Fantasy Baseball 2015: Full 12-Team, 23-Round Mock Draft, Version 2.0

Forget your chores and homework or your nine-to-five responsibilities and honey-do list. With fantasy baseball drafts getting underway in the coming days (that is, if you haven't had yours already), nothing is more important than preparing for your player picking.

(OK, maybe fundamental stuff, like food consumption and basic hygiene, but you get the idea.)

What's the best way to prep? Well, hopefully, you've been following along with the Bleacher Report 300 position rankings, checking in on the B/R Big Board featuring the top 150 overall players and reading up on some key sleepers.

But by far the most enjoyable activity is partaking in a mock draft. You know, just your basic practice picking of players for the fake version of baseball that we all love so much.

The idea is to simulate a real fantasy baseball draft in order to get a better understanding of trends in roster construction and each player's average draft position (ADP).

Besides, it's plain fun.

Back in late February, fellow Bleacher Report fantasy writer Andrew Gould participated in a mock draft and wrote all about it. But player values change all the time, practically daily, due to performances, injuries and transactions. That's why it's time to recap another mock, carried out by yours truly.

What follows is a look at how everything went down.

The Participants

Travis Heying/Associated Press

You can probably guess who went No. 1 overall.

Before getting to the picks, a little background on the pickers.

Held on March 6 via RealTime Fantasy Sports, this mock draft was curated by Howard Bender, the managing editor at Fantasy Alarm and the strict-and-savvy "general" of his so-called Mock Draft Army, a unit created to bring fantasy writers and readers together.

Here's a rundown of the names of the teams and owners that participated, in order of their respective draft slot:

1. yogisboys (Larry Aulich)
2. B/R Catania (Jason Catania, Bleacher Report, @JayCat11)
3. Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm (Ben Diamond, Fantasy Alarm, @diamondbc1)
4. @MaineSkin (Allen Sarvinas, @MaineSkin)
5. Sons of Pitches (Raul De La Piedra, @RaulDLPi)
6. Pinkerton SN (Brad Pinkerton, Sporting News, @Brad_Pinkerton)
7. Soxsider (Alfonso Ferreira)
8. @LBrianJones (Brian Jones, @LBrianJones)
9. @GatorBigD (David Gardner, @GatorBigD)
10. @StatsR_Us (Rick Boler, @StatsR_Us)
11. Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm (Howard Bender, Fantasy Alarm, @rotobuzzguy)
12. Kyle Elfrink (Kyle Elfrink, SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio) 

Note: The day of our Mock Draft Army mock (No. 19) just so happened to coincide with the host site's decision to install a new draft-room interface—and work out any kinks along the way. While there are no excuses in fantasy baseball (just like in the real thing), let's just say this caused a few mistakes, including one of mine. But, hey, that's why we mock—for practice.

Scoring and Settings

Rich Pilling/Getty Images

Interested to see where Clayton Kershaw, the consensus top fantasy pitcher, was drafted? Read on.

As for the other information you should know, this mock was set up for a make-believe league that uses standard five-by-five rotisserie scoring: BA, R, HR, RBI and SB for hitters, W, ERA, WHIP, K and SV for pitchers.

There were 23 rounds and no bench, which means everyone starts, so you don't want to get stuck with a schlub in your lineup or rotation.

The lineup positions are as follows: one each for first base, second base, third base, shortstop, middle infield, corner infield and utility; two catchers (as opposed to the standard one); five outfielders; and nine pitchers of any sort (starters and relievers).

Got all that?

To get a real sense of—and a full look at—the draft, here is the final board laid out in all its majestic, color-coded, 12-team, 23-round, 276-pick entirety. Opening that bad boy up is the best way to follow along as we cover each round.

Mock on! 

Round 1

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	1	Mike Trout	OF
B/R Catania	2	Andrew McCutchen	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	3	Giancarlo Stanton	OF
@MaineSkin	4	Paul Goldschmidt	1B
Sons of Pitches	5	Miguel Cabrera	1B
Pinkerton SN	6	Clayton Kershaw	SP
Soxsider	7	Jose Abreu	1B
@LBrianJones	8	Edwin Encarnacion	1B
@GatorBigD	9	Carlos Gomez	OF
@StatsR_Us	10	Felix Hernandez	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	11	Anthony Rendon	2B/3B
Kyle Elfrink	12	Robinson Cano	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Andrew McCutchen, OF

Once Trout went first—as expected—I didn't have to even think about this. Cutch is as steady a five-category performer as there is, having averaged (averaged!) over the past four seasons the following in the roto categories: .304 BA, 95 R, 25 HR, 88 RBI and 22 SB. For me, he is the clear No. 2.

