So we fully
intended to do a round by round posting of our mock draft, but here’s the
deal…I fall asleep all over the place. Now on the wrong side of 30, I don’t
have the energy to crank out 300 player profiles anymore. With that said, we
did finish our mock draft, and will post the 12 fake teams below. We’ll
highlight a couple players of interest for each club, and also discuss the
potential strengths and weaknesses of the entire team. Throughout the next week
or two, we’ll post a few theories we have formulated after going through the
mock.
Before we
post the 12 rosters, here are a few notes.
- We had ranked Jose Reyes before having a clear idea of the
length of his absence due to a domestic violence issue. He wouldn’t be drafted
at all anymore, and Trevor Story is worth a flier sometime after pick 200.
- Same issue for Johnny Peralta, as he was selected in round
11 before his injury that will force him out of action until the All-Star
break. He would still be worth a late-round flier in this league set-up, as the
shortstop position is a barren wasteland of sadness once you get past Carlos
Correa (more on that in a later post!).
- Keep in mind that this mock is for a redraft league, so we
didn’t go really heavy on prospects. We don’t forecast another epic round of
prospect debuts like we had last year, as now the majority of the top prospects
still need plenty of seasoning in the high-minors.
Without
further ado, here are the twelve rosters.
POS
|
Team 1
|
C
|
R.Martin, TOR (11-121)
|
1B
|
P.Goldschmidt, ARI (1-1)
|
2B
|
R.Odor, TEX (8-96)
|
3B
|
M.Moustakas, KC (16-192)
|
SS
|
B.Crawford, SF (14-168)
|
OF
|
S.Marte, PIT (2-24)
|
OF
|
J.Upton, DET (4-48)
|
OF
|
M.Brantley, CLE (6-72)
|
UT
|
C.Granderson, NYM (12-144) OF
|
UT
|
S.Souza, TB (17-193) OF
|
C
|
N.Hundley, COL (24-288)
|
IF
|
T.Plouffe, MIN (18-216) 1B-3B
|
IF
|
R.Zimmerman, WAS (25-289) 1B
|
OF
|
M.Gonzalez, HOU (21-241) 1B-2B-3B-SS-OF
|
OF
|
D.DeShields, TEX (22-264) OF
|
SP
|
J.Arrieta, CHC (3-25)
|
SP
|
Z.Greinke, LAD (5-49)
|
SP
|
M.Stroman, TOR (9-97)
|
SP
|
M.Wacha, STL (10-120)
|
SP
|
S.Matz, NYM (15-169)
|
SP
|
I.Kennedy, KC (19-217)
|
SP
|
A.Sanchez, DET (23-265)
|
RP
|
K.Jansen, LAD (7-73)
|
RP
|
G.Perkins, MIN (13-145)
|
RP
|
K.Uehara, BOS (20-240)
|
Goldschmidt
smoothes over a lot of warts, but this roster is a good example of what happens
when you use too many early round picks on outfielders and pitchers. Delino
DeShields is a great source of cheap steals, assuming he can manage to hang on
to the center field gig for the whole season in Texas. Arrieta and Greinke are
both prime regression candidates, but even if both of their ERAs go up by one
run they will provide plenty of value as anchors of your pitching staff.
