Anyone out there looking for inspirational news? How’s this, for starters? This week is the last without baseball for the next seven months! Without doubt, a lot of people are smiling right now just reading those words. Also, without question, fantasy drafts are coming fast and furious over the next few days. In order to help those preparing, Belly Up Sports is proud to present this fantasy baseball draft review.

A ten team, H2H points draft, which included members of the Belly Up Sports Network, was held live this past Sunday. A podcast of that draft for your listening pleasure can be found here. The following are the results. Additionally, a short analysis of each pick is included. Agree or disagree with the picks? Discussion and debate are encouraged.

First Pick: Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH. Los Angeles Angels

Without any controversy, Shohei Ohtani was the first player selected. I wrote about Ohtani in my very first fantasy baseball article of the season, found here. As there is nothing more to add, let’s move to the next selection on this fantasy baseball draft review.

Second Pick: Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians

Chosen second was José Ramírez. 2022 important stats: 157 games, .280-29-126, .355/.514/.869, 168 hits, 90 runs, a league-leading 44 doubles, 82 strikeouts, 69 walks, 20 stolen bases and seven caught stealing, which equals his two previous seasons combined.

ANALYSIS:

No question, Ramirez is a complete offensive player. Add in the fact that third base is a slim position after the top tier, it is not surprising that he was selected here. He provides power and speed, and he has a good offensive group surrounding him. Ramirez is in for a huge season.

Third Pick: Juan Soto, OF, San Diego Padres

Up next, Juan Soto was selected third. 2022 important stats: 153 games, .242-27-62, .401/.452/.853, 96 strikeouts, 135 walks, he has led the league in walks two straight seasons, 93 runs, hit only .236-6-16 in San Diego, but season before: .313-29-95 with 111 runs. Soto has led the league twice in on base percentage.

ANALYSIS:

Coming into the season, there isn’t a player that has a wider range of fantasy projections than Soto. ESPN has him ranked as the second-best overall player, while FantasyPros places him fifth among outfielders.

That last ranking is way, way off in my opinion. Soto is due for a huge bounce back season for the Padres and the person selecting him here will reap the rewards all year long.

Fourth Pick: Gerrit Cole, SP, New York Yankees

Assured to be one of the first starters off the board, Gerrit Cole didn’t disappoint on draft day, going fourth overall. 2022 key stats: a league-leading 31 starts and 257 strikeouts, 13-8 won-loss record, 3.50 ERA, 200.2 innings pitched, 1.017 WHIP, 50 walks, 11.5 K9, 2.2 BB9, 111 ERA+, 3.47 FIP.

ANALYSIS:

FantasyPros has Cole ranked second among starters, as do I. Even so, there is little to complain about him coming off the board first. There is always a portion of the season where Cole scuffles a bit, but he always places himself at or near the top of ace pitcher pack. Between him and Burnes, it will be interesting to see which starter has the better season in 2023.

Fifth Pick: Corbin Burnes, SP, Milwaukee Brewers

The run-on ace pitchers continued with the selection of Corbin Burnes at number five. 2022 important stats: a league-leading 33 starts and 243 strikeouts, 12-8 won-loss record, 202 innings pitched, 55 walks, 0.965 WHIP, 134 ERA+, 2.14 FIP, 10.8 K9, 2.3 BB9.

ANALYSIS:

Without doubt, everything is set for Burnes to have another top pitching performance for the Brewers. He was upset with Milwaukee during the arbitration process and will look to prove to them that he should have gotten every last penny he asked for. Expect a Cy Young season from the right-hander.

Pick Six: Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees

In the same article as Ohtani above, Aaron Judge was also covered. As his stats were covered extensively, there, I will not repeat them here.

ANALYSIS:

Needless to say, Judge is a worthy first round pick and his inclusion on this fantasy baseball draft review should surprise no one. The person selecting him in this spot was making his very first fantasy baseball draft pick ever.