Other Picks

The rest of Round 1 played out very straightforward, so there's little on which to remark. Were I to nitpick, I would suggest that Carlos Gomez should have gone two or three picks sooner for his 20-30 ability. And simply for the combination of pitching depth and the need to score on big bats early, I'd rather have Anthony Rendon and Robinson Cano over Felix Hernandez, but the Seattle Mariners ace might again put up bigger overall numbers.

Round 2

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	13	Adam Jones	OF
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	14	Anthony Rizzo	1B
@StatsR_Us	15	Jose Altuve	2B
@GatorBigD	16	Troy Tulowitzki	SS
@LBrianJones	17	Ian Desmond	SS
Soxsider	18	Buster Posey	C
Pinkerton SN	19	Josh Donaldson	3B
Sons of Pitches	20	Jose Bautista	OF
@MaineSkin	21	Yasiel Puig	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	22	Hanley Ramirez	SS/OF
B/R Catania	23	Adrian Beltre	3B
yogisboys	24	Jacoby Ellsbury	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Adrian Beltre, 3B

Jose Bautista kept falling and falling, making my hopes keep rising and rising as my selection was nearing and nearing. Alas, he went three slots before my turn—I didn't really expect him to reach—and I didn't have any doubts over Beltre here.

Other Picks

Obviously, I love the value on Bautista at No. 20 when I have him inside the top 10 for his 30-plus home runs amid a potent Toronto Blue Jays lineup.

On the other hand, I can't ever get on board with taking a catcher before Round 5 or 6—at the earliest, even in a two-backstop league like this—so there's no way Buster Posey returns full price of No. 18 overall. 

Round 3

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	25	Madison Bumgarner	SP
B/R Catania	26	Freddie Freeman	1B
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	27	Todd Frazier	1B/3B
@MaineSkin	28	Max Scherzer	SP
Sons of Pitches	29	Jose Reyes	SS
Pinkerton SN	30	Ryan Braun	OF
Soxsider	31	Michael Brantley	OF
@LBrianJones	32	Justin Upton	OF
@GatorBigD	33	David Price	SP
@StatsR_Us	34	Adrian Gonzalez	1B
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	35	Bryce Harper	OF
Kyle Elfrink	36	Carlos Santana	1B/3B

Analysis

My Pick: Freddie Freeman, 1B

Confession: I actually wanted Max Scherzer here, but for some reason his name registered in the draft room as already having been chosen, so I couldn't pick him. Alas, this happened as the clock was winding down, and the computer "awarded" Freeman to me (as indicated by the little clock logo next to his name).

Freeman, as you may have seen, is one of my 10 do-not-draft players for this year, based on his current (ADP) and utter lack of any sort of offense around him in Atlanta. So, no, I can't endorse this take, but I rolled with it, just to see how everything would play out.

As you'll see in a few more rounds, had I actually landed Scherzer, as intended, I would not have made another pick that also became regrettable almost immediately.

Round 4

John Locher/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	37	Stephen Strasburg	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	38	Corey Dickerson	OF
@StatsR_Us	39	Starling Marte	OF
@GatorBigD	40	Chris Sale	SP
@LBrianJones	41	Matt Kemp	OF
Soxsider	42	Ian Kinsler	2B
Pinkerton SN	43	Jason Kipnis	2B
Sons of Pitches	44	Carlos Gonzalez	OF
@MaineSkin	45	George Springer	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	46	Jonathan Lucroy	C
B/R Catania	47	Corey Kluber	SP
yogisboys	48	Zack Greinke	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Corey Kluber, SP

Still sans a starter after the fiasco in Round 3, I went after Kluber, who I very much buy as not only an SP 1 but an elite one at that. The three pitchers who went after Kluber were Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto, and while I like all three, I like Kluber more. Quite a bit more.

Other Picks

I think Stephen Strasburg is a super selection in this round, as I have him firmly inside my top 25. A few of the hitters, meanwhile, felt like reaches, from slight ones (Starling Marte, Jason Kipnis) to rather egregious ones (Jonathan Lucroy). 

