Fantasy Baseball 2014: Full 12-Team, 25-Round Mock Draft, Version 2.0

Practice makes perfect—even when it doesn't really count.

With fantasy baseball drafts underway everywhere in recent weeks, it's important to prepare for the big day. Reading up on the top 150 players this year is one way to do so, as is checking out the position rankings and some key sleepers.

Nothing, though, beats doing a mock draft. That's where a group of like-minded fantasy baseball folks gather over the Interwebs to participate in a process of player procurement, pick by pick, for practice.

The idea is to simulate a real fantasy baseball draft in order to get a better understanding of trends in roster construction and each player's average draft position (ADP).

The point? To learn something while having some fun.

With all of the above in mind, after enjoying a 15-team, 23-round mock draft last month, yours truly gave it another go by joining in on a more recent—and less intensive—mock with a bunch of fellow fantasy baseball fanatics.

What follows is a look at how everything shook out.

The Participants

Gregory Bull/Associated Press/Associated Press

Clatyon Kershaw went in the first half of Round 1 in this mock. Is that too soon?

Before we get to the picks, here's some background.

This mock draft was held on March 11 via ESPN Fantasy Baseball's mock draft lobby. As opposed to the whopping 15 teams picking 23 players each for a total of 345 last time around, this time there were 12 teams drafting over 25 rounds for 300 players in all.

Here's a rundown of the names of the teams that participated, in order of their respective draft slot:

1. Swervin Lane 2 Lane
2. Team Giusti
3. Team Young
4. Team Calixto
5. Jason Catania, Bleacher Report, @JayCat11
6. Team O'Connell
7. Team hughes
8. Team Costa
9. Team Fiorella
10. Team moore
11. Team stegemoller
12. Team Selander

Scoring and Settings

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

After leading the majors in homers and RBI last year, Chris Davis has turned into a first-rounder.

As for other information you should know, this mock was set up for a make-believe league that uses standard 5x5 rotisserie scoring: BA, R, HR, RBI, SB for hitters; W, ERA, WHIP, K, SV for pitchers.

Again, there were 25 rounds, and the lineup positions are as follows: one each for catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, middle infield, corner infield and utility; five outfielders; nine pitchers of any sort (starters and relievers); and three bench spots.

Got all that?

Oh, and yours truly scored the fifth overall pick, which turned out rather well out of the gate when a certain someone fell to that slot.

Mock on!

Round 1

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	1	Miguel Cabrera	1B/3B
Team Giusti	2	Mike Trout	OF
Team Young	3	Paul Goldschmidt	1B
Team Calixto	4	Clayton Kershaw	SP
Team Catania	5	Andrew McCutchen	OF
Team O'Connell	6	Carlos Gonzalez	OF
Team hughes	7	Chris Davis	1B
Team Costa	8	Adrian Beltre	3B
Team Fiorella	9	David Wright	3B
Team moore	10	Jacoby Ellsbury	OF
Team stegemoller	11	Prince Fielder	1B
Team Selander	12	Hanley Ramirez	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Andrew McCutchen, OF

I was surprised but not shocked when McCutchen fell outside the top four picks, which is where he most often gets selected, so I had no hesitation snatching him up at No. 5. This way, I began building my team with a poor man's Mike Trout—a five-category contributor in his prime who fills one of five outfield spots.

Other Picks

While I wouldn't have taken Clayton Kershaw before Cutch—it's so important to get hitting early—the reigning Cy Young winner has been going in the first round in most drafts because of his consistent dominance. The only choice that I would criticize here, then? David Wright at No. 9 overall is just way, way too early for a guy on the wrong side of 30 who has had issues staying healthy.

Round 2

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	13	Ryan Braun	OF
Team stegemoller	14	Yu Darvish	SP
Team moore	15	Edwin Encarnacion	1B
Team Fiorella	16	Carlos Gomez	OF
Team Costa	17	Adam Wainwright	SP
Team hughes	18	Robinson Cano	2B
Team O'Connell	19	Troy Tulowitzki	SS
Team Catania	20	Adam Jones	OF
Team Calixto	21	Felix Hernandez	SP
Team Young	22	Bryce Harper	OF
Team Giusti	23	Joey Votto	1B
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	24	Yasiel Puig	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Adam Jones, OF

I was shocked when Robinson Cano dropped out of Round 1...and then continued to fall and fall. As a result, I started to get excited with the possibility that I could land a legitimate first-rounder—which Cano clearly is—in the middle of Round 2.

Alas, he went two picks prior to mine, but I was more than happy to get Jones, who gives me a second uber-productive outfielder who will go big in runs, homers and RBI while also helping in average and steals. I also debated taking Bryce Harper or Joey Votto, who each went within two of the next three picks after mine.

