2-13 = Miguel Cabrera – First Baseman – Detroit Tigers –
Age 32
Cabrera
has been such a valuable fantasy commodity for over a decade it seems
disrespectful to have him come off the board in the second round, but after
posting a career low in Isolated Power in 2015, it’s no longer wise to build a
fantasy roster around him. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him begin the
“Albert Pujols on the Angels” phase of his career.
2-14 = A.J. Pollock – Outfield – Arizona Diamondbacks –
Age 28
Pollock
quietly had a massive breakout 2015 campaign, obliterating career highs in
every meaningful offensive statistic while also earning his first Gold Glove
award. He isn’t a first round pick because folks would like to seem him come close
to repeating his 2015 performance. It isn’t wise to bank on him racking up 20
homers again, but if that means he pushes his stolen base total over 40 you
won’t complain. We’re all in on Pollock.
2-15 = Andrew McCutchen – Outfield – Pittsburgh Pirates –
Age 29
We’ve
seen McCutchen ranked as high as fifth on some fantasy sites, but his declining
counting stats are why we won’t own McCutchen on any fantasy teams this year.
He’s only cracked 30+ dingers once, and his stolen base total plummeted all the
way down to 11 in 2015. No Credentials isn’t spending a first round pick on an
outfielder who will not crack 40 combined home runs and steals, and neither
should you.
2-16 = Mookie Betts – Outfield – Boston Red Sox – Age 23
Mookie’s
strong finish last year gives everyone reason to be excited about his prospects
in 2016. It’s reasonable to expect him to eclipse 30 stolen bases, and barring
injury he will contend for the league lead in runs scored.
2-17 = Jose Bautista – Outfield – Toronto Blue Jays – Age
35
Sure
he’s old, but 40 homer potential with oodles of RBIs make Bautista worth the
investment. You could bump him up a few notches in leagues that count on-base
percentage instead of batting average.
2-18 = Jose Abreu – First Baseman – Chicago White Sox –
Age 29
Abreu
regressed in most statistics during his second year in the majors, but some of
that had to do with the putrid lineup around him. Todd Frazier’s presence
(whether he hits before or after Abreu) should help.
2-19 = Dee Gordon – Second Baseman – Miami Marlins – Age
27
Gordon
had a banner first season in south Florida, winning an unlikely batting crown,
leading the league in steals, and snagging a Gold Glove. A DL stint was the
only thing preventing Gordon from leading the National League in runs scored.
Even if his batting average regresses to around .300, his elite stolen base
totals are enough to warrant him ranking this high in the mock. Drafting Gordon
gives you the peace of mind to target power bats and starting pitchers in the
late rounds instead of spending picks on cheap speedsters.
2-20 = Max Scherzer – Starting Pitcher – Washington
Nationals – Age 31
Scherzer
delivered a number of dominating performances in 2015, but an inconsistent
Nationals squad depressed his win totals. With a little more luck in the health
department with the Washington roster, Scherzer will be in line to rank as the
most valuable starting pitcher in all of fantasy when 2016 is over.
2-21 = Charlie Blackmon – Outfield – Colorado Rockies –
Age 29
Here’s
a case where playing in the wacky confines of Coors Field heavily inflates a
dude’s value. Blackmon wouldn’t go this high if you were looking to build a
real baseball team, but in the world of fantasy 15 homers and 40 steals go a
long way. The greatest risk owning Blackmon (and for that matter, any Rockie
not named Nolan Arenado) is the risk of getting traded away if the team stinks.
2-22 = Edwin Encarnacion – First Baseman – Toronto Blue
Jays – Age 33
Here’s
another masher from the Blue Jays flying off the board. Encarnacion posted the
highest WAR of his career last season, and you could make a case for him to go
as high as 15 in a draft.
2-23 = Chris Sale – Starting Pitcher – Chicago White Sox
– Age 26
There
are a number of pitchers that will be picked after Sale that posted better ERAs
a year ago, but Sale’s dominant strike out totals warrant him being ranked so
high. Also, don't underestimate the value of having at least a league average defense behind you (that's something Sale couldn't claim last year). He’s the greatest threat to unseat Clayton Kershaw as the league leader
in Ks.
2-24 = Starling Marte – Outfield – Pittsburgh Pirates –
Age 27
If
only Marte could learn how to take a walk and not strike out a ton. His plate
discipline is what keeps Marte from posting elite run scoring and stolen base
totals.