Round 5

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	49	Nelson Cruz	OF
B/R Catania	50	Nolan Arenado	3B
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	51	Cole Hamels	SP
@MaineSkin	52	Brian Dozier	2B
Sons of Pitches	53	Kyle Seager	3B
Pinkerton SN	54	Evan Longoria	3B
Soxsider	55	Aroldis Chapman	RP
@LBrianJones	56	Johnny Cueto	SP
@GatorBigD	57	Billy Hamilton	OF
@StatsR_Us	58	Craig Kimbrel	RP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	59	Yoenis Cespedes	OF
Kyle Elfrink	60	Christian Yelich	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Nolan Arenado, 3B

I'm in the camp that says Arenado really breaks out with the bat in 2015. A year ago, he hit .287 with 58 runs, 18 homers and 61 RBI—and did so in just 111 games. The Colorado Rockies lineup remains almost entirely intact and healthy (for now), and it's hard not to like a contact-making machine like Arenado (13 percent career strikeout rate) at Coors Field. 

Other Picks

Plaudits to Bender and Elfrink, for I had Yoenis Cespedes and Christian Yelich in my queue and would have loved a shot at them in the next round. They didn't get there, going in the final two takes here.

Round 6

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OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	61	Jason Heyward	OF
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	62	Greg Holland	RP
@StatsR_Us1	63	Albert Pujols	1B
@GatorBigD	64	Devin Mesoraco	C
@LBrianJones	65	Chris Davis	1B/3B
Soxsider	66	Jordan Zimmermann	SP
Pinkerton SN	67	Joey Votto	1B
Sons of Pitches	68	Prince Fielder	1B
@MaineSkin	69	Ryan Zimmerman	1B/3B/OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	70	David Wright	3B
B/R Catania	71	Victor Martinez	1B
yogisboys	72	Charlie Blackmon	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Victor Martinez, 1B

With Beltre, Freeman and Arenado already rostered, the selection of Martinez here means that already I have filled my utility spot—in Round 6! That limited my roster flexibility and cost me a chance to score a hitter or two I liked later on (for instance, Chris Carter), but ultimately it wasn't something that hampered me much. Generally speaking, though, I would prefer to have a bit more freedom to draft based on the player rather than the position at the end of a draft.

As for V-Mart himself, his recent knee surgery doesn't worry me much, considering reports that he's been taking regular batting practice and could be ready by Opening Day. If anything, the injury presented a buying opportunity, because he otherwise would not still have been available at No. 71 overall. I'm factoring in a good amount of regression to his typical 12-18-homer mean, but even still, I like the price.

Other Picks

More and more, I'm coming around to the Chris Davis-bounce-back bandwagon, and I like the choice of him over both Joey Votto and Prince Fielder. For the record, I would have taken Fielder over Votto.

On the other hand, as much as I like Ryan Zimmerman, I think a top-75 pick is too steep for him. Sometimes, if you like and want a player, just take him, but I say he would have been available a round (or maybe even two?) later.

Round 7

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OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	73	Salvador Perez	C
B/R Catania	74	Yu Darvish	SP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	75	Starlin Castro	SS
@MaineSkin	76	Evan Gattis	C/OF
Sons of Pitches	77	Kole Calhoun	OF
Pinkerton SN	78	Mark Trumbo	1B/OF
Soxsider	79	Alexei Ramirez	SS
@LBrianJones	80	Yan Gomes	C
@GatorBigD	81	Dustin Pedroia	2B
@StatsR_Us	82	Dee Gordon	2B
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	83	Pablo Sandoval	3B
Kyle Elfrink	84	Matt Carpenter	3B

Analysis

My Pick: Yu Darvish, SP

And here's that almost-immediately-regrettable choice I referred to earlier. At the time of this mock, Darvish had barely experienced any elbow soreness at all, so while I recognized the possibility that he might be one to avoid until further notice, I also saw him as a huge bargain as a 200-strikeout starter this late—check the rest of this low-upside, start-to-fill-out-your-lineup round—if healthy.

So much for that last part.

Other Picks

Apologies to yogisboys, who will snipe a player from me after the next round, but I think he pushed it by grabbing Charlie Blackmon, another of my do-not-drafters at his present ADP, followed by Salvador Perez, who isn't in my top 150 (but might just crack it in this type of two-catcher style) with back-to-back selections.

