Fantasy: 12-team MLB mock draft with analysis

Welcome to theScore's 12-team MLB mock draft. We went 25 rounds in a snake format, building teams with the following positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, IF, OF, OF, OF, OF, UTIL, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN.

We followed a standard 5x5 format (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP). It won't be the perfect representation of every draft - none are - but does serve as a reminder that chaos reigns and you can never rely on average draft position (ADP) as a guide because someone will always reach for a player three rounds before expected. The draft concluded Tuesday, Feb. 25.

ADP courtesy of FantasyPros (as of Feb. 27)

Round 1

(Note: My picks are in bold on the draft board)

Nothing outlandish happened in the opening round. While there's plenty of noise surrounding the coronation of Acuna as the new top dog in fantasy, Trout proved too tempting at first overall. You can't fault anyone for sticking with the more proven name.

Round 2

Turner and Verlander will, on occasion, appear in the first round.

The first big reach of our draft is Bogaerts, who may have been available in the next round. While the Boston Red Sox star has one of the highest floors at shortstop, there are other players who are worth consideration in the later stages.

Round 3

Bieber wasn't on everyone's radar a year ago, and now he's a consensus top-10 pitcher in fantasy drafts.

There was also a time in the not-so-distant past when Harper, Sale, and Martinez would have never dropped to the third round. I was more than happy to take Martinez with the 34th pick. Even without Betts in Boston, the slugger can be counted on as the centerpiece of the offense.

Round 4

The round opened with Vlad Jr., which isn't a bad idea if you're in this spot and don't believe he'll still be there by your next pick at 60th overall. I'm very high on Hiura and likewise expected him to be off the board by the time I picked again. With second base very thin, he's worth it.

Moncada, Semien, and Glasnow are all reaches, though the big right-hander probably should go at this point based on his results last year when healthy. However, when considering some of the names that followed, you could opt for less risky options.

Reports of Stanton's injury came after the completion of the draft, so there will be some buyer's remorse there. It may not wind up being as serious as his injury troubles were in 2019, but it has to feel like a nauseating case of deja vu.

Round 5

Here are some of those star-level players I referenced the prior round. It's hard to justify taking Semien, Moncada, and Glasnow when options like Bryant, Machado, Kershaw, and Corbin were available.

If Mondesi is healthy, he can ensure speed supremacy. He is battling a shoulder issue to open camp but still managed to swipe 43 bags in 102 games last year.

Round 6

Robert hasn't played a single game in the majors yet, making this a pretty big reach. And while his contract extension with the Chicago White Sox guarantees his roster spot, we still have no idea how he'll adjust to major-league pitching.

Clevinger's meniscus surgery forced him to fall further than what his ADP suggests. You may be able to capitalize on similar fear in your league, and though the right-hander will likely miss the first few weeks of the season, it's not the worst idea to grab him in this spot.

Round 7

Villar provides cheap speed and some power at this spot. He's also guaranteed the plate appearances as he'll almost certainly serve as the Miami Marlins' leadoff hitter.

Suarez - and his 49 homers in 2019 - in the seventh round is good value, though that could be the result of his recent injury scare. It initially appeared he'd miss time following shoulder surgery, but the slugger may still be ready for Opening Day.

Hader and Realmuto fell the furthest, though. There's a chance Hader moves into a multi-inning setup role once Corey Knebel is healthy, but he should still be the first reliever off the board. Expect these two to go earlier than this, but if your league similarly waits to begin the run on either relievers or catchers, you could be the beneficiary.

Round 8

Sanchez is the second catcher off the board, and while there's an argument to be made that he's overrated, his prodigious power is greater than that of any other backstop. However, this could be the last year he's considered a top option if he's unable to put together a more complete campaign.

I was avoiding relievers this early in the draft, but seeing Yates fall this far is genuinely surprising. He was the only pitcher in the majors with more than 40 saves in 2019, and he posted a sparkling 1.19 ERA to go along with them. As was the case with Hader, you can take advantage of situations like these.

Round 9

News of Severino's injury came after he was already selected, which represents a worthwhile talking point. If you're able to, your league should wait to draft until closer to the start of the regular season. Spring training injuries happen, and you take a huge risk when you draft before the real games begin.