Other Picks

It's interesting to see Ryan Braun climbing up draft boards this month now that he's shown once again that he can, you know, hit. I have no problem with an owner grabbing him anywhere in Round 2, but I wouldn't want to risk taking him with my first choice.

Seeing four pitchers go by the end of Round 2 seemed a bit much, as the only two who typically come off the board by this point are Kershaw and Yu Darvish. Nothing against Adam Wainwright and Felix Hernandez, but they're closer to the next batch of starters than they are to those top two, in my opinion.

Round 3

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	25	Cliff Lee	SP
Team Giusti	26	Evan Longoria	3B
Team Young	27	Ian Desmond	SS
Team Calixto	28	Max Scherzer	SP
Team Catania	29	Jason Kipnis	2B
Team O'Connell	30	Stephen Strasburg	SP
Team hughes	31	Giancarlo Stanton	OF
Team Costa	32	Dustin Pedroia	2B
Team Fiorella	33	Freddie Freeman	1B
Team moore	34	Alex Rios	OF
Team stegemoller	35	Shin-Soo Choo	OF
Team Selander	36	Ian Kinsler	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Jason Kipnis, 2B

I have Kipnis well inside my top 30 overall, because he's a 20-homer, 30-steal candidate who should reach 90 runs and RBI with a solid batting average at a position where there are maybe only two or three other elite hitters. Getting him at No. 29, then, was more than all right by me. I had also been eyeing Evan Longoria, who went at No. 26.

Other Picks

Not to harp on this, but with Cliff Lee, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg going in the first half of Round 3, that made—count 'em—seven pitchers gone within the first 30 selections. That is too, too many.

If you've been following my work over the past month, you know I'm not a fan of Alex Rios, so there's no way I would have taken him within about 30 picks of No. 34. I also felt it was too soon for Ian Kinsler, who is not only injury-prone and perhaps over the hill, but he also will no longer be playing in the hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark. I did, however, like the selection that was sandwiched between that pair: Shin-Soo Choo.

Round 4

Morry Gash/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	37	Jose Fernandez	SP
Team stegemoller	38	David Price	SP
Team moore	39	Jose Reyes	SS
Team Fiorella	40	Jose Bautista	OF
Team Costa	41	Justin Upton	OF
Team hughes	42	Buster Posey	C
Team O'Connell	43	Albert Pujols	1B
Team Catania	44	Chris Sale	SP
Team Calixto	45	Craig Kimbrel	RP
Team Young	46	Hunter Pence	OF
Team Giusti	47	Justin Verlander	SP
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	48	Elvis Andrus	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Chris Sale, SP

If I'm being honest here, I was about to take Justin Verlander over Sale, who was queued up at the top of my next-to-draft list when the clock struck 0:00. It's not that I didn't want Sale—again, I had him queued up for a reason—but I'm buying in on a Verlander return to form, which could make him a top-three SP in 2014.

I'm not sure if Sale can quite get to that level, especially while being stuck on a better-but-still-not-good White Sox team that might limit his wins total. Either way, I knew I wanted one of the remaining two best arms after so many had gone by my turn.

By the way, this is the point at which the mock went from fast-paced-but-fun to downright frantic, as picks started being made within 10 seconds. Trying to keep track of everything at such an elevated rate would come back to bite me in a bit, as we'll get to later on.

Other Picks

Frankly, most of the players in this round seemed to be taken rather early, from the three Joses (Fernandez, Reyes and Bautista) to Justin Upton, Buster Posey, Albert Pujols, Hunter Pence and Elvis Andrus. I'm also not going to be the guy in drafts who gets Craig Kimbrel, because I won't waste—er, use—a pick within the first five or six rounds on a player who predominantly contributes to only one category.

Round 5

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	49	Eric Hosmer	1B
Team Giusti	50	Joe Mauer	C/1B
Team Young	51	Starling Marte	OF
Team Calixto	52	David Ortiz	UTIL
Team Catania	53	Wil Myers	OF
Team O'Connell	54	Zack Greinke	SP
Team hughes	55	Jay Bruce	OF
Team Costa	56	Madison Bumgarner	SP
Team Fiorella	57	Yoenis Cespedes	OF
Team moore	58	Yadier Molina	C
Team stegemoller	59	Anibal Sanchez	SP
Team Selander	60	Aroldis Chapman	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Wil Myers, OF

Here is where I made a conscious decision to go a different route from the previous mock draft I participated in, as I was more focused on targeting young hitters with less experience but more upside rather than older, more proven bats.