I also posit that Pinkerton seized Mark Trumbo early. The man should approach 30 homers again after an injury-wrecked 2014, but he almost certainly would have been on the board for another turn or three. But to stress: If you're high on a particular guy, then don't be afraid of going for it when you think the time is right.

Round 8

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	85	Alex Cobb	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	86	Jon Lester	SP
@StatsR_Us	87	Matt Harvey	SP
@GatorBigD	88	Manny Machado	3B
@LBrianJones	89	Jorge Soler	OF
Soxsider	90	Julio Teheran	SP
Pinkerton SN	91	Dellin Betances	RP
Sons of Pitches	92	Jay Bruce	OF
@MaineSkin	93	Mark Melancon	RP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	94	Brett Gardner	OF
B/R Catania	95	David Robertson	RP
yogisboys	96	Matt Holliday	OF

Analysis

My Pick: David Robertson, RP

With Dellin Betances and Mark Melancon coming off the board just ahead of my turn, I felt it was time to grab my first closer—and one I have ahead of those two in my rankings. The former has more potential than Robertson but less job security, and the latter can't match D-Rob's 80-plus strikeouts.

Other Picks

I especially like the surplus value that three SP 2s in Jon Lester, Matt Harvey and Julio Teheran will provide. And with the "benefit" of hindsight, I would have been way, way better off holding off on Darvish and taking one of those three in the last round.

Round 9

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	97	Yadier Molina	C
B/R Catania	98	Brian McCann	C
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	99	Jeff Samardzija	SP
@MaineSkin	100	Mookie Betts	OF
Sons of Pitches	101	Alex Gordon	OF
Pinkerton SN	102	Adam Wainwright	SP
Soxsider	103	J.D. Martinez	OF
@LBrianJones	104	Matt Wieters	C
@GatorBigD	105	Jacob deGrom	SP
@StatsR_Us	106	Alex Wood	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	107	James Shields	SP
Kyle Elfrink	108	Shin-Soo Choo	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Brian McCann, C

Having taken two pitchers in a row, which isn't something I usually do in the first 10 rounds, I went back to the offensive player well and landed arguably the surest 20-homer backstop around, certainly among those still available now. Remember, this is a two-catcher format, so the top bunch have more value, which is why I didn't mind reaching a bit for McCann just inside the 100th pick.

If I'm being honest, though, I wanted Matt Holliday, who wound up going in the two picks between my turnaround.

Other Picks

I'm now suffering from pitcher envy, with my eyes gazing especially longingly upon Jeff Samardzija, Adam Wainwright (No. 102!) and James Shields, while Darvish simultaneously makes those very eyes shed a tear.

Round 10

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OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	109	Cody Allen	RP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	110	Josh Harrison	3B/OF
@StatsR_Us	111	Ben Revere	OF
@GatorBigD	112	Glen Perkins	RP
@LBrianJones	113	David Ortiz	UTIL
Soxsider	114	Trevor Rosenthal	RP
Pinkerton SN	115	Gerrit Cole	SP
Sons of Pitches	116	Travis d'Arnaud	C
@MaineSkin	117	Elvis Andrus	SS
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	118	Marcell Ozuna	OF
B/R Catania	119	Kolten Wong	2B
yogisboys	120	Sonny Gray	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Kolten Wong, 2B

OK, I needed someone in my heretofore ignored middle infield, as the empty "2B," "SS" and "MI" positions were staring me in the face.

Wong comes with some downside: Can he repeat his 12 homers? Is he really a .250 hitter? But I'll look on the bright side: This is a 24-year-old former first-round draft choice who did almost all of his damage (12 homers, 17 steals) in just 93 games after returning to St. Louis from an early-season demotion to Triple-A.

Other Picks

Honestly, I'm not sure if other owners had filled up their utility spots by now or simply forgot about him, but there's just no way at all that David Ortiz should have fallen this far. Had I had the ability to go after him, I would have—and a couple of rounds earlier, too.

