As we ramp up the fantasy baseball draft season, the time to Mock Draft is now. Most take part in mock drafts to find out the best potential plan of attack to achieve the best draft results. Of course, the results can vary based on draft spot, league competition, and more.
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 of the draft.
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. Let’s look at my results for picking 10th in a 12-team mock draft.
Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Results – Late Pick
The lineup for this 12-team draft is C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, UTIL, 2 SP, 2 RP, 4 P, and 5 BN, conducted using FantasyPros’ Draft Simulator.
1.10: Yordan Alvarez (OF – HOU)
Having Yordan fall to the back end of round 1 is outstanding. He brings elite power and countings stats. The only thing Yordan will not bring to the table is stolen bases. We make up for that later in the draft. Some may look into one of the ACE pitchers, but I am good with pitching later. Locking in Yordan is a significant target for me in the back end of round 1.
Others Considered: Bobby Witt Jr. (SS, 3B – KC)
2.3: Mookie Betts (2B, OF – LAD)
Did I mention we could grab steals later? Well, here we are. Betts is a ROTO stud, which should stay the same in 2023. Betts likely won’t hit 35 home runs again, but he should hit in the mid-20s with a strong batting average, the ability to score over 100 runs, and drive in his fair share too. The speed, Betts is not the elite speed guy you would like, but 10+ with the ability to steal 15 is nice here, especially with some more speed targets to come.
Others Considered: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B – TOR)
3.10: Spencer Strider (SP, RP – ATL)
I could have waited on pitching some more, but being at the end of the draft means reaching a bit. I wouldn’t say Strider is a reach, but he wasn’t a must. I love Strider this year, especially his ability to provide strong ratios with elite strikeout abilities-no problem with Strider as my SP1.
Others Considered: Nolan Arenado (3B – STL), Ozzie Albies (2B – ATL)
4.3: Edwin Diaz (RP – NYM)
As mentioned in the early pick article, relievers fly off the board, and if you wait, you could be left in bad shape. I learned my lesson and drafted the top reliever in baseball last season in Diaz. It will be difficult to duplicate his 2022 success, but another great season should be on tap for Diaz.
Others Considered: Emmanuel Clase (RP – CLE), Randy Arozarena (OF – TB)
5.10: Adolis Garcia (OF – TEX)
Back to the offense with Garcia. A legit 20/20 talent has provided this production in back-to-back seasons. The batting average takes a hit with his poor plate discipline, but the results in power and speed make him a solid fantasy target, especially on a team build like this that needs speed.
Others Considered: Kevin Gausman (SP – TOR), Luis Castillo (SP – SEA)
6.3: Jordan Romano (RP – TOR)
I could have added more offense or another starting pitcher, but I went with a top 5 closer to pair with Diaz. By adding Romano to Diaz, I have two elite closers that could combine for over 60 saves-giving the team a great start in locking down one of the significant ROTO categories. Also, your team does not need to chase saves on the waiver wire throughout the season.
Others Considered: Devin Williams (RP – MIL), Raisel Iglesias (RP – ATL)
7.10: Dansby Swanson (SS – CHC)
Swanson is coming off a monster season, leading to a new team and a big contract with the Cubs. Swanson has showcased 20+ home run power in back-to-back seasons while also showing the ability to steal 15+ bases. In addition, he was one of the last top-end shortstops on the board, making him a near must-pick for the team.
Others Considered: Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT)
8.3: Andres Gimenez (2B, SS – CLE)
We had to return to the middle infield and add more speed with Gimenez. He’s coming off of a great 2022 season where he hit for average, power, and speed. Gimenez may not duplicate that production in 2023, but I do not see a major regression coming. He should also hit near the top of the order, leading to more runs scored-big on Gimenez this season.
Others Considered: Joe Musgrove (SP – SD)
9.10: Robbie Ray (SP – SEA)
The wait on starting pitching comes to an end with the pick of Ray. Ray makes for a nice SP2 after waiting on starting pitching for so long. Ray will eat innings, strike out a ton, and the improved walk rates will continue, leading to solid ratios.
Others Considered: Seiya Suzuki (OF – CHC), Jake McCarthy (OF – ARI)
10.3: Rhys Hoskins (1B – PHI)
It’s Rhys’s Pieces’ time!!!! I do not mind waiting on first base this draft season, as there are some later-friendly options. Rhys is exceptionally consistent, hitting around .245 with close to 30 home runs and strong counting stats. The ability to lock those numbers in a while, also adding all that power as the draft goes on, makes for an excellent pick.
Others Considered: Kenley Jansen (RP – BOS)
11.10: Blake Snell (SP – SD)
Back to the mound with the third starting pitcher for the team. There are always concerns with Snell, usually surrounding how many innings he will pitch. He finished on a high note last season, resembling his CY Young form. I am willing to take that chance in round 11 as my SP3.
