Fantasy Baseball 2015: B/R Expert's Final 25-Round Mock Draft, Version 3.0

Forget your chores and homework or your nine-to-five responsibilities and honey-do list. Your fantasy baseball draft is happening, like, more or less now. (That is, if you haven't had it already.) So 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 have printed out or bookmarked the Bleacher Report Draft Cheat Sheet, reviewed the B/R 300 position rankings, checked in on both batches of sleepers and read up on the top rookies.

But perhaps the most enjoyable activity is partaking in a mock draft. You know, just your basic practice of picking 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 mid-March, I 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.

What follows is a look at how everything went down.

The Participants

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Clayton Kershaw's draft spot was rather shocking.

Before getting to the picks, let's look at the pickers.

Held on March 26 through ESPN Fantasy Baseball, this was a public mock draft for a 12-team league. Here's a rundown of the names of the teams that participated, in order of their respective draft slot:

1. Team a
2. Team Newcomer
3. Team Catania (Jason Catania)
4. master batters
5. Team Caughlan
6. Team Lopez
7. Team Kelly
8. Team Oates
9. Tea Litschgi
10. Team Berkhout
11. Team Johnson
12. Team harvey

As you can see, I landed pick No. 3.

Scoring and Settings

Ben Margot/Associated Press

The productive—but very injury-prone—Troy Tulowitzki went a little earlier than you might expect.

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.

The 22 lineup positions are as follows: one each for catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, middle infield, corner infield and utility; five outfielders; and nine pitchers of any sort (starters and relievers).

There were also three spots for bench players, meaning 25 rounds—and 300 picks—in total.

Got it?

Mock on!

Round 1

John Bazemore/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	1	Clayton Kershaw	SP
Team Newcomer	2	Mike Trout	OF
Team Catania	3	Giancarlo Stanton	OF
master batters	4	Andrew McCutchen	OF
Team Caughlan	5	Paul Goldschmidt	1B
Team Lopez	6	Troy Tulowitzki	SS
Team Kelly	7	Carlos Gomez	OF
Team Oates	8	Edwin Encarnacion	1B
Team Litschgi	9	Anthony Rizzo	1B
Team Berkhout	10	Jose Abreu	1B
Team Johnson	11	Robinson Cano	2B
Team harvey	12	Miguel Cabrera	1B

Analysis

My Pick:  Giancarlo Stanton, OF

I went into this mock wanting to take a slightly different approach, make some selections I might not in a league that actually counts, just to see what happens. That started with taking Stanton, who is the third player on my board—but he's behind Andrew McCutchen. In other words, I went off chalk, figuring I would grab his 30-plus home runs rather than Cutch's more all-around game. That would force me to snag some stolen bases later on, for instance.

Others Picks

This isn't a points league, so taking Clayton Kershaw—the top pitcher—with the first pick is, uh, ill-advised. I also was surprised to see the injury-prone Troy Tulowitzki go not only in the first round but in the first half  of the first round.

Round 2

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	13	Jose Bautista	OF
Team Johnson	14	Yasiel Puig	OF
Team Berkhout	15	Jose Altuve	2B
Team Litschgi	16	Felix Hernandez	SP
Team Oates	17	Adam Jones	OF
Team Kelly	18	Max Scherzer	SP
Team Lopez	19	Ryan Braun	OF
Team Caughlan	20	Michael Brantley	OF
master batters	21	Adrian Beltre	3B
Team Catania	22	Ian Desmond	SS
Team Newcomer	23	Hanley Ramirez	SS/OF
Team a	24	Chris Sale	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Ian Desmond, SS

In all honesty, I wasn't enamored with this pick, but that's because I wasn't excited about any of the players on the board at this point, particularly the hitters. Given the options, I chose to lock up the shallow shortstop spot with a perennial 20-20er. (Remember that whole thing about going after stolen bases?) For the record, had Adrian Beltre not been taken right before my turn, he would have been mine. 

Others Picks

The only selection that jumps out to me as way too early? Ryan Braun, who would have to be something close to the player he was in 2012—or three years ago now—to earn a top-20 take. Now that he's 31 and unlikely to run all that much, I don't see that happening.

