Here is my latest mock draft courtesy of Mock Draft Central. It was a 10-team Yahoo! format with five bench spots. The key to this format was the lack of a 2nd catcher, a middle infielder, a corner and a 5th OF.
With the 9th pick, I decided to grab one of the best outfielders as I am coming to believe the difference between the top of the outfield ranks and the middle ones is greater than that difference at other positions. My preference was Ryan Braun of Milwaukee with the reluctant resignation that I'd take Grady Sizemore if he fell to me. FWIW, I like Braun's power production and AVG more than Sizemore's SBs at that spot.
Luckily, Braun was there at #9. With my 2nd round pick, I wanted another outfielder or 1B Ryan Howard. Unfortunately, both were taken, and I was left with a Jimmy Rollins decision. Given this was a mock draft, I was still committed to seeing what a two OF start would look like, and I grabbed Tampa Bay Rays' OF B.J. Upton.
I consider this a riskier move than Jimmy Rollins because Upton's 2009 value as a 2.2 selection is heavily dependent on his HRs rebounding in 2009. Geez, Upton hit fewer HRs than Rollins did in Rollins' disappointing 2008 season. And stole fewer bases at a less premium position!
What do you think and how do you handle this format?
Pos Name Team Pick
C Joe Mauer MIN R6 P2
1B Chris Davis TEX R7 P9
2B Dustin Pedroia BOS R4 P2
SS Jhonny Peralta CLE R11 P9
3B Adrian Beltre SEA R14 P2
OF Ryan Braun MIL R1 P9
OF B.J. Upton TB R2 P2
OF Lastings Milledge WAS R12 P2
UT Pat Burrell TB R18 P2
UT Jim Thome CHW R15 P9
SP Tim Lincecum SF R3 P9
SP Cliff Lee CLE R5 P9
SP Josh Beckett BOS R8 P2
SP Matt Cain SF R9 P9
SP Yovani Gallardo MIL R10 P2
SP Zack Greinke KC R17 P9
RP Brian Wilson SF R13 P9
RP Heath Bell SD R16 P2
RP Trevor Hoffman MIL R21 P9
Bench
1B Pablo Sandoval SF R22 P2
2B Rickie Weeks MIL R24 P2
OF Justin Upton ARI R20 P2
OF Carlos Gomez MIN R23 P9
RP Clayton Kershaw LA R19 P9