Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: 10-Team AL-Only Rotisserie League
theScore Staff
David Richard / Reuters
Here are the results of theScore's 10-team AL-only rotisserie mock draft, using standard 5x5 categories (AVG, R, HR, RBI, SB, W, K, SV, ERA, WHIP); eligibility minimum 10 games played in 2015 for all non-pitchers (NOTE: draft took place prior to Dexter Fowler signing with the Chicago Cubs):
Participants
David Chernish - Fantasy Sports Editor Josh Ghatak - Fantasy Sports Editor Jason Wilson - Fantasy Sports Editor Darren Kritzer - Managing Editor, Editorial James Bisson - Managing Editor, Fantasy Sports Josh Wegman - Fantasy Sports Editor Dan Toman - Supervising Editor, MLB Andrew Potter - Fantasy Sports Editor Kenneth Conrad - Fantasy Sports Editor Esten McLaren - Fantasy Sports Editor
Conrad on Springer: Springer contributes in all five categories, making him a well-rounded first pick. While still a concern, his strikeout rate decreased from 2014 to 2015, and should again improve during his third MLB season. 25 home runs and 25 steals are certainly possible, along with solid rate stats. He's poised to hit near the top of Houston's promising young lineup.
Kritzer on Archer: Archer's availability in the second round was music to my ears, as many would have projected him as a no-doubt first rounder. The Rays may not score much this year, but that won't prevent Archer from producing 13-15 wins, and 250-plus strikeouts. He's one of the safest picks among American League starting pitchers.
Toman on Kipnis: Picking Kipnis here was the result of a specific set of circumstances: I already had a pair of sluggers, and there weren't many stolen-base-friendly infielders left. If Kipnis replicates his 9-homer, 12-steal season from last year, this pick is a reach. If he comes close to his 17-30 campaign from 2014, it's a steal. I'm drafting him to split the difference.
McLaren on Stroman: He's the de facto ace of the Blue Jays' rotation following the departure of David Price. While pitcher wins are unpredictable, it's fairly safe to expect a very lofty total from Stroman in 2016. He'll receive tremendous run support from the dangerous Toronto batting order. His strikeout rate is far from elite, but he also limits baserunners.
Chernish on Zimmermann: You will see Zimmermann drop in drafts due to his move from the NL to the AL, which usually scares fantasy owners. He's proven himself worthy of Cy Young consideration twice in his career and is capable of registering an ERA somewhere south of 3.00. With no injury concerns from last season, he's worth drafting in the fifth round.
Wilson on Moustakas: You can put off a position for only so long, especially a thin one like third base. After the big boppers went in the first few rounds, I was happy snagging Moustakas in the sixth. His production was not dissimilar to Kyle Seager, who went a round earlier. He has modest power, looks like he fixed his batting average and will have plenty of RBI chances.
Wegman on Severino: Anyone who watched the Yankees youngster pitch last season can justify the slight reach. He has a free and easy delivery, leading to consistent command on his mid-90s fastball, devastating slider and plus changeup. He only had one start last season where he allowed more than three runs. Leads should be held often thanks to New York's bullpen.
Potter on Martin: The run on catchers began four picks earlier with Brian McCann, and Martin was available with the 73rd pick, nearly a full round after his ADP of 65. His high HR/flyball rate of 20.7% is well above his career average (12.4%), so his power should regress - though in the Jays' powerhouse lineup, he'll have a shot at surpassing last year's 77 RBIs.
Bisson on Wieters: The catcher position in AL-only formats is lamentably thin - and Wieters has as good a shot as any of being the best of the bunch. When healthy, Wieters is a virtual lock for 20 home runs and 75+ RBIs hitting in the middle of a stacked Baltimore lineup. He's also playing for a long-term deal, so expect something close to a career year from him.
Ghatak on Tolleson: After going with Verlander very early and seeing the relievers start to fly off the board, I wanted to shore up the position and move on. At the time, Tolleson was one of the better relivers available and was coming off a career 2015. He posted highs in K/9 (9.46) and groundball rate (42.4) on his way to 35 saves.
Bisson on Travis: When you have an opportunity to secure the possible future leadoff man for a lineup as potent as Toronto's, you have to take it. Travis will miss the first several weeks of the season, but has the hit tool to earn the No. 1 spot in the order. And if he does, he'll be a steal as a player at a thin position taken in the middle rounds of the draft.
Toman on Mauer: Desperate times call for desperate measures. That's where I found myself here, without a slugging first baseman. Fortunately, I had already drafted power at shortstop and catcher, so my justification in picking Mauer came down to playing time, batting average, and a new sunglasses approach that the ex-catcher hopes will help him regain his elite hitting tool.
Wegman on Dickey: The knuckleballer has started 33 games and logged at least 214 innings in his three years in Toronto. Dickey's 3.07 ERA in the month of September since becoming a full-time starter in 2010 is the stuff that wins fantasy titles. His durability and second-half dominance give him outstanding value for a 13th round pick in AL only leagues.
Kritzer on Gallardo: Gallardo choosing the Orioles so late into the offseason was a gamble worth taking since he was around in the 14th round. Baltimore had issues with his physical, which seemed to affect his fantasy value as well. His strikeouts continue to dip, but his 180+ innings and 13-15 win potential gives stability to my rotation.
Potter on Karns: Karns was dealt from Tampa Bay to Seattle, a slight upgrade in terms of park factor - and he won't have to suffer through quite as many away starts in the brutal AL East. His FIP tabs Karns as more of an innings-eater, which is fine as a late-round SP in a shallow AL-only pool. He should build on his K/9 rate and Safeco Field should help lower his HR/9.
McLaren on Sanchez: He doesn't have an official spot in the Blue Jays' rotation entering Spring Training, but he'll have the opportunity to win a job. Walks were his major issue last season, but he's able to strand the majority of baserunners. He has above-average strikeout abilities, and he'll pick up some easy wins with the Blue Jays' potent offense providing plenty of run support.
Ghatak on Tillman: Tillman is only one season removed from two strong years in 2013 and 2014 where he combined to go 29-13. He posted an ERA under 4.00 from 2012-14 while pitching over 200 innings in the two seasons prior to 2015. Tillman's record of 11-11 last season isn't all that terrible considering he started the season 2-7.
Wilson on Kim: I got a little lucky with the Fowler signing falling apart, but I needed a player with first base eligibility other than Mitch Moreland. Kim hit .318 over nine seasons and 1,131 games in Korea. He has decent power and is slated to hit lead-off. Considering Oriole Park surrendered more home runs than any other in 2015, he could be the steal of the draft.
Chernish on Norris: His projection forecasts an ERA over 4.00 and a 1.39 WHIP for 2016. During eight starts with the Tigers last season, he struck out 45 batters in 60 innings, which is somewhat lower than his 2014 minor-league season where he struck out 163 batters in 124 innings. He's worth a late-round pick when the pitching pool becomes extremely thin.
Conrad on Soria: Having registered at least 17 saves in all but one of his eight seasons, Soria will likely be the first choice to close should Wade Davis falter in his first full season in the role. Even if he remains a setup man, Soria's rate stats should make him a useful fantasy option, particularly if he pitches at least 60 innings. He's worth the late-round flier.