Round 3

John Bazemore/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	25	Stephen Strasburg	SP
Team Newcomer	26	Josh Donaldson	3B
Team Catania	27	Bryce Harper	OF
master batters	28	Freddie Freeman	1B
Team Caughlan	29	Starling Marte	OF
Team Lopez	30	Anthony Rendon	2B/3B
Team Kelly	31	Buster Posey	C
Team Oates	32	Justin Upton	OF
Team Litschgi	33	George Springer	OF
Team Berkhout	34	David Price	SP
Team Johnson	35	Corey Kluber	SP
Team harvey	36	Madison Bumgarner	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Bryce Harper, OF

I went with my second consecutive Washington Nationals hitter, but not by design. (Although, I do like the Nats, as does most everybody.) Truth be told, I was so hoping Josh Donaldson would make it to me, but I was foiled by one pick—again!

I fully realize that this could be a terrible choice if Harper doesn't take "the leap" in 2015 because otherwise I'm paying for potential rather than production. Am I super confident in that? No. Do I think he's more likely to (finally) break out than not? Yes.

Others Picks

Anthony Rendon, a fringy first-rounder at the outset of spring before his knee started acting up, could be nice value at No. 30 overall. Then again, it might be even more unlikely than it already was that he will repeat his 17 stolen bases from a year ago, which puts more onus on his power.

And if you know me by now, you know I can't get on board with taking Buster Posey this early, even though he's the top fantasy backstop by far. 

Round 4

Ben Margot/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	37	Zack Greinke	SP
Team Johnson	38	Albert Pujols	1B
Team Berkhout	39	Jose Reyes	SS
Team Litschgi	40	Jacoby Ellsbury	OF
Team Oates	41	Cole Hamels	SP
Team Kelly	42	Adrian Gonzalez	1B
Team Lopez	43	Corey Dickerson	OF
Team Caughlan	44	Johnny Cueto	SP
master batters	45	Evan Longoria	3B
Team Catania	46	Carlos Gonzalez	OF
Team Newcomer	47	Jordan Zimmermann	SP
Team a	48	Jon Lester	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Carlos Gonzalez, OF

Another risky pick. CarGo's injury history always gives me pause, and it did here, too. But it also allowed him to drop to the point where the reward (a 20-20 campaign with a .300 average) was worth the risk (No. 46 overall) in my mind.

Others Picks

You'll notice that almost all of the top-tier starting pitchers are gone by now, as Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann and Jon Lester all were plucked by the end of Round 4. None of them were bad picks, but once they were gone, I more or less decided I would ignore pitching until Round 10 to see if I still could concoct a quality rotation. 

Round 5

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	49	Aroldis Chapman	RP
Team Newcomer	50	Victor Martinez	DH
Team Catania	51	Billy Hamilton	OF
master batters	52	Yoenis Cespedes	OF
Team Caughlan	53	Ian Kinsler	2B
Team Lopez	54	Chris Davis	1B
Team Kelly	55	Kyle Seager	3B
Team Oates	56	Nolan Arenado	3B
Team Litschgi	57	Jason Kipnis	2B
Team Berkhout	58	Jonathan Lucroy	C
Team Johnson	59	Matt Kemp	OF
Team harvey	60	Carlos Santana	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Billy Hamilton, OF

I'm really not a huge fan of steals-only hitters, but I thought it would be a good way to load up on a category that is easy to compile—and easy to trade away as needed. Hamilton has some growth potential, especially in batting average with his wheels and in runs scored with a healthy Cincinnati Reds lineup, and he's a valuable commodity for his elite production in a single category.

Others Picks

I quite liked this round of choices, as I like all of Victor Martinez, Yoenis Cespedes, Ian Kinsler (three Detroit Tigers!), Chris Davis, Kyle Seager, Nolan Arenado, Jason Kipnis, Matt Kemp and Carlos Santana. As for the selections of closer Aroldis Chapman at the top of the round and catcher Jonathan Lucroy near the bottom, they're not out of place so much as not my fantasy cup of tea at this stage.

