Doin Work’s 2010 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft

Alright fantasy fans, we’ve are proud to say that we’ve now completed our cycle of fantasy sports here at Doin Work. We had a mock football, basketball, and now we’ve done baseball. I guess we could do one for Hockey and Golf, but seriously, I doubt there’s much interest from the fantasy community for either of them. As always, we had a 12 team mock, with people writing a little bit on why they picked the player they did, and in some cases why the already regret picking them! With out further ado here’s the first three rounds of the draft!

1) Matt La Porta Potties – Albert Pujols (Cardinals)

HELLO  #1 PICK!!! I can’t remember the last time there has been a more straight forward #1 pick in a fantasy draft?!? Matt La Porta is going to be shitting on some Potties for sure this season. The only downside now is waiting two full rounds to pick again.

2) Huff Huff Pass – Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)

Tough to NOT pick Han Ram. Sure he might be considered weak when it comes to pain tolerance by his teammates, but that doesn’t effect any of his play when he’s out on the field. He’s a 30HR/30Steal/100Run/100RBI guy, so it’s tough to find any reason not to take him. Oh yeah, and he’s a shortstop that’s usually in the race for a batting title too! Shortstop was my weakest position last year, so I decided to sure that position up right off the bat this season…

3) Who Creamed in My Clear – Chase Utley (Phillies)

This was a tough choice for me, A-Rod and Miguel Cabrera were hard to pass up. In the end I’ve decided to go with the player that has won me two previous championships. Locking up a 2^nd baseman who’s production is so prolific is a valuable early draft piece to have. There will be plenty of other players at corner positions and in the out field to pick up later on down the road.

4) Triple Hawpes Brewed – Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)

I really hate the Yankees, and dislike A-Rod to the extent that I probably wouldn’t mind if he got hurt. If there’s a guy in the league that is as feared as Pujols, I’d say A-Roid fits that mold. He’s hit 30 HR’s and 100 RBI’s in 12 consecutive seasons, so no reason to think he’ll slow down batting in the middle of the most feared lineup in the big leagues.

5) Blue Va-Jay-Jays – Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)

Ummmmm…..When I saw I had the fifth pick I immediately wrote down Chase Utley and A-rod, and by god they went three and four right in front of me. Miguel is essentially a panic pick based on me looking at a million possible picks right up to time expiring. Longoria, Braun, and Kemp  got long looks right up before I hit the “Draft” button. From a talent stand point, I probably got the best player on the board, not much to complain about really.

6) I need TP for my Pujols – Prince Fielder (Brewers)

Prince killed me every time I played him last year. I think he hit 40 of his 46 home runs when he was playing me in this head to head league. Seriously though, Prince is a one man wrecking crew, and he is just turning 25 years young. He looks like he could be an MVP contender for years to come. Even though there’s a lot of 1B that can put up comparable numbers, I sided with him because he killed me every time I was against him, and if you can’t beat him pick him!

7) Kinsler’s List – Ryan Braun (Brewers)

Bamm, I was hoping Braun would still be here. He’s a dynamic young power producer and I was hoping he’d be here instead of kemp. Alas, they were both still available making my decision even more simple. Getting a power outfielder is a great pick, there is so much power available in later rounds to build off, I’m just happy I got my guy. I’ve seen in happen in other drafts, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Ryan Howard makes it back to me. If these league values pitching I’ll have a chance.

#8 Lawn Mauers – Joe Mauer (Twins)

League wide I’m known for picking my hometown Minnesota players too early in drafts, and since I never seem to do all THAT great in the leagues why not change my strategy you ask? I’d much rather draft a guy I like earlier than I should instead of drafting a guy that I want to see fail in non-fantasy situations. I LOVE Mauer, and pray that we sign him to a long term deal. He’s easily the best catcher in the league, and will be producing at a spot that it’s hard to find good production at!

9) The Uggla Truth – Evan Longoria (Rays)

Lincy or Longoria? Lincy or Longoria? Lincy or Longoria? Lincy or Longoria? Lincy or Longoria? Honestly, I took a shot of Jack, flipped a coin, and landed with heads. Longoria it was. Thanks Mr. Daniels for making my pick a tad easier.

10) Keeping up with the Kouzmanoffs – Mark Texiera (Yankees)

Tex went invisible in the playoffs, but maybe it was because he was nervous in his first year with the Yankee playoff spotlight. I don’t see any reason for him to struggle during the regular season. Sitting in the heart of the order in the best lineup in the bigs he will put up huge numbers.

11) The Good,The Bad,And The Utley – Tim Lincecum (Giants)

Wow, okay so I hate taking pitchers early in drafts. I love building from the infield and then out, and tackling pitching last. I’m also an avid believe in streaming. Seeing Lincecum here so late, I couldn’t pass on the value. This has totally shaken up my draft strategy, but will see what happens, I also feel very good knowing I’d have a ton of trade partners with other owners in this league.

