We’re gathered here today to focus on some strategery for those in AL-only formats. Only leagues are different beasts, with shallower player pools and different respective depth at each spot to be aware of. Let’s see what happened after the randomizer tool assigned me the third pick.

For this respective 10-team AL-only redraft mock, we’re using standard 5×5 roto categories with these slots: C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, CI, MI, 3 OF, 2 Util, 3 SP, 2 RP, 4 P, and 5 BN. To complete this mock, I used our Draft Wizard, which is a quick and easy way to prepare for your fantasy baseball drafts. You can view the full draft board and analysis here.

Practice fast mock drafts with our free Mock Draft Simulator

Mock Draft Picks

• 1.03 Jose Altuve, HOU
• 2.08 J.D. Martinez, DET
• 3.03 Yu Darvish, TEX
• 4.08 Todd Frazier, CWS
• 5.03 Roberto Osuna, TOR
• 6.08 Adam Jones, BAL
• 7.03 Danny Duffy, KC
• 8.08 Kendrys Morales, TOR
• 9.03 Marcus Stroman, TOR
• 10.08 Ryan Madson, OAK
• 11.03 Nomar Mazara, TEX
• 12.08 Mike Moustakas, KC
• 13.03 Garrett Richards, LAA
• 14.08 Matt Holliday, NYY
• 15.03 Matt Duffy, TB
• 16.08 Francisco Liriano, TOR
• 17.03 Brett Gardner, NYY
• 18.08 Yan Gomes, CLE
• 19.03 Steve Pearce, TOR
• 20.08 Luis Severino, NYY
• 21.03 Luke Gregerson, HOU
• 22.08 Mitch Haniger, SEA
• 23.03 Miguel Gonzalez, CWS
• 24.08 Kennys Vargas, MIN
• 25.03 Ben Revere, LAA
• 26.08 Joakim Soria, KC

Early Rounds

While the third pick means you miss out on Mike Trout and Mookie Betts, landing Jose Altuve is nothing to scoff at. He was a bona fide five-category stud last season, and even if he gives back some of the power, I’d be more than happy with a 100/18/90/30/.330 season. I can go any direction from this pick; he’s a great bedrock.

Not that a scenario existed where I really would’ve ignored J.D. Martinez, who has the right batted-ball balance in his profile where he can deliver 30-plus homers with an average around .300. My options are still wide open moving forward.

Time to grab an ace! Yu Darvish is reportedly bringing back his split-finger fastball as if I needed another reason to buy into his potential. With a strikeout rate that routinely tops 30%, health is the only question mark we have here. His potential in the third round of an AL-only draft is too much to pass on.

With Altuve and Martinez providing strong contact, I felt comfortable taking on Todd Frazier’s less than stellar average to secure some more power and speed. Even with the South Siders rebuilding, Frazier — who has logged at least 600 plate appearances in each of the last four seasons — should reasonably flirt with an 80/32/90/15/.240 line.

Wanting to lock in a top closer that won’t torpedo ratios, I nabbed Roberto Osuna. With 14 picks until my next selection, I figured he, Craig Kimbrel, Edwin Diaz and Kenneth Giles would all be off of the board. Now or never. It was tempting to reach for Diaz for the Ks, but Osuna has shown that he can be strong over a full season, so he’s the choice.

The closers were indeed now gone, but I never thought Adam Jones would make it back to me. I didn’t have a choice there, as I’d have selected him over Jackie Bradley and Lorenzo Cain — both of whom went ahead of him. Even with just three outfielders, getting a strong OF2 is a priority for me in AL or NL-only formats.

Without anyone jumping off of the board, I decided to snag my second starting pitcher in Danny Duffy since SP2-caliber arms can dry up pretty quickly in the AL. There are several SP3/4 types, but Duffy’s 3.51 ERA (3.53 SIERA) with a 12.9 percent swinging-strike rate is a cut above.

Kendrys Morales remains a favorite target, particularly as the last bat realistically capable of 30 homers and 100 RBI. Grabbing Toronto bats is never a bad idea in general, but it helps given that his 2016 41.1 percent hard-hit rate was tied for fifth best in the MLB (with Miguel Cabrera and Jose Bautista).

Rounds 9 and 10 yielded my SP3 and RP2, as Marcus Stroman should see that 4.37 ERA regress toward his 3.62 SIERA as he continues to post groundball rates above 60 percent. I’m very comfortable getting him as my SP3 in an AL-only format. Ryan Madson was most likely my “worst” pick of the draft, but I wanted a second ninth-inning guy, and his ratios should still be above-average. I dislike the 4.06 SIERA from last season, but I think he’s got at least another year of closing talent in him.

Middle Rounds

Nomar Mazara and Mike Moustakas are both capable of giving me 20 homers with averages that won’t hurt me, as now my outfield and CI slots are spoken for. Mazara started his rookie campaign hot but faltered as pitchers adjusted and the long season wore on him.

His sophomore season should be something special, though — he’ll still be 21 on Opening Day! Meanwhile, Moose was smashing the ball (37.4 percent hard-hit rate) before he tore his ACL, but that sweet swing should still be intact.

Realizing I should grab another starter before the long turn, I opt to snag a recovered Garrett Richards and his electric fastball. There’s some risk there, but I’m comfortable doing so at SP4.

After grabbing Matt Holliday and Matt Duffy, I brought in Francisco Liriano — who posted a 2.92 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings after being traded to Toronto. Maybe he just missed Russell Martin.

Three hitters closed out the mid-round picks. With Brett Gardner’s modest speed, Steve Pearce’s sneaky pop and Yan Gomes playing catcher and possibly reclaiming some of that former glory, I feel confident in my starting lineup. Pearce, who has posted an ISO over .200 in each of the last three seasons, could enter mixed-league viability if he does indeed win the everyday left-field job for Toronto.

Late Rounds

What better way to kick off the late rounds than with a flier on Luis Severino putting the pieces back together again? Luke Gregerson and Joakim Soria make for decent ratio help while being the next men up in the ninth inning should something happen to Giles or Kelvin Herrera. In AL-only leagues, scooping those useful setup men who could be valuable closers is a great idea late in drafts.

Mitch Haniger has looked much better ever since he introduced a leg kick to his swing and altered his hands for a smoother swing, making him a worthy speculation buy with right field all to himself. Kennys Vargas will look to step up where Byung Ho Park could not (and Vargas previously couldn’t in 2014).

Ben Revere did not suddenly forget how to swing a bat at 28 years old. I can’t buy that after three seasons of hitting over .305. That .234 BABIP will regress toward his .314 career mark, with 30 steals possible.

This is a strong squad — it received a lovely 96 grade from our analyzer — that ranks first in hitting and third in pitching. With lots of power and competitive speed, it wouldn’t hurt to speculate on some spring speedsters should I have an open bench slot.

Two closers and two setup men make for a nice ‘pen in AL-only formats, even if my rotation isn’t the best. Stay aware of how deep each position is in the respective leagues, as it can help you find competitive advantages and field a champion.

Recent mock from the first pick

Recent mock from the sixth pick

Recent mock from the 11th pick

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud | Google Play | TuneIn | RSS