MLB Mock Draft Strategy: 4th Round

Into the fourth round, we go as quality players are still on the table and it main core of a team is starting to take shape. Of the 12 players selected in the fourth round, we saw three outfielders, two starting pitchers, two second baseman, two shortstops, two third baseman and one catcher.

37. Andrew McCutchen – OF: The standard lineups on Mock Draft Central tend to have five starting outfielders from mixed leagues. Since I had the last pick in the third round and the first pick in the fourth I took two outfielders in Justin Upton and Andrew McCutchen.

McCutchen is ready for a breakout season that should make him a top twenty overall player by 2012. The Pirates won’t be a winning team this season but the hitting around McCutchen is underrated. Pittsburgh had a strong final two months of the season with players like Neil Walker and Jose Tabata brokeout.

38. Buster Posey – C: The Giants were desperate for hitting by the end of May and along came top prospect Buster Posey to save the day. Posey went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year and helped his team win its first championship in San Francisco.

As you can see, the hype is on for this young star as Giants fans have a new star in the making. Look for Posey to have his ups and downs this season, but he will post better numbers in a full season.

39. Brandon Phillips – 2B: Coming into a contract season (Reds have an option next season), Brandon Phillips should be primed for solid numbers as opposing pitchers will give him better pitches to hit with Joey Votto hitting behind him. Look for the Reds second baseman to be a legit top five producer at his position this season.

40. Nelson Cruz – OF: The Rangers support one of the best offensive teams in baseball and Nelson Cruz has the best power on this squad. The problem for Cruz is health, and he is likely to miss around 30 games once again in 2011.

Cruz has proven to be a player who won’t stay healthy but when he’s on the field, he is one of the more dangerous power hitters in all of fantasy baseball.

41. Andre Ethier – OF: The Dodgers had a bad season as upper management problems trickled down to the club house. Andre Ethier should bounce back with a better season as the Dodgers look to put the pieces back together and contend in the West.

42. Jose Bautista – 3B / OF: The Blue Jays home field has been one of the best stadiums for home runs in recent years and Jose Bautista bashed over 50 of them in 2010. Don’t expect Bautista to belt over 40 again in his career, but he could threaten for 35 as an everyday player.

43. Adrian Beltre – 3B: Some fantasy experts are jocking Adrian Beltre, but I wouldn’t trust him for as far as I could throw him. Beltre has a habit of playing well in contract seasons and then falling apart when he signs a new deal.

Already injured in spring training, Beltre is right on track for another bust season. At least he plays for the Rangers and playing in Texas should make him an every week starter for your squad, when healthy.

44. Derek Jeter – SS: The Yankees team captain Derek Jeter signed what should be is final big payday of his career this off-season. Jeter is in the final years of his career but should still be an effective fantasy shortstop until he retires.

45. C.C. Sabathia – SP: The Yankees ace, suffers in fantasy value because he pitches in the American League East. While C.C. Sabathia may not post an earn run average under three, but he should be a twenty game winner once again.

46. Rickie Weeks – 2B: The Brewers are primed for a big season and Rickie Weeks will be a part of their success. Weeks broke out for fantasy owners last year with 29 home runs for the second base position. Don’t expect those power numbers this season but Weeks is a valuable player to have playing in a hitter friendly ball park.

47. Jimmy Rollins – SS: I didn’t holdout much hope for Jimmy Rollins this season until I heard Larry Bowa talk about him on MLB Network. According to Bowa, Rollins was never a player who worked out much during the off-season, but he put a bunch of time in this off-season.

Bowa thinks Rollins is inline for a bounce back season and as a late fourth round pick (in a 12 team league) I’m willing to play ball with that prediction.

48. Jon Lester – SP: Much like C.C. Sabathia, Red Sox ace Jon Lester suffers from playing in the American League East. All that means to me is that you can get a Cy Young caliber pitcher for a cheaper price. Lester should win twenty games this season as the Red Sox have the best team on paper.

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