I debated Myers, Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes for almost the entire 45 seconds I had to choose, and I decided to throw a little caution to the wind and gamble on the potential of last season's AL Rookie of the Year. I didn't see any of the three as a bad decision; this is my OF3 we're talking about.

In what was otherwise a quiet chat room during the draft, this pick was one of the few that elicited an angry response, meaning I had snaked someone's selection.

Other Picks

I actually liked the takes of Zack Greinke and Madison Bumgarner here; to me, they're both underrated in fantasy. I'm not as high on regression candidate Anibal Sanchez as others, so seeing him go inside the first 60 picks feels like it could leave no margin for value.

Starling Marte also went about 20 spots too soon, because although he's been helpful in runs and steals, he will only be helpful in runs and steals. Also, his ultra-aggressive approach at the dish is going to lead to a lower average than last year's .280, and he lacks the power to bring much in homers and RBI.

Round 6

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	61	Allen Craig	1B/OF
Team stegemoller	62	Matt Cain	SP
Team moore	63	Josh Donaldson	3B
Team Fiorella	64	Kenley Jansen	RP
Team Costa	65	Adrian Gonzalez	1B
Team hughes	66	Ben Zobrist	2B/SS/OF
Team O'Connell	67	Ryan Zimmerman	3B
Team Catania	68	Matt Holliday	OF
Team Calixto	69	Matt Carpenter	2B/3B
Team Young	70	Greg Holland	RP
Team Giusti	71	Matt Kemp	OF
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	72	Brandon Phillips	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Matt Holliday, OF

Look, about that whole spiel I just gave about youth and upside...well, I simply couldn't pass up Holliday at this stage after I had considered him, albeit briefly, in the previous round. He's 34, and at some point, he'll have his cliff season—but come on, the dude hits every year. An average around .300 with 22-25 homers and 90 RBI and 90 runs is pretty much a lock. Plus, allow me to introduce you to my outfield so far: McCutchen, Jones, Myers and Holliday. Look out!

Other Picks

Josh Donaldson was a great story in 2013, but he'll have to be an even better story in 2014 in order for him to be worth pick No. 63 overall. If you buy into the whole 27-year-old-break-out thing, that's your prerogative, but I see a solid player who is better in real life than fantasy, because he might not be better than slightly above average in any category.

I feel pretty much the same way about Ben Zobrist, who derives about 40 percent of his value from being eligible at three positions, including shortstop. That's helpful, but if he fails to top 12 homers and/or steals as well as 80 runs and/or RBI, is he really that great? By the way, those are the numbers he didn't surpass last year.

Round 7

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	73	Kyle Seager	3B
Team Giusti	74	Gerrit Cole	SP
Team Young	75	Alex Cobb	SP
Team Calixto	76	Carlos Beltran	OF
Team Catania	77	Mark Trumbo	1B/OF
Team O'Connell	78	Jean Segura	SS
Team hughes	79	Joe Nathan	RP
Team Costa	80	Carlos Santana	C/1B(/3B)
Team Fiorella	81	Mike Minor	SP
Team moore	82	Starlin Castro	SS
Team stegemoller	83	Jason Heyward	OF
Team Selander	84	Masahiro Tanaka	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Mark Trumbo, 1B/OF

In need of a first baseman, and figuring that a little more power (OK, a lot more power) never hurt a fantasy owner, I snatched Trumbo, who has mashed at least 29 homers in each of his first three full seasons, including a career-high 34 in 2013. I'd bet another 30-homer campaign is on the docket, and with his move from pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium to hitter-friendly Chase Field, Trumbo could set another career-best mark in 2014.

Other Picks

Try as I might, I just can't get on board the Alex Cobb train. I'm not denying that he's good, but any pitcher who relies so much on offspeed stuff and movement can be prone to wild fluctuations from year to year, or even start to start. I'll be shocked if he comes close to matching his 2.76 ERA or 8.4 K/9 from last year. He's more of an SP4 in my book, but going 75th overall requires him to be at least an SP3.

One pick I did like? Jean Segura, mainly because I nearly took him over Trumbo given my need for a shortstop. I'm not sure his second full season will be quite as good as his first, especially in the power department, but I do think he's capable of hitting for average, scoring lots of runs and swiping 40 bases in an underrated Milwaukee lineup.

