Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft 2012: Multi-Positional Players to Help Your Team

Offensive production is obviously important to winning a fantasy league, but positional flexibility is an underrated key to success.

Just like a real baseball team, it is unlikely that all the players that start the season in the starting lineup will be there in September.

Players that can be used for multiple positions allow owners to adjust their rosters with more options when adding free agents. 

These men are good players, but are even better considering their availability.

Miguel Cabrera (1B, 3B), Detroit Tigers

As the top pick in most drafts, Cabrera does not need the flexibility to be considered great. However, this just puts icing on the cake.

Jose Bautista (3B, OF), Toronto Blue Jays

Most fantasy leagues allow three or four outfield spots, so you can pick up another good third baseman and still have the best power hitter in the past two years in your starting lineup.

Pablo Sandoval (1B, 3B), San Francisco Giants

First base is a very deep position, but there are not as many quality hitters at third base. Sandoval becomes well above average with the two options. 

Carlos Santana (C, 1B), Cleveland Indians

He is ready to become one of the best young hitters in the major leagues after hitting 27 home runs a year ago.

Splitting time at first base helps keep him on the field, as he played 155 games last year.

Mike Napoli (C, 1B), Texas Rangers

Napoli's 30 home runs last year led all catchers, but was eighth-most among regular first basemen. Putting him at catcher greatly increases his value.

Ben Zobrist (2B, OF), Tampa Bay Rays

There is no question that Zobrist has been the most versatile player in baseball over the past few years. He is currently available at second base and outfield, but has played every position but catcher and pitcher in his career.

Do not be surprised if more positions become available as the year progresses.

Michael Young (1B, 2B, 3B), Texas Rangers

Although he mostly was a designated hitter for the Rangers, Young played enough around the infield to be incredibly valuable in fantasy.

There are not too many quality second basemen in the league, so Young's high batting average and RBI totals make him one of the best.

Michael Cuddyer (1B, 2B, OF), Colorado Rockies

Cuddyer has been a consistent threat in Minnesota, but now he goes to hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Despite playing only 19 games at second base since 2006, he has enough to qualify for the usually defensive-minded position.