Mock Draft Mockery: Round 1

With all positional rankings in the books, and with pitchers and catchers reporting as we speak. It is the perfect time to start our Mock Draft analysis! The following draft will reflect a 10-team league with traditional stat settings. We’ll be posting rounds one at a time until we complete 22 rounds of drafting. So without further ado we are on the clock!

1^st Pick (Team One): Albert Pujols, 1^st basemen, St. Louis Cardinals

• There’s a lot of support for Hanley here and I don’t blame anyone for taking him since shortstop is a much weaker position than first base. However, you can’t ignore the shear dominance that is Albert Pujols. He’ll put up the most dominant power numbers in baseball and the biggest thing: it’s a contract year and he wants to be the highest paid player ever. Pick Albert.

2^nd Pick (Team Two): Hanley Ramirez, Shortstop, Florida Marlins

• He’s far and away the best shortstop in the draft and there’s not much to write home about after Ramirez besides Tulow. Ramirez had a pretty tumultuous year in South Beach last season but he still dominated from a fantasy perspective. 2011 will be no different and he will be one of the best all-around players in the game.

3^rd Pick (Team Three): Troy Tulowitzki, Shortstop, Colorado Rockies

• Don’t get me wrong I love Tulow but the only reason he’s being drafted here is because of his position. With the third pick Tulow not only gives you arguably the best player available but he also fills a need at a weak position. Swoop him up and feel good about where you stand at shortstop.

4^th Pick (Team Four): Miguel Cabrera, 1^st basemen, Detroit Tigers

• Had an MVP caliber season last year and will not disappoint owners in 2011 as he continues his role as the Pujols of the AL. Some people think Votto should be picked over Cabrera at this point and while Votto is good he’s going to have to prove that last year was no fluke before you can pencil him in as a top five pick.

5^th Pick (Team Five): Carlos Gonzalez, Outfielder, Colorado Rockies

• First non-infielder comes off the board here, Outfielder is the deepest position in the draft so you could wait on drafting one until the 3^rd or 4^th round but Cargo is just too good to pass up. He’s one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball and combine that with playing 81 games at Coors Field and you have an MVP in the making.

6^th Pick (Team Six): Evan Longoria, 3^rd basemen, Tampa Bay Rays

• Longoria flies off the board here as the best player at another weaker position. He’s due for another great season and after the Rays lost Carl Crawford within the division they’ll be leaning on Longoria even more to stay competitive in baseball’s best division. There’s a lot of different directions you can go with this pick but Longoria is the safest, and the one thing you can’t overcome in fantasy baseball is a bust in the first round.

7^th Pick (Team Seven): Roy Halladay, Starting Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

• Halladay will be the first pitcher selected in any draft the only question is when? The answer is anytime after the fifth pick, but no matter where you pick him you’re getting a bona fide ace. He’s been the best pitcher in baseball this decade and will continue his dominance in 2011.

8^th Pick (Team Eight): Robinson Canó, 2^nd basemen, New York Yankees

• I’m tempted to put Canó even higher because in my mind he’s the favorite to win the AL batting title. He’s not only the best 2^nd basemen by a long shot he’s also the best baseball player in New York City, which makes him a shoe in for the first round. Drafting him at eight is a bargain so don’t sleep on him as long as you have in the past.

9^th Pick (Team Nine): Joey Votto, 1^st basemen, Cincinnati Reds

• The reigning NL MVP will defend his title in 2011 after certifying himself as an elite player in baseball. Votto is a great catch the only worry is was last year a product of a contract year? Or is he really that good? He just signed a lucrative deal to keep him in the Queen City for a long time so we’ll have an answer this season, until then he’s a late first rounder.

10^th Pick (Team Ten): Ryan Braun, Outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers

• Braun has silently placed himself among the best outfielders in baseball and has been the most consistent hitter at his position for the last four years. Don’t look for any disappointment from Braun this year and he is a very solid pick in the late first round.