Round 8

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	85	Brian McCann	C
Team stegemoller	86	Alex Gordon	OF
Team moore	87	Homer Bailey	SP
Team Fiorella	88	Aramis Ramirez	3B
Team Costa	89	Jayson Werth	OF
Team hughes	90	Trevor Rosenthal	RP
Team O'Connell	91	Jose Altuve	2B
Team Catania	92	Gio Gonzalez	SP
Team Calixto	93	James Shields	SP
Team Young	94	David Robertson	RP
Team Giusti	95	Everth Cabrera	SS
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	96	Mat Latos	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Gio Gonzalez, SP

Gonzalez is an easy top-20 starter—heck, he's in my top 15—so to grab him in Round 8 of a draft where a ton of pitching was taken early is a coup. He's a 200-strikeout arm who will post an above-average ERA and WHIP, and the Nationals have to be better this year, which means he should top last season's 11 wins—even if he doesn't exactly match the 21 wins he recorded in 2012. He'll slot in just fine behind Sale.

Other Picks

Selections I liked: Trevor Rosenthal, the last of the potential 100-strikeout closers, is a great value at No. 90; James Shields, a consistent workhorse and an SP2, is just as nice at No. 93; and Everth Cabrera, who might swipe 50 bases at the shallow shortstop spot, is hard to beat at No. 95 (I nearly grabbed him because I'm still sans SS).

Selections I didn't like: Alex Gordon (No. 86), a solid-at-best outfielder who might hit 15 homers, might steal 12 bases, might score 90 runs, might knock in 80—or might do none of that; Aramis Ramirez (No. 88), who is about 87 years old now and coming off a season wrecked by a knee injury and, more recently, surgery on his colon that has set him back in camp; and Jose Altuve (No. 91), a useful 2B whose power production is limited by his own bat and whose overall fantasy production is limited by his surrounding lineup.

Round 9

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	97	Jonathan Lucroy	C
Team Giusti	98	Martin Prado	2B/3B/OF
Team Young	99	Pedro Alvarez	3B
Team Calixto	100	Jordan Zimmermann	SP
Team Catania	101	Jose Abreu	1B
Team O'Connell	102	Jered Weaver	SP
Team hughes	103	Desmond Jennings	OF
Team Costa	104	Shelby Miller	SP
Team Fiorella	105	Kris Medlen	SP
Team moore	106	Doug Fister	SP
Team stegemoller	107	Chase Utley	2B
Team Selander	108	Josh Hamilton	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Jose Abreu, 1B

The hype has been building on Abreu, which can make him a scary pick if he's taken too soon, especially given that he's never played a major league game in his career. But at No. 101 overall, I'll take a shot that he's a potential 30-plus-homer guy in year one. Besides, if he works out, I can always shift him to 1B and Trumbo to OF, or I could trade one of them for a need during the season.

Other Picks

Martin Prado is having himself quite the spring training, and I prefer his versatility here to that of Zobrist three rounds earlier. If I'm going to credit myself for Abreu, I might as well throw some praise on the Pedro Alvarez pick, since they might be very similar players. I also really liked the value on Jordan Zimmermann (No. 100), Desmond Jennings (No. 103) and Shelby Miller (No. 104).

On the other hand, I can't support the selection of Kris Medlen one pick later given that he is currently dealing with elbow ligament damage, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Even if he can avoid surgery, I'm staying far, far away from him.

Round 10

Steven Senne/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	109	Victor Martinez	UTIL
Team stegemoller	110	Wilin Rosario	C
Team moore	111	Michael Cudyer	OF
Team Fiorella	112	Aaron Hill	2B
Team Costa	113	Koji Uehara	RP
Team hughes	114	Jim Johnson	RP
Team O'Connell	115	Billy Hamilton	OF
Team Catania	116	Glen Perkins	RP
Team Calixto	117	Shane Victorino	OF
Team Young	118	Domonic Brown	OF
Team Giusti	119	Anthony Rizzo	1B
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	120	Billy Butler	UTIL

Analysis

My Pick: Glen Perkins, RP

I needed some saves, and all of the top closers were long gone by this point—except for the excellent-but-underappreciated Perkins, so I took the plunge just to stay afloat in the saves category. For the record, I would have gone with Perkins ahead of Koji Uehara and Jim Johnson, but I didn't have to because the two latter players went back-to-back a few picks beforehand.

Other Picks

As an owner who had been keeping one eye on the catchers, I can appreciate the Wilin Rosario selection, especially at No. 110. And as an owner who had been noticing a growing need for speed, I may well have taken Billy Hamilton had he not gone right before it was my turn. I'm not sure the rookie will hit much, but Round 10 is late enough that it doesn't hurt to try and find out.

The other choice I really liked this round was Anthony Rizzo, who has the upside in him to hit .270-.280 with 30 homers. He's still so young (24), and while he has a lot he needs to improve upon, that also means he has a lot of time to get better. In fact, he should have been taken a round or two earlier, and I had contemplated him when I went with Abreu.