Round 11

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	121	Jean Segura	SS
B/R Catania	122	Gregory Polanco	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	123	Daniel Murphy	2B
@MaineSkin	124	Yasmany Tomas	3B/OF
Sons of Pitches	125	Ben Zobrist	2B/SS/OF
Pinkerton SN	126	Javier Baez	2B/SS
Soxsider	127	Doug Fister	SP
@LBrianJones	128	Steve Cishek	RP
@GatorBigD	129	Leonys Martin	OF
@StatsR_Us	130	Hisashi Iwakuma	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	131	Wil Myers	OF
Kyle Elfrink	132	Alex Rios	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Gregory Polanco, OF

This choice isn't all that different from the previous one with Wong, as Polanco is another former highly regarded prospect whose first taste of the majors wasn't exactly smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.

Polanco, however, is just 23 and even while struggling mightily for two months after a hot start last June, he still managed to post seven homers and 14 steals in half a season. That amount of experience under his belt now, this tool shed could be a not-so-poor man's Carlos Gomez.

Round 12

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OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	133	Howie Kendrick	2B
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	134	Huston Street	RP
@StatsR_Us	135	Wilson Ramos	C
@GatorBigD	136	Lucas Duda	1B
@LBrianJones	137	Jake Arrieta	SP
Soxsider	138	Aramis Ramirez	3B
Pinkerton SN	139	Hunter Pence	OF
Sons of Pitches	140	Kris Bryant	3B
@MaineSkin	141	A.J. Pollock	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	142	Melky Cabrera	OF
B/R Catania	143	Jimmy Rollins	SS
yogisboys	144	Kenley Jansen	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Jimmy Rollins, SS

When it comes to picking a 36-year-old shortstop, it's not about the name—it's about the numbers. And Rollins went for 17 home runs and 28 stolen bases amid a miserable situation with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014.

Not that returning to his native California and a much better Los Angeles Dodgers team is going to act as some sort of fountain of youth for J-Roll, but the gut says he has another 15-25 campaign in him. And he's likely to top last year's 78 runs scored leading off for LA.

Other Picks

If Jake Arrieta is for real and can come anywhere close to what he did in his 25 starts in 2014 (2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 9.6 K/9) over another 25-30 (or more) in 2015, that's burglary by @LBrianJones, who also authored the Ortiz take in Round 10.

For those wondering where he would go in the wake of a fractured forearm that will keep him out until May, Hunter Pence drops to No. 139 overall, which I think actually is a little low. Had he reached me, I would have had a tough call between him and Rollins.

Round 13

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	145	Koji Uehara	RP
B/R Catania	146	Jayson Werth	OF
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	147	Brandon Moss	1B/OF
@MaineSkin	148	Tyson Ross	SP
Sons of Pitches	149	Cliff Lee	SP
Pinkerton SN	150	Garrett Richards	SP
Soxsider	151	Hyun-Jin Ryu	SP
@LBrianJones	152	Drew Storen	RP
@GatorBigD	153	Wilin Rosario	C/1B
@StatsR_Us	154	Russell Martin	C
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	155	Adam LaRoche	1B
Kyle Elfrink	156	Miguel Montero	C

Analysis

My Pick: Jayson Werth, OF

Maybe I'm just partial to players who offer some follicular fortitude, but the Werewolf Werth should be worth way more than the 146th pick in the end. Like Rollins, the 35-year-old Werth isn't a sexy selection at this stage of his career, but he always hits when he's in the lineup, especially the Washington Nationals lineup. As long as he's recovered from offseason shoulder surgery in April, Werth works as an OF 3 in any format.

Round 14

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	157	Chris Archer	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	158	Yasmani Grandal	C/1B
@StatsR_Us	159	Denard Span	OF
@GatorBigD	160	Carlos Carrasco	SP/RP
@LBrianJones	161	Joc Pederson	OF
Soxsider	162	Rusney Castillo	OF
Pinkerton SN	163	Jonathan Papelbon	RP
Sons of Pitches	164	Yordano Ventura	SP
@MaineSkin	165	Gio Gonzalez	SP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	166	Lance Lynn	SP
B/R Catania	167	Zack Wheeler	SP
yogisboys	168	Masahiro Tanaka	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Zack Wheeler, SP

Dipping back into the pitching pool, I came up with Wheeler, who is one of those his-stuff-is-so-good-he-has-to-put-it-all-together-soon arms. Coming off 185.1 innings in 2014—and 187 strikeouts—the 24-year-old is ready to ascend to borderline SP 2 territory if he can clean up his 3.8 walks-per-nine from a year ago. Of the five starters in the run that wrapped this round, I like Wheeler the most (but it's close).