12) Mound Rubbers – Ryan Howard (Phillies)

There are no sure things in baseball, but Howard is pretty close. He’s smacked 45 or more homers in the last four straight seasons, and I doubt he’ll slow down anytime soon residing in a very hitter friendly lineup and park. I’m not sure how I got screwed with the last pick this year. I finished second to last in the standings and still have the disadvantage of picking last. Screw you random pick generator!

2ND ROUND

13) Mound Rubbers – Matt Kemp (Dodgers)

I kinda hate having back to back picks, and sometimes you get crazy knowing that your next pick won’t be for a half hour. I’m stoked to get Kemp though, he should only improved steadily in LA. He hasn’t shown any signs of hitting his cap, so there’s some upside picking him especially since it’s probably his last year with crazy ass Manny. I never win in steals, so maybe picking him will prompt me to care about that category this year.

14) The Good,The Bad,And The Utley – David Wright (Mets)

Now I’ve really done it, I drafted Tim thinking Kemp or Howard would be available and they were picked by the Rubbers back to back in a matter of seconds, leaving me with absolutely no time to think about my next move. I selected Wright and then immediately hated myself for it. Carl Crawford or Holliday would have been a safer pick. Praying for a Met to have a good season these days is asking for a lot.

15) Keeping up with the Kouzmanoffs – Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks)

Reynolds isn’t a sexy pick, but he tore the cover off the ball last year. I don’t really think you can say that for many D-Backs. People ripped on me when I drafted him, but everyone in this league is a loser, so screw you guys. He’s going to hit for 40 HR’s and 150 RBI’s because you doubted him! You could do a lot worse at 3B…

16) The Uggla Truth – Carl Crawford ( Rays)

I guess I’m the drunk guy at the draft, so what screw you guys! Anyways, I took two players from the same team back to back in the first two rounds. How come that feels like a bad move? I just passed on a ton of good pitching as well…There really isn’t much difference between Lincy or Greineke or even Holliday for that matter. Power, speed, runs are early accomplishments in my draft.

17) Lawn Mauers – Matt Holliday (Cardinals)

I’m always weary of guys who just got a big contract and deciding to tank it the following season after signing it, but seeing how he will be having the protection of Pujols he should have plenty of good pitches to hit with a lot of guys on base. I hope I don’t regret not taking a premier pitcher! If Holliday sucks, I’ll blame McGwire!

18) Kinsler’s List – Roy Holliday (Phillies)

Double Bamm, or is that “Bamm Bamm”? Anyways, Roy Holliday is going to be god damn beast in the NL, and is my favorite to win the Cy Young this year, teaming him up with Braun feels like a great first two rounds.

19) I need TP for my Pujols – Felix Hernandez (Mariners)

King Felix was a Cy young contender last year. He’s shown he can stay healthy and was plenty productive. I’m looking to him to be my horse bringing down my ERA and WHIP with each start he makes. Felix will only get better getting some good tips from Cliff Lee. I like his potential more than Lee’s this year for some reason or maybe I just like how many K’s he gets.

20) Blue Va-Jay-Jays – Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)

I was extremely interested to see who would fall back to me here, after my semi-panic pick of Miguel Cabrera I wanted to make sure I was ready to go this round. I didn’t think twice to snatch up Tulowitzki. Shortstop is a tough position to fill after the first few rounds, and getting his over all production matched up with Cabrera was a pretty easy call. Pitching and speed will be two areas to address over my next three rounds.

21) Triple Hawpes Brewed – CC Sabathia (Yankees)

Sabathia usually struggles out of the gate, and usually I try to trade for him after a the first few months. It seems like once the All-Star break hits he hits full stride, so I’ll pretty much ride the Yankees ace into my playoff match ups. Unfortunately I doubt the Yankees will be giving him starts on three days rest like the Brewers did in the championship round!

22) Who Creamed in My Clear – Justin Upton (Diamondbacks)

Okay the last round consisted of some draft chatter saying my pick of Utley was retarded? I don’t know about all that, I’ve gone cash in my back pocket from other leagues that says other wise. I like to take risks (even mild ones), and my next pick is certainly indicative of that. Justin Upton is the classic upside pick that either works out or turns out to be a flat out bust. I think he can crack 30hrs this year, and if he does this pick will work out just fine. I may need some of my own cream to dumb the pain of this pick down the road, will shall see.

23) Huff Huff Pass – Ian Kinsler (Rangers)

Geez, picking second is rough. I hate watching every guy I want fall off the board only to be left with a tough decision. I could pick a pitcher since they are starting to fall off the board quickly, but I figure I’ll sure up the middle of my infield right now. Doesn’t get much more productive than Hanley and Ian.

