Let's Mock!

As impatience for the draft builds, let's take a look at the way things may shake down in the first round of our Inaugural Draft, exactly one week from today.

1st Overall Pick - Jordie

SS Hanley Ramirez ($42)

At just 25 years of age, Hanley is the all-around real deal and the perfect #1 pick. He plays at fantasy's most coveted position and hits for average (career .308) and power (33 HR in '08), while scoring a ton of runs (250 combined over the last 2 years) and stealing at least 35 bases in each of his first 3 full seasons. Hanley showed even more signs of improvement in '08, drawing a career high 92 walks to raise his OBP to .400 for the first time in his career.

With the emergence of top prospect Cameron Maybin, the Fish may slide baseball's best all around hitter down to the #3 hole for the '09 season. In 55 career games in the 3rd spot, Ramirez is batting .290 while posting a mediocre .777 OPS. Since it's such a small sample size, fantasy owners should expect Hanley to put up even bigger numbers this year. Expect a hefty increase in RBI, and maybe a slight drop in runs. A possible .315/115/35/95/35 line from a shortshop is just too hard to pass up at the top of the draft board.

2nd Overall Pick – Shay

3B Alex Rodriguez ($39)

Shay, I'm sure you can trade in your Hanley jersey for a fresh set of A-Roid pinstripes.
Not to worry, your first overall pick may just lead all hitters in fantasy points this year. In A-Fraud's outstanding '07 season, he posted a league high 758 points. His recent stats show increased output in odd numbered years, and if that continues this year the most hated player this side of Barry Bonds may just repeat as the league's points leader. Amidst all the controversy about his PED use, and with Mark Teixeira's impact on an already potent Yankees lineup, expect Rodriguez to put up an "enhanced" line of about .310/120/45/125/20 in his age 34 season. Even for those who hate the guy, it's hard to say no to that kind of production. He will easily be the oldest player taken in the first round, but expect a solid 5 years of production from Rodriguez as he continues his chase of Bonds' all time home run record.

3rd Overall Pick – Kedro

1B Albert Pujols ($41)

Prince Albert posted perhaps his best fantasy season in 2008, and accordingly led hitters with 649 points last year. In a year which he played only 148 games (156.3 career average), Pujols slugged his way to a career high 1.114 OPS while hitting .357 with 37 HR's and 116 RBI. Coming off offseason surgery and with a questionable lineup around him, Pujols may not lead all hitters again, but you can expect another monstrous year from one of fantasy's most consitent point producers. At the prime age of 29, Pujols is one of the safest keeper picks you can find.

4th Overall Pick - Danny

3B David Wright ($39)

With all the stars the Mets have assembled in Queens, Wright may just be the brightest. The face of the franchise for years to come, he has been an impact player since his first full season. At just 26 years of age, Wright is the prime age for a player to anchor a new keeper team. He contributes in all five major hitting categories and has topped 40 doubles and a .300 average in each of the last 4 seasons. Fantasy owners would love to have these two guys manning the left side of their infield, but unfortunately neither will be available come the second round.

5th Overall Pick - Jason M.

CF Grady Sizemore ($32)

Sizemore ranked second among fantasy outfielders and fifth overall with 618 fantasy points last year, he had a career high 33 HR, 90 RBI and 38 SB. Sizemore has only missed 9 games over the past 4 years and hits atop a potentially potent Cleveland lineup. Expect him to push 650 AB's this year and while he doesn't hit for a great average (.279 career), Sizemore is good for 115 runs, 40 doubles, 30 HR's, 85 RBI, and nearly 100 walks. Although he may seem like a bit of a stretch at this point, you take those stats from your centerfielder over the next five years, and you laugh your ass straint to the bank. Sizemore was a 20/20 player for the first 3 years, and 2008 was the first in what could be a long run of 30/30 years for yet another former Expo turned Star.

There have been rumblings about J-Mill taking the big C.C. at this pick, but I can't see a pitcher going this high. If he does, it has the potential to cause a SP run. Don't be surprised to see Lincecum and Santana snapped up shortly thereafter.

6th Overall Pick - Yosef

1B Miguel Cabrera ($34)

A year ago Cabrera would be a sure fire top 10 pick, and he loses a bit of value with his switch to first base. Entering his age 25 season, Miggy has been rock solid averaging 187.6 hits, 32.6 HR and 117.6 RBI over a five year span. Seeing as he is just entering his prime, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Detroit sluggar average close to 200 hits, and at least 35 HR and 120 RBI over the next 3-5 years. With the execption of Sizemore, Cabrera is at least $5 cheaper than any player taken so far, making him a slight bargain as well. Expect a bounce back year from Cabrera as he should carry his strong second half showing into the season. Representing Venezuela at this year's WBC could have Cabrera running on all cylinders as the season starts. I expect Miggy to top his career .921 OPS and be a solid first round anchor of any fantasy team.

Knowing the YBomb, he could always stretch and take a pitcher at this spot. Either Sabathia or Lincecum could fall here.

7th Overall Pick - Ilya

SS Jose Reyes ($39)

If Reyes does manage to slip this far, I would be shocked if he isnt SNATCHED up here at #7. His all around game at the SS position would just be too hard to pass up. Even if he only gives you 13-15 HR, Reyes will still be amongst the league leaders in runs, hits, triples and stolen bases. He bats atop one of the league's best lineups and at 25 years old the best is by far yet to come. If Ilya manages to snag Reyes here, don't be shocked if he lands Mets' teammate David Wright via trade. If for some reason Reyes doesn't make it this far, look for the big Belarusian to go after Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun.

8th Overall Pick - Jason G.

CF Josh Hamilton ($31)

With perhaps just one more full season under his belt, Hamilton likely wouldn't last past the top 5 picks. With the type of first half he had last season in his debut playing in the bandbox we call the BallPark in Arlington, Hamilton definitely has elite fantasy potential. The one thing that is worrying potential owners is his durability. His much publicized drug problem and fall from grace as a former 1st overall pick combined with his reputation as a potentially injury prone player push this future fasntasy mega star down towards the bottom of round 1. At this position and at a relative bargain at $31, Hamilton has the potential to be quite a steal for any lucky manager. If Texas' young lineup continues to develop at a quick pace Hamilton should be amongst the league leaders in runs, HR and RBI making him a solid first round pick.

9th Overall Pick - Grosh

LF Ryan Braun ($35)

The possibility of Milwaukee's young slugger sliding to the 9th spot seem unlikely but if the chips fall just right, Grosh could be laughing as one of 2009's top HR hitters would be a laughable steal this late in the first round. Ryan Braun combines the ability to hit .300 and steal 20 bases along with the power to hit well over 40 HR's and 120 RBI's in the Brew Crew's star sudded lineup. Take Braun here, and sit back and watch Bernie Brewer's ass burn as he takes celebratory slide after slide down his big yellow beer slide at Miller Park.

10th Overall Pick – Buster

SP Johan Santana ($27)

If a pitcher is going to go in the first round, it should be Johan. The Venezuelan superstar will be skipping the WBC this time around to dedicate his skills to the Mets' faithful in Queens this season. After a somewhat subpar season by his standards, in which a shaky Mets' bullpen deflated Santana's win total to a disappointing 16-7 record, expect a bounce back and CY Young numbers in 2009. After two straight September collapses expect the Mets to push hard in '09 and 20 wins and 230 K's are not out of the question for baseball's best pitcher over the past three seasons. With the elite hitters gone at this point and with two picks in hand, don't be shocked if Buster takes a leg up on the competition and takes two stud SP's back to back.



Anyone have any comments or predictions of their own??