Round 6

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	61	Dustin Pedroia	2B
Team Johnson	62	Matt Harvey	SP
Team Berkhout	63	Craig Kimbrel	RP
Team Litschgi	64	Adam Wainwright	SP
Team Oates	65	Starlin Castro	SS
Team Kelly	66	David Ortiz	UTIL
Team Lopez	67	Sonny Gray	SP
Team Caughlan	68	Nelson Cruz	OF
master batters	69	Jeff Samardzija	SP
Team Catania	70	Prince Fielder	1B
Team Newcomer	71	Greg Holland	RP
Team a	72	Kole Calhoun	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Prince Fielder, 1B

With the starter-worthy first basemen dwindling, I decided it was time to grab Fielder, who could bounce back and put up a 30-homer, 90-RBI season if everything goes right. He's still only 30 years old, and he gets to hit in the Texas Rangers' park half the time. 

Others Picks

Matt Harvey might be able to earn the 62nd overall pick, but that's assuming absolutely everything—from his health to his command to his innings total—goes perfectly. Basically, taking him this high is buying at an absolute peak, which is not recommended.

I also saw Starlin Castro as a major reach at No. 65. He's not going to hurt owners (though he did in 2013), but he doesn't hit for a ton of power and has been running less and less, so there's no reason to jump on him this early, even in the improved, enticing Chicago Cubs lineup.

Round 7

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	73	Brian Dozier	2B
Team Newcomer	74	Julio Teheran	SP
Team Catania	75	Christian Yelich	OF
master batters	76	Chris Carter	UTIL
Team Caughlan	77	James Shields	SP
Team Lopez	78	Hunter Pence	OF
Team Kelly	79	Alexei Ramirez	SS
Team Oates	80	Kolten Wong	2B
Team Litschgi	81	Jason Heyward	OF
Team Berkhout	82	Kris Bryant	3B
Team Johnson	83	Gerrit Cole	SP
Team harvey	84	Alex Gordon	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Christian Yelich, OF

I very much like Yelich in 2015, and I think he went a round (or maybe even two) later than he should have. I see him taking another step forward this year, but even if he doesn't, there's plenty to like about a .280 hitter with 10-12 homers, 20-25 steals and upward of 90 runs scored.

One thing I didn't love immediately after this take is that it locked up my five-man outfield already, through just the first seven rounds. Because I was operating more from a best-available approach rather than a position-scarcity one, I happened to fill a position that I typically like to leave with one or two openings until later, when I can draft based on category need.

I had been considering Brian Dozier for second base, and had he dropped two more spots, he would have been just as good a value and covered a position I needed more. 

Others Picks

Chris Carter is one of the more volatile draft picks around, as I have seen him go as early as this round and as late as Round 20 in other mocks. The power is for real, but so is the .220 batting average. He's basically taking over for Adam Dunn.

You'll notice Kris Bryant, he of the monstrous prospect hype and even more monstrous spring, comes off the board at No. 82. I actually could see him being worth that in the end, but I'm not going to pay that price to find out.

Round 8

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	85	Masahiro Tanaka	SP
Team Johnson	86	Mookie Betts	OF
Team Berkhout	87	Pablo Sandoval	3B
Team Litschgi	88	Matt Carpenter	3B
Team Oates	89	Gio Gonzalez	SP
Team Kelly	90	Marcell Ozuna	OF
Team Lopez	91	Joey Votto	1B
Team Caughlan	92	Todd Frazier	1B/3B
master batters	93	Matt Holliday	OF
Team Catania	94	Devin Mesoraco	C
Team Newcomer	95	Tyson Ross	SP
Team a	96	Mark Melancon	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Devin Mesoraco, C

Looking back, this was my did-I-really-make-this-pick pick. I like Mesoraco plenty—he's my No. 3 catcher—because I believe in his 20-homer power, and I do see a strong Reds lineup if some of the big bats stay healthy (Joey Votto, Jay Bruce).

But I don't normally grab a backstop this soon. I think Mesoraco in Round 8 is a better value than Lucroy in Round 5, though.

Others Picks

I see some regression in stolen bases for Todd Frazier this year after he somehow swiped 20 in 2014, but I don't know how he fell this far. Maybe the reason I took Mesoraco is because I had Frazier all queued up to be my starting third baseman, and then he was sniped two picks prior.