24) Matt La Porta Potties – Zack Greineke (Royals)

Wait for it, don’t get excited, he might get picked……………….Oh, yes, yes, yes! And with that I easily pick up Zack Greineke. I’ve arguably drafted the best pitcher in baseball to go along with the most productive fantasy player in the last 10 years (prior to the last decade I’d guess Barry Bonds without actually looking it up). I’ve got to turn my attention to the 3^rd round pick quickly now.

ROUND 3

25) Matt La Porta Potties – Grady Sizemore (Indians)

50/50 on Sizemore and took the plunge. Would Kevin Youkillis make more sense though in a depleted 3^rd base pool? Shoot, Sizemore is to young and has way to much talent to pass up here.

26) Huff Huff Pass – Ichiro (Mariners)

I guess I’ll mark down that batting average category in the first three rounds. Three guys that hit over .300 and steal bases! I don’t know if Ichiro is starting to fade, but guys that just get hits seem to always be able to do that. I’m pretty sure he’ll get me 30 stolen bases as well. I don’t really like my power and RBI situation at the moment, but there’s plenty of time to add that.

27) Who Creamed in My Clear – Jose Reyes (Mets)

Power, average, and total production I’m feeling pretty good about. Looking at position scarcity and a little upside Jose Reyes seems like the ideal pick. I’m well aware his injury plagued season last year, but getting a short stop here with his resume was to hard to pass up. I’ve left my corner positions bare early here in the draft, and will look to take a 1^st baseman with my next pick.

28) Triple Hawpes Brewed – Kendry Morales (Angels)

Damn it, screw you Time Warner!!!! I can’t believe I lost my internet connection. I really didn’t want to pick Morales, or the next two auto picks I got. He wasn’t really even on my radar. I just hope I get lucky with the pick, and he improves as THE MAN filling Vlad’s spot in the lineup. Maybe I can work a trade with one of the two Gayngel fans.

29) Blue Va-Jay-Jays – Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)

Speed, never want to let a productive speedster pass you by if you have the team to accommodate him. With Troy and Miggy already locked up, Ellsbury is a great puzzle piece to a great emerging team!

30 ) I need TP for my Pujols – Brandon Phillips (Reds)

I panicked, I’ve had a few fantasy relationships with Phillips, and they always end lukewarm or bitter. I guess when I see him on the board I just pick him, because I don’t know what else to do. He’s my version of Michael Redd in the basketball draft, I just keep taking him. I hope he stays healthy for once. I doubt he will, but I have him again so I hope he does.

31) Kinsler’s List – Joey Votto (Reds)

Braun , Holliday, ? I thought about Morneau, Youk, and Pedroia at length. I’m going to regret passing on Dustin, I just know it. But Votto has an appealing powerside, and I wanted to add to Braun.

32) Lawn Mauers – Justin Morneau (Twins)

YES! Mauer and Morneau, I’m already happy with my draft. Hopefully I can grab Nathan at some point later too. I’ll be twice as happy everytime my Twinkies do well, because when they put up runs it’s usually because of the M&M’s. I wasn’t sure if someone would grab him just despise me so they could propose retarded trades to me.

33) The Uggla Truth – Kevin Youkillis (Red Sox)

Sweet, Morneau and Votto who I really didn’t want to pick get taken, and the choice to take Kevin Youk is made for me. He had under 500 at bats last season, and still performed well. A full season of at bats and I’ve got a steal at the backend of round three to go along with Crawford and Longoria. I can’t ask for a better three rounds of talent.

34) Keeping up with the Kouzmanoffs – Dan Haren (Diamondbacks)

I’ve always been a fan of Haren since he was on the A’s. I know he’s had a history of struggling in the second half, but his 8.8K’s/1.5 Walks is impossible to pass up. He will be amazing for lowering my WHIP and get me plenty of wins with on a weak hitting Arizona offense backing him. Hopefully he’ll get some run support this year…

35) The Good,The Bad,And The Utley – Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)

Finally a pick that I was able to make pretty easily. I’m very surprised a second baseman, who is so productive is available in such a shallow position. I’ve seen the top tier of pitchers pass me by, but I feel more then okay with it, landing the last top tier second baseman on the board. If the David Wright of two years ago, reappears I might be just fine.

36) Mound Rubbers – Jason Bay (Mets)

Ugh, I wasn’t sure who to pick, but it could be worse. If I hadn’t already picked Howard, I probably would’ve picked Adrian Gonzalez. Oh well, too late now. Hopefully Bay will produce in the unfriendly hitting surroundings of New York. I guess my next pick will have to be a pitcher. When Haren went off the board, my head went blank…