As draft day slowly approaches the process of mock drafts and studying speeds up. If you know what pick you have in the draft a good strategy is to do mock drafts from that spot. This mock draft is a ranking of the 1-25 players and the order that they should be drafted. Only five pitchers made the list, leaving the other 20 spots for position players. Outfielders dominated the list along with some big name first basemen’s.
Fourteen of the 25 players represent the National League, leaving eleven players from the American League. Also included is a wild card player at the 25 spot. And now, the most exciting mock draft in the history of mock drafts.
1. Miguel Cabrera, Third Basemen, Detroit Tigers
Miggy has the scariest bat in baseball and is coming off a Triple Crown season that included 44 homers and 139 rbi’s. If he can get his stolen bases up he could be in for an insanely good season, once again. If Cabrera is on the board draft him, simple as that.
2. Ryan Braun, Left Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Braun had a crazy good season last year and those numbers shouldn’t change anytime soon. He’s a 30/30 guy with all tools you look for in a great baseball player. Drafting him number one is common and as long as he doesn’t have to serve a suspension drafting him will help your team drastically.
3. Andrew McCutchen, Center Fielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
McCutchen may be the most exciting player in all of baseball. He batted .327 last season with 31 home runs and took the baseball world by storm. In most mock drafts he is going anywhere from fifth to eighth. The fact that he steals bases along with a high average puts him third overall in my book.
4. Matt Kemp, Center Fielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp had a down season riddled with injuries last season. Look for him to come back with a great fantasy season in 2013. He has all the tools you would ever need or want from a center fielder along with high home run numbers. He can steal bases, hit for average and knocks in runs. Any fantasy owner should be happy to take him.
5. Mike Trout, Center Fielder, Los Angeles Angels
Trout had the greatest rookie season in recent memory. I do not envision him putting up the numbers he did last season but assume he will still bat .300 and hit 30 home runs. Even drafting him number one could pay off but the risk may be too much, especially for only a second year player. Look for Trout to continue electrifying the league with his fast paced play.
6. Robinson Cano, Second Basemen, New York Yankees
Arguably the best second baseman in the game, Cano is great. He has only batted less than .300 twice in his career and hit 33 home runs last season. Along with his huge home run total he also drives in runs, with 94 last season. Second basemen are hard to come by in fantasy baseball so drafting Cano is never a bad idea.
7. Prince Fielder, First Basemen, Detroit Tigers
Fielder is one of the best first basemen’s in the game. He can hit for power, average and produces walks. Considering all the first basemen’s you could draft, your best bet would be with Fielder. The guy can hit and watching him swing is one of the coolest things to see in the league. If you can draft Fielder late first, early second do it!
8. Carlos Gonzalez, Outfielder, Colorado Rockies
For a guy who bats .300 and drives in 85 runs, Gonzalez doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. He’s 27 years old and has nudged himself into the top 10 for the first time in his career. If Troy Tulowitzky can stay healthy look for Car-Go’s numbers to improve even more.
9. Joey Votto, First Basemen, Cincinnati Reds
Here is the other first basemen that could take Prince Fielder’s reign of terror. Votto puts up huge numbers all around, along with one of the highest walk rates in the game. He had some injury issues last season but as long as he stays healthy look for him to put up good numbers again.
10. Albert Pujols, First Basemen, Los Angeles Angles
Pujols could perform like a number one pick but at this point in his career there are other options for player to take in the first round. Look for him to be drafted earlier than this because of his huge following. Although his numbers have declined over the years he is still one of the best in the game.
11. Justin Verlander, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
The first pitcher of the mock draft comes in at the 11 pick. If for some reason you haven’t seen him pitch yet you need to! He is lights out and one of the most fun players to watch in the entire league. He is a sub two era pitcher with high strikeout rates. If you like drafting pitchers early here is your guy.