Round 9

John Bazemore/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	97	Jay Bruce	OF
Team Newcomer	98	Jacob deGrom	SP
Team Catania	99	Ryan Zimmerman	1B/3B/OF
master batters	100	Dee Gordon	2B
Team Caughlan	101	Trevor Rosenthal	RP
Team Lopez	102	Manny Machado	3B
Team Kelly	103	Garrett Richards	SP
Team Oates	104	Evan Gattis	C/OF
Team Litschgi	105	Carlos Carrasco	SP/RP
Team Berkhout	106	Mark Trumbo	1B/OF
Team Johnson	107	Cody Allen	RP
Team harvey	108	Jorge Soler	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Ryan Zimmerman, 1B/3B/OF

Like I said, I had been hoping to get Todd Frazier to fill my still-empty third base position, so when he didn't make it to me, I decided to go for the next hot cornerman on my list. Zimmerman is yet another injury risk (and yet another National) for my club, but if he's healthy, he's a fantasy starter, which is what I need at this point. Plus, the fact that he'll be eligible at three positions doesn't hurt.

Others Picks

Had I known that Dee Gordon would have lasted until pick No. 100 compared to the 51st overall selection I used on Billy Hamilton, I would have swapped the latter for the former, especially given that my club still doesn't have a second baseman.

Round 10

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	109	Brandon Moss	1B/OF
Team Johnson	110	Jake Arrieta	SP
Team Berkhout	111	Leonys Martin	OF
Team Litschgi	112	Dellin Betances	RP
Team Oates	113	Alex Wood	SP/RP
Team Kelly	114	Brett Gardner	OF
Team Lopez	115	Hisashi Iwakuma	SP
Team Caughlan	116	David Robertson	RP
master batters	117	Kenley Jansen	RP
Team Catania	118	Chris Archer	SP
Team Newcomer	119	Alex Cobb	SP
Team a	120	Hyun-Jin Ryu	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Chris Archer, SP

Ladies and gents, here's my first pitcher. I was the last owner to grab an arm, as you likely noticed by now.

No, Archer isn't a legitimate No. 1 to lead a fantasy rotation, but he really came into his own last year with a 3.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 173 strikeouts in 194.2 innings. At 26, he's ready to blow past 200 innings and whiff about that many batters. He has it in him to be a top-20 starter.

Others Picks

Because I finally started looking at pitchers in this round, I liked the takes of Jake Arrieta, Dellin Betances, Hisashi Iwakuma and David Robertson at this rather reduced rate.

Round 11

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	121	Homer Bailey	SP
Team Newcomer	122	Elvis Andrus	SS
Team Catania	123	Lance Lynn	SP
master batters	124	Koji Uehara	RP
Team Caughlan	125	Matt Adams	1B
Team Lopez	126	David Wright	3B
Team Kelly	127	Michael Wacha	SP
Team Oates	128	Huston Street	RP
Team Litschgi	129	Salvador Perez	C
Team Berkhout	130	Steve Cishek	RP
Team Johnson	131	Jimmy Rollins	SS
Team harvey	132	Jonathan Papelbon	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Lance Lynn, SP

Now it's time to load up on starters to ensure I compile enough wins and, especially, strikeouts to make up for eschewing arms for the first nine rounds.

Lynn doesn't get much love in fantasy, but he's a steady 200-inning pitcher who will provide production in all four starter-related categories. Even if his 2.74 ERA from 2014 regresses, I trust his 3.37 FIP since 2012 and his ability to push 180-190 strikeouts.

Round 12

Ben Margot/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	133	Gregory Polanco	OF
Team Johnson	134	Yan Gomes	C
Team Berkhout	135	Charlie Blackmon	OF
Team Litschgi	136	Doug Fister	SP
Team Oates	137	Mat Latos	SP
Team Kelly	138	J.D. Martinez	OF
Team Lopez	139	Yadier Molina	C
Team Caughlan	140	Daniel Murphy	2B
master batters	141	Glen Perkins	RP
Team Catania	142	Howie Kendrick	2B
Team Newcomer	143	Alex Rios	OF
Team a	144	Andrew Cashner	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Howie Kendrick, 2B

A quick excursion back into the hitter pool to pick up Kendrick. I needed a second baseman and was worried that the new Los Angeles Dodger would go soon, given that Daniel Murphy went just before. Kendrick is consistent, which is a good trait to have at an otherwise shallow and volatile position. He's not the kind of flashy performer who will win a league for you, but sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.