POS
|
Team 2
|
C
|
B.McCann, NYY (13-146) 1B
|
1B
|
J.Votto, CIN (3-26)
|
2B
|
B.Dozier, MIN (7-74)
|
3B
|
M.Franco, PHI (10-119)
|
SS
|
A.Russell, CHC (17-194) 2B
|
OF
|
M.Trout, LAA (1-2)
|
OF
|
L.Cain, KC (5-50)
|
OF
|
G.Polanco, PIT (9-98)
|
UT
|
G.Parra, COL (14-167) OF
|
UT
|
M.Teixeira, NYY (15-170) 1B
|
C
|
D.Mesoraco, CIN (23-266)
|
IF
|
Y.Escobar, LAA (21-242) 3B
|
IF
|
J.Gyorko, STL (22-263) 2B-SS
|
OF
|
D.Santana, MIL (20-239)
|
OF
|
A.Ethier, LAD (24-287)
|
SP
|
C.Sale, CHW (2-23)
|
SP
|
M.Harvey, NYM (4-47)
|
SP
|
J.Lester, CHC (6-71)
|
SP
|
Y.Darvish, TEX (11-122)
|
SP
|
J.Hammel, CHC (16-191)
|
SP
|
C.Buchholz, BOS (18-215)
|
SP
|
M.Moore, TB (25-290)
|
RP
|
T.Rosenthal, STL (8-95)
|
RP
|
A.Ramos, MIA (12-143)
|
RP
|
R.Osuna, TOR (19-218)
|
With the
dearth of talent at third base (in case you didn’t notice, Mike Moustakas was
the starting 3B on the first team), Maikel Franco could go two rounds earlier
without inciting intense mockery. A.J. Ramos closer gig was in jeopardy, but
with Carter Capps blowing out his elbow his job is safe. If you play in a daily
league, you could do worse than drafting Andre Ethier late. With Carl Crawford
firmly being planted on the pine, Ethier will get the majority of at-bats
against right handed pitching in a potent Dodgers lineup.
POS
|
Team 3
|
C
|
W.Castillo, ARI (22-262)
|
1B
|
E.Encarnacion, TOR (2-22)
|
2B
|
K.Wong, STL (10-118)
|
3B
|
M.Sano, MIN (4-46)
|
SS
|
E.Andrus, TEX (16-190)
|
OF
|
B.Harper, WAS (1-3)
|
OF
|
G.Springer, HOU (3-27)
|
OF
|
B.Hamilton, CIN (8-94)
|
UT
|
H.Ramirez, BOS (13-147) OF
|
UT
|
K.Morales, KC (14-166) 1B
|
C
|
H.Conger, TB (25-291)
|
IF
|
J.Harrison, PIT (18-214) 2B-3B-OF
|
IF
|
M.Semien, OAK (20-238) SS
|
OF
|
M.Ozuna, MIA (19-219)
|
OF
|
K.Pillar, TOR (23-267)
|
SP
|
F.Hernandez, SEA (5-51)
|
SP
|
D.Salazar, CLE (7-75)
|
SP
|
J.Shields, SD (11-123)
|
SP
|
G.Gonzalez, WAS (12-142)
|
SP
|
P.Corbin, ARI (15-171)
|
SP
|
T.Bauer, CLE (21-243)
|
SP
|
A.Nola, PHI (24-286)
|
RP
|
W.Davis, KC (6-70)
|
RP
|
M.Melancon, PIT (9-99)
|
RP
|
B.Ziegler, ARI (17-195)
|
The tenth
round is high for the counting stats Kolten Wong is likely to produce, but with
the limited amount of second baseman available (notice a theme yet?), that’s
about where you’ll have to draft him. Billy Hamilton is a one trick pony, but
if he could somehow get on base at a .300 or better clip, his stolen base
production is worth a top-100 selection. Marcus Semien was a disaster in the
field in the first half of 2015, and a disaster at the plate in the second
half. If he can put both quality halves of play together, he’s a legit top-5 SS
candidate. All in all, this roster has plenty of upside offensively to produce
in every meaningful offensive category.
POS
|
Team 4
|
C
|
S.Perez, KC (11-124)
|
1B
|
E.Hosmer, KC (6-69)
|
2B
|
I.Kinsler, DET (8-93)
|
3B
|
J.Donaldson, TOR (1-4)
|
SS
|
I.Desmond, TEX (13-148) OF
|
OF
|
C.Blackmon, COL (2-21)
|
OF
|
J.Martinez, DET (3-28)
|
OF
|
A.Jones, BAL (5-52)
|
UT
|
R.Grichuk, STL (14-165) OF
|
UT
|
J.Kang, PIT (17-196) 3B-SS
|
C
|
A.Pierzynski, ATL (25-292)
|
IF
|
B.Park, MIN (18-213) 1B
|
IF
|
D.Pedroia, BOS (20-237) 2B
|
OF
|
O.Herrera, PHI (21-244)
|
OF
|
E.Gattis, HOU (24-285)
|
SP
|
C.Archer, TB (4-45)
|
SP
|
G.Richards, LAA (9-100)
|
SP
|
M.Pineda, NYY (10-117)
|
SP
|
J.Lackey, CHC (12-141)
|
SP
|
J.Teharan, ATL (15-172)
|
SP
|
H.Santiago, LAA (22-261)
|
SP
|
E.Ramirez, TB (23-268)
|
RP
|
A.Chapman, NYY (7-76)
|
RP
|
A.Vizcaino, ATL (16-189)
|
RP
|
W.Smith, MIL (19-220)
|
Here’s the
team that would likely lead this fake league in home runs, but outside of
Charlie Blackmon, there isn’t a whole lot of base stealing going on here.