Round 11

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	121	Will Venable	OF
Team Giusti	122	Michael Wacha	SP
Team Young	123	Francisco Liriano	SP
Team Calixto	124	Brett Lawrie	3B
Team Catania	125	Manny Machado	3B
Team O'Connell	126	Mike Napoli	1B
Team hughes	127	Pablo Sandoval	3B
Team Costa	128	Sergio Romo	RP
Team Fiorella	129	Matt Adams	1B
Team moore	130	J.J. Hardy	SS
Team stegemoller	131	Daniel Murphy	2B
Team Selander	132	Cole Hamels	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Manny Machado, 3B

Yes, Machado may well start the season on the disabled list, but by all accounts, his recovery from offseason knee surgery has gone well; he's been running the bases at 70 to 80 percent, per Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun. Getting him at such a discount because of that—No. 125!—was just too good to pass up. Even if I have to find a filler third baseman later in the draft or off the waiver wire for a week or two, I'll still get to enjoy five good months of a rising star.

Round 12

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	133	Jason Grilli	RP
Team stegemoller	134	Brandon Moss	1B/OF
Team moore	135	Hyun-Jin Ryu	SP
Team Fiorella	136	Hisashi Iwakuma	SP
Team Costa	137	Julio Teheran	SP
Team hughes	138	Chase Headley	3B
Team O'Connell	139	Jon Lester	SP
Team Catania	140	Salvador Perez	C
Team Calixto	141	Matt Moore	SP
Team Young	142	Brandon Belt	1B
Team Giusti	143	Alexei Ramirez	SS
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	144	Jeff Samardzija	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Salvador Perez, C

I much prefer to wait as long as possible and get a capable starting catcher, preferably one who is still in the top 10 or so. As a high-average hitter who has more in his stick than we've seen so far—especially as a part of that young, ever-improving Royals one-through-nine—Perez is just that.

Round 13

David Goldman/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	145	R.A. Dickey	SP
Team Giusti	146	Matt Wieters	C
Team Young	147	Jonathan Papelbon	RP
Team Calixto	148	Coco Crisp	OF
Team Catania	149	Wilson Ramos	C
Team O'Connell	150	Nelson Cruz	OF
Team hughes	151	Alfonso Soriano	OF
Team Costa	152	Leonys Martin	OF
Team Fiorella	153	Jurickson Profar	2B
Team moore	154	Addison Reed	RP
Team stegemoller	155	Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
Team Selander	156	Steve Cishek	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Wilson Ramos, C

OK, here's where the rapid-fire speed of the draft messed me up. In a one-catcher league like this, I never would have selected a second backstop, let alone with the pick right after I'd just taken my first catcher. But because most owners in the mock had turned on auto-pick by now, the eight spots between my picks in Rounds 12 and 13 went by very quickly.

Ramos had been in my queue because, until my previous choice, I still needed a catcher. Then, when I wasn't fast enough on the mouse to rummage through the shortstops to fill the lone remaining open spot in my starting lineup, the clock ran down and, well, Ramos joined my team. It's not the worst choice in the world, because I do like him as a potential top-10 catcher, but again, this was anything but the plan.

Round 14

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	157	Hiroki Kuroda	SP
Team stegemoller	158	Will Middlebrooks	3B
Team moore	159	Andrew Cashner	SP
Team Fiorella	160	CC Sabathia	SP
Team Costa	161	Curtis Granderson	OF
Team hughes	162	Jedd Gyorko	2B
Team O'Connell	163	Xander Bogaerts	SS
Team Catania	164	Jed Lowrie	2B/SS
Team Calixto	165	C.J. Wilson	SP
Team Young	166	Andrelton Simmons	SS
Team Giusti	167	Carl Crawford	OF
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	168	Torii Hunter	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Jed Lowrie, 2B/SS

My frustration from the time-forced selection last time around was only doubled when the player I had meant to take in Round 13 was chosen—with the pick right before mine in Round 14! That's right; I had been searching for Xander Bogaerts when the computer gave me Ramos, and then the Red Sox rookie got plucked right out from under my nose. Seriously?!

To recover, I went with the safe and somewhat versatile Jed Lowrie, who should be fine as my starting SS, even though his upside might be a repeat of his solid 2013 campaign. If he can come close to repeating that production, though, then the way all this played out might not sting so much in the end.

Round 15

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	169	Matt Garza	SP
Team Giusti	170	Grant Balfour	RP
Team Young	171	Kendrys Morales	1B
Team Calixto	172	Jason Castro	C
Team Catania	173	Zack Wheeler	SP
Team O'Connell	174	Rafael Soriano	RP
Team hughes	175	Adam Lind	1B
Team Costa	176	Tony Cingrani	SP
Team Fiorella	177	Dan Haren	SP
Team moore	178	Casey Janssen	RP
Team stegemoller	179	B.J. Upton	OF
Team Selander	180	Josh Reddick	OF

Analysis

My Pick: Zack Wheeler, SP

I like what Wheeler showed in his first half-year in the bigs, especially in regard to how he got better as the season progressed; he produced a 48-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio and only three homers allowed over his final nine starts, as opposed to a 36-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio and seven homers allowed in his first eight contests.

