Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft: Prioritizing Hitters Early

A couple weeks ago, I did a fantasy baseball mock draft where I targeted pitchers early and often. Today, we are going to turn that around and go hitter-heavy early on.

This head-to-head 10-team mock draft was done from the No. 5 draft slot. There's one starter at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and a utility player, plus three outfielders, five starting pitchers, two relief pitchers and four bench slots. 

Let's try it!

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Round 1 - Jose Ramirez

I needed a stud in round 1 and got one with Ramirez.

He fills my everyday third base slot and is about as consistent a fantasy hitter as there's been over the years. Ramirez is a great player to build around, and should pretty easily be a top-10 fantasy asset overall if he stays healthy.

Round 2 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero was my choice in round 2, so that fills the first base slot.

He's coming off another good season, even though he regressed from 2024. Guerrero is just 27 years old, so I expect him to improve and post some of the best marks of his career in 2026.

Round 3 - Francisco Lindor

I usually would not take Lindor this early, but to comply with my hitter-heavy draft, Lindor was the best option at this pick.

The 32-year-old has an injury he's dealing with, but he should be ready to go for the regular season. I have doubts about him having as much power as he's had in the past because of this injury, but if he does, he could be a draft steal from this draft slot.

Round 4 - William Contreras

Contreras fills my catcher slot here in round 4.

He plays just about every day, so he's worth the early pick in my eyes. He's just 28 years old, so he should be in his prime, so more big seasons should be coming. 

Round 5 - Nick Kurtz

Kurtz did some great things in his rookie season in 2025, and if he keeps that up over a whole season, he'll be a massive draft steal if he goes where I got him.

He is a first baseman, so he will serve as my utility hitter most days. If he really takes off, he could make Guerrero expendable. I love this draft pick.

Round 6 - Roman Anthony

Anthony is my first outfield choice, but he's a good one.

He's in a similar boat to Kurtz, coming off an abbreviated rookie season where he flashed some big potential. If Anthony keeps delivering in his first full season, then he should be a draft steal from this draft slot.

Round 7 - James Wood

Wood is another outfield pick for my squad.

He didn't take off in his second season like I hoped, but big power numbers and run production helped Wood still deliver big for fantasy owners. If he keeps improving in year three, I'll have another draft steal on my hands.

Round 8 - Steven Kwan

Kwan rounds out my fantasy outfield.

He doesn't have the power numbers some other hitters do, but a good average and OBP and some stolen bases, plus low strikeout totals, make Kwan a very good fantasy option. As a third fantasy outfielder, I like the trio I've assembled.

Round 9 - David Bednar

Not only did I avoid starting pitchers until now, but I skipped SPs again to grab a reliever instead. Bednar is a fantasy sleeper in my eyes.

He is on the Yankees, who should win a lot. Bednar is the team's closer, so he should have some really good fantasy value. I decided not to punt the fantasy RP spots, and Bednar helps me avoid that.

Round 10 - Luis Castillo

After skipping starting pitchers until now, I decided to start by picking a reliable veteran.

Castillo is that, as he's made 30 or more starts and has between a 3.34-3.64 ERA over the past three seasons. His strikeout numbers are falling over that span, but with a healthy amount of innings pitched and a stronger ERA, I like Castillo's value here.

Round 11 - Jacob Misiorowski

Misiorowski is definitely a riskier pick, especially as my SP2 in fantasy.

He did some solid things in his rookie year, but was inconsistent overall. Big strikeout totals are what appeal to me, and if he can keep those up, while lowering his ERA a bit, Miz could be a fantastic fantasy option for me.

Round 12 - Raisel Iglesias

Iglesias gives me a second relief pitcher.

He is coming off an up-and-down season himself, but has 29 or more saves in three straight years, and that's the stat that appeals to me. Iglesias has a career 2.90 ERA, and if he bounces back in 2026, this draft pick will be a big-time draft steal for me.

Round 13 - Salvador Perez

I dipped back into the hitter pool here with Perez, who can help me at catcher or first base.

I wanted to protect myself in case Contreras got injured. Perez could be a trade chip at any point, or can help me out at catcher or first base when my other options are resting or off.

Round 14 - Luke Keaschall

Keaschall is my choice to fill out my fantasy lineup, serving as my second baseman.

He did some nice things as a rookie, but also battled injuries for a long portion of the season. Keaschall could be another good draft value pick from this slot, and it didn't cost me a ton, so I like this pick a lot.

Round 15 - Robbie Ray

Ray is another veteran pitcher that I decided to add to my rotation.

He's coming off a 2025 season in which he posted a 3.65 ERA over 32 starts. Ray had 186 strikeouts over 182 1/3 innings. Ray is a sneaky-good fantasy pick, he just needs to stay healthy. 

Round 16 - Gerrit Cole

Cole is still working back from an injury, but needing some high-upside pitchers after skipping the position for a while, Cole just made too much sense.

If Cole can rebound when he's healthy enough to pitch again, this draft pick could take my fantasy team over the top. He'd either be stashed on my bench, or placed on an IR spot until he's back.

Round 17 - Drew Rasmussen

Rasmussen could be another draft steal for me here.

I think Rasmussen is overlooked, and it probably has to do with some injury concerns over his career. When healthy, Rasmussen can deliver huge fantasy marks, and I'm willing to take that risk at this point of a draft.

Round 18 - Shota Imanaga

Imanaga regressed over a 25-start season in 2025, but I think it's created some draft value for him for 2026.

If he can lower his ERA a bit, I see a potential for a really nice fantasy season for Imanaga. Again, taking a gamble on him this late makes plenty of sense to me.

Round 19 - Ernie Clement

Clement can play at several infield spots, so he's a great depth option for me here.

He's coming off a big season and could be a really good asset for me. If he continues to play regularly and produce a bunch, he could be another trade chip for me.

Round 20 - Cade Horton

Horton in round 20 seems like an absolute steal.

He was fantastic in his rookie season, and if he improves in his first full season, then Horton could be a high-end fantasy pitcher. As my last draft selection, there's no risk really, and he could pay off in a massive way for me.

Final Thoughts

I was given a B+ grade for this mock draft, which ranked sixth out of the 10 teams. I am pretty positive with my final result, and think I'd finish higher than that.

Honestly, I'm not as thrilled with my hitters as I expected to be. It's a good group, don't get me wrong, but it's nothing overly special. If healthy all season, it's a better-than-average group, but I probably need multiple guys to exceed expectations to be the top fantasy lineup in the league.

My pitching staff is solid, despite not focusing on it early. I lack the high-end talents and big names, but I think my group could be at least average. I need a couple pitchers to exceed expectations, and most importantly, stay healthy, for that to be a possibility.

Overall, I don't mind the final product. I feel like I could finish in the top four, which puts me in title contention. I feel like I'd need to pull off a trade or hit the waiver wire well to come out on top though.

I preferred my final result when I targeted pitching earlier, which suggests that it's easier to find hitters late than it is pitchers.

Give both strategies a try as you prepare for the 2026 season!