Starting pitching is a little interesting too, but Garrett Richards and Michael
Pineda both have advanced stats projecting them to fair better in 2016 than
they did a year ago.
POS
|
Team 5
|
C
|
Y.Grandal,
LAD (20-236) 1B
|
1B
|
A.Gonzalez,
LAD (4-44)
|
2B
|
R.Cano,
SEA (5-53)
|
3B
|
J.Turner,
LAD (15-173) 1B
|
SS
|
M.Machado,
BAL (1-5) 3B
|
OF
|
N.Cruz,
SEA (3-29)
|
OF
|
J.Ellsbury,
NYY (7-77)
|
OF
|
K.Calhoun,
LAA (9-101)
|
UT
|
K.Davis,
OAK (13-149) OF
|
UT
|
A.Gordon,
KC (16-188) OF
|
C
|
W.Ramos,
WAS (24-284)
|
IF
|
E.Suarez,
CIN (19-221) SS
|
IF
|
J.Schoop,
BAL (21-245) 2B
|
OF
|
S.Piscotty,
STL (18-212) 1B-OF
|
OF
|
N.Aoki,
SEA (23-269)
|
SP
|
M.Scherzer,
WAS (2-20)
|
SP
|
F.Liriano,
PIT (8-92)
|
SP
|
M.Tanaka,
NYY (10-116)
|
SP
|
S.Miller,
ARI (12-140)
|
SP
|
D.Smyly,
TB (14-164)
|
SP
|
J.Eickhoff,
PHI (22-260)
|
SP
|
J.Paxton,
SEA (25-293)
|
RP
|
C.Kimbrel,
BOS (6-68)
|
RP
|
H.Street,
LAA (11-125)
|
RP
|
J.Hoover,
CIN (17-197)
|
Team 5 also
waited on starting pitching, but that led to a deep lineup with plenty of
sleeper potential. Khris Davis has produced dingers at a relatively elite clip
over the last two seasons on a per-AB basis, and Oakland is a good place for
him to maximize his talents. If Robinson Cano can translate his second half of
2015 into a full 2016 season, he will go down as one of the biggest bargains in
fantasy baseball. Drew Smyly is a clean bill of health away from joining the
elite ranks of fantasy starting pitchers.
POS
|
Team 6
|
C
|
S.Vogt, OAK (16-187) 1B
|
1B
|
D.Ortiz, BOS (7-78)
|
2B
|
D.Gordon, MIA (2-19)
|
3B
|
N.Arenado, COL (1-6)
|
SS
|
C.Seager, LAD (8-91)
|
OF
|
Y.Cespedes, NYM (4-43)
|
OF
|
C.Gomez, HOU (5-54)
|
OF
|
C.Yelich, MIA (11-126)
|
UT
|
B.Burns, OAK (14-163) OF
|
UT
|
L.Duda, NYM (15-174) 1B
|
C
|
J.Realmuto, MIA (23-270)
|
IF
|
L.Forsythe, TB (20-235) 1B-2B
|
IF
|
C.Hernandez, PHI (21-246) 2B-3B-SS
|
OF
|
M.Trumbo, BAL (19-222) 1B-OF
|
OF
|
R.Davis, CLE (24-283)
|
SP
|
J.deGrom, NYM (3-30)
|
SP
|
S.Gray, OAK (6-67)
|
SP
|
J.Zimmerman, DET (10-115)
|
SP
|
H.Iwakuma, SEA (12-139)
|
SP
|
L.Severino, NYY (18-211)
|
SP
|
A.Heaney, LAA (22-259)
|
SP
|
R.Porcello, BOS (25-294)
|
RP
|
C.Allen, CLE (9-102)
|
RP
|
S.Tolleson, TEX (13-150)
|
RP
|
S.Cishek, SEA (17-198)
|
This roster
is the first one we are down on. We’re not banking on Cespedes repeating his
2015 numbers, and we forecast serious regression for Jordan Zimmerman moving to
the American League. A full season of Billy Burns will help assist Dee Gordon
in the stolen base department, and Luis Severino is the best bet to stabilize
the starting pitching staff.