Others Picks

In hindsight, seeing Yan Gomes, who I have ranked just one spot behind Devin Mesoraco in the catcher rankings, go in Round 12—and 40 picks after I took Mesoraco—makes me shout an obscenity.

Also? Even though I wasn't in the market for outfielders after having loaded up on them early, I like the selections of Gregory Polanco and J.D. Martinez in this round.

Round 13

David Goldman/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	145	Chase Utley	2B
Team Newcomer	146	Fernando Rodney	RP
Team Catania	147	Drew Storen	RP
master batters	148	Rusney Castillo	OF
Team Caughlan	149	Lucas Duda	1B
Team Lopez	150	Yordano Ventura	SP
Team Kelly	151	Zach Britton	RP
Team Oates	152	Joaquin Benoit	RP
Team Litschgi	153	Josh Harrison	3B/OF
Team Berkhout	154	Melky Cabrera	OF
Team Johnson	155	Anibal Sanchez	SP
Team harvey	156	Francisco Liriano	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Drew Storen, RP

I'm worried neither about Storen's recent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand—he's already due back, according to Chris Johnson of MASNSports.com—nor the incorrect narrative that he can't cut it as closer because of a pair of October blowups. Rather, I see 40 saves waiting to happen from a guy with a 2.94 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in his career on a stacked Nationals team.

Round 14

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	157	Eric Hosmer	1B
Team Johnson	158	A.J. Pollock	OF
Team Berkhout	159	Collin McHugh	SP
Team Litschgi	160	Jered Weaver	SP
Team Oates	161	Ben Revere	OF
Team Kelly	162	Neil Walker	2B
Team Lopez	163	Ian Kennedy	SP
Team Caughlan	164	Wil Myers	OF
master batters	165	Erick Aybar	SS
Team Catania	166	Jose Quintana	SP
Team Newcomer	167	Adam LaRoche	1B
Team a	168	Justin Morneau	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Jose Quintana, SP

Back to the starters. Quintana is in my top 30 for his under-the-radar strong 2013-14, in which he put up a 3.42 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.7 strikeout-to-walk ration (K/9). Knowing that arms like him still would be available at pick 166 is a huge reason why my strategy to wait on SPs should work out just fine.

Round 15

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	169	Brian McCann	C
Team Newcomer	170	Aramis Ramirez	3B
Team Catania	171	Justin Verlander	SP
master batters	172	Jayson Werth	OF
Team Caughlan	173	Ben Zobrist	2B/SS/OF
Team Lopez	174	Shin-Soo Choo	OF
Team Kelly	175	Michael Pineda	SP
Team Oates	176	Jose Fernandez	SP
Team Litschgi	177	Pedro Alvarez	1B/3B
Team Berkhout	178	Joc Pederson	OF
Team Johnson	179	Jake McGee	RP
Team harvey	180	Dallas Keuchel	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Justin Verlander, SP

OK, I'll bite. Verlander was plain bad last year, what with a 4.54 ERA and 1.40 WHIP that both actively hurt any owner who continued to start him. I know we've seen the best of him, but between the fact that he still threw 200 innings (for the eighth straight year) and posted a much nicer 3.74 FIP, I'll gamble he'll be better in 2015, at least enough to serve as a quality fourth starter. Especially if he's now fully recovered from the core-muscle surgery he had over the previous winter.

Round 16

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	181	Andrew Miller	RP
Team Johnson	182	Alcides Escobar	SS
Team Berkhout	183	Phil Hughes	SP
Team Litschgi	184	Xander Bogaerts	3B/SS
Team Oates	185	Oswaldo Arcia	OF
Team Kelly	186	Hector Rondon	RP
Team Lopez	187	Brandon Belt	1B
Team Caughlan	188	Russell Martin	C
master batters	189	Martin Prado	3B/OF
Team Catania	190	Jhonny Peralta	SS
Team Newcomer	191	Matt Cain	SP
Team a	192	Joe Mauer	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Jhonny Peralta, SS

Confession: I really wanted Xander Bogaerts as my starting middle infielder, and I thought he would fall to me here. I thought wrong. So I went with Jhonny Peralta, whose actual production might be something like Bogaerts' upside for 2015. Funny how that works.