I almost took Severino here instead of Woodruff, who is the lone Milwaukee Brewers starter worth targeting in the first 15 rounds. Luzardo went earlier than anticipated, but his hype is building and there's a distinct chance he's the best Oakland Athletics starter this year.

Round 10

Turner is certainly a reliable option, and while it's justifiable for him to be listed among the top 120, he can probably be taken at least two rounds later.

If you're drafting at the turn, though, reaching for a player - as we see with Polanco - makes more sense, since you'll be waiting much longer between picks and risk losing your target.

Round 11

DeJong and Buxton are significant reaches this round. The latter makes some sense as a former top overall prospect with considerable upside, but DeJong could have been had a few rounds later without much question.

Round 12

There's hope that Carrasco isn't sidelined too long with a strained hip flexor, though that's likely only one of the reasons he fell as far as he did. Another cause for some hesitation is that Carrasco's 2019 season was mostly lost as he underwent treatment for cancer, and he could theoretically be working off some rust to start this campaign.

Meanwhile, Hendriks is another reliever who dropped further than you should expect, but be sure to snatch him up if he's somehow available in this spot.

Round 13

Ohtani's ADP is based on his status as both a hitter and pitcher on FantasyPros. He may have dual eligibility in your league, and you'll need to grab him earlier if that's the case. But if he's listed as two separate players - the hitter and the pitcher - then this is likely a good spot to grab the version who'll take the mound.

Biggio goes later than expected, which could be the result of his Toronto Blue Jays teammates - Vlad Jr. and Bichette, specifically - garnering more hype. These under-the-radar picks can sometimes be draft-winners.

Round 14

Tucker went right around where he's expected to, but his spot in the Houston Astros' lineup needs to be guaranteed for this to really pay off. He's good enough to earn that spot, but that was true a year ago, too.

Round 15

Diaz is the biggest reach we've seen thus far, and his selection illustrates an important point: people in your league will reject ADP to ensure they get certain players on their roster, allowing you to draft those who you perhaps thought would be unavailable. Stay on your toes.

Round 16

We've entered that point in the draft when it's not quite the time to take fliers on prospects, but there's far less certainty surrounding most of these names.

Puk is a considerable risk despite his pedigree. The big lefty's role remains uncertain and he's entering the season with only reliever eligibility. His upside will be much greater if he makes Oakland's rotation.

Paxton will be out until June with a back issue and plummeted accordingly. But the 16th round isn't a bad spot for the talented lefty, as he could be a huge contributor during the second half of the season.

Round 17

You may have seen McKay included in our breakouts piece, and while this is a tad early to take him, the left-hander's potential is through the roof.

Canha also went earlier than his ADP suggests, but he should likely be selected in this range and is a prime candidate to see his stock rise throughout spring. He finally got a chance to stick as a starter in 2019 and is a solid fantasy hand even if he's still a bit anonymous.

Round 18

Kingery showed a modest combination of power and speed in a pseudo breakout last year and could build on that.

Gurriel is one of the biggest bargains of the draft (more later on the most absurd drop), as he went nearly 100 spots past what his ADP suggests. Perhaps the Astros' sign-stealing scandal will sour fantasy managers on Houston's less decorated players.

Round 19

The oft-injured Richards is healthy and has a starting job in the San Diego Padres' rotation. He may have been available in future rounds, but his ADP will be irrelevant if he's close to the pitcher he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Adell is an exciting prospect who should make his major-league debut sooner rather than later, and he could wind up being a key player on your team.

Sticking with the Angels, if Canning's MRI on his elbow doesn't come back clean, it'll likely mark an unfortunate end to the campaign for a player who was poised to break out. Pay attention to his status.

Round 20

Perez is coming off a lost season, so there's some risk. But most catchers being drafted this late are generally hurting your rate stats, anyway.

The rest of the draft is mostly about adding depth, so we'll cut off the analysis here until after the final round.

Round 21

Round 22

Round 23

Round 24

Round 25

Ramos is one of the best hitting catchers in the game, and getting him in the last round of a 12-team draft is very unlikely.

Two top pitching prospects round things out, which is a good spot to pick them if they last this long.

It may be worth taking your biggest flier in the round or two before the last one because most people will hold off until the end, and you could miss out on Mize or Gore if you wait too long. Another option at this stage is St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson, who's on the cusp of promotion, as well.