Other Picks

Not to beat a dead horse, but man, look at the arms still available this late: Chris Archer, Carlos Carrasco, Yordano Ventura, Gio Gonzalez, Lance Lynn, Wheeler and Masahiro Tanaka. Each one of those has the ability to be a fantasy No. 2, which is why we wait on pitching, folks.

Round 15

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	169	Justin Morneau	1B
B/R Catania	170	Jhonny Peralta	SS
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	171	Marcus Stroman	SP
@MaineSkin	172	Adam Eaton	OF
Sons of Pitches	173	Mat Latos	SP
Pinkerton SN	174	Alcides Escobar	SS
Soxsider	175	Tanner Roark	SP
@LBrianJones	176	Michael Wacha	SP
@GatorBigD	177	Michael Pineda	SP
@StatsR_Us	178	Carl Crawford	OF
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	179	Neil Walker	2B
Kyle Elfrink	180	Erick Aybar	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Jhonny Peralta, SS

Peralta has to be the most overlooked fantasy shortstop out there. Although he doesn't bring any speed to the table at a spot that is full of runners, the 32-year-old's power production at the position is hard to match. If he merely repeats his 2014 digits (.263 BA, 61 R, 21 HR, 75 RBI), he's a borderline top-10 shortstop again. Considering the St. Louis Cardinals offense likely won't be a bottom-10 unit like it was last season, there could be more runs and RBI here.

Round 16

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	181	Andrew Cashner	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	182	Avisail Garcia	OF
@StatsR_Us	183	Danny Santana	SS/OF
@GatorBigD	184	Chase Headley	3B
@LBrianJones	185	Eric Hosmer	1B
Soxsider	186	Pedro Alvarez	1B/3B
Pinkerton SN	187	Lorenzo Cain	OF
Sons of Pitches	188	Ian Kennedy	SP
@MaineSkin	189	Zach Britton	RP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	190	Joaquin Benoit	RP
B/R Catania	191	Rajai Davis	OF
yogisboys	192	Nick Castellanos	3B

Analysis

My Pick: Rajai Davis, OF

Despite drafting McCutchen, Wong, Polanco and Rollins to this point—each of whom should steal 20 bases but not likely 30—I wanted to lock up another threat in the SB category. Davis, 34, has swiped at least 34 each of the past six years. And he should have a near-regular role again in the Detroit Tigers' dangerous lineup.

Round 17

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	193	Jedd Gyorko	2B
B/R Catania	194	Fernando Rodney	RP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	195	Drew Smyly	SP
@MaineSkin	196	Steven Souza	OF
Sons of Pitches	197	Francisco Rodriguez	RP
Pinkerton SN	198	Mike Zunino	C
Soxsider	199	Jose Fernandez	SP
@LBrianJones	200	Xander Bogaerts	3B/SS
@GatorBigD	201	Torii Hunter	OF
@StatsR_Us	202	Asdrubal Cabrera	2B/SS
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	203	Jose Quintana	SP
Kyle Elfrink1	204	Brandon Belt	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Fernando Rodney, RP 

Sure, Rodney's WHIP almost assuredly won't be pretty, but is that really enough for the reigning MLB saves leader (48) and a steady 70-strikeout source to be sitting there for the plucking in Round 17?

Round 18

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	205	Andrew Miller	RP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	206	Dallas Keuchel	SP
@StatsR_Us	207	Homer Bailey	SP
@GatorBigD	208	Jake Odorizzi	SP
@LBrianJones	209	Phil Hughes	SP
Soxsider	210	Marlon Byrd	OF
Pinkerton SN	211	Addison Reed	RP
Sons of Pitches	212	Hector Rondon	RP
@MaineSkin	213	Rougned Odor	2B
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	214	Shelby Miller	SP
B/R Catania	215	Kevin Gausman	SP
yogisboys	216	Khris Davis	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Kevin Gausman, SP

Every owner has 'em: A player you like way more than most because you see something others don't yet or because, well, maybe you can't even put your finger on it exactly. Gausman, the No. 4 pick in 2012, is one of my guys this year.

The 24-year-old with the upper-90s heater and put-away changeup came on strong down the stretch, finally registering the kind of strikeout numbers his stuff suggests with 48 whiffs in his 51.1 frames. Following 20 starts and 113.1 innings in the majors in 2014, Gausman is game for being unleashed this season.

