Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: 12th Round

The Mets brought Jason Bay in last offseason to help this team contend in the East but a concussion ended his season in July. Unlike Justin Morneau, it looks like Bay seems to be fully recovered from his head injury and should have a bounce back season. As a middle round selection, Bay is a steal as he should hit around 30 home runs for your fantasy squad.

While Bay headlines the 12th round of our mock draft, it was starting pitchers who dominated the overall selections. At this point in your draft, many fantasy owners will be looking for quality arms to round out their top four or five starters to begin the 2011 fantasy season.

12th Round Results

133. Ben Zobrist – 2B / OF: The Rays need Ben Zobrist to have a bounce back season if they have hopes of contending for a playoff spot. Zobrist was a disappointment for fantasy owners last year as he was going as high as the fifth round in many leagues. If you can acquire Zobrist around the 12th round, he is a good gamble selection in this area.

134. Jason Bay – OF: Last season Jason Bay suffered a head injury, and it cost him the second half of the season. Beyond his physical issues, Bay also had some mechanical issues at the plate and is working on a toe tap problem in camp this year.

Assuming Bay can correct his batting stance (likely to happen) he should be a candidate to bounce back for fantasy owners. This makes Bay a terrific value selection in the middle rounds.

135. Wandy Rodriguez – SP: The Astros will struggle to win at times this season and Wandy Rodriguez will have a hard time finding more than eleven victories. If you acquire Rodriguez for steady innings pitched and a respectable strikeout total, then you won’t be disappointed.

136. Nick Swisher – OF: Swishalicious had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2010. Expect Nick Swisher to hit for power once again, but don’t bet on him posting a batting average over .265 again this season.

137. Brandon Morrow – SP: The Blue Jays are counting on Brandon Morrow to continue his progression as a quality starting pitcher. In the past two offseasons Toronto has lost Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum. I believe Morrow will be a valuable starting pitching for fantasy this year but the Blue Jays are going nowhere once again.

138. Juan Pierre – OF: Veteran Jaun Pierre brokout for a great season as the everyday starting leadoff man in Chicago. With Adam Dunn coming to the team, Pierre is a favorite for over 50 stolen bases and at least 110 runs scored. Ok, maybe Pierre won’t reach 110 runs, but in this lineup it could happen.

139. Brett Anderson – SP: Just another quality starting pitcher in the A’s young rotation as Brett Anderson should build off his success in 2010. The A’s should be a contender with a solid pitching rotation and some upgraded hitting in the offseason.

140. Phil Hughes – SP: If the Yankees are going to make the playoffs in 2011, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett will need to pitch better. Don’t expect Hughes to reach 18 wins again this season, unless he can find consistency on the mound.

Hughes makes for a solid pick in this area, as you can’t find many pitchers (from this point on in your draft) that should challenge for 15 plus wins on the season.

141. J.J. Putz – RP: I believe J.J. Putz will have a solid season as the Diamondbacks closer but fantasy owners should get him cheaper. Putz hasn’t posted a big time year as a closer since 2007 and he’s not a top ten option at closer coming into this season.

142. Jason Kubel – OF: Playing time could be a struggle for Jason Kubel but when in the lineup, he will be worth having. Kubel has decent power and will drive in a fair amount of runs for the Twins.

143. Carlos Lee – 1B / OF: As long as Carlos Lee comes into the season healthy, I expect him to improve off his 2010 numbers. Lee is still a middle of the lineup hitter and plays in a hitter friendly ball park.

144. David Ortiz – DH: Big Papi had his struggles early last year, but he broke out and was a valuable option in the summer. Look for David Ortiz to have another strong season as the Red Sox are primed for big things as he’s looking for a new contract.

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