This past Sunday night, Belly Up Fantasy held a live, ten team, H2H points league draft. Many leagues are holding their drafts this coming weekend. Because that is the case, this Fantasy Baseball Draft Analysis will help managers make a decision, especially in points leagues, while on the clock. There isn’t much else that needs to be said. With that in mind, we won’t waste another second. Let’s get into the picks.

First Overall Pick: Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves

Certainly, this selection should come as no surprise. Simply stated, Ronald Acuna should be the number one selection in a fantasy draft, regardless of format. He put together a season like no one has ever seen in 2023. Best of all, at age 26, there is every reason to expect he will only get better.

There was a brief injury scare this spring. Fortunately, Acuna will be ready Opening Day. Bottom line: don’t overthink it. All of the stats in the world can’t make this selection any easier. Simply stated, pick Acuna and then relax and get ready to make your second round pick. Grade: A

Second Overall Pick: Mookie Betts, 2B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Unlike the first pick, there is some argument to be had over who to take second. In my mind, for much of spring training, the number two pick should be Juan Soto (see below). However, with the announcement that the Dodgers will move Mookie Betts to shortstop, he takes over this spot.

Previously, he was already at the top of my second base tiers. Once Betts gets enough games to qualify as a fantasy shortstop, however, his value will only increase. He can be placed just about anywhere on a roster. Of course, his 39 homers, 107 RBIs and 126 runs scored can’t be overlooked. He hits atop off perhaps the best lineup in all of baseball. Without doubt, Betts is worthy to be the number two selection on this Fantasy Baseball Draft Analysis. Grade: A

Third Overall: Juan Soto, OF, New York Yankees

If Betts went second, there is only one player that can be taken third in a points league. Clearly, that player is Juan Soto. Although Soto wasn’t the All-Star for the Padres he was for Washington, he was still very good. As proof, please note that Soto led the league in walks while hitting 35 homers and driving in 109 runs in 2023. Don’t bad for a down year, right?

Now in New York, expect Soto to take aim at that short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. As a lefty swinger, expect at least 40 homers this season. Without question, he is at least the third best player in a fantasy baseball points league. Grade: A

Fourth Overall: Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros

The first surprise of the draft comes with the fourth pick. There was much speculation that a pitcher would come off the board here. However, the selection was Kyle Tucker. Perhaps, when looking at what Tucker has accomplished, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. After all, Tucker led the league last year in RBIs while stealing 30 bases, hitting 29 homers and scoring 97 runs.

Best of all, he has played in 150 or more games in each of the last two years. Still just 27, Tucker figures to only get better. For context, this is a league that has four outfield spots on the roster. Because of that, the judgment of this Fantasy Baseball Draft Analysis is that this pick should work well for the manager that selected him. Grade: A-

Fifth Overall: Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves

Being completely upfront, this was my selection, which was Spencer Strider. Of course, before the draft began, we all heard the Gerrit Cole injury news. I was concerned that Strider would be off the board before I could take him. After all, no one strikes out hitters the way that Strider does. True, his ERA was a bit high in 2023. That was an anomaly, though, as it was 2.67 in 2022. Last, but not least, he won 20 games, the only pitcher in baseball to do so last season.

Turns out, my concerns were unfounded, as Strider didn’t go in the first four picks. Recall, please, that I liked Strider a bit better than Cole to begin with. Quite frankly, the fact that I could take Strider fifth overall got my draft off to a great beginning. He will be the best starting pitcher in baseball in 2024, real or fantasy. Grade: I will let others decide.

Sixth Overall: Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians

Even after a somewhat of a down season, for him, Jose Ramirez comes off the board with the sixth pick. The best part of his game is that he will be in the lineup every day. He has played in 150 or more games in six of his last seven full seasons. Further, Ramirez has hit 23 or more homers and stolen 20 or more bases in six straight full seasons.

However, unlike most sluggers in today’s game, he has never struck out more than 87 times in a season. In fact, Ramirez walked and struck out the exact same number of times in 2023: 73. Expect him to rebound to a normal year for him. Taking him sixth overall was a slam dunk decision. Grade: A.

Seventh Overall: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

The second Dodger off the board, Freddie Freeman went seventh. Unquestionably one of baseball’s best hitters, there is every reason to believe 2024 will be a typical plus season at the plate for Freeman. He has led the league in doubles in each of the last two years and has done it four times overall. He hits (211), scores runs (131), has power (29) and drives them in (102).

Surprisingly, Freeman also has speed that no other first baseman can match: (23 SB, 1 CS). Truly, whatever stats you are looking for, Freeman has them in spades. As mentioned earlier, the Dodgers might have the best lineup in the game. First base is deep this season and perhaps a better value at the position could have been had later on in the draft. Even so, that is being nitpicky. Absolutely, no one can say anything negative about this pick. Grade: A

Eighth Overall: Corbin Burnes, SP, Baltimore Orioles

With the eighth pick comes the second surprise of the draft: Corbin Burnes. Initially, I thought that Burnes would have been there for this manager in the second round. Turns out, he knew that the manager drafting behind him intended to take Burnes with either of his first two picks. Truly, one thing must be pointed out on this Fantasy Baseball Draft Analysis. This is a clear example of how knowing the other managers in your league can shape your draft strategy.

Having said that, the player taken next would have been the better selection here. Despite his success, Burnes has never won more than 12 games in a season in his career. His ERA was higher last season than in his previous three. On the plus side, he has struck out at least 200 hitters in three straight years.

Of course, before the season began, Burnes was traded to Baltimore. Without doubt, he pitches for a better team. However, at the same time, he is also in a much better division. Because of that, don’t expect his stats to be much better than they have been in the past. Grade: B+

Ninth Overall: Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Unlike Burnes, Zach Wheeler has won 12 or more games in each of his last three seasons. He has started 30 or more games in three of his last four full seasons. While his 3.61 ERA was a big step back from 2023, he is capable of much better. Over his three previous years, Wheeler’s highest ERA was 2.92. Best of all, he has struck out 212 or more hitters in two of his last three.

This spring, Wheeler and the Phillies reached an agreement on a new contract. He will have no distractions in 2024. Philadelphia has been in the thick of postseason races the past few seasons and 2024 should be no different. Certainly, it would be no surprise if Wheeler sets new pitching records across the board this coming season. At ninth overall, he is an excellent selection. Grade: A.

Tenth Overall: Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves

Even as he was the second first baseman off the board and the last pick of the first round, Matt Olson takes a back seat to no one. He plays every day, and by that, I mean EVERY SINGLE DAY. In each of the past two seasons, Olson has been on the field for all 162 games. He has now accomplished that feat three times in his career.

Truly, when he is on the field, good things happen. Last season, Olson led the league in home runs (54) and RBIs (139). He now has 34 or homers and driven in 103 or more runs in three straight years. Additionally, he also walks: a career high 104 base on balls in 2023. At age 29, he is capable of producing at a high level. Even with the talent at first base, there isn’t an argument that can be made against taking Olson with the last pick of the first round. Grade: A.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball draft Analysis edition! Debate and discussion are always encouraged when it comes to my fantasy articles. Do you agree or disagree with the list or the analysis? Let’s talk about it.

The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy season. Don’t miss out! As discussed at the top, we held our draft live. During the show, various members of the league came on to discuss draft strategy. Check it out here.

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