Will there be a Matt Harvey-like breakout here in 2014? No. But could Wheeler have a takes-the-leap season? As my SP3, I'm counting on it.

Round 16

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	181	Adam Eaton	OF
Team stegemoller	182	Christian Yelich	OF
Team moore	183	Danny Salazar	SP
Team Fiorella	184	Huston Street	RP
Team Costa	185	Sonny Gray	SP
Team hughes	186	Michael Bourn	OF
Team O'Connell	187	A.J. Pierzynski	C
Team Catania	188	Austin Jackson	OF
Team Calixto	189	Brian Dozier	2B
Team Young	190	Brett Gardner	OF
Team Giusti	191	Ernesto Frieri	RP
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	192	Patrick Corbin	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Austin Jackson, OF

Other than middle infield, the only other starting spot I needed to fill by this stage was my fifth outfielder. Jackson might not ever become the player he looked like he was turning into at this time a year ago, but he's a safe bet to reach double digits in both homers and steals, and he's 90-plus runs scored in the bank. And if he does enjoy a next-level-up breakout at age 27, I'll get to enjoy it, too.

Round 17

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	193	Bobby Parnell	RP
Team Giusti	194	Johnny Cueto	SP
Team Young	195	Jake Peavy	SP
Team Calixto	196	Khris Davis	OF
Team Catania	197	Chris Tillman	SP
Team O'Connell	198	Clay Buchholz	SP
Team hughes	199	Justin Masterson	SP
Team Costa	200	Dan Straily	SP
Team Fiorella	201	Fernando Rodney	RP
Team moore	202	A.J. Burnett	SP
Team stegemoller	203	Marco Estrada	SP
Team Selander	204	Mike Moustakas	3B

Analysis

My Pick: Chris Tillman, SP

With Wheeler in as my rotation upside play, I thought it was time to go with a safer pick. Tillman, to be honest, isn't the very definition of "safe," but he did cross the 200-inning barrier last year while whiffing 179 batters. Even if his ERA bumps a tick closer to 4.00 and his WHIP nudges toward 1.30, that'll do as my fourth starting arm. I did also consider Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson, who went over the very next picks.

Round 18

Morry Gash/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	205	Mark Teixeira	1B
Team stegemoller	206	Norichika Aoki	OF
Team moore	207	John Axford	RP
Team Fiorella	208	Jimmy Rollins	SS
Team Costa	209	Jonathan Villar	SS
Team hughes	210	Drew Smyly	SP/RP
Team O'Connell	211	Neftali Feliz	RP
Team Catania	212	Jim Henderson	RP
Team Calixto	213	Jarrod Parker	SP
Team Young	214	Howie Kendrick	2B
Team Giusti	215	Alejandro De Aza	OF
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	216	Erick Aybar	SS

Analysis

My Pick: Jim Henderson, RP

After taking Perkins in Round 10, I sat and waited on closers as long as I could while still ensuring that I'd get one I believe in.

Despite having no real experience closing games in the majors until a month into 2013, this hard-throwing 31-year-old proved he could do the job by sporting great numbers (2.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 11.3 K/9) and converting 28-of-32 attempts. I like Henderson about as much as Neftali Feliz, who went one pick earlier, and much more than John Axford—the man Henderson replaced last year—who went five picks earlier.

Round 19

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	217	Lance Lynn	SP
Team Giusti	218	Ervin Santana	SP
Team Young	219	John Lackey	SP
Team Calixto	220	Corey Hart	1B/OF
Team Catania	221	Chris Archer	SP
Team O'Connell	222	Jose Veras	RP
Team hughes	223	Ivan Nova	SP
Team Costa	224	Nick Swisher	1B/OF
Team Fiorella	225	Nate Jones	RP
Team moore	226	Nolan Arenado	3B
Team stegemoller	227	Rex Brothers	RP
Team Selander	228	Alexander Guerrero	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Chris Archer, SP

Archer is very much in the same mold as Zack Wheeler—a young, hard-throwing righty who was a top prospect with some promising success in his first real taste of the bigs in 2013. I don't expect the 25-year-old to match the 3.22 ERA or 1.13 WHIP he put up in 23 starts last year, but if he can maintain the control he showed (2.7 BB/9), there's a lot to like about him as my SP5 with the upside of an SP3/4.