Round 19

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	217	Danny Salazar	SP
B/R Catania	218	Taijuan Walker	SP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	219	Chris Carter	UTIL
@MaineSkin	220	Francisco Liriano	SP
Sons of Pitches	221	Anibal Sanchez	SP
Pinkerton SN	222	Justin Verlander	SP
Soxsider	223	Steve Pearce	1B/OF
@LBrianJones	224	Brett Lawrie	2B/3B
@GatorBigD	225	Jake McGee	RP
@StatsR_Us	226	Billy Butler	1B
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	227	J.J. Hardy	SS
Kyle Elfrink	228	Jered Weaver	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Taijuan Walker, SP

Walker is still a baby both in terms of his age (22) and MLB career (53 innings), and he doesn't even necessarily have a rotation spot locked up. So the risks? They're real.

But so is his talent, which made Walker one of the sport's top pitching prospects in recent years and which has helped him post a 2.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 in that admittedly small sample size with the Seattle Mariners. By season's end, Walker should make at least 15-20 starts, if not way more, and the upside is that of an SP 3 if it clicks.

Round 20

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	229	Dexter Fowler	OF
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	230	Brandon McCarthy	SP
@StatsR_Us	231	Yusmeiro Petit	SP/RP
@GatorBigD	232	Matt Adams	1B
@LBrianJones	233	Collin McHugh	SP
Soxsider	234	Matt Shoemaker	SP
Pinkerton SN	235	Dalton Pompey	OF
Sons of Pitches	236	Addison Russell	RP
@MaineSkin	237	Drew Hutchison	SP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	238	Santiago Casilla	RP
B/R Catania	239	Derek Norris	C
yogisboys	240	Scooter Gennett	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Derek Norris, C

As the last backstop left with enough offensive potential to act as a low-end first catcher, Norris was an easy add this late. Plus, the 26-year-old is still young enough and possesses the plate discipline (86-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio) to get better. Oh, and being a part of the much improved San Diego Padres one-through-nine should help him meet—or even exceed—his 46 runs and 55 RBI from 2014.

Round 21

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	241	Brad Boxberger	RP
B/R Catania	242	Jenrry Mejia	SP/RP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	243	Joe Mauer	1B
@MaineSkin	244	Trevor Bauer	SP
Sons of Pitches	245	Tyler Flowers	C
Pinkerton SN	246	Carlos Beltran	OF
Soxsider	247	Lonnie Chisenhall	3B
@LBrianJones	248	Curtis Granderson	OF
@GatorBigD	249	Martin Prado	2B/3B
@StatsR_Us	250	Scott Kazmir	SP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	251	Jason Castro	C
Kyle Elfrink	252	Carlos Martinez	SP/RP

Analysis

My Pick: Jenrry Mejia, SP/RP

The owner of some sick stuff that plays up in the bullpen, Mejia struck out 98 in 93.1 innings while converting 28 of 31 save opportunities last year. That he did so with a 3.65 ERA and 1.48 WHIP is why he's being passed over.

But don't forget: The 25-year-old split 2014 between starting and relieving, and his ERA (2.72 vs. 5.06) and walk rate (3.4 BB/9 vs. 4.8 BB/9) were much better in the latter role. That's where Mejia will be in 2015.

Round 22

David Maxwell/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Kyle Elfrink	253	Neftali Feliz	RP
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	254	Mike Fiers	SP
@StatsR_Us	255	John Lackey	SP
@GatorBigD	256	Michael Cuddyer	OF
@LBrianJones	257	James Paxton	SP
Soxsider	258	Chase Utley	2B
Pinkerton SN	259	Peter O'Brien	C
Sons of Pitches	260	Chris Tillman	SP
@MaineSkin	261	Derek Holland	SP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	262	Henderson Alvarez	SP
B/R Catania	263	Oswaldo Arcia	OF
yogisboys	264	Adam Lind	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Oswaldo Arcia, OF

In need of one final outfielder since getting the speed-oriented Davis in Round 16, I chose to go the opposite route with the promising power of Arcia here.

While Arcia's 31 percent career strikeout rate is concerning, this is a 23-year-old who has managed 34 home runs and 100 RBI in about a season-and-a-quarter's worth of plate appearances in the first two years of his career. With any sort of improvement in the contact department, Arcia could be a .250 hitter with 25 long balls in 2015.

