We will be running a fantasy baseball mock draft using FantasyPros’ Draft Wizard tool.
We’ll draft for a 10-team, head-to-head, traditional 5×5 categories league with the following positions: 1-C, 1-1B, 1-2B, 1-3B, 1-SS, 3-OF, 1-UTIL, 6-Pitchers and three bench spots. I’m drafting from the two-slot.
Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft
1.02: Aaron Judge (OF – NYY)
The no-brainer selection here is Aaron Judge after Shohei Ohtani went first.
2.09: Cal Raleigh (C – SEA)
I usually punt the catcher position in 12-team leagues. I’m more open to drafting one early in a 10-team league where drafts are shallower.
3.02: Nick Kurtz (1B – ATH)
After a breakout rookie campaign, Nick Kurtz will look to pick up where he left off for the Athletics. He is the perfect fit for category leagues where he possesses both power and average upside.
4.09: Bryan Woo (SP – SEA)
5.02: Cole Ragans (SP – KC)
I selected my first two starting pitchers at this turn. I took the risk on Bryan Woo over Jacob deGrom, Logan Webb and Logan Gilbert. The big knock on Woo is his injury risk. He holds Cy Young upside when healthy.
Cole Ragans is coming off an injury-riddled season, but he ended last year on a high note. He’ll look to pick up where he left off.
6.09: Freddie Freeman (1B – LAD)
I already drafted a first baseman in Nick Kurtz, but I couldn’t pass up the value of Freddie Freeman here. His production has the perfect balance for category leagues with both power and hitting for average.
7.02: Kyle Bradish (SP – BAL)
8.09: Geraldo Perdomo (SS – ARI)
9.02: Eury Perez (SP – MIA)
I snagged two of my top value pitchers here in Kyle Bradish and Eury Perez.
Bradish missed most of last season recovering from elbow surgery. He posted a 2.53 ERA with 47 strikeouts across 32 innings over six starts in his return at the end of the season.
Perez had some struggles last year, but he ended the year strong across his final four starts after tweaking his windup.
10.09: Nico Hoerner (2B – CHC)
Nico Hoerner is playing on a contract year, which gives him another aspect of motivation. He will provide this team with more stolen base upside in a category league.
11.02: Cade Smith (RP – CLE)
12.09: Christian Yelich (OF – MIL)
13.02: Aroldis Chapman (RP – BOS)
I grabbed my two primary closers here in Cade Smith and Aroldis Chapman for saves. I usually draft two closers, sometimes three, depending on the value. I can usually find a closer or two on the waiver wire throughout the season.
14.09: Andy Pages (OF – LAD)
15.02: Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
16.09: Edward Cabrera (SP – CHC)
17.02: Royce Lewis (3B – MIN)
I usually end up punting at least one position every draft, and it wound up being third base in this mock. Royce Lewis is a high-upside flier this late if he can stay healthy.
18.09: Shane McClanahan (SP – TB)
I wound up going with all starting pitchers on my bench with the value I got from Nick Lodolo, Edward Cabrera and Shane McClanahan. I usually aim to roster at least one hitter on my bench in category leagues.
Draft Wizard Insights
I received an A grade (93/100). I liked this mock a lot, and the Draft Wizard agreed.
I was projected to finish much higher in the pitching categories, with batting average being the one hitting category I’m projected to produce well. I liked the overall balance I landed across the board in this mock.
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