Let’s run a fantasy baseball mock draft using FantasyPros’ Draft Wizard tool. Not only are mock drafts a great way to familiarize yourself with the player pool, but they’re also perfect for trying new strategies. In this mock draft, I wanted to pick from the end of the first round and see what kind of team I could build in a points league using CBS points settings.
For this league, we’ll draft a roster of 1-C, 1-1B, 1-2B, 1-3B, 3-OF, 2-UTIL, 2-SP, 2-RP, 4-P and zero bench spots. The draft board is here.
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Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft
1.10: Corbin Carroll (OF – ARI)
Corbin Carroll is one of 16 players who scored 500 or more fantasy points last year. He struggled in the first half with a .635 OPS before the All-Star Break but had an impressive .919 OPS after the break. Although his potential for counting stats lends itself more towards category leagues, his career sub-20% strikeout rate is plenty useful in points leagues.
2.01: Francisco Lindor (SS – NYM)
Francisco Lindor was the number two shortstop by fantasy points last season. He makes a lot of contact and his 73 extra-base hits (XBH) from last year ranked 10th in the majors. With Juan Soto now in the fold, Lindor should be in store for another massive season.
3.10: Ketel Marte (2B – ARI)
Ketel Marte was the 16th and final player in 2024 to score at least 500 points. His 3.7 fantasy points per game were right in line with Gunnar Henderson, Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts. He rarely strikes out and bats near the top of a great lineup.
4.01: Rafael Devers (3B – BOS)
Rafael Devers took a step back last season in terms of plate discipline. His 24.5% strikeout rate is his worst since the shortened 2020 season and worst full season since 2018. However, he is still an elite hitter and ranked in the top 20 of XBH a year ago. If you’re a fan of patterns: Devers has reached 30+ homers and 100+ RBI in each odd-numbered year since 2019.
5.10: George Kirby (SP – SEA)
George Kirby is my SP1 and the eleventh starter off the board. He’s a modern-day workhorse reaching 190+ innings pitched in each of the last two seasons. In a league that rewards quality starts (QS) and wins (W), Kirby had 34 combined in 2024.
6.01: Framber Valdez (SP – HOU)
Framber Valdez is similar to Kirby in the sense of projectable innings. Since reaching 201 innings in 2022, Valdez has pitched 198 innings in ’23 and 176 last year. I’m hoping for 170+ innings, around 20 quality starts and 10+ wins for the fourth year in a row.
7.10: Josh Naylor (1B – ARI)
Josh Naylor was the number four first baseman a year ago in total fantasy points. He is moving to a new team and league but his natural approach at the plate should be valuable in a points league. He rarely strikes out for a slugger first baseman and has a knack for racking up RBI. He should fit in nicely with his new team.
8.01: Logan Webb SP – SF)
There’s an obvious theme with this pitching staff: innings. Logan Webb has reached 200 innings in back-to-back seasons and leads the majors in that period. He rounds out a Big 3 that can put up massive point totals through volume.
9.10: Seiya Suzuki (OF – CHC)
Seiya Suzuki is my second outfielder. He averaged the same number of fantasy points per game as Fernando Tatis Jr. and Steven Kwan. His strikeout rate of 27.4% from last year is way too high so hopefully he can bring that back down.
10.01: Zac Gallen (SP – ARI)
Zac Gallen had a down year as he dealt with injuries in 2024. He failed to reach 150 innings for the first time since 2021 and his WHIP of 1.26 was his worst since that same season. However, in the two years before last, he had 68 combined QS and W.
11.10: Tanner Bibee (SP – CLE)
Tanner Bibee had a solid follow-up to his impressive rookie season. His strikeout and walk rates both improved, but he still struggles with giving up hard contact and fly balls.
12.01: Robert Suarez (RP – SD)
In this league you have to start two relievers, but I still didn’t want to pay up for an elite guy. Robert Suarez had an incredible season in ’24. He compiled a 2.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 36 saves with nine wins.
13.10: Brandon Nimmo (OF – NYM)
Brandon Nimmo is great in this format. His generally low strike out rate and high walk rate give him a solid floor. After failing to play in more than 140 games his first six seasons, he’s played in 150+ each of the past three.
14.01: Ryan Walker (RP – SF)
Ryan Walker is expected to be the San Francisco Giants closer after taking over last year. He had a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP with 99 strikeouts, 10 wins and 10 saves. He ranked tenth out of all relievers in K-BB rate.
15.10: Tanner Houck (SP – BOS)
Tanner Houck was one of 33 starters with at least 400 fantasy points last year. I got him as the number 50 starter drafted. It’s fair to wonder if Houck can withstand a full season of solid production after his second half falloff last year.
16.01: Isaac Paredes (3B – HOU)
Isaac Paredes doesn’t strike out a lot and has a career 11% walk rate, making lots of contact. He averaged 2.6 fantasy points per game last year and I expect that to improve with his move to the Houston Astros.
17.10: Nick Castellanos (OF – PHI)
Nick Castellanos had a down year, but lowered his strikeout rate 6.5% from the year before. Hopefully he can bounce back while still hitting in a prominent spot in the Phillies lineup.
18.01: Francisco Alvarez (C – NYM)
Francisco Alvarez is an upside play late in the draft. He has yet to put it all together but showed signs last year. After returning from injury earlier in the year, in September, Alvarez had a .357 on-base percentage and .899 OPS with five home runs, two doubles and 17 RBI.
Draft Wizard Insights
The Draft Wizard gave this draft a B+, 88/100 grade. I’m projected to finish second in the league and overall like the team.
If I could make adjustments, I would not have drafted three players from the same team with my first seven picks. While I like the value of Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Josh Naylor, I shouldn’t have that much high-end draft value on one MLB team.
I would generally like to fill out any bench spots with extra pitchers as well. Overall, I think this team is pretty solid with elite talent mixed with solid floors.
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