Reaction: it was a slam dunk. Of course, Judge will not repeat the season he had a year ago. Nonetheless, he has unmatched power with batting skills that are virtually unknown for a man his size. Judge will deliver huge numbers once again, meaning the newbie will be smiling throughout his first fantasy baseball season.

Pick Seven: Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Perhaps a bit of a surprise pick, a bit of background is required to explain the selection of Mookie Betts at number seven. Important 2022 stats: 142 games, .269-35-82, .340/.533/.873, 117 runs, 40 doubles, 104 strikeouts, 55 walks, 12 steals and two caught stealing.

ANALYSIS:

Being perfectly honest, Betts was my selection. Many observers may question why Guerrero wasn’t chosen instead. My reasoning was quite simple. In a previous article, I discussed how Paul Goldschmidt is my top ranked first baseman going into the season but was ranked fourth at the position and 21st overall by FantasyPros. Likewise, ESPN had him ranked fifth at first. I disagree with both positions.

Frankly, my pre-draft strategy was to get my top ranked player after Guerrero and Freeman and draft Goldschmidt in the third round. Unfortunately, that strategy failed, as Goldschmidt came off the board at the beginning of the round. It just goes to show that often times, a manger has to change their strategy on the fly during the draft.

As for Betts himself, there is plenty to like about him at this spot. He hits consistently and scores runs. He is in the thick of an excellent lineup. It is said that he will add second base eligibility during the season. That isn’t something to plan on, but if it does happen, his value goes straight through the roof.

Pick Eight: Vladimir Guerrero, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays

One of the top young players in the majors, Vladimir Guerrero comes off the board at number eight. Important 2022 stats: 160 games, .274-32-97, 90 runs, .339/.480/.818, 116 strikeouts, 58 walks, 132 OPS+.

ANALYSIS:

The fact that Guerrero was selected in the top eight picks should surprise no one. Such should be the case in every league format, despite a slight step back last season. He plays every day and even though he is going into his fifth pro season, he is only 24. Best of all, he is in one of the top offenses in all of baseball.

Perhaps many would have expected that he would have gone earlier. There is every reason to believe that a monster season is on the way from Guerrero. Just as a reminder, he hit .311-48-111 with 123 runs scored in 2021. That is the type of performance Guerrero will deliver in 2023.

Pick Nine: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

The second first baseman off the board, Freddie Freeman checked in at number nine overall. Important 2022 stats: 159 games, .324-21-100, .405/.510/.915, 117 runs, 198 hits, 101 strikeouts, 84 walks.

ANALYSIS:

When it comes to consistent production, it is difficult to find someone who provides more if it than Freeman. Over the past three years, Freeman has hit .341, .300 and .324. In fact, he has hit over .300 in six of the last seven seasons, and the one year he missed, he hit .295.

The Dodger lineup won’t be as potent as a year ago, but it is still one of the best in the business. Expect over 100 RBIs and runs scored once again. Freeman hit 31 homers in 2021, so it is not unreasonable to believe he will hit more than the 21 he had last year. In the final analysis, this fantasy baseball draft review rules the selection a walk off, game winning shot.

Pick Ten: Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies

The last pick of the first round, Trea Turner is another player that the fantasy platforms disagree a bit on. Of course, he is the top ranked shortstop, but on FantasyPros he is the third overall player and on ESPN, Turner is ranked tenth, which is where he comes off the board here. Important 2022 stats: 160 games, .298-21-100, 101 runs, .343/.466/.809, 131 strikeouts, 45 walks, 194 hits, 27 steals and three caught stealing.

ANALYSIS:

Seeing as Turner could easily have come off the board earlier, he is an excellent value pick at ten. He will be hitting at the top of a potent lineup and his stolen base total should increase with the new rules in place. Turner has excellent power for a shortstop and is showing he is in mid-season form with his performance in the World Baseball Classic.

You would like to see Turner increase his walk total and decrease the strikeouts, but that is a very small criticism. All in all, the manager that took Turner in this spot will be happy with the selection all season long.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball draft review edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will have a live fantasy draft this coming Sunday night at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in!