MLB Fantasy Mock Draft: Third Round
Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum headline the third round of our 12 team mock draft as both pitchers went in the top selections. After those studs left the table, five outfielders dominated the round as a run at this position took place.
Third Round Results
25. Cliff Lee – SP: Philadelphia should roll up to a big lead in the National League East if their pitching staff stays intact. While Roy Halladay is the star in this rotation, Cliff Lee is not far behind him and is a worth top five starting pitcher to select in mixed 5×5 leagues.
Lee has proven his worth in the Phillies rotation before, and he should pick up where he left off last season with the Rangers. This should be a special season for the Philadelphia’s pitching staff and Lee will be a big part of their success.
26. Tim Lincecum – SP: The Giants support the best lineup for runs support, they’ve had since Barry Bonds was in his prime. That said, the Giants are still an average hitting team going into the season and that is why Cliff Lee, Jon Lester and even C.C. Sabathia could go higher than, “the freak” at your draft.
Expect Tim Lincecum to have a bounce back season as he found his mechanics in September, following a horrible August. The Giants have a winning mentality, and that will help this team win over 90 games once again.
27. Dustin Pedroia – 2B: The laser show is back as Dustin Pedroia is set for a big season in the Red Sox All Star lineup. If you look at Pedroia’s numbers before his foot injury last year, he was on pace for a career year in home runs.
Pedroia will enjoy a better pitch selection as opposing pitchers will give him challenge fastballs before they have to face the meat of the order. Don’t expect Pedroia to win an MVP trophy this season, but he could have one of his better years in 2011.
28. Matt Kemp – OF: Will we see the 2009 stud Matt Kemp or the outfielder that looked lost at times in 2010? Kemp has all the tools to be a top fifteen fantasy producer, but I have a feeling his best year of his career was back in 2009.
29. Shin-Soo Choo – OF: For my money, I would much rather have a consistent outfielder like Shin-Soo Choo than an up and down talent like Matt Kemp or Jayson Werth. Choo helps your fantasy baseball team in all five categories and will continue to be a factor going forward.
Sadly, Choo, plays for the Indians and that limits his run and RBI potential but he is still at top ten talent a the outfield position.
30. Victor Martinez – C / DH: With Joe Mauer batting through a chronic knee injury, Victor Martinez should be the top producing catcher in fantasy baseball. Factor in that Martinez will spend most of his time as the Tigers designated hitter, and it’s easy to envision a great year from this All Star talent.
31. Jayson Werth – OF: Watchout for a bust season from Jayson Werth as a new team and a big contract will put added pressure on him. For the money Werth signed for National fans will expect him to perform as Adam Dunn and I don’t think he’s up for the challenge.
32. Brian McCann – C: Another fine season should be in the works for Brian McCann. Giants’ youngster Buster Posey may pass McCann as the top pitcher in the National League, but I would put my money on McCann outplaying the youngster for 2011.
33. Jose Reyes – SS: The Mets aren’t likely to re-sign Jose Reyes this off-season so look for this speedster to post a big year and cash in. Health is always a problem for Reyes, but he seems like the kind of talent that finds a way to “stay healthy” in a contract season.
Reyes is worth a third round pick this season as he has big money on the line.
34. Ichiro Suzuki – OF: The Mariners’ offense was one of the worst in baseball last year, and it cost Ichiro Suzuki an opportunity to score over 100 runs. As a matter of fact, the Mariners were so bad that Suzuki only scored 74 runs despite playing all 162 games and a league high 214 hits.
Suzuki will continue to hit a solid batting average and steal at least 35 bases, but he may not reach 80 runs scored for the second season in a row.
35. Ian Kinsler – 2B: The two main problems for Ian Kinsler are health and his batting average. Fantasy owners can live with a .265 batting average for what Kinsler can provide but a long stint on the disabled list would hurt your team if you as a third round selection.
36. Justin Upton – OF: The Diamondbacks have quietly put together a stronger baseball team, and their coaching staff is much improved. Justin Upton should benefit and post his best season to date as he puts together an All Star season.
As the last pick in the third round (12 team league) I had no problems selecting this stud talent and I full expect him to produce.
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