Way-Too-Early 2012 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft

With the NFL season out of the way, we can finally get down to focusing on the upcoming baseball season.

Since spring training hasn't even gotten underway and some roster moves have yet to be made, it may be a little premature to think about sorting out our fantasy rosters.

It never hurts to take a look ahead, however, as fantasy drafts will be here in a matter of weeks.

Round 1, Pick 1: Albert Pujols

Having either won or finished second in the NL MVP voting in seven of the past nine seasons, it's no surprise Albert Pujols was in the conversation once again in 2011.

It was a down year in comparison to past seasons, as his numbers across the board were their lowest since 2008.

But at any rate, a .299 average with 37 home runs, 99 RBI and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) approaching 1.000 was still impressive enough to add to the resume that got him a massive contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Round 1, Pick 2: Matt Kemp

With all the negativity surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership this season, Matt Kemp provided a glimpse of what will be the future of the franchise.

A newly signed eight-year, $160 million deal was Kemp's reward for his emergence in the league, highlighted by a 39-home run, 126-RBI campaign in 2011.

Now he just needs to back up his big payday with a strong campaign in 2012.

Round 1, Pick 3: Troy Tulowitzki

Another year, another consistently strong season from Troy Tulowizki in 2011.

He reached 100 RBI for the first time in his career and once again hit over 30 home runs, while hitting a career-high 36 doubles.

It's scary to think that at just 27 years of age he hasn't even reached his peak.

Round 1, Pick 4: Robinson Cano

On a roster chock full of superstars, Robinson Cano was still able to set himself apart in 2011.

He batted .302 last year while going deep 28 times and driving in a career-high 118 runs—good enough for an All-Star appearance and ultimately a Silver Slugger Award.

Round 1, Pick 5: Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista is certainly one of the most feared hitters in the league and a great fantasy pickup.

He was tops in the league with 43 home runs and an OPS of 1.056, and was second with a .447 OBP.

Being on a .500 team that finishes fourth in their division swayed some votes away from him during MVP voting, but it's hard to argue his value to the Blue Jays when you think about where they would've been without him.

Round 1, Pick 6: Miguel Cabrera

The success of the Detroit Tigers in recent seasons has been thanks in no small part to slugger Miguel Cabrera.

His 2011 season wasn't any different, as the Tigers found themselves reaching the ALCS and coming up just short of reaching the Fall Classic, ultimately falling to the Texas Rangers.

With a .344 batting average and 1.033 OPS in 2011, Cabrera is certainly the catalyst of a Tigers offense that has a number of valuable weapons heading into 2012.

Round 1, Pick 7: Prince Fielder

In what was ultimately his final season in Milwaukee, Prince Fielder teamed up with Ryan Braun to lead the Brewers to a NLCS matchup in which they'd ultimately fall at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals, the eventual World Series champs.

Playing in all 162 games, Fielder hit 38 home runs and drove in 120 runs while batting a career-high .299.

He'll have great offensive counterparts in Detroit and should see enough pitches to once again be a serious threat in the batter's box.

Round 1, Pick 8: Joey Votto

After winning the NL MVP trophy with an impressive 2010 season, Joey Votto was back at it again in 2011.

He batted over .300 and led the National League in doubles, walks and on-base percentage while driving in 103 runs.

Trade speculation could be a hindrance in 2012, but if Votto can remain focused he's due to have another MVP-caliber season.

Round 1, Pick 9: Adrian Gonzalez

When the All-Star break came around last season, Adrian Gonzalez was batting .354 and had an OPS north of 1.000 while driving in 77 runs.

He finished the season batting at an impressive clip, but his second-half numbers showed just how much he came back to the pack after the Midsummer Classic.

Gonzalez went deep only 10 times since the beginning of July, and his second-half average was 37 points lower than the first half.

He'll need to be a more consistent player to warrant a top-10 pick.

Round 1, Pick 10: Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson's name was thrown out there as one of the front-runners for AL MVP throughout much of last season.

It's hard to argue with his 41 home runs, and his 119 RBI and 136 runs led the league.

Having more strikeouts than hits was a bit of a blemish, and his .262 batting average is less than stellar, though many out there believe that batting average is an overrated statistic.

Round 2, Pick 1: Jacoby Ellsbury

Considering the amount of attention players like Granderson and Bautista received in MVP conversations, you could say Jacoby Ellsbury flew somewhat under the radar.

His statistics across the board in 2011 spoke volumes about his talent and value.

With a .321 batting average, .376 OBP, .552 slugging percentage and .928 OPS, it's easy to see how he was able to rack up 212 hits, 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases.

Round 2, Pick 2: Mark Teixiera

Playing in over 155 games for the fourth consecutive season, New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixiera hit a career-high 30 home runs while driving in 111 runs.

He struggled in the ALDS, notching only three hits in 21 plate appearances, but the overall body of work was once again impressive in 2011.

Round 2, Pick 3: Evan Longoria

Evan Longoria's leadership from third base was imperative in propelling the Tampa Bay Rays into postseason contention seemingly out of nowhere.

He batted only .244 in 2011 but was able to go deep 31 times en route to driving in 99 runs. With a career on-base percentage of .360 and OPS around .875, he's a valuable offensive addition to any fantasy roster.

Round 2, Pick 4: Justin Upton

Last season was a breakout year of sorts for Justin Upton, as he achieved career highs in runs (105), hits (171), home runs (31) and OBP (.369).

He was an important part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' run towards their first postseason appearance since 2007. He would also make his second All-Star appearance.

