Fantasy Baseball Analysis Draft: Round 26

by KFFL Staff on February 17, 2012 @ 21:39:57 PDT

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Rnd: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
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1) Justin Smoak, 1B, Seattle Mariners

Team: Jeff Paur, RTSports | Roster

Smoak hasn't played up to expectations just yet, but I think he can break out this year. Playing for the Mariners doesn't help his prospects for a breakout, but he proved last season he can hit in that park (hit 10 of 15 homers at home last season). He is definitely worth a gamble this late in the draft.

2) Adam LaRoche, 1B, Washington Nationals

Team: Tim Heaney, KFFL | Roster

Would've rather had Justin Smoak, but he was plucked the pick before me. I'll settle for this streaky slugger as CI insurance.

There's still hope

3) Luke Scott, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Team: Doug Anderson, RotoExperts | Roster

Scott hit 25 and 27 HR respectively in his last two healthy years. It's worth rostering Scott just for the couple hot streaks each year when he can carry a team.

4) Erik Bedard, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Team: Josh Shepardson, The Hardball Times | Roster

The story remains the same for Bedard; when he's healthy, he's good, but don't expect him to stay healthy all year. Pitching in the National League now with the Pirates, he could feel a slight boost to his already excellent strikeout rate.

5) Mark Buehrle, SP, Miami Marlins

Team: Bill Macey, Baseball HQ | Roster

While never dominant, Buehrle has been a reliable innings eater that doesn't throw many stinkers. I'm also bullish about the move to the NL and a much roomier home park. These combine to give me a good option when he's lined up for a two-start week.

6) Alfonso Soriano, OF, Chicago Cubs

Team: Nicholas Minnix, KFFL | Roster

Edinson Volquez didn't make it this far, unfortunately. Few starters tempt me anymore, so I opted for a dose of boring semi-reliability: a probable 20-plus ding dongs and 70-plus ribbies. I've avoided taking my second catcher, perhaps to my relative detriment.

7) Chris Heisey, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Team: Mark Chamberlin, Baseball Sharks | Roster

Great bench option, especially in a weekly league. His floor is high and there is room for a breakout, too, especially if he snatches up the everyday job.

8) Edinson Volquez, SP, San Diego Padres

Team: Howard Bender, FanGraphs | Roster

Purely looking at potential upside. K rate and ground-ball percentage are already solid. Hoping the dimensions in PETCO will help him trust his stuff more and allow him to just