Round 23

USA TODAY Sports

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
yogisboys	265	Wade Davis	RP
B/R Catania	266	Joe Nathan	RP
Ben Diamond-Fantasy Alarm	267	Chris Iannetta	C
@MaineSkin	268	Josmil Pinto	C
Sons of Pitches	269	Wily Peralta	SP
Pinkerton SN	270	Brett Cecil	RP
Soxsider	271	Kurt Suzuki	C
@LBrianJones	272	Ken Giles	RP
@GatorBigD	273	Sean Doolittle	RP
@StatsR_Us	274	Will Middlebrooks	3B
Howard Bender-Fantasy Alarm	275	Kyle Lohse	SP
Kyle Elfrink	276	John Jaso	C

Analysis

My Pick: Joe Nathan, RP

A fourth closer is a bit overboard, and Nathan was plain bad in 2014 and hasn't exactly been great this spring either. But 30-plus saves is 30-plus saves, and the active leader in that category (376) will provide that, assuming he keeps the gig. Then again, when it comes to a 40-year-old who had a 4.81 ERA and 1.53 WHIP a year ago, maybe don't assume.

Team Evaluation

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

My team will be relying on proven fantasy stud Andrew McCutchen (right) and hoping Gregory Polanco (left) can take another step to fantasy stardom.

POSITION	PLAYER	ROUND
C	Brian McCann	9
C	Derek Norris	20
1B	Freddie Freeman	3
2B	Kolten Wong	10
3B	Adrian Beltre	2
SS	Jimmy Rollins	12
CI	Nolan Arenado	5
MI	Jhonny Peralta	15
OF	Andrew McCutchen	1
OF	Gregory Polanco	11
OF	Jayson Werth	13
OF	Rajai Davis	16
OF	Oswaldo Arcia	22
UT	Victor Martinez	6
P	Corey Kluber	4
P	Yu Darvish	7
P	David Robertson	8
P	Zack Wheeler	14
P	Fernando Rodney	17
P	Kevin Gausman	18
P	Taijuan Walker	19
P	Jenrry Mejia	21
P	Joe Nathan	23

Analysis

Strengths

The biggest strength of this squad is the infield, which is full of proven producers at every spot save for Wong at second base. There's a certain security in knowing—or at least being relatively confident in—what you'll get from your players, particularly hitters. That's not always easy to pull off.

There's also a really strong likelihood that my four closers will put my team at the very top of the saves category. While that's not often one of my targets or strategies, it will be useful in building a big lead in saves. Plus, trading a closer or two shouldn't be hard—there's always a market—and in doing so, I'm only really swapping out some saves.

Another strength? Upside. Wong, Arenado, Polanco, Arcia, Wheeler, Gausman and Walker all have it. If a few of 'em convert their potential to production—and I like those odds—then that will take care of a lot of possible warts.

Speaking of...

Weaknesses

The most noticeable flaw is starting pitching, where the loss of Darvish is going to hurt (no pun intended), particularly when it comes to strikeouts, because I went for four relievers and only five starters. Even if Wheeler, Gausman and Walker all pan out, they're not likely to combine for more than 450-500 strikeouts. And as much as Kluber is for real, he's not whiffing another 269 batters in 2015.

The other area that could present a problem is outfield, but only if 1) Polanco doesn't take a step forward in his second year and 2) Werth's shoulder fails to stay healthy. That's something to be aware of but not necessarily concerned about—yet.

Going Forward

Were this mock to be played out in a league, the first thing I would look to do—after dropping Darvish and snatching up some other arm—is trade one of my four big-name cornermen (Beltre, Freeman, Arenado or Martinez) for a starter or two, ideally one of the top 15-20 and another not-quite-there-yet type (like Trevor Bauer or Drew Hutchison).

To get that done, it might make sense to dangle one of my four closers (Robertson, Rodney, Mejia or Nathan) as a secondary piece. My gut tells me Rodney would have curb appeal to other owners based on his gaudy saves total the past three years (133), and given how erratic he can be, I wouldn't mind detaching myself from the downside.

Which of my draft picks do you like/dislike the most? Where would you have made a different choice along the way? Swing away in the comments section.

Need more fantasy baseball help? Come pepper me with your questions on Twitter today at 11 a.m. ET @JayCat11.