POS
|
Team 7
|
C
|
Y.Gomes, CLE (17-199)
|
1B
|
J.Abreu, CHW (2-18)
|
2B
|
J.Kipnis, CLE (6-66)
|
3B
|
T.Frazier, CHW (5-55)
|
SS
|
C.Correa, HOU (1-7)
|
OF
|
R.Braun, MIL (3-31)
|
OF
|
H.Pence, SF (7-79)
|
OF
|
B.Belt, SF (10-114) 1B
|
UT
|
J.Pederson, LAD (14-162) OF
|
UT
|
M.Conforto, NYM (16-186) OF
|
C
|
Y.Molina, STL (25-295)
|
IF
|
N.Walker, NYM (19-223) 2B
|
IF
|
L.Valbuena, HOU (20-234) 1B-3B
|
OF
|
B.Miller, TB (22-258) 2B-SS-OF
|
OF
|
K.Kermaier, TB (23-271)
|
SP
|
D.Price, BOS (4-42)
|
SP
|
T.Ross, SD (8-90)
|
SP
|
T.Walker, SEA (11-127)
|
SP
|
L.McCullers, HOU (12-138)
|
SP
|
J.Verlander, DET (13-151)
|
SP
|
J.Nelson, MIL (21-247)
|
SP
|
B.Finnegan, CIN (24-282)
|
RP
|
K.Giles, HOU (9-103)
|
RP
|
J.McGee, COL (15-175)
|
RP
|
D.Betances, NYY (18-210)
|
This is a
solid infield from top-to-bottom, especially considering Yan Gomes was regarded
as a top-5 catcher a year ago before an injury ravaged 2015. The outfielders
are sketchy, but it will take a leap from either Joc Pederson or Michael
Conforto to stabilize that group. Justin Verlander was about 75% of his former
Cy Young self in the second half of 2015, and that level of performance is
worth drafting in round 13.
POS
|
Team 8
|
C
|
B.Posey, SF (3-32) 1B
|
1B
|
P.Fielder, TEX (4-41)
|
2B
|
M.Carpenter, STL (5-56) 3B
|
3B
|
A.Beltre, TEX (8-89)
|
SS
|
F.Lindor, CLE (9-104)
|
OF
|
J.Bautista, TOR (2-17)
|
OF
|
M.Kemp, SD (7-80)
|
OF
|
D.Fowler, BAL (11-128)
|
UT
|
D.Murphy, WAS (14-161) 1B-2B-3B
|
UT
|
C.Dickerson, TB (15-176) OF
|
C
|
F.Cervelli, PIT (24-281)
|
IF
|
J.Segura, ARI (21-248) SS
|
IF
|
P.Alvarez, BAL (22-257) 1B
|
OF
|
E.Inciarte, ATL (18-209)
|
OF
|
R.Castillo, BOS (25-296)
|
SP
|
C.Kershaw, LAD (1-8)
|
SP
|
C.Hamels, TEX (6-65)
|
SP
|
C.Martinez, STL (10-113)
|
SP
|
J.Quintana, CHW (13-152)
|
SP
|
Y.Ventura, KC (17-200)
|
SP
|
A.Cobb, TB (19-224)
|
SP
|
K.Gibson, MIN (23-272)
|
RP
|
F.Rodriguez, DET (12-137)
|
RP
|
S.Casilla, SF (16-185)
|
RP
|
D.Hernandez, PHI (20-233)
|
Here is
your team least likely to lead this fake league in stolen bases, but it might
not matter. The lineup has plenty of pop, and the pitching staff has oodles of
strikeout potential. Alex Cobb was a dark horse Cy Young pick in the preseason
last year before Tommy John surgery, and is flying under the radar during draft
season this year. Of all the places Pedro Alvarez could’ve landed, Baltimore
was one of the top-5 options for him. He’ll get plenty of at-bats, and not have
to worry about playing defense on a regular basis.
