With the fantasy baseball draft occurring next month, it’s time to get your first pick ready to roll.
It’s always nice to have the No. 1 pick. But what if you have the eighth, or the last pick? As you prepare for the draft, make a list of each pick you would take for your top-12 (based on a standard 12-team league).
Here’s my first 12 picks for the upcoming draft.
1. Mike Trout, outfield
Is there any other pick to actually take at the No. 1 slot? Trout is the best all-around player in Major League Baseball and will be the No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts. He can bat for average, hit home runs, register RBIs tally a
few stolen bases and get on base. He’s the ultimate fantasy player and you can’t pass him up with the first pick.
2. Bryce Harper, outfield
Harper has a bit of an injury history, so be careful. However, when he’s on the field, he may be as good, if not better, than Trout. He hit for more home runs and RBIs, tallied a better batting average and on-base percentage, and scored more runs than Trout. You may be wondering why Trout is a slam dunk. Well, Trout usually has a better ability to stay on the field and has been more consistent with his numbers, while Harper had a career year last season. Despite some concerns you may have with Harper, he’s still a solid second pick.
3. Giancarlo Stanton, outfield
We may be a bit bullish on Stanton, but we believe he can add tremendous value on fantasy rosters. His average ranking, according to Fantasy Pros, is 6.9 among fantasy experts, but that may be taking into account his injury history. Stanton missed most of last season, but when he’s on, he can be as good as anyone with the bat. He offers power and the ability to steal bases. His batting average may not be the tops in the league, but he still can get on base, and if he produces in the power categories like he did in 2014, he’s a top-three option.
4. Paul Goldschmidt, first base
Goldschmidt is another player that you can’t go wrong with in the second, third or fourth spots. He’s a perennial .300 hitter and has more than 30 homers in two of the last three years. When he plays a full season, he will give you more than 100 RBIs, more than 30 homers, a .300 average, and a better-than .400 on-base percentage. Oh, and he’ll steal bases, much like he did last year to the tune of 21. We don’t see the stolen bases to continue to be more than 20, but he’s a solid option.
5. Manny Machado, shortstop/third base
We like Machado in this position because of his versatility. He gives fantasy owners two different positions to play him, allowing a fantasy owner more flexibility in who to draft and who to pick up on the waiver wire later in the season. It’s not only Machado’s flexibility that helps his draft position, though. He can give fantasy owners stolen bases, runs, homers and a quality on-base percentage.
6. Andrew McCutchen, outfield
Maybe we’re nostalgic. Or maybe we’re just suckers for a guy who continues to produce at a high level. You know what you’re getting with McCutchen. The upside isn’t as high as maybe some people behind him, but he’s a sure-fire option. And in fantasy baseball, that’s about all you can ask for.
7. Josh Donaldson, third base
Donaldson was a machine last season, but we’re not sure if he can replicate that performance. He was a monster in all categories, except for stolen bases last year, giving fantasy owners a solid year last season. However, he’s never put up those numbers before, despite playing the same amount of games. He will take a step back this season, but even with a step back, he’s still a top-10 option.
8. Nolan Arenado, third base
While we’re on the topic of third basemen, we also really like Arenado. He finally was able to play a full season and he didn’t disappoint last season. He can give fantasy owners solid numbers in the power category, which we like, and we don’t see him taking a step back. Also, did we mention that he plays in Colorado, where hitters thrive?
9. Carlos Correa, shortstop
We like Correa in this spot because he has upside, and even if he doesn’t improve this season, you will have a pick shortly after this one to pick up a more dependable option. Correa has the ability to be the top shortstop and produce in several categories, most notably stolen bases and runs. He’s not going to produce much in RBIs, but he’s worth a shot based on his potential.
10. Miguel Cabrera, first base
Don’t get sucked into Cabrera’s former value of being a top-three pick. However, I’m still taking him in my top-10. He’s a regular top-tier player and he can offer fantasy owners power to go along with average. That’s not always a combination available in fantasy baseball. He won’t put up the same major power numbers that he once did, but it will be enough to compliment his solid batting average and on-base percentage.
11. Jose Abreu, first basemen, designated hitter
As you may have already noticed, we value power at this side of the draft. That’s why we’re going a bit higher than others on Abreu. He’s a proven commodity with RBIs and home runs. We believe his batting average will be better this year than in the past, thanks to improved help in the White Sox batting order. Pitchers will have to choose
getting beat by Abreu or Todd Frazier, so we’re betting on Abreu getting more looks.
12. Anthony Rizzo, first basemen
There’s upside with Rizzo so that’s a plus, especially in this spot you’ll get another pick in the next spot. Rizzo should be able to produce power, combined with runs and RBIs. And his on-base percentage isn’t too bad. Wee like Rizzo in this spot because he has the ability to produce in every category, including stolen bases, making him a worthwhile option in the first round.
