innings in the past five seasons (excluding 2020). Nola does have his ratio issues, more so ERA issues, from time to time, but he’ll rack up strikeouts and give your team a great floor with a ceiling upside.

Other Considered: Logan Webb (SP – SF)