12. Jose Bautista, Outfielder, Toronto Blue Jays
If you like home runs, Bautista should be the first player you draft. His home run numbers are out of this world and he is considered one of if not the greatest home run hitter in baseball today. With the huge additions made to the Toronto ball club there is a chance his numbers could improve, if that is even humanly possible.
13. Clayton Kershaw Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
You could debate that Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball. If not the best in baseball he’s the best in the National League. He has amazing stuff from top to bottom and puts up big strikeout numbers. Once again, if you like drafting pitchers early go for Kershaw!
14. Giancarlo Stanton, Center Fielder, Miami Marlins
This guy has top 10 stats but hasn’t done it for enough consecutive seasons to sneak him into the top. I expect a huge season from this guy who might even flirt with 40 home runs. The only problem that can come to mind is the lack of talent around Stanton. Don’t expect this to affect his stock whatsoever.
15. Felix Hernandez, Starting Pitcher, Seattle Mariners
Fresh off a spanking new contract, Hernandez looks to be the one bright spot on a dark Mariners squad. His wins aren’t as high as some due to his lack of support but is still one of the best pitchers in the league today.
16. Stephen Strasburg, Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals
One of the poster boys for baseball comes in at number 16. He has the potential to be just as good as the pitchers above. He strikes guys out at a ridiculous rate along with posting a mid three era. Look for his era to lower over the next few seasons. Regarding his pitch count the Nationals will allow him to pitch anywhere from 160-180 innings this season.
17. Justin Upton, Left Fielder, Atlanta Braves
The trade to Atlanta boosted Upton’s value a lot. He was not getting along with management in Arizona so the new look should help him tremendously. He can put up 20 home runs along with 20 stolen bases. If you can draft this speedy outfielder in the late second go for it!
18. Jason Heyward, Right Fielder, Atlanta Braves
Heyward showed last season that he can handle becoming the new face of the Atlanta Braves. He has the potential to join the exclusive 30/30 club. Also look for him to bat anywhere from 265-290. The potential is thru the roof for this budding star.
19. David Wright, Third Basemen, New York Mets
The third basemen for the Mets is coming off one of the greatest seasons he has put together and is actually healthy. If he can stay healthy Wright is a top 20 talent who can improve your fantasy team immensely.
20. Buster Posey, Catcher, San Francisco Giants
The first catcher jumps onto the list at number 20. Coming off an MVP season Posey is ready to stencil himself in as the best catcher in the league. He hits for a solid average along with some pop in his bat. Catchers are hard to come by in fantasy baseball so drafting Posey here makes a lot of sense.
21. David Price, Starting Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays
The young stud for the Rays is pitching lights out season after season. He is fresh off a Cy Young season that almost led the Rays to the playoffs. Price is capable of 20 wins and 200 strikeouts. He can go back to back in the Cy Young category if he stays healthy.
22. Edwin Encarnacion, Utility/DH, Toronto Blue Jays
Big bat Encarnancion hits home runs like it’s going out of style. He doesn’t get the media hype that most home run hitters normally receive but look for him to have another stellar year. The injury level for him is low because he normally designated hits. If you are looking for high home run numbers in the third round draft him!
23. Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels, Outfielder
Same face, new place for Hamilton as he leave Texas and joins the Angels. If he can perform like he did at the beginning of last year his numbers will be top ten worthy. You’re getting a lot of runs from Hamilton along with high home run totals.
24. Hanley Ramirez, Shortstop, Los Angeles Dodgers
Although Ramirez has been traded twice in the past two years he is still a dominate shortstop with some of the flashiest leather in the game. His average dipped a bit last season but look for him to improve his focus and get back to Miami Marlins form.
25. Brandon Phillips, Second Basemen, Cincinnati Reds
This is my wild card pick that is worth reaching for. The second base position has been lacking over the years so drafting this position higher makes complete sense. Phillips has been the model for consistency over the past few years, leading the Reds to the playoffs. I am extremely high on Phillips and expect a huge fantasy season out of him.