Fantasy Baseball 2012: Three Mock Drafts in 75 Minutes

I had originally planned to create a simulation of a 16-team mock draft for today's blog, but it's hard to wrangle something that large on a moment's whim (That's Logistics!).

Instead, I took full advantage of my 24/7 quirkiness, executing three simultaneous 12-team mocks. Adding to the degree of difficulty, I answered a slew of reader Tweets during the blitz, while watching the NCAA Tournament and Family Guy repeats on TV.

Here are the results:

Round 1
(No. 4 slot) Draft #1 - Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
(No. 12 slot) Draft #2 - Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
(No. 11 slot) Draft #3 - Joey Votto, Reds

Breakdown: I don't expect Votto at 11 for any of my upcoming live leagues. The owners in the #3 draft prioritized pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander in the top-10, prompting the Votto mini-slide.

Round 2
Draft #1 - Jose Reyes, Marlins
Draft #2 - Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
Draft #3 - Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Breakdown: I've developed an unwitting pattern of investing elite picks on infielders this spring, underscoring the solid depth at starting pitching and outfield—at least for those who've done their homework. If I had to rank the above trio, it would go A-Gon, Hanley and Reyes.

Round 3
Draft #1 - Curtis Granderson, Yankees
Draft #2 - Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Draft #3 - Cole Hamels, Phillies

Breakdown: I wanted a top-eight pitcher in all three drafts, but couldn't pass on Granderson (my No. 4 outfielder) tumbling to No. 28. Crazy how things work out sometimes. On Mock Draft Central, Granderson currently has an Average Draft Position value of 18. Whoa!

Round 4
Draft #1 - Eric Hosmer, Royals
Draft #2 - CC Sabathia, Yankees
Draft #3 - Zack Greinke, Brewers

Round 5
Draft #1 - Matt Cain, Giants
Draft #2 - Alex Gordon, Royals
Draft #3 - Elvis Andrus, Rangers

Breakdown: What's the greater surprise—getting Granderson at 28 or securing Cain (a top-12 pitcher) at 52? The No. 4 draft slot is paying out pretty well. Gordon was a mild reach in draft #2, but I needed a premium outfielder.

Round 6
Draft #1 - Shin-Soo Choo, Indians
Draft #2 - Shin-Soo Choo, Indians
Draft #3 - Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
Breakdown: Choo was accessible in mock drafts at Round 8 prior to Cactus League action; but now, fantasy owners have come to realize that last year's flameout was an aberration.

Round 7
Draft #1 - Rickie Weeks, Brewers
Draft #2 - Rickie Weeks, Brewers
Draft #3 - Stephen Strasburg, Team

Round 8
Draft #1 - Mat Latos, Reds
Draft #2 - Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
Draft #3 - Desmond Jennings, Rays

Breakdown: Plucking Latos (my No. 20 pitcher) and Strasburg (No. 17) in Round 8 reveals one of two truths: Either I'm way off about their dynastic potential...or others just don't understand good pitching value.

Round 9
Draft #1 - Michael Young, Rangers
Draft #2 - Buster Posey, Giants
Draft #3 - Chris Young, Diamondbacks

Breakdown: The next two rounds involved a game of Draft Chicken, where I successfully gambled that Buster Posey would be available.

Round 10
Draft #1 - Buster Posey, Giants
Draft #2 - Billy Butler, Royals
Draft #3 - Buster Posey, Giants

Round 11
Draft #1 - Josh Johnson, Marlins
Draft #2 - Yu Darvish, Rangers
Draft #3 - Max Scherzer, Tigers

Breakdown: Draft #3 went heavy on pitchers early, which explains the mild reach for Scherzer (my No. 33 pitcher). It would have been more enjoyable to have the choice of Darvish or Josh Johnson in all three mocks.

Round 12
Draft #1 - Cameron Maybin, Padres
Draft #2 - Josh Johnson, Marlins
Draft #3 - Cameron Maybin, Padres

Breakdown: Maybin's ADP value stands at 97; so anything in the 120s is cause for celebration. The kid has 15-45 potential.

Round 13
Draft #1 - Melky Cabrera, Giants
Draft #2 - Huston Street, Padres
Draft #3 - Huston Street, Padres

Breakdown: Thrilled to land the red-hot Cabrera in Round 13. Street was a necessity for two clubs that required an anchor at closer.

Round 14
Draft #1 - Wandy Rodriguez, Astros
Draft #2 - Jason Kipnis, Indians
Draft #3 - Andrew Bailey, Red Sox

Breakdown: The Kipnis pick was even more appealing after finishing today's AL Central sleepers piece. The Tribe star may have the highest upside of any 25-and-under second basemen in the majors.

Round 15
Draft #1 - Colby Lewis, Rangers
Draft #2 - Josh Willingham, Twins
Draft #3 - Colby Lewis, Rangers

Round 16
Draft #1 - Mike Moustakas, Royals
Draft #2 - Mike Moustakas, Royals
Draft #3 - Mike Moustakas, Royals

Breakdown: Sensing a pattern here? Moustakas has immense upside...and ideal value at Round 16.

Round 17
Draft #1 - Jemile Weeks, Athletics
Draft #2 - Javy Guerra, Dodgers
Draft #3 - Ike Davis, Mets

Breakdown: If I had to prioritize the above picks, it'd be Davis, J-Weeks and Guerra. Davis had a stellar OPS in limited at-bats last year (.925); so here's hoping that small sample size yields a big return in 2012.

Round 18
Draft #1 - Huston Street, Rockies
Draft #2 - Ike Davis, Mets
Draft #3 - Ricky Nolasco, Marlins

Round 19
Draft #1 - Jason Kipnis, Indians
Draft #2 - Austin Jackson, Tigers
Draft #3 - Austin Jackson, Tigers

Breakdown: Kipnis is a certifiable steal at Round 19, and Jackson has realistic potential for 30 steals and 100 runs.

Round 20
Draft #1 - Austin Jackson, Tigers
Draft #2 - Ricky Nolasco, Marlins
Draft #3 - Vance Worley, Phillies

Breakdown: I would be thrilled to snag Worley at Round 20 or 21 in any league, regardless of scoring. I have him projected for: 12 wins, 3.39 ERA and 168 Ks

Round 21
Draft #1 - Matt Thornton, White Sox
Draft #2 - J.D. Martinez, Astros
Draft #3 - Brandon Belt, Giants

Round 22
Draft #1 - Homer Bailey, Reds
Draft #2 - Vance Worley, Phillies
Draft #3 - J.D. Martinez, Astros

Breakdown: At this point, it's all about upside (Martinez)—or targeting strikeouts (Worley, Bailey).

Round 23
Draft #1 - Justin Smoak, Mariners
Draft #2 - Homer Bailey, Reds
Draft #3 - Matt Thornton, White Sox

Round 24
Draft #1 - Denard Span, Twins
Draft #2 - Justin Smoak, Mariners
Draft #3 - Justin Smoak, Mariners

Breakdown: In drafts this size, I will fixate on eight talents at Rounds 24 and 25 (in no particular order): Smoak, Span, Mike Trout, Lorenzo Cain, Aroldis Chapman, Francisco Liriano, Philip Humber and Danny Duffy.

Round 25
Draft #1 - Danny Duffy, Royals
Draft #2 - Denard Span, Twins
Draft #3 - Denard Span, Twins

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.