2012 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes and Other Top Picks
As we grow closer and closer to the end of the 2011 fantasy baseball season, draft speculations for 2012 are going to rise to the surface.
Who's goes where?
And why?
Does position play a significant role?
These are just a few questions that fantasy owners ask themselves on draft day.
It's natural.
But while it's nearly impossible to predict the actions of your fellow players come draft day, it could only benefit your team to know who ranks among the best of the best.
Based on their production over the past few years, current ranks among fantasy lists, past positions where they've been drafted and what they've done through the first three months of 2011, here are the top 12 draft pick for 2012.
12. Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes
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Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
After recent seasonal declines and an inconsistent 2011, fantasy owners are starting to grow tired of shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez has been a perennial top-five fantasy draft pick for the last few years, offering his team pop and speed from one of the weakest positions around.
However, with the reemergence of Jose Reyes, along with breakout years from Asdrubal Cabrera, Starlin Castro, and Elvis Andrus, drafting Ramirez as early as the second pick doesn't make much sense for 2012.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .285/28/82RBI/31SB (ability to produce even more and regain top status)
Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets
Just when everyone counted Jose Reyes out as one of the top hitters in baseball, the 27-year-old Met has turned around his bad fortune and currently sits as baseball's best shortstop. As far as fantasy is concerned, Reyes is and has been the No. 1 ranked player at his position throughout the year, racking up 11 triples and 20 stolen bases in only 252 at-bats.
Whether or not he gets traded this season or signs to a different team in 2012, Reyes will no doubt be one of the most sought after players through the first two rounds of next year's fantasy drafts.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .315/10HR/110R/52SB (including lots of triples and limited strikeouts)
While Ramirez has produced one of the most disappointing fantasy seasons in recent memory and even considering Jose Reyes has lacked home run pop through the first two months of 2011, both shortstops could easily go sooner than the 12th pick.
However, have you looked at the rest of first round talent?
Honorable First-Round Mention: 3B Evan Longoria, OF Jay Bruce
11. Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Matt Kemp is on pace for some ridiculous numbers.
Try 43 home runs, 36 stolen bases and a .322 average on for size.
The 26-year-old is finally putting it all together, proving that his hype that has been built by the Los Angeles Dodgers and fantasy owners alike, was justifiable.
Kemp has easily been one of the most productive fantasy outfielders around, doing so with nobody but Andre Either supporting him in the Dodgers' lineup.
While he's bound to cool off sooner or later—because a 40-40 season for Kemp is too good to be true— he's still going to end 2011 atop fantasy rankings.
Heading into 2012, the potential NL MVP will bring power and speed to any roster. He has shown in the past that even without the best of protection in the lineup, he can produce will the best of the best.
Look for Kemp to land somewhere in the latter picks of the first round, falling to a lucky owner whose competitors failed to trust this breakout season.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .305/35/115RBI/32SB (with potential to produce much more if he's given offensive support in L.A.)
Honorable First-Round Mention: OF Andrew McCutchen
10. Roy Halladay, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
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Whether it's the newly signed Cliff Lee or the explosive start that Cole Hamles is having, it seems as if Roy Halladay isn't getting the fantasy publicity he deserves.
Well here it is.
Halladay, 34, has been the second best fantasy starter so far in 2011, trailing only Jered Weaver.
Doc is currently 8-3 with a 2.65 ERA through nearly 100 innings of work, proving that age and expectations are never factors.
He has pitched the way fantasy owners drafted him to pitch, like a shut down, No. 1, take the mound and win at any time type of pitcher.
If he continues to throw the ball the way he's done through April and May, Halladay will be on his way to potentially another Cy Young award.
It's easy to sit here and say Halladay will go 10th in 2012 drafts, but realistically, there will be an owner who's strategically fascinated with starting pitching and draft the sure fire elite-option earlier in the first round.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: 19-5, 2.85 ERA, 220 K's, 8 CG (obviously he could exceed all expectations)
Honorable First-Round Mention: SP Felix Hernandez
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9. Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
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The reigning NL MVP has not disappointed.
Joey Votto has stood up to all expectations, making sure people don't forget how good of a hitter he was in 2010.
The 27-year-old first baseman has been absolutely unstoppable, hitting .335 with eight home runs, 38 RBI and is currently on pace for over 130 walks. That's nearly 40 more than his 2010 total.