Round 17

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	193	Rougned Odor	2B
Team Newcomer	194	Francisco Rodriguez	RP
Team Catania	195	Mike Napoli	1B
master batters	196	Jake Odorizzi	SP
Team Caughlan	197	Sean Doolittle	RP
Team Lopez	198	Ken Giles	RP
Team Kelly	199	Adam Eaton	OF
Team Oates	200	Rick Porcello	SP
Team Litschgi	201	Carlos Beltran	OF
Team Berkhout	202	Neftali Feliz	RP
Team Johnson	203	Aaron Sanchez	SP/RP
Team harvey	204	Joe Nathan	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Mike Napoli, 1B

Having just covered the middle, I figured it was about time to fill my corner infield spot, too. Napoli is being wildly overlooked in drafts because he's coming off a down year and is now 33 years old. But I see a hitter who should have no problem reaching 20 home runs—he hit that mark six straight seasons prior to his 17 in just 119 games in 2014—and who will benefit in runs and RBI from being in the middle of a stacked Boston Red Sox order.

Round 18

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	205	Matt Wieters	C
Team Johnson	206	Scott Kazmir	SP
Team Berkhout	207	Taijuan Walker	SP
Team Litschgi	208	Wade Davis	RP
Team Oates	209	Danny Salazar	SP
Team Kelly	210	Shelby Miller	SP
Team Lopez	211	Coco Crisp	OF
Team Caughlan	212	Austin Jackson	OF
master batters	213	R.A. Dickey	SP
Team Catania	214	Jenrry Mejia	SP/RP
Team Newcomer	215	Jedd Gyorko	2B
Team a	216	Jean Segura	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Jenrry Mejia, SP/RP

I find myself landing Mejia in a lot of the mocks I have done. Sure, his peripherals (3.65 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) are far off from what you might want from a closer, but as a reliever in 2014, his ERA was 2.72 and he tallied 28 saves. Plus, his starter's repertoire should play up in one-inning stints. As for the looming return of Bobby Parnell? I was never all that high on him even before he had Tommy John surgery.

Round 19

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	217	Lorenzo Cain	OF
Team Newcomer	218	Danny Santana	SS/OF
Team Catania	219	Kevin Gausman	SP
master batters	220	Luke Gregerson	RP
Team Caughlan	221	Drew Smyly	SP
Team Lopez	222	Tyler Clippard	RP
Team Kelly	223	Steve Pearce	1B/OF
Team Oates	224	Danny Duffy	SP
Team Litschgi	225	Curtis Granderson	OF
Team Berkhout	226	Brett Lawrie	2B/3B
Team Johnson	227	Travis d'Arnaud	C
Team harvey	228	Matt Garza	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Kevin Gausman, SP

You should know by now my great affinity for Gausman, whose pedigree, stuff and flashes of success make him one of this year's true breakout candidates. If he merely repeats last year's 3.57 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7.0 K/9, I'll take it, but I think there's more in there now that the kid gloves are about to come off.

Round 20

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	229	Scooter Gennett	2B
Team Johnson	230	Nick Castellanos	3B
Team Berkhout	231	Marcus Semien	2B/3B/SS
Team Litschgi	232	John Lackey	SP
Team Oates	233	Yasmani Grandal	C/1B
Team Kelly	234	Santiago Casilla	RP
Team Lopez	235	Addison Reed	RP
Team Caughlan	236	Brad Boxberger	RP
master batters	237	Wilin Rosario	C/1B
Team Catania	238	Trevor Bauer	SP
Team Newcomer	239	Arismendy Alcantara	2B/OF
Team a	240	Carl Crawford	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Trevor Bauer, SP

I like Gausman more than Bauer right now, but the latter has been catching up to the former in my eyes over the course of the spring, especially considering Bauer hasn't walked a batter in 15.1 frames. It's possible he's still just going to be a maddeningly enigmatic pitcher who teases as much as he tantalizes, but if everything clicks, Bauer could be a No. 3 in fantasy. Like, this year.

