Fantasy Baseball 2012: Mock-Draft Simulation—No. 7 Slot

Here's the third (and perhaps final) dry run of expectations when holding the No. 7 slot in 12-team mixed roto leagues, specifically working off the Average Draft Position report from our friends at Mock Draft Central. (Yes, not everyone drafted before the A's and Mariners quietly hit Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday.)

It goes without saying: It's imperative to nail the first three picks (7, 17, 31). For for the sake of brevity, we'll stop at Round 20. 

Round 1, Pick 7 overall: Motive—Best overall player

1st option: 1B Joey Votto, Reds
2nd option: 2B Robinson Cano, Yankees
3rd option: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox 

Round 2, Pick 17 overall: Motive—High-end middle infielder or outfielder

1st option: SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
2nd option: OF Curtis Granderson, Yankees
3rd option: SP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers 

Round 3, Pick 31 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher or outfielder

1st option: SP Jered Weaver, Angels
2nd option: OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers
3rd option: 3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers 

Round 4, Pick 41 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 55: Motive—Best power-hitting outfielder or high-end middle infielder

1st option: OF Alex Gordon, Royals
2nd option: 2B Dan Uggla, Braves
3rd option: C Buster Posey, Giants 

Round 6, Pick 65 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher

1st option: SP James Shields, Rays
2nd option: SP Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
3rd option: SP Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks 

Round 7, Pick 79 overall: Motive—Best high-end outfielder or starting pitcher

1st option: OF Drew Stubbs, Reds
2nd option: SP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays
3rd option: SP C.J. Wilson, Angels 

Round 8, Pick 89 overall: Motive—Best outfielder available

1st option: 1B/OF Lance Berkman, Astros
2nd option: OF Brett Gardner, Yankees
3rd option: 2B/OF Michael Cuddyer, Rockies 

Round 9, Pick 103 overall: Motive—Best starting pitcher available

1st option: SP Michael Pineda, Yankees
2nd option: OF Jason Heyward, Braves
3rd option: SP Gio Gonzalez, Nationals 

Round 10, Pick 113 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 127: Motive—Best starting pitcher or middle infielder

1st option: SP Jeremy Hellickson, Rays
2nd option: SS Dee Gordon, Dodgers
3rd option: 2B Dustin Ackley, Mariners 

Round 12, Pick 137: Motive—Best middle infielder or starting pitcher

1st option: 2B Neil Walker, Pirates
2nd option: SP Max Scherzer, Tigers
3rd option: 1B Mark Trumbo, Angels 

Round 13, Pick 151: Motive—Best talent available

1st option: SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
2nd option: RP Andrew Bailey, Red Sox
3rd option: SP Ubaldo Jimenez, Indians 

Round 14, Pick 161: Motive—Best corner infielder available

1st option: 3B-2B-OF Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
2nd option: OF Melky Cabrera, Giants
3rd option: 2B Jason Kipnis, Indians 

Round 15, Pick 175: Motive—Best starting pitcher or closer

1st option: SP Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays
2nd option: RP Brandon League, Mariners
3rd option: SP Wandy Rodriguez, Astros 

Round 16, Pick 185: Motive—Best closer available or power-hitting infielder

1st option: RP Huston Street, Padres
2nd option: 1B/OF Carlos Lee, Astros
3rd option: RP Chris Perez, Indians 

Round 17, Pick 199: Motive—Best closer or outfielder available

1st option: RP Chris Perez, Indians
2nd option: 1B/OF Brandon Belt, Giants
3rd option: SP Colby Lewis, Rangers 

Round 18, Pick 209: Motive—Best player available

1st option: OF Lorenzo Cain, Royals
2nd option: C Wilson Ramos, Nationals
3rd option: 3B Mike Moustakas, Royals  

Round 19, Pick 223: Motive—Best closer or outfielder available

1st option: RP Javy Guerra, Dodgers
2nd option: 3B Chase Headley, Padres
3rd option: OF Lucas Duda, Mets 

Round 20, Pick 233: Motive—Best player available

1st option: SP Vance Worley, Phillies
2nd option: 3B Mat Gamel, Brewers
3rd option: OF Denard Span, Twins 

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