The scary thing, Votto's numbers are only going to get better.
Finally with the emergence of Jay Bruce at the big league level, Votto now has some friendly competition in the Reds lineup, lifting a huge burden off his back.
There's no doubt that the must-start fantasy option will continue to be a first-round staple.
Votto's a perennial top-10 draft pick, offering his owners consistent hitting, great power and a nose for knocking in runs.
Nothing should change from 2011 to 2012. Draft him early.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .328/34HR/109RBI/100BB/12SB
Honorable First-Round Mention: OF Carl Crawford
8. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies
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While I personally think Troy Tulowitzki is a top-five draft pick heading into next season, I'll lay off some of my own expectations and let you in on a really good secret.
Tulowitzki is pretty damn good.
He's done his best "Batman & Robin" impression with fellow teammate Carlos Gonzalez from the beginning of last year, proving to be one of the most prolific duos in all of baseball.
Tulo has consistently produced for fantasy owners since his breakout season in 2007, of course, disregarding his injured riddled sophomore slump the year after.
The NL All-Star has nearly been a lock to be drafted in the first round-and-a-half every season.
If you take a look at his production throughout his career, Tulowitzki has batted at least .290 whenever he's hit 20 or more home runs.
So considering he isn't going to dip below those power numbers anytime soon, consider him a perennial .290 hitter.
Heading into 2012, with a lack luster season from Hanley Ramirez and a power-challenged Jose Reyes, Tulowitzki should be considered the top shortstop in any fantasy draft.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .305/31HR/101RBI/10SB/100R (has increased his BB:K ratio in 2010)
Honorable First-Round Mention: C Joe Mauer
7. Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees
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With recent injuries to fellow second baseman Chase Utley, New York Yankees' Robinson Cano has been the clear-cut option at the position.
Cano has no doubt put his work in over the last few seasons, but it's only been a year since he's gained the crown as the best second baseman in fantasy baseball.
Rightfully so.
The 28-year-old has produced consecutive season with at least 103 runs, 25 home runs, 85 RBI and a .319 average.
Even with the early struggles that New York has encountered in getting guys on base (not one Yankee starting is hitting .300), Cano has still managed to knock in 39 runs on 12 home runs and 12 doubles.
Some of those numbers have helped put the early first round option on-pace for career highs in home runs and stolen bases, adding to his already elite value.
Look for Cano to increase hi average and walks heading into the next few months of the season, and count on him to be off the board by the eighth pick in 2012 fantasy drafts.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .315/28HR/110RBI/10SB/100R
Honorable First-Round Mention: 2B Chase Utley
6. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Boston Red Sox
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Adrian Gonzalez has arguably been the best hitter in baseball through the first two months of the season.
He's become a clutch performer while showcasing his talents to hit even better as a Boston Red Sox member than he did in San Diego's Petco Park.
Gonzalez is currently batting .332 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI, catching fire through the month of May with nine of his home runs and 31 RBI.
A-Gone doesn't seem to be slowing down either. This is why he's going to be a top-notch draft pick come 2012.
He offers some of the best contact numbers among first baseman, as well as playing through his tremendous plate discipline.
If Gonzalez continues to hit the ball like he did over the past month, he may end up with 40 home runs and 140 RBI.
Crazy stats for a guy in a new stadium, on a new team and facing pitching he's only seen in inter-league play.
2012 Fantasy Predictions: .320/38HR/135RBI/85BB (the sky's the limit)
Honorable First-Round Mention: 1B Ryan Howard
5. Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Bue Jays
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Well, if anybody thought Jose Bautista's 2010 numbers were a fluke, look what he's doing this year.
Bautista came into the season with not only speculation about his abilities to repeat a 54-home run year, but the 30-year-old has been mentioned amongst the steroid talks.
As it stands right now, Bautista is currently the most productive fantasy hitter around.
It's as simple as that.
Not only has he hit 20 home runs through only two months, but he's increased his average to .351, nearly 100 points higher than his career average.
Now while it seems fairly imminent that those contact numbers are going to decline sometime soon, it's easy to see that Bautista is a more complete player than his 2010 self.
Scary when you say a 50-home run hitter has gotten better over one season.