Round 21

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	241	Michael Cuddyer	OF
Team Newcomer	242	Wilson Ramos	C
Team Catania	243	Brett Cecil	RP
master batters	244	Chris Tillman	SP
Team Caughlan	245	CC Sabathia	SP
Team Lopez	246	Andrelton Simmons	SS
Team Kelly	247	Derek Holland	SP
Team Oates	248	Billy Butler	1B
Team Litschgi	249	Asdrubal Cabrera	2B/SS
Team Berkhout	250	Matt Shoemaker	SP
Team Johnson	251	Mark Teixeira	1B
Team harvey	252	Javier Baez	2B/SS

Analysis

My Pick: Brett Cecil, RP

Now that he has been named the closer for the Blue Jays, it's even easier to draft Cecil, who has nasty stuff and a 2.76 ERA and 11.5 K/9 the past two years. While there is at least a little worry over the fact that he hasn't handled the ninth inning before, if he proves he can, Cecil could be a top-10 closer.

Round 22

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	253	Steven Souza	OF
Team Johnson	254	Khris Davis	OF
Team Berkhout	255	Nathan Eovaldi	SP
Team Litschgi	256	Mike Fiers	SP
Team Oates	257	Yasmany Tomas	3B/OF
Team Kelly	258	Rajai Davis	OF
Team Lopez	259	Drew Hutchison	SP
Team Caughlan	260	Yovani Gallardo	SP
master batters	261	Jeurys Familia	RP
Team Catania	262	Brandon McCarthy	SP
Team Newcomer	263	Denard Span	OF
Team a	264	Chase Headley	3B

Analysis

My Pick: Brandon McCarthy, SP

Count me in the camp who sees McCarthy's strong second half last year as very much for real. OK, he's not going to have a 2.89 ERA over a full season, but he finished 2014 with a 3.75 FIP overall, as well as a 1.28 WHIP and 7.9 K/9. That's a reasonable expectation, particularly now that he'll spend a lot of time throwing in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium (and AT&T Park and Petco Park, too). 

Round 23

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	265	Ryan Howard	1B
Team Newcomer	266	Mike Zunino	C
Team Catania	267	Ervin Santana	SP
master batters	268	Torii Hunter	OF
Team Caughlan	269	Mike Minor	SP
Team Lopez	270	Carlos Martinez	SP/RP
Team Kelly	271	C.J. Cron	1B
Team Oates	272	Aaron Hill	2B
Team Litschgi	273	LaTroy Hawkins	RP
Team Berkhout	274	Wily Peralta	SP
Team Johnson	275	Adam Lind	1B
Team harvey	276	J.J. Hardy	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Ervin Santana, SP

At this stage, I'm simply stacking solid starters who could prove to be quality No. 4s in fantasy but who also provide the potential to be very good streaming options, like Santana when he pitches at Target Field. The 32-year-old has made at least 30 starts five years running and owns a 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in that time.

Round 24

Norm Hall/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team harvey	277	Miguel Montero	C
Team Johnson	278	Jonathon Niese	SP
Team Berkhout	279	Alex Rodriguez	3B
Team Litschgi	280	Desmond Jennings	OF
Team Oates	281	Lonnie Chisenhall	3B
Team Kelly	282	Jason Hammel	SP
Team Lopez	283	Clay Buchholz	SP
Team Caughlan	284	Josh Reddick	OF
master batters	285	Kelvin Herrera	RP
Team Catania	286	Dexter Fowler	OF
Team Newcomer	287	Pat Neshek	RP
Team a	288	Derek Norris	C

Analysis

My Pick: Dexter Fowler, OF

Fowler has long been a fantasy tease, often enticing owners with hot streaks that prompt "this is the year" hopes, only to disappoint when his performance dips or he gets hurt. While I will acknowledge he still could finagle a 12-homer, 20-steal campaign in a perfect world, I'm more interested in his .378 on-base percentage the past three seasons, which could help him score plenty of runs as the leadoff man in front of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler.

Round 25

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team a	289	Marlon Byrd	OF
Team Newcomer	290	Kendrys Morales	1B
Team Catania	291	James Paxton	SP
master batters	292	Tony Watson	RP
Team Caughlan	293	Avisail Garcia	OF
Team Lopez	294	Mike Leake	SP
Team Kelly	295	DJ LeMahieu	2B
Team Oates	296	Jed Lowrie	SS
Team Litschgi	297	T.J. House	SP
Team Berkhout	298	Dalton Pompey	OF
Team Johnson	299	Brandon Phillips	2B
Team harvey	300	Michael Bourn	OF

Analysis

My Pick: James Paxton, SP

One final pitcher to polish things off. Paxton is one of those boom-or-bust players who either will look like a gem of a pick a month from now or will be cast off my roster when his injury history catches up to him again. I'm not tethered to him in any way as the last choice, but I do see the upside from a promising starter who calls Safeco Field home.