Round 20

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	229	Nick Markakis	OF
Team stegemoller	230	Rick Porcello	SP
Team moore	231	Colby Rasmus	OF
Team Fiorella	232	Miguel Montero	C
Team Costa	233	Ben Revere	OF
Team hughes	234	Tommy Hunter	RP
Team O'Connell	235	Evan Gattis	C/OF
Team Catania	236	Anthony Rendon	2B
Team Calixto	237	Michael Brantley	OF
Team Young	238	Yovani Gallardo	SP
Team Giusti	239	Joaquin Benoit	RP
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	240	Bartolo Colon	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Anthony Rendon, 2B

Middle infield was the final starting position on the offensive side that I needed to fill, and I was fine with waiting to fill that spot by seeing what the draft gave me.

As it turns out, Rendon, a 23-year-old former top prospect who looked capable as a rookie (.265 BA, 40 R, 7 HR, 35 RBI in 351 AB), could be a pretty nice late-round gift. Injuries have always been a concern for the 2011 No. 6 overall pick, but if he stays healthy, Rendon's bat could turn him into a fringe top-10 2B.

Round 21

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	241	Oscar Taveras	OF
Team Giusti	242	Cody Allen	RP
Team Young	243	Tim Lincecum	SP
Team Calixto	244	Justin Smoak	1B
Team Catania	245	Nick Castellanos	3B/OF
Team O'Connell	246	Ryan Howard	1B
Team hughes	247	Tyler Clippard	RP
Team Costa	248	Todd Frazier	3B
Team Fiorella	249	Dexter Fowler	OF
Team moore	250	Nate Schierholtz	OF
Team stegemoller	251	Alex Wood	SP
Team Selander	252	Mark Melancon	RP

Analysis

My Pick: Nick Castellanos, 3B/OF

The parade of youngsters continues with one of this year's top prospects.

The 22-year-old Castellanos was impressive in an aggressive assignment to Triple-A in 2013 (.276 BA, 18 HR, 76 RBI), and he has been flashing more pop this spring. With the Opening Day third base gig in a still-potent Tigers lineup all but locked up, Castellanos can be my fill-in until Machado is ready. After that, he could be shiny-new-toy trade bait if he gets off to a hot start, or simply a solid backup at both 3B and OF.

Round 22

David Goldman/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	253	Jake McGee	RP
Team stegemoller	254	Danny Farquhar	RP
Team moore	255	Kelly Johnson	2B/3B/OF
Team Fiorella	256	George Springer	OF
Team Costa	257	Stephen Drew	SS
Team hughes	258	Dillon Gee	SP
Team O'Connell	259	Brandon Beachy	SP
Team Catania	260	Rajai Davis	OF
Team Calixto	261	Jhonny Peralta	SS
Team Young	262	Devin Mesoraco	C
Team Giusti	263	Eric Young Jr.	OF
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	264	Chris Carter	1B/OF

Analysis

My Pick: Rajai Davis, OF

With news that Andy Dirks, Davis' platoon partner in left field in Detroit, will be out for a couple months after back surgery, this speedy Davis shouldn't have any trouble stealing a bunch of bases at the outset of the year. That will help me build up some headway in the SB category, which was the one offensive area I felt was lacking a bit—until now.

Round 23

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	265	LaTroy Hawkins	RP
Team Giusti	266	Kyle Lohse	SP
Team Young	267	Chris Johnson	3B
Team Calixto	268	Angel Pagan	OF
Team Catania	269	Ubaldo Jimenez	SP
Team O'Connell	270	Avisail Garcia	OF
Team hughes	271	Jesse Crain	RP
Team Costa	272	Neil Walker	2B
Team Fiorella	273	A.J. Griffin	SP
Team moore	274	Wade Miley	SP
Team stegemoller	275	Adam LaRoche	1B
Team Selander	276	Taijuan Walker	SP

Analysis

My Pick: Ubaldo Jimenez, SP

Still searching for some quality and quantity on the SP front, I found Jimenez readily available and enticing enough at this late stage to take a flyer on him. If he looks good early, he could be an SP2/3, much like he was over the second half of 2013 (1.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 10.7 K/9). If he turns back into an enigmatic pumpkin, it's not going to cost me much in Round 23.

Round 24

RICK SCUTERI/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Team Selander	277	J.J. Putz	RP
Team stegemoller	278	David Freese	3B
Team moore	279	Zack Cozart	SS
Team Fiorella	280	Marlon Byrd	OF
Team Costa	281	Yan Gomes	C
Team hughes	282	Kole Calhoun	OF
Team O'Connell	283	Pedro Strop	RP
Team Catania	284	Brad Miller	SS
Team Calixto	285	Melky Cabrera	OF
Team Young	286	Omar Infante	2B
Team Giusti	287	Jonathon Niese	SP
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	288	Justin Morneau	1B

Analysis

My Pick: Brad Miller, SS

Miller is entrenched in a battle with Nick Franklin to be the Mariners' starting shortstop, but after he handled the job well throughout the second half last year as a rookie, the 24-year-old should have the inside track. If he wins the role, there's a chance he will approach 15 homers and 15 steals at a very shallow fantasy position. He is a good backup plan for Lowrie.