POS
|
Team 9
|
C
|
M.Wieters, BAL (16-184)
|
1B
|
F.Freeman, ATL (6-64)
|
2B
|
A.Rendon, WAS (8-88) 3B
|
3B
|
K.Bryant, CHC (1-9) OF
|
SS
|
T.Tulowitzki, TOR (5-57)
|
OF
|
M.Betts, BOS (2-16)
|
OF
|
B.Revere, WAS (7-81)
|
OF
|
B.Gardner, NYY (10-112)
|
UT
|
J.Soler, CHC (13-153) OF
|
UT
|
M.Moreland, TEX (17-201) 1B
|
C
|
J.Castro, HOU (25-297)
|
IF
|
D.Travis, TOR (21-249) 2B
|
IF
|
E.Aybar, ATL (23-273)
|
OF
|
D.Span, SF (19-225)
|
OF
|
B.Buxton, MIN (22-256)
|
SP
|
J.Fernandez, MIA (3-33)
|
SP
|
G.Cole, PIT (4-40)
|
SP
|
C.Rodon, CHW (11-129)
|
SP
|
J.Odorizzi, TB (12-136)
|
SP
|
M.Fiers, HOU (15-177)
|
SP
|
K.Gausman, BAL (20-232)
|
SP
|
A.DeSclafani, CIN (24-280)
|
RP
|
J.Familia, NYM (9-105)
|
RP
|
B.Boxberger, TB (14-160)
|
RP
|
A.Miller, NYY (18-208)
|
Ben Revere
is the rare player that could leave the best offense in all of baseball and
actually gain value. He rarely ran while with the Blue Jays, and should have
the green-light much more in Washington. Jorge Soler was probably picked about
four rounds too high, and if this was a real time, it wouldn’t be surprising to
forecast Denard Span taking over his starting spot on this club. Carlos Rodon
or Kevin Gausman will make a leap this year. If both do it, this pitching staff
would be unstoppable.
POS
|
Team 10
|
C
|
J.Lucroy, MIL (10-111) 1B
|
1B
|
A.Pujols, LAA (8-87)
|
2B
|
D.LeMahieu, COL (13-154)
|
3B
|
E.Longoria, TB (9-106)
|
SS
|
X.Bogaerts, BOS (7-82)
|
OF
|
G.Stanton, MIA (1-10)
|
OF
|
A.McCutchen, PIT (2-15)
|
OF
|
C.Davis, BAL (4-39) 1B
|
UT
|
J.Reddick, OAK (12-135) OF
|
UT
|
M.Duffy, SF (15-178) 2B-3B
|
C
|
M.Montero, CHC (23-274)
|
IF
|
A.Lind, SEA (20-231) 1B
|
IF
|
A.Escobar, KC (22-255) SS
|
OF
|
W.Myers, SD (18-207) 1B-OF
|
OF
|
A.Garcia, CHW (25-298)
|
SP
|
C.Kluber, CLE (3-34)
|
SP
|
D.Keuchel, HOU (5-58)
|
SP
|
J.Cueto, SF (6-63)
|
SP
|
S.Kazmir, LAD (14-159)
|
SP
|
W.Chen, MIA (16-183)
|
SP
|
J.Garcia, STL (21-250)
|
SP
|
M.Estrada, TOR (24-279)
|
RP
|
H.Rondon, CHC (11-130)
|
RP
|
D.Storen, TOR (17-202)
|
RP
|
L.Gregerson, HOU (19-226)
|
This team
has serious boom or bust potential across the board, starting with first round
pick (and perennial DL stint dude) Giancarlo Stanton. If future Red Sox Hall of
Famer Xander Bogaerts could ever develop some power, you’d be talking about a
third round pick instead of a seventh round one. Adam Lind is another daily
league darling, as he mashes against right-handed pitching. Dallas Keuchel is a
guy we forecast undergoing some serious regression this season. He won’t be on
any of our real fantasy teams.