Team Evaluation

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

Big years from Ian Desmond (left) and Bryce Harper will go a long way toward making this fantasy team dangerous.

POSITION	PLAYER	ROUND
C	Devin Mesoraco	8
1B	Prince Fielder	6
2B	Howie Kendrick	12
3B	Ryan Zimmerman	9
SS	Ian Desmond	2
CI	Mike Napoli	17
MI	Jhonny Peralta	16
OF	Giancarlo Stanton	1
OF	Bryce Harper	3
OF	Carlos Gonzalez	4
OF	Billy Hamilton	5
OF	Christian Yelich	7
UT	Dexter Fowler	24
P	Chris Archer	10
P	Lance Lynn	11
P	Drew Storen	13
P	Jose Quintana	14
P	Justin Verlander	15
P	Jenrry Mejia	18
P	Kevin Gausman	19
P	Trevor Bauer	20
P	Brett Cecil	21
BE	Brandon McCarthy	22
BE	Ervin Santana	23
BE	James Paxton	25

Analysis

Strengths

With Stanton at the foundation, it's easy to point to power as a strength, especially if one (or more) of the following occurs: Harper breaks out (finally); Gonzalez stays healthy for 120-130 games; and/or one or both Fielder or Napoli bounces back (ideally the former).

Frankly, nine of the 13 starters enter 2015 with a realistic shot of smacking at least 20 home runs, with Kendrick, Hamilton, Yelich and Fowler as the only exceptions. And between that quartet as well as Desmond and maybe even Stanton and Gonzalez, there should be plenty of stolen bases.

Same goes for strikeouts on the pitching side, since all of Archer, Lynn, Quintana and Verlander could approach 175 whiffs (or more). And with my three bench spots filled with starters, I'll be able to stream based on favorable matchups to rack up even more.

Weaknesses

On the whole, the pitching staff looks—or at least, feels to me—a little light. Now that is by design, of course, since I actively opted not to select any arm until Round 10. But it would be huge if one of either Archer or Verlander performed like a legitimate top-20 fantasy starter, because there's both depth (Lynn, Quintana, McCarthy, Santana) and upside (Gausman, Bauer, Paxton) beyond those two.

None of the closers are in the first or second tier at the position, so there's going to be a fair amount of finger-crossing to see if at least two of Storen, Mejia and Cecil can maintain the gig all year to keep the saves total competitive. While Storen should be in position to nail down 30-plus by himself given the number of opportunities he'll get from a loaded Washington Nationals team, there's enough to worry about with both Mejia (Bobby Parnell's midseason return?) and Cecil (just six career saves).

Looking at the lineup, batting average appears to be a possible problem area, but that's a difficult category to predict from year to year. And it might have been better to grab a hitter who is eligible at multiple infield positions to serve as a backup/fill-in at first and third base or second base and shortstop. Having no off-day plug-ins won't do me any good, especially with offense being so diminished as is. 

Going Forward

Were this mock to be played out in a league, I would be looking to build a robust advantage in steals behind the wheels of Hamilton, Yelich, Desmond and Kendrick, with a little help from Gonzalez, Fowler and Stanton, too. That would make Hamilton, in particular, a very tradeable—and coveted—asset who could be moved to net either another high-end arm or a specific position of need (say, first base if Fielder doesn't pan out).

Additionally, I would be open to swapping one of my five outfielders, each of whom potentially could be top-10-15 at the position. Chances are, one of Harper or Yelich will truly bust out or Gonzalez will regain his former first-round-caliber luster long enough for me to move him before he (inevitably?) hits the disabled list.

This is far from a perfect team, and it's probably a good amount more high-risk/high-reward than I normally would aim for. But the offensive upside, particularly the power, is hard to ignore, which would make this a fun bunch to watch play out—especially if much of that risk turns into reward.

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: @JayCat11.