Results of an NFBC style 2014 mock draft

[DOUGHBOYS]

Two of his last three seasons with just 300 some odd at bats.
A little scary, especially for the 'health is a skill' set.

[BEF]

David Price at 5.1? The 14th overall pitcher? I'll GLADLY take that bargain in every single 2014 draft.

[JohnP]

Thanks for posting these picks Dan. I probably have looked at it 20 times already. Baseball is so much better than football! I am sure I am in the minority with that statement. Wow - so many good options at 1B going into next year. Lots of the above starts could be winners - we all have different approaches to crafting a winning team. Hard to tell too much after 5 rounds. Interesting first round - no way I pick Stanton in the first round. Beltre - when does the decline happen? What do do with Goldy......been thinking about where he would go and to see him top 3....whoa! Braun -how long has he been doping? What is the effect on his skill set minus the PEDs? Yowsa...can't wait for 2014! Get that Forecaster published and those slow drafts rolling.

[headhunters]

braun and a rod started doping in high school. both are not mlb ballplayers without the juice. a rod is a drug dealer or washing dishes. braun is a backup OF at miami

[NorCalAtlFan]

point of fact, Braun was 3b at Miami

[bjoak]

There goes my plan to take Gyorko as my round 14 surprise pick.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Bronx- I sort of like prince/miggy but prince- as of today- is player 50 on player rater- and at the only deep hitting position in baseball. I think that is why he wasn't picked.

You're definitely right that Prince has fallen based on his 2013 performance. I guess it depends how you look at it. I think Prince bounces back next year. I like his consistency and the fact that he stays healthy. He bats cleanup in one of the best lineups in baseball. I was seeing Prince going in the 8-12 range last year and while he disappointed, I guess I'm just surprised he fell all the way to 29. I know I'd be pretty comfortable grabbing him in the 15-20 range, but perhaps my view of him is inflated. We'll see.

Mike

As close as he is to his boys, you have to imagine a divorce had to be weighing on his mind all season long. He's a gamer, but this would affect any of us in our day-to-day jobs:

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general- ... cords-show

Hopefully he gets his personal life in order and he returns to the old Prince next year.

[Bronx Yankees]

Good point, Greg. We get so absorbed in our fantasy teams, it is easy to forget sometimes that these players are human. (I can't believe I'm the only one to silently curse when one of my players unexpectedly goes on leave due to a birth or death in the family, even after lineups have been set.)

I think Prince does bounce back next year. The guy is just too consistently productive and healthy to drop so far due to an off-year. Although he went #29 in a certain premature draft, I'd be very surprised if he is not consistently drafted in the mid-second round (or slightly higher) as the season approaches. I know I'd be very happy getting Prince in the mid- or late-second round.

Mike

[Atlas]

Problem is that the stolen base does not mean as much in real baseball as it does in fantasy. Worse, Hamilton will be playing/not playing for a Manager hesitant to play rookies. He very well could begin next year in the minors.

So much for that variable.

[Atlas]

Last year, Jeff Ruledge was taken early in drafts after a good partial year performance. A 2b/ss playing at Coors sounded yummy.

Now you're just showing your (our) age. There are not too many of us that remember Jeff.

[Bama]

There goes my plan to take Gyorko as my round 14 surprise pick.

I think this proves the point that a draft without money on the line is completly worthless.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Last year, Jeff Ruledge was taken early in drafts after a good partial year performance. A 2b/ss playing at Coors sounded yummy.

Now you're just showing your (our) age. There are not too many of us that remember Jeff.

Ha! So true!

Ken, the Pre-Mature is a pay draft, $125. .
Gyorko did go at 2/15 in the Mock and 7/5 in the Pre-Mature which bolsters your thought.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It will be interesting to see if a Top 15 emerges early this year like it did last year. In looking at last year's stats, it's tougher to predict the back-end of the first round than it was last year. I think you could make a case that these 8 are established first-rounders right now, correct?

Miguel Cabrera
Mike Trout
Paul Goldschmidt
Andrew McCutchen
Robinson Cano
Chris Davis
Clayton Kershaw
Carlos Gonzalez

Then you have some guys who appear to be right there:
Bryce Harper
Joey Votto
Hanley Ramirez
Ryan Braun
Adam Jones
Jacoby Ellsbury

I'm not sure I can even come up with a consensus 15th pick. The back-end of the first round should be pretty interesting early on. Tulo, Stanton, Puig, any others?? Help me out here. I'm trying to figure out this first round and it's not easy. Or is it?

Who do you like in the first round of a 15-team draft?? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Likewhat17]

Who do you like in the first round of a 15-team draft?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Personally, I believe a few of those that you have listed in the second group will be more secure than CarGo.

A lot will change as the draft season progresses, but here is my best estimation of what the first round should be right now.

1) Mike Trout
2) Miguel Cabrera
3) Robinson Cano
4) Paul Goldschmidt
5) Hanley Ramirez
6) Andre McCutchen
7) Clayton Kershaw
8) Chris Davis
9) Ryan Braun
10) Bryce Harper
11) Joey Votto
12) Carlos Gonzalez
13) Adam Jones
14) Troy Tulowitzki
15) Edwin Encarnacion