POS
|
Team 11
|
C
|
K.Schwarber, CHC (4-38) OF
|
1B
|
A.Rizzo, CHC (1-11)
|
2B
|
B.Zobrist, CHC (14-158) OF
|
3B
|
D.Wright, NYM (13-155)
|
SS
|
J.Peralta, STL (11-131)
|
OF
|
A.Pollock, ARI (2-14)
|
OF
|
Y.Puig, LAD (5-59)
|
OF
|
A.Eaton, CHW (7-83)
|
UT
|
M.Holliday, STL (15-179) OF
|
UT
|
A.Rodriguez, NYY (16-182)
|
C
|
D.Norris, SD (24-278) 1B
|
IF
|
B.Lawrie, CHW (18-206) 2B-3B
|
IF
|
A.Ramirez, SD (21-251) SS
|
OF
|
B.Paulsen, COL (19-227) 1B-OF
|
OF
|
M.Cabrera, CHW (25-299)
|
SP
|
M.Bumgarner, SF (3-35)
|
SP
|
C.Carrasco, CLE (6-62)
|
SP
|
A.Wainwright, STL (8-86)
|
SP
|
J.Samardzija, SF (12-134)
|
SP
|
E.Rodriguez, BOS (17-203)
|
SP
|
M.Leake, STL (22-254)
|
SP
|
E.Volquez, KC (23-275)
|
RP
|
Z.Britton, BAL (9-107)
|
RP
|
J.Papelbon, WAS (10-110)
|
RP
|
J.Motte, COL (20-230)
|
This is a
good example of what you can do if you find yourself in the bottom of the first
round, as this roster is a good mix of high ceiling and low floor dudes. Jeff
Samardzija could be one of the best discounts on draft day, as his switch back
to the National League will return him to his 2014 form. Ben Paulsen is one of
our favorite sleepers of 2016 that we don’t have statistical backing to
support. Sometimes you have to ride the wave.
POS
|
Team 12
|
C
|
T.d'Arnaurd, NYM (14-157)
|
1B
|
M.Cabrera, DET (2-13)
|
2B
|
J.Altuve, HOU (1-12)
|
3B
|
K.Seager, SEA (7-84)
|
SS
|
J.Reyes, COL (12-133)
|
OF
|
C.Gonzalez, COL (3-36)
|
OF
|
J.Heyward, CHC (6-61)
|
OF
|
S.Choo, TEX (9-108)
|
UT
|
D.Peralta, ARI (13-156) OF
|
UT
|
J.Bruce, CIN (15-180) OF
|
C
|
B.Swihart, BOS (23-276)
|
IF
|
S.Castro, NYY (17-204) 2B-SS
|
IF
|
C.Santana, CLE (20-229) 1B
|
OF
|
D.Valencia, OAK (21-252) 3B-OF
|
OF
|
C.Beltran, NYY (25-300)
|
SP
|
S.Strasburg, WAS (4-37)
|
SP
|
N.Snydergaard, NYM (5-60)
|
SP
|
R.Iglesias, CIN (10-109)
|
SP
|
C.McHugh, HOU (11-132)
|
SP
|
K.Hendricks, CHC (18-205)
|
SP
|
A.Cashner, SD (19-228)
|
SP
|
D.Pomeranz, SD (24-277)
|
RP
|
D.Robertson, CHW (8-85)
|
RP
|
S.Doolittle, OAK (16-181)
|
RP
|
D.O'Day, BAL (22-253)
|
Team 12
might not have the same depth as Team 11, but we love the duo of Strasburg and
Snydergaard at the top of the pitching staff. Jason Heyward might not crack 20
homers, but if he solidifies a place near the top of the Cubs lineup he could
be looking at a top-5 performance in runs scored with a sizable bump in stolen
bases.