Round 25

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

OWNER	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION(S)
Swervin Lane 2 Lane	289	Alcides Escobar	SS
Team Giusti	290	Ian Kennedy	SP
Team Young	291	Mark Buehrle	SP
Team Calixto	292	Denard Span	OF
Team Catania	293	Jose Quintana	SP
Team O'Connell	294	Matt Joyce	OF
Team hughes	295	Yonder Alonso	1B
Team Costa	296	Russell Martin	C
Team Fiorella	297	Tim Hudson	SP
Team moore	298	Ricky Nolasco	SP
Team stegemoller	299	Michael Saunders	OF
Team Selander	300	Dan Uggla	2B

Analysis

My Pick: Jose Quintana, SP

I also snatched Quintana very late in the previous mock, which goes to show two things: One, I must like the 25-year-old southpaw who sported a 3.51 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 in 2013; and two, quality, under-the-radar starters are still out there even as your drafts approach the 300th overall selection. 

Team Evaluation

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

POSITION	PLAYER	ROUND
C	Salvador Perez	12
1B	Mark Trumbo	7
2B	Jason Kipnis	3
3B	Manny Machado	11
SS	Jed Lowrie	14
CI	Jose Abreu	9
MI	Anthony Rendon	20
OF	Andrew McCutchen	1
OF	Adam Jones	2
OF	Wil Myers	5
OF	Matt Holliday	6
OF	Austin Jackson	16
UT	Wilson Ramos	13
P	Chris Sale	4
P	Gio Gonzalez	8
P	Glen Perkins	10
P	Zack Wheeler	15
P	Chris Tillman	17
P	Jim Henderson	18
P	Chris Archer	19
P	Ubaldo Jimenez	23
P	Jose Quintana	25
BE	Nick Castellanos	21
BE	Rajai Davis	22
BE	Brad Miller	24

Analysis

Strengths

Similar to the last mock draft, my outfield is once again the force on this fake fake team. It's hard to do better than McCutchen, Jones, Myers, Holliday and Jackson, a fivesome that covers all five roto categories. I suspect that Holliday—my OF4—could be the OF2 for a handful of teams in this league.

My infield, though, is still a strong one, thanks to the speed-power ability of Kipnis and the stable power of Trumbo. If either Abreu or Machado overcomes his respective unknown (MLB experience, health), this offense could be a knockout.

On the pitching side, the top two lefties, Sale and Gonzalez, are staff stalwarts who will keep my strikeouts up and my ERA and WHIP down. If one of Wheeler or Archer steps forward in their first full season, I'll have a rotation that is as good as it is deep.

The other focus, as previously mentioned, is the youth on this roster. Whereas last time I took older vets like Mark Teixeira and Jhonny Peralta as bounce-back candidates, this mock called for more potential. The only hitter who is older than 29 is Holliday, who remains as consistently productive as it gets, and not a single starting pitcher is north of Jimenez's 30 years old.

Weaknesses

The most glaring problem? As good as Lowrie was last year, and as much upside as Rendon has, I'm a bit worried that my SS and MI positions may need a more steady, less injury-prone presence. And of course, I would have handled my UTIL position much differently—probably with another infielder for depth—rather than giving it to Ramos, who looks out of place there.

Outside of Sale and Gonzalez, the pitching could be a little bumpy, because Wheeler, Tillman, Archer and Jimenez might all prove to be inconsistent. And while I really like Perkins, I do have questions about how many saves he'll get pitching for the Twins—and also about how many saves my team might get if Henderson falters, leaving me with only one closer.

If I were to consider potential trades in the near future, I'd likely be looking to address shortstop and/or middle infield, as well as the closer position and perhaps the stolen-base category. Perhaps the best initial option would be to find an owner who could use an upgrade at catcher and likes Perez—that way, I can simply plug Ramos in at catcher and get something out of that whole mess while also deploying Davis' 40-steal speed at UTIL.

Otherwise, I shouldn't have a problem pulling off a trade that includes one of my breakout candidates—Abreu, Wheeler, Archer or Castellanos—to fix any positions or categories of need.

Which of my draft picks do you like/dislike the most? Where would you have made a different choice along the way? Swing away in the comments section. 

To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11