Fantasy Baseball 2012: Mock Draft with No. 3 Slot

Here's the third dry run of draft expectations when holding the No. 3 slot in 12-team mixed roto leagues, specifically working off the Average Draft Position report from our friends at Mock Draft Central.

The key: It's imperative to nail the first three picks (3, 21, 27); and for the sake of brevity, we'll stop at Round 18:

Round 1, Pick 3 overall: Motive—Best overall player

1st option: OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers
2nd option: 3B/OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
3rd option: OF Ryan Braun, Brewers

Round 2, Pick 21 overall: Motive—High-end middle infielder or outfielder

1st option: SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
2nd option: OF Curtis Granderson, Yankees
3rd option: SS Jose Reyes, Marlins

Round 3, Pick 27 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher

1st option: SP Jered Weaver, Angels
2nd option: SP Felix Hernandez, Mariners
3rd option: OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers

Round 4, Pick 45 overall: Motive—Best corner infielder or starting pitcher

1st option: 1B Eric Hosmer, Royals
2nd option: SP Zack Greinke, Brewers
3rd option: 3B Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays

Round 5, Pick 51: Motive—Best power-hitting infielder or starting pitcher

1st option: 3B Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays
2nd option: 2B Dan Uggla, Braves
3rd option: SP Matt Cain, Giants

Round 6, Pick 69 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher

1st option: SP Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks
2nd option: SP Madison Bumgarner, Giants
3rd option: SP Mat Latos, Reds

Round 7, Pick 75 overall: Motive—Best high-end middle infielder or catcher

1st option: 2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers
2nd option: 2B/OF Ben Zobrist, Rays
3rd option: C Buster Posey, Giants

Round 8, Pick 93 overall: Motive—Best outfielder available

1st option: 2B/OF Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
2nd option: OF Jayson Werth, Nationals
3rd option: OF Cameron Maybin, Padres

Round 9, Pick 99 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher available

1st option: SP Josh Johnson, Marlins
2nd option: SP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
3rd option: SP Michael Pineda, Yankees

Round 10, Pick 117 overall: Motive—Best hitter available

1st option: 1B Freddie Freeman, Braves
2nd option: DH Billy Butler, Royals
3rd option: SP Yu Darvish, Rangers

Round 11, Pick 123: Motive—Best starting pitcher or high-end middle infielder

1st option: SP Jeremy Hellickson, Rays
2nd option: SS Dee Gordon, Dodgers
3rd option: SP Chris Carpenter, Cardinals

Round 12, Pick 141: Motive—Best outfielder or starting pitcher

1st option: OF Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
2nd option: SP Max Scherzer, Tigers
3rd option: SP Shaun Marcum, Brewers

Round 13, Pick 147: Motive—Best starting pitcher or closer available

1st option: SP Max Scherzer, Tigers
2nd option: RP Andrew Bailey, Red Sox
3rd option: RP Carlos Marmol, Cubs

Round 14, Pick 165: Motive—Best player available

1st option: OF Melky Cabrera, Giants
2nd option: 2B/3B/OF Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
3rd option: OF Austin Jackson, Tigers

Round 15, Pick 171: Motive—Best player available

1st option: SP Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays
2nd option: 1B Ike Davis, Mets
3rd option: RP Sergio Santos, Blue Jays

Round 16, Pick 189: Motive—Best closer available

1st option: RP Jason Motte, Cardinals
2nd option: RP Huston Street, Padres
3rd option: RP Chris Perez, Indians

Round 17, Pick 195: Motive—Best closer or outfielder available

1st option: RP Javy Guerra, Dodgers
2nd option: RP Rafael Betancourt, Rockies
3rd option: OF Josh Willingham, Twins

Round 18, Pick 213: Motive—Best player available

1st option: 3B Mike Moustakas, Royals
2nd option: SP Vance Worley, Phillies
3rd option: OF Alex Rios, White Sox

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