Round 2, Pick 5: Andrew McCutchen

After batting .286 in each of his first two seasons, Andrew McCutchen saw his average drop to .259 in 2011.

With that drop, however, McCutchen found some power, producing career highs in both home runs (23) and RBI (89).

With a career on-base percentage over .360 and OPS around .825, the 25-year-old outfielder will only continue to improve with maturation.

Round 2, Pick 6: Ian Kinsler

Playing in a career-high 155 games in 2011, Ian Kinsler went deep 31 times and added 30 stolen bases, while drawing a career-high 89 free passes.

Although it was in a losing effort, he played an important role in the Rangers' postseason push, batting .292 in the ALCS and .361 in the World Series.

He's a career .275 hitter and if he can build on last year's successes he'll certainly rate as one of the top infielders in the league.

Round 2, Pick 7: Dustin Pedroia

Despite not getting as much attention last year, Dustin Pedroia put together arguably his best season since 2008 (when he won MVP honors).

In 159 games last season, Pedroia had 61 extra-base hits, including 21 home runs.

His strikeout numbers were up a bit from past seasons, but his on-base percentage was higher than any of his five prior seasons in the league.

Round 2, Pick 8: Roy Halladay

Coming up just short of consecutive NL Cy Young Awards, Roy Halladay was his usual self in 2011. He'd finish the season with a 19-6 record and 2.35 ERA.

Halladay's WHIP (walks plus innings pitched) was its lowest in six seasons and his command remained impeccable as he walked only one batter per nine innings.

Round 2, Pick 9: Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre made a big impact in the Texas Rangers' postseason, going deep three times in the ALDS and another two times during a losing effort in the World Series.

Along with a .296 batting average and .892 OPS, Beltre's 32 home runs put him fifth in the American League, where he'll once again be one of the league's most dangerous hitters.

Round 2, Pick 10: Hanley Ramirez

Playing in the fewest games since entering the league, Hanley Ramirez had a down year in 2011 in most respects.

Heading into the 2012 season, he could go in a couple different directions, as he's no doubt looking to rebound.

At the same time, Jose Reyes' arrival in Miami could get in Ramirez's head and hinder the performance of the 28-year-old slugger.

Round 3, Pick 1: Clayton Kershaw

Despite playing on a team facing a good amount of turmoil in 2011, Clayton Kershaw was unaffected as his spectacular season ultimately won him NL Cy Young honors.

Kershaw won 21 games and posted a 2.28 ERA while averaging nearly 10 strikeouts and just two walks per nine innings pitched.

He heads into 2012 prepped to once again rank among the league's best and will no doubt look to build on last year's successes.

Round 3, Pick 2: Justin Verlander

Taking home both AL Cy Young and MVP honors, Justin Verlander was the cream of the crop in 2011.

His 24-5 record were tops in the league and he continued his rate of punchouts, striking out a batter per inning while walking only two per nine.

He threw more innings (251) than anyone else in the league and also led the league with a sub-1.000 WHIP.

Round 3, Pick 3: Josh Hamilton

His numbers last year dropped off quite a bit from 2010, but Josh Hamilton still showed signs that he's a force at the plate.

Hamilton hit 25 home runs and drove in 94 runs in 2011, despite missing 41 games.

The current drama surrounding his recent relapse appears to be quite a distraction, but if he's able to shake that off as spring training gets underway, there's no reason to think he won't be back to form this year.

Round 3, Pick 4: Cliff Lee

After surprising many with his move to the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason, Cliff Lee got to work in 2011, winning 17 games and posting a career-low 2.40 ERA.

He finished third in NL Cy Young voting and for the first time averaged more than a strikeout per inning.

Round 3, Pick 5: Carl Crawford

It certainly wasn't the opening act in Boston that Carl Crawford would've hoped for, as he struggled to a career-low .255 batting average, .289 on-base percentage and .405 slugging percentage.

The Red Sox are banking on his improvement in 2012 as he looks to get back to his old self that's averaged more than 160 hits, 65 RBI and 40 stolen bases per season.

Round 3, Pick 6: Carlos Gonzalez

After batting a career-high .336 in 2010 (leading the league), Carlos Gonzlez dipped back below .300 in 2011, hitting.295 with 26 home runs and 92 RBI.

Just 26 years old, Gonzalez will look to lead a roster that's added some talented players this winter.

Round 3, Pick 7: Mike Stanton

As one of the game's emerging stars, Mike Stanton turned many heads with his violent swing that sent many balls deep into the Florida night.

His 34 home runs put him fifth in the National League, and his .537 slugging percentage was good enough for sixth.

Round 3, Pick 8: Ryan Braun

With the likelihood of a 50-game suspension facing Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, his draft stock may take a hit in fantasy leagues, though he'll still certainly be a good pickup.

With a career-high .332 batting average and league-leading slugging percentage and OPS (.597 and .994 respectively), Braun will no doubt contribute to any fantasy roster once he does break back into the lineup.

Round 3, Pick 9: Jose Reyes

Leading the National League in batting last year, Jose Reyes put together a superb overall season in his final year with the Mets.

He'll no doubt be under pressure to produce similar results after signing a massive deal in Miami this offseason, but may find it difficult to live up to the hype.

Round 3, Pick 10: David Wright

As Jose Reyes takes his talents to South Beach, the Mets will rely on David Wright even more to lead the club's 2012 campaign.

Despite playing in only 102 games and batting .254 in 2011, Wright is a .300 career hitter and has made five All-Star Games while posting a career .380 on-base percentage.