Others Considered: Taylor Ward (OF – LAA), Thairo Estrada (2B, SS – SF)
12.3: Willson Contreras (C – STL)
In a one-catcher league, I usually wait on a catcher, but Contreras fell much farther than I expected, so I changed the strategy and drafted him. Contreras will give you 20+ home run upside and the ability not to crush your batting average, which a lot of later catchers will do. Contreras will also hit in the middle of a very good Cardinals lineup which could boost his counting stat production.
Others Considered: William Contreras (C – MIL)
13.10: Lucas Giolito (SP – CWS)
Since I waited on pitching, there will be a lot of later picks and some chances to take on the upside. Everyone knows how bad Giolito was in 2022. The price tag for a once-elite pitcher from one lousy season is too good to pass up. I expect a bounceback season for Giolito, and I will gladly take him as an SP4.
Others Considered: Andrew Vaughn (1B, OF – CWS)
14.3: Charlie Morton (SP – ATL)
One of these days, Father Time will catch up with Morton, which is baked into his ADP. As an SP5 with over 200 strikeouts in four straight seasons while also racking up the innings. Morton should go 5+ innings in every start while not destroying your ratios. Strong SP5.
Others Considered: Jeffrey Springs (SP, RP – TB)
15.10: Jose Leclerc (RP – TEX)
After taking two elite closes, I waited for quite some time. Leclerc was one of the last closers on the board, so I grabbed him. He may not close for the whole season but should start the year as the Rangers’ closer. He does not have to be great with Diaz and Romano on the team. 10-15 saves from Leclerc would be gravy.
Others Considered: Luis Garcia (RP – HOU)
16.3: Matt Chapman (3B – TOR)
I drafted Chapman in the middle pick mock and drafted him here for the same reason. Chapman brings great power to your team and a position that dries up very quickly. He will play nearly every day due to his elite defense, and if he can ever get the offense to click consistently, he will be a fantasy machine.
Others Considered: Brady Singer (SP – KC), Hunter Brown (SP – HOU)
17.10: Rowdy Tellez (1B – MIL)
I mentioned a lot of excellent, late first-base targets, and Tellez is my favorite in the bunch. Tellez is coming off a season where he played in 153 games and hit 35 home runs. The .219 average will deter some, but Tellez was incredibly unlucky. The average should show some positive regression while still providing elite power. Power like this is hard to find this late in the draft.
Others Considered: Anthony Rizzo (1B – NYY)
18.3: Ryan Mountcastle (1B, OF – BAL)
Oh, look, more power. With power being a category that has plagued me in years past and a category that has been harder to find in general, Mountcastle is an excellent addition. He was hurt by the dimension changes at Camden last season, which may still hurt in 2023. However, he still has 20+ home run appeal and can hit over 30. So, in round 18, sign me up for that power and positional flexibility.
Others Considered: Ryan McMahon (2B, 3B – COL), Sonny Gray (SP – MIN)
19.10: Patrick Sandoval (SP – LAA)
Sandoval is coming off of a season where he improved his walk rate while keeping the ball in the ballpark better than ever. It may be tough to duplicate those numbers, but his improvements have been great, and another level could be in play for Sandoval in 2023. An excellent gamble this late in the draft.
Others Considered: Alex Lange (RP – DET)
20.3: Justin Turner (3B – BOS)
Turner may be boring, but he makes for an outstanding bench bat that can provide a batting average and power. He should play regularly as the Red Sox DH, which should also help keep Turner healthy. If Chapman falters, then Turner is a great plan B at 3B.
Others Considered: Josh Jung (3B – TEX), Jean Segura (2B – MIA)
21.10: Carlos Carrasco (SP – NYM)
Carrasco usually provides strong ratios while also a K per inning. He threw 152 innings last year while improving his pitch mix and strikeout skills. As a final round target, I am all aboard another strong Carrasco season.
Others Considered: Jose Berrios (SP – TOR)
Summary
Click here for the full results!
With the late pick in the draft, I was more aggressive on specific positions, aka relievers, and took some chances later on starting pitchers. Plenty of bats throughout the draft, especially power and speed, were addressed nicely. Unfortunately, the draft recorded a B grade of 85/100, according to FantasyPros. It should be better than that, but you never know.
After completing all three drafts, I liked the middle-round picks. I like not forcing picks and going more with the draft flow this season. You can be a part of runs in the middle of the draft instead of missing or starting the runs. Of course, things can change as ADP changes, but give me the middle-round picks for now.
More Mock Drafts
Categories
- 12-Team, Early Pick
- 12-Team, Early Pick (Wait on Pitcher)
- 12-Team, Middle Pick
- 12-Team, Late Pick
- 10-Team, Middle Pick
- 10-Team, Roto League
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Salary Cap
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