He's become one of the most trustworthy players around, and if you ask any fantasy owner that has drafted multiple years, trust goes a long way when deciding who to chose in the early rounds of drafts.
Bautista is currently on pace for 52 home runs, 107 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .350 average, making him arguably the best fantasy hitter this year and next.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .310/45HR/105RBI/10SB/135BB
Honorable First-Round Mention: OF Josh Hamilton
4. Tim Lincecum, SP, San Francisco Giants
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A two-time CY Young award winner, Tim Lincecum has gained the recognition and fantasy appeal to be considered the best pitching option around.
One of the best strikeout artists in the MLB, Lincecum has been able to consistently wins game despite a sometimes stagnant San Francisco Giants offense.
He's gone 49-22 over the past three years, averaging 252 strikeouts and a 2.83 ERA per season.
Those kind of numbers have already made Lincecum an early round draft pick, but even more production in 2011 from the 26-year-old is going to separate him from the other elite starters like Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander.
Currently on pace for another 200-plus inning, 200-plus strikeout and sub-3.00 ERA season, Lincecum keeps chugging along.
If you're skeptical about his status as a top-five draft pick, you must be waiting for Johan Santana to regain his popularity.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: 18-6, 225 IP, 255 SO, 2.90 ERA (maybe another Cy Young)
Honorable First-Round Mention: SP Justin Verlander
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
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This was pretty obvious.
Miguel Cabrera already should of been on your radar as a top-five draft pick heading into 2012.
For any owner that drafted him in that spot this year, the 28-year-old has done everything but disappoint.
Over the past decade, Cabrera has been a shoe-in for a .300 average, 35 HR, and 115 RBI, while rarely letting his BB:K ratio get too out of hand.
Currently the second most productive first baseman in fantasy, only behind Prince Fielder who's having a career year in a contract season, Cabrera has continued to show his fantasy worth despite offseason controversies.
Luckily for future owners, the Detroit Tiger's lineup can only get better for Cabrera, adding Victor Martinez this year, having Alex Avila produce like a top-hitting catcher, and watching Brennan Boesch mature into a reliable run source.
Cabrera is looking like he's fit to be king for the next five years.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .330/34HR/130RBI/125BB
Honorable First Round Mention: 1B Prince Fielder
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Lous Cardinals
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I realize I may catch some heat for putting the best player in baseball at No. 2 instead of his usual top spot, but considering the sub-par numbers that Albert Pujols has put up compared to his normal production, a change of scenario could be a good thing.
Whether it's all the contract speculations leading up to the season and into the first two months of baseball, Pujols has just started to come around and we're in the month of June.
Currently ranked as the fourth best first baseman in fantasy, believe it or not, Pujols' power numbers aren't really taking a big hit.
He's still on pace for 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI, which is just a little off from his usual dominance.
The big problem has been the average.
A career .329 hitter (can you say Hall of Fame?), Pujols has managed a less than competitive stat line, hitting .257 in April and .278 overall.
Pujols will more than likely turn it around, sooner rather than later, but it's been extremely frustrating for owners who drafted the 31-year-old with the first overall pick.
Enough frustration to knock Pujols from the throne and pass the torch to the No. 1 hitter on this list.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .320/39HR/126RBI/102BB/12SB (another Gold Glove for a different team?)
1. Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
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And here he is folks.
Ryan Braun should be highly considered the best fantasy producer in any and all leagues.
The 27-year-old has been absolutely dominant since coming on the scene in 2007, and he's done nothing but kill the ball in 2011.
Based on the numbers, Braun has been the second most productive player behind only Jose Bautista, making it hard to think that he won't catch the No. 1 spot when Bautista's average eventually drops.
The elite outfield option has maintained a .312 average through the first three months, adding 13 home runs, 45 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 231 at-bats.
He's on pace for a possible 40-40 campaign, but it's more likely that he slows down his aggressive base stealing as the season grows on.
But still, Braun could end 2011 atop fantasy charts and could even capture his first NL MVP.
How does an outfielder who hits .300, 35 HR, 120RBI, 35 SB, and posts nearly a 1:1-BB:K ratio not be the most sought fantasy player come draft day?
There's no way you can deny Braun the No. 1 spot.
2012 Fantasy Prediction: .315/37HR/115RBI/31SB/90BB
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