We don’t know when baseball is going to be played again, but that won’t stop the Rotoworld Baseball staff from getting together and mock drafting.
Twelve of us are in the midst of a “slow” dynasty mock draft, and in this space we will be providing round-by-round analysis. The draft remains ongoing, so be sure to keep checking back for updates as rounds are completed!
We are going by 5x5 roto scoring and a roster setup of one catcher, one first baseman, one second baseman, one third baseman, one shortstop, one middle infielder, one corner infielder, five outfielders, one utility, nine pitchers and six bench spots.
Here is the group we got together:
1. Tim McCullough (@TimsTenz)
2. Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB)
3. Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
4. D.J. Short (@djshort)
5. Drew Silva (@drewsilv)
6. Nate Grimm (@Nate_Grimm)
7. Nick Doran (@RealNickDoran)
8. Seth Trachtman (@sethroto)
9. Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat)
10. George Bissell (@GeorgeBissell)
11. Dave Shovein (@DaveShovein)
12. Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
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Round 1
1.1 Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves
1.2 Mike Trout, OF, Angels
1.3 Christian Yelich, OF, Brewers
1.4 Juan Soto, OF, Nationals
1.5 Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Dodgers
1.6 Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, Padres
1.7 Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
1.8 Mookie Betts, OF, Dodgers
1.9 Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians
1.10 Alex Bregman, SS/3B, Astros
1.11 Walker Buehler, SP, Dodgers
1.12 Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees
Round Analysis: Acuna is the clear-cut No. 1 pick in a dynasty format with his dominant five-category skill set and the fact that he just turned 22 over the offseason. I think you can make a case for Bellinger and Soto to be taken ahead of Trout and Yelich since Bellinger is four years younger than both of them and Soto is seven years younger. However, it’s hard to argue with the direction Chris and Matthew went. Devers is a stud and is just 23, but taking him at No. 7 looks like a slight reach to me with Betts and Lindor on the board. – Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Boyer’s Pick: Cole is the clear top pitching option to me even in a dynasty format. He’s over two years younger than Jacob deGrom, and the young guns like Buehler, Jack Flaherty and Shane Bieber aren’t on his level yet. I’m quite pleased to start off my pitching staff with him, and I will follow it up by getting a bat with my second of back-to-back picks. – Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Round 2
2.13 Trevor Story, SS, Rockies
2.14 Trea Turner, SS, Nationals
2.15 Yordan Alvarez, OF, Astros
2.16 Bryce Harper, OF, Phillies
2.17 Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies
2.18 Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves
2.19 Jacob deGrom, SP, Mets
2.20 Jack Flaherty, SP Cardinals
2.21 Gleyber Torres, 2B/SS, Yankees
2.22 Max Scherzer, SP, Nationals
2.23 Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets
2.24 Jose Ramirez, 3B, Indians
Round Analysis: The standout pick in this round is deGrom falling all the way to the 19th selection. Pitchers have a tendency to go lower in dynasty formats because they carry volatility, but the 31-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down and should continue to be a top-of-the-rotation starter for the next three-to-five seasons. Alvarez was ridiculously good in his rookie campaign, but it is worth noting that he's dealing with knee issues and is likely going to have to be a DH for the majority of his career. Still, a player who can hit 40 homers and hit for a high average for the next decade makes his selection near the top of the second round anything but a reach – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Crawford's Pick: I was hopeful that Torres would fall into my lap with my second selection; Mr. Short made sure that wasn't going to happen. Instead I took Alonso, who has as much -- if not more -- power than any bat in baseball, and should provide quality run-production for (hopefully) the next decade or so. There are still several quality arms on the board to take with my next selection, and starting the draft off with Trout and Alonso feels like a win, to me. – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Round 3
3.25 J.D. Martinez, OF, Red Sox
3.26 Shane Bieber, SP, Indians
3.27 Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves
3.28 Mike Clevinger, SP, Indians
3.29 Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox
3.30 Austin Meadows, OF, Rays
3.31 Wander Franco, SS, Rays
3.32 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Blue Jays
3.33 Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals
3.34 Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
