Deeper Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Paul Skenes, Adley Rutschman, Max Fried, Will Smith, Bryan Woo and More

The fantasy baseball season is closing in for a lot of you (who didn't start with the Tokyo Series).

Let's conduct another mock draft as real fantasy drafts are really amping up. This is a 12-team 5x5 categories mock draft done here at FantasySP.

There's 10 starters for hitters (three outfielders, two utility and one catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base) and pitchers (starters or relievers), along with five bench slots. I'm drafting ninth in this mock. 

The point of this mock is to identify a few more players than we usually do in mock drafts to appeal to some deep-league fantasy players. It can still be used for standard setups, just ignoring the final couple rounds.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Average Draft Position data for 2025 and get ready for your fantasy drafts by utilizing the FantasySP Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator. Also be sure to check out the FantasySP 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!

Round 1 - Paul Skenes

I personally like Tarik Skubal more, but decided to go with Skenes to change things up. 

In a category-based league, Skenes is going to be a big help with his ERA, WHIP, wins and strikeouts. He should challenge for the top fantasy starting pitcher spot in 2025.

Round 2 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero was my choice in round 2. He'll help me out in the average, homer, RBI and runs scored department, while maybe adding a couple steals.

Round 3 - Dylan Cease

Cease is another great frontline fantasy starting pitcher, so I'm very happy to get him in round 3. He'll add plenty of wins and strikeouts, while posting a good ERA and WHIP.

Round 4 - Emmanuel Clase

I usually don't like taking closers this early, but he was easily my favorite player available at this pick. He'll obviously be a big boost in the save department, but should also earn a couple wins while posting a good ERA and WHIP, along with having decent strikeout numbers.

Round 5 - Adley Rutschman

Rutschman isn't my favorite fantasy catcher, but again, there weren't a ton of others I liked here. He'll have a respectable average and homer totals hopefully, while helping out most in the RBI and runs scored departments. He doesn't steal many bases.

Round 6 - Teoscar Hernandez

Hernandez was my first outfielder, and I chose him over a few others - I took Hernandez because of the stacked lineup he's in. He'll post a good average and decent stolen base totals, along with a bunch of homers, RBIs and runs scored.

Round 7 - Max Fried

Fried is the top Yankees' fantasy starting pitcher after the season-ending injury for Gerrit Cole. Fried should earn plenty of wins while posting a good ERA and WHIP, along with about a strikeout per inning.

Round 8 - Robert Suarez

I got more saves in round 8 by taking Suarez. The value was good here, even though he's not a huge strikeout guy. A strong ERA and WHIP, along with a few more wins will also be a nice boost for my fantasy team.

Round 9 - Will Smith

It was early to grab a second fantasy catcher, but the value was solid in my eyes. Smith started his season strong in the Tokyo Series, and I think he'll be in the hunt for a top-five fantasy catcher slot. I'd hope his average bounces back a bit from last season, but good homer, RBI and runs scored totals are what I'm really after, along with protecting Rutschman a bit.

Round 10 - Sonny Gray

Gray could be a massive help to my strikeout stat if he replicates his 2024 season. Wins and respectable marks in ERA and WHIP still make him a solid selection at this pick.

Round 11 - Xander Bogaerts

I have Bogaerts as a bounceback fantasy player, but first he needs to stick on the field all season. He'll have a good average, along with adding a good amount of homers, RBIs, stolen bases and runs scored.

Round 12 - Steven Kwan

I considered Kwan in round 11, so I had to grab him in the 12th. He's another high average guy who will help out in the stolen base department. His homer and RBI totals aren't the best, but he should at least score a ton of runs.

Round 13 - Bryan Woo

I seem to draft Woo in every mock - that should tell you how much I like him. He had a sub-3.00 ERA last season, along with a great WHIP, nine wins and a decent amount of punchouts. If he can replicate his 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings mark he had as a rookie in 2023, this pick could turn from a good one to a great one.

Round 14 - Jurickson Profar

Profar had a career season in 2024, and I think he'll thrive in the Braves' lineup in 2025. He should be a good source for my average, homers, RBIs and runs scored stats, along with adding in some stolen bases, which I desperately need.

Round 15 - Max Muncy

Muncy is one of my few power-focused fantasy hitters in this mock. I'm after his homer, RBI and runs scored totals, so I can live with a lower average.

Round 16 - Jeremy Pena

Pena is my starting shortstop, and I'm more than happy to get this kind of value this late in a draft. He'll have a solid average and homer totals, along with good runs scored, RBI and stolen base marks.

Round 17 - MacKenzie Gore

Getting Gore in the 17th round started a run of pitchers for me. Gore has improved in each season across his three-year career, and I expect more improvement in 2025. He could reach double-digit wins, post a sub-4.00 ERA and strike out more than a batter an inning. Gore's WHIP is his only downside, but I think I have a season-long keeper here.

Round 18  - Zach Eflin

Eflin isn't much of a strikeout guy, but lower WHIP and ERAs will be where his fantasy value lies. He'll have a chance to win double-digit games in Baltimore.

Round 19 - Kyle Finnegan

Finnegan is highly underrated after signing late with the Nats this year. He saved 38 games in 2024, and if I can even get 30 in 2025, I'd be thrilled. He should tack on a few wins and post decent ERA and WHIP numbers, along with about a punchout per inning.

Round 20 - Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo could be another low-average guy, but good homer and stolen base totals added to big runs scored and RBI marks make him a good fantasy asset. He's underrated in a stacked Mets' lineup.

Round 21 - Connor Norby

Norby is insurance in case Muncy gets injured again. Norby should hit near the top of the Miami lineup and could rack up big numbers despite the team's overall talent level. If he breaks out this season, he could overtake Muncy as my starting 3B, and Norby could be a good all-around fantasy hitter. 

Round 22 - Nathan Eovaldi

Eovaldi is a good late-round pick in really any format. He could win double-digit games, should post a sub-4.00 ERA, have a pretty good WHIP and also average around a strikeout per inning. If he regresses, I could simply drop him and use that spot to stream starters instead.

Round 23 - Chris Martin

Why not grab one more closer? Martin is expected to be the Rangers' closer, but is really undervalued right now. He averages a strikeout per inning and has pretty good ERA and WHIP numbers for his career.

Round 24 - Jeffrey Springs

Springs is in a similar boat to Eovaldi, but has more upside if he's able to stay on the mound all season. He's got really good ERA, strikeout and WHIP marks for his career, and he could win double-digit games if he stays healthy.

Round 25 - Tommy Edman

Edman flashed some big potential in 37 games with the Dodgers in 2024. His average isn't likely going to be great, but big homer, RBI, stolen base and runs scored marks should help him to a good all-around fantasy season.

Final Thoughts

I really like how this mock draft turned out for me. I feel like I'm pretty covered in most of the categories.

My hitters should post a good average, homer, RBI and runs scored marks, but maybe lack a touch in stolen bases. I think there's enough stolen bases on the team that I'm not completely punting that stat.

For pitching, I feel really good in every stat. My ERA and WHIP figures should be really good. I should rack up plenty of wins and strikeouts, while also getting lots of saves.

I'm not sure there's anything I'd change looking back on things. I have good daily starting options and depth across the board too. I'd be thrilled if this were an actual fantasy team.