3.35 Luis Robert, OF, White Sox
3.36 Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers
Round Analysis: Guerrero might have been a first-round pick in a newly formed dynasty league last year. Letting him slip all of the way to 32nd because of a somewhat disappointing rookie season as a 20-year-old seems like a bit of a mistake. Still, the guy I'd argue really should have gone much higher is Robert; contact issues might hold him back some initially, but because of his stolen base ability, he could be a top-10 fantasy performer as soon as 2021 and perhaps a contender for the top overall pick in redraft leagues someday. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Pouliot's Pick: My philosophy in dynasty drafts is to try to win the league this year, and I think I'm off to a great start there with a top three of Yelich, Scherzer and Freeman. Of course, this assumes there is a this year. I'll make some sacrifices for youth later on in the draft, but I'd rather get the best available player now. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Round 4
4.37 Chris Paddack, SP, Padres
4.38 Lucas Giolito, SP, White Sox
4.39 Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox
4.40 Kris Bryant, 3B/OF, Cubs
4.41 Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Royals
4.42 Yoan Moncada, 3B, White Sox
4.43 Ketel Marte, OF/2B, Diamondbacks
4.44 Tyler Glasnow, SP, Rays
4.45 Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics
4.46 Javier Baez, SS, Cubs
4.47 Jo Adell, OF, Angels
4.48 Aaron Nola, SP, Phillies
Round Analysis: Young pitching highlighted this round, as Paddack, Giolito, and Glasnow all came off the board despite big names like Stephen Strasburg and Justin Verlander still available. It’s hard to argue against it, though win-now types will get a nice value. It might stand out to some that Jimenez was selected later than Luis Robert, but obviously the latter has the potential to make more of an impact on the stolen base front. That’s no small thing. Chris Crawford was aggressive on Adell, but for good reason given that this is a dynasty format. We also have no idea how plans for 2020 will work out. Adell could be an elite power source for years to come. – D.J. Short (@djshort)
Short’s Pick: I really don’t like first base. We at least had some nice developments last year with Pete Alonso and Josh Bell, but it’s a bit murky beyond that in dynasty leagues. That’s why I was willing to grab the 26-year-old Olson here over a veteran like Anthony Rizzo. Olson smacked 36 homers in 127 games last season despite missing time with a hamate bone injury and all the power metrics love him. I see him as a top-five fantasy first baseman right now and probably for the next three or four years. – D.J. Short (@djshort)
Round 5
5.49 Jose Berrios, SP, Twins
5.50 Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals
5.51 Justin Verlander, SP, Astros
5.52 Victor Robles, OF, Nationals
5.53 Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees
5.54 Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros
5.55 Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics
5.56 Luis Castillo, SP, Reds
5.57 Blake Snell, SP, Rays
5.58 Joey Gallo, OF, Rangers
5.59 Manny Machado, 3B/SS, Padres
5.60 George Springer, OF, Astros
Round Analysis: Robles looks like a good value at 52nd overall, given that he's gone inside the first six rounds in a good amount of standard redraft leagues this spring. The 22-year-old outfielder tallied 17 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 155 games last year for the World Series-champion Nationals, and as his rate stats improve, the counting stats will too. Castillo also stands out here at pick No. 56. The 27-year-old right-hander ranked second among all qualified starters last year in groundball percentage and 13th in strikeout percentage, which is a recipe for success at Great American Ball Park. And he might eventually pitch his way out of Cincinnati. – Drew Silva (@drewsilv)
Silva's Pick: Judge had been tumbling in redraft leagues, even before the postponement of the 2020 season, after being diagnosed in early March with a stress fracture in his first right rib. It's not a certainty that he will be ready for Opening Day 2.0, if there is an Opening Day 2.0, but he's only 27 years old and is a premier slugger when healthy. Judge has averaged a .973 OPS, 47 HR, and 104 RBI for every 162 games played since the beginning of 2017 and he'll be calling Yankee Stadium home for the foreseeable future. – Drew Silva (@drewsilv)
Round 6
6.61 Starling Marte, OF, Diamondbacks
6.62 Mike Soroka, SP, Braves
6.63 Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies
6.64 Patrick Corbin, SP, Nationals
6.65 Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs
6.66 Carlos Correa, SS, Astros
6.67 Jesus Luzardo, SP, Athletics
6.68 Josh Hader, RP, Brewers
6.69 Jeff McNeil, 2B/3B/OF, Mets
6.70 David Dahl, OF, Rockies
6.71 J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies
6.72 Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Royals
Round Analysis: Round 6 saw the first reliever and the first catcher go off the board. Realmuto’s ADP is much higher than 71 on most platforms, but he loses some appeal in a one-catcher dynasty league. Still, Chris had to be happy to get him there. Closers are also less appealing in dynasty formats since they’re so volatile from year to year, but Hader is universally viewed as the top reliever and it was time for him to get scooped up. Correa remains a health risk, but he’s a mega talent and still just 25, so nabbing him in the sixth round of a dynasty league looks like a pretty good get. – Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Boyer’s Pick: I didn’t fill any of my five outfielder spots with my first four picks, so I thought it was a good idea to grab a couple at the 5-6 turn. I have Blackmon ranked higher than both Springer and Marte in redraft and considered him here, but I swayed in the direction of the latter two because they’re a little younger. Marte gets a little boost in going from Pittsburgh to Arizona and he’s one of the few fairly safe bets to go 20-20 if he can stay healthy. – Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Round 7
7.73 Marcus Semien, SS, Athletics
7.74 Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers
7.75 Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Yankees
7.76 Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros
7.77 Max Muncy, 2B, Dodgers
7.78 Julio Urias, SP, Dodgers
7.79 Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Reds
7.80 Brandon Woodruff, SP, Brewers
7.81 Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Angels
7.82 Gavin Lux, 2B, Dodgers
7.83 Lourdes Gurriel, OF, Blue Jays
7.84 Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees
Round Analysis: Stanton's injury history sees him slip to pick 75, but the power is always going to be there, and if he can give Matthew 120 games, he's a steal this late. There are some question marks as to how much Tucker will play in 2020, but the ability to provide homers and steals in the future makes him a potential fantasy star in the coming seasons. Lux is one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and he has a chance to contribute in most categories and should be the starter at second for the Dodgers when/if the season gets underway. – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Crawford's Pick: I considered Lux and a few other prospects with pick 74, but I didn't want to risk Seager not making it back to me 22 selections later. He wasn't great in 2019, but let's remember he was coming off a lost 2018 campaign, and he's just two years removed from being one of the most exciting young players in the game. He hit 44 doubles in 2019, and I would guess that as he regains strength, a few of those two-baggers turn into homers this summer. Add in the fact that he doesn't turn 26 until April, and I'm pleased to have Seager on my roster for the long haul. – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Round 8
8.85 Josh Bell, 1B, Pirates
8.86 Nick Castellanos, OF, Reds
8.87 DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Yankees
8.88 Zac Gallen, SP, Diamondbacks
8.89 Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox
8.90 Michael Conforto, OF, Mets
8.91 Ramon Laureano, OF, Athletics
8.92 Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS, Marlins
8.93 Amed Rosario, SS, Mets
8.94 Franmil Reyes, OF, Indians
8.95 Eddie Rosario, OF, Twins
8.96 Frankie Montas, SP, Athletics
Round Analysis: No one did much reaching for youth this round; Gallen and Amed Rosario would likely go somewhat later in redraft leagues, but both are players who should be assets right away. Villar would seem to be the biggest 2020 bargain of the bunch, and he's actually just turning 29 in May. Still, it's not surprising that people would be skeptical of him for 2021 and beyond; he could find himself in more of a utility role in a couple of years. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Pouliot's Pick: Roberto Osuna and Eddie Rosario were the top players for 2020 left on my board, but Reyes wasn't too far behind and I'm a big fan of him as an annual 40-homer guy, even if the baseballs aren't quite as juiced going forward. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Round 9
9.97 Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Phillies
9.98 Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
9.99 Trevor Bauer, SP, Indians
9.100 Yu Darvish, SP, Cubs
9.101 Dinelson Lamet, SP, Padres
9.102 Cavan Biggio, 2B, Blue Jays
9.103 Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox
9.104 Max Fried, SP, Braves
9.015 Brandon Lowe, 2B, Rays
9.106 Zack Greinke, SP, Astros
9.107 Roberto Osuna, RP, Astros
9.108 Jorge Soler, OF, Royals
Round Analysis: An interesting mix of youth and veterans as far as starting pitching here. I thought maybe it was possible to wait another round on the young arms like Lamet and Fried; I guess not. Biggio and Lowe probably stand out the most here coming off their rookie campaigns. They actually fit a similar profile in that strikeouts are going to hold them back in batting average, but they should both help in terms of counting stats. Biggio is slightly safer here because of his on-base ability and his playing time being more of a sure thing. The Rays have a ton of options for playing time, at least in the short-term. – D.J. Short (@djshort)
Short’s Pick: I sort of tried to play enforcer in this round. I definitely needed another starting pitcher to put alongside Mike Clevinger, so it was just a matter of who it would be. My original plan was to take Kershaw, but I was still satisfied with getting Darvish, who has been going about 40 picks earlier in redraft leagues. Even though I mostly focused on having a young core of players, you still need to take the values when they come. I have a bit more faith in Darvish’s upside for the next couple of years than Greinke, who is three years older. He should also have trade appeal with win-now teams if I'm not a contender. – D.J. Short (@djshort)
Round 10
10.109 Sonny Gray, SP, Reds
10.110 Miguel Sano, 1B/3B, Twins
10.111 Charlie Morton, SP, Rays
10.112 Oscar Mercado, OF, Indians
10.113 Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals
10.114 Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals
10.115 Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox
10.116 Tommy Edman, 3B/2B/OF, Cardinals
10.117 Kirby Yates, RP, Padres
10.118 Alex Verdugo, OF, Red Sox
10.119 Josh Donaldson, 3B, Twins
10.120 Mike Moustakas, 2B/3B, Reds
Round Analysis: Morton is an interesting case given the tragic but growing possibility that there won't be any games in 2020. I had him ranked among my top 10 starting pitchers this spring for redraft leagues -- the guy boasts a 3.09 ERA and 441 strikeouts over his last 361 2/3 innings -- but he is 36 years old and will turn 37 in November. And how are vesting options going to work if there is no data from this season? Will he still be in pitcher-friendly Tampa Bay in 2021? Verdugo, drafted here at No. 118 overall, is a sneaky-good long-term bet in Boston. He was set to begin the year on the injured list after suffering a stress fracture in his back last September, but that will be a distant memory by the time our favorite sport returns. – Drew Silva (@drewsilv)
Silva's Pick: Edman, my selection with pick No. 116, is a dream in leagues with a 2B, 3B, MI, CI, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF roster layout. He might also pick up SS eligibility at some point. I'm skeptical that the 24-year-old can repeat his .304/.350/.500 rookie-year batting line, but he gives me a bit of power and a good amount of speed and a ton of flexibility. Edman put up 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases over his first 92 major league games (75 starts) last season in St. Louis. – Drew Silva (@drewsilv)
Round 11
11.121 Marcell Ozuna, OF, Braves
11.122 MacKenzie Gore, SP, Padres
11.123 Edwin Diaz, RP, Mets
11.124 Willie Calhoun, OF, Rangers
11.125 Max Kepler, OF, Twins
11.126 Will Smith, C, Dodgers
11.127 Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners
11.128 Kyle Schwarber, OF, Cubs
11.129 Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
11.130 Nelson Cruz, DH, Twins
11.131 Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Orioles
11.132 Aroldis Chapman, RP, Yankees
Round Analysis: Letting Gore slide to the 11th round in a dynasty league was probably a mistake. Chris – our resident prospect guru – decided enough was enough and scooped up the consensus top pitching prospect in the game. Both Kepler and Calhoun are guys I would have considered had they lasted until the end of the round, but D.J. and Drew made sure that wouldn’t happen. Jerks. Nick’s strategy for his outfield has been interesting. He was the last to grab an outfielder when he took Conforto in Round 8 and he then tripled up on outfield prospects in Rounds 10-12 with Carlson, Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic. I’m not sure how well that will work for him in 2020, but he’s certainly setting himself up well at the position for the future. - Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Boyer’s Pick: It’s not a head-turning pick like Gore or Rodriguez, but I feel like I got a pretty solid value in nabbing Chapman at the end of Round 11. I still have him as a top-five option at closer and he’s not exactly ancient, having turned 32 in February. Only five closers have been selected thus far through 11 rounds. That would be unusual in a redraft league, but it’s not a surprise in a dynasty format. - Ryan Boyer (@RyanPBoyer)
Round 12
12.133 Scott Kingery, 3B/OF, Phillies
12.134 Taylor Rogers, RP, Twins
12.135 Michael Brantley, OF, Astros
12.136 Luke Weaver, SP, Diamondbacks
12.137 Nick Madrigal, 2B, White Sox
12.138 Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
12.139 Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates
12.140 Ryan McMahon, 2B/3B, Rockies
12.141 Michael Kopech, SP, White Sox
12.142 Willson Contreras, C, Cubs
12.143 Nick Anderson, RP, Rays
12.144 Nate Pearson, SP, Blue Jays
Round Analysis: Some very interesting prospects go in this round, and I'm jealous that I missed out on some of these guys. Madrigal isn't likely to hit for power, but his line-drive stroke, ability to avoid strikeouts and plus speed make him a long-term fantasy play that should contribute to the White Sox if we get a season. Kelenic has one of the highest floors of any prospect regardless of position, and could help Seattle in 2020 as well. Two flame-throwing pitchers come off the board in Kopech and Pearson, and in addition to their 80-grade heaters, they also have swing-and-miss secondary offerings. This is a fun round. – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Crawford's Pick: My queue was absolutely destroyed in this round, as I had Rogers at the top, followed by Madrigal, Kopech and Reynolds. I'm happy to get Anderson, however, one of the more underrated closing options in dynasty formats. He misses bats with the best of them, and even if he's not a "traditional" closer, he should get enough save chances while posting other quality rates to produce relevance. I do have some remorse in letting Pearson go to Tim, however, as I probably could have grabbed Anderson on the turn. Bummer. – Christopher Crawford (@crawford_milb)
Round 13
13.145 Tommy Pham, OF, Padres
13.146 Eduardo Escobar, 3B, Diamondbacks
13.147 Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Rockies
13.148 Zack Wheeler, SP, Phillies
13.149 Lance McCullers Jr., SP, Astros
13.150 Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Red Sox
13.151 Nick Senzel, OF, Reds
13.152 Kyle Hendricks, SP, Cubs
13.153 Corey Kluber, SP, Rangers
13.154 Yasmani Grandal, C, White Sox
13.155 Mitch Garver, C, Twins
13.156 Madison Bumgarner, SP, Diamondbacks
Round Analysis: Half of the picks this round were starters, and among those taken were two guys compared to each other as free agents over the winter; Wheeler and Bumgarner. Both landed five-year deals, but Wheeler's was for far more money ($118 million vs. $85 million), even though Bumgarner has the far superior track record and is less than a year older than the righty. I'm partial to McCullers as the best pick of the bunch. He's become a better bet for 2020 with the shortened season, and there's always been a great deal to like about his strikeout and groundball rates. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Pouliot's Pick: I wanted to take Senzel, but I already had five outfielders and I'm not sure if Senzel will ever qualify in the infield again. So, I did my first big reach for youth, taking Rodgers even though he might be a non-factor this year after shoulder surgery. Coors Field obviously played a big role in my thinking; I don't necessarily project Rodgers as a future major league All-Star, but I think he'll be an excellent fantasy second baseman for several years. – Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot)
Round 14
14.157 Khris Davis, UTIL, Athletics
14.158 Dustin May, SP/RP, Dodgers
14.159 Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, Blue Jays
14.160 Carlos Martinez, SP/RP, Cardinals
14.161 Luis Arraez, 2B/3B, Twins
14.162 Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
14.163 J.D. Davis, 3B/OF, Mets
14.164 Sean Murphy, C, Athletics
14.165 Carter Kieboom, 2B, Nationals
14.166 Ian Happ, OF, Cubs
14.167 Casey Mize, SP, Tigers
14.168 Jose Urquidy, SP, Astros
Round Analysis: It’s about time we gave some love to the catcher position. We saw two of the most appealing dynasty backstops come off the board here with Rutschman and Murphy. Selected No. 1 overall in last year’s draft, Rutschman might be the catcher to target in a league like this. The switch-hitting 22-year-old offers tantalizing power with the goods to be an asset behind the plate. Get excited, Orioles fans. Murphy should provide more in the way of instant gratification, as he was expected to serve as the Athletics’ primary catcher prior to spring training being shut down. The 25-year-old has an injury history, but the power has progressed over the past two seasons in the minors and he held his own during his first taste of the majors last year. – D.J. Short (@djshort)
Short’s Pick: My general approach in this draft is to compete right now and for the next several years with the help of a young core. Kieboom fits into this strategy, as he was competing for the Nationals’ starting third base job during spring training. The 22-year-old didn’t do much in a small sample with the big club last year, but it would be foolish to hold that against him. He has the power and the approach to find a home on mixed league rosters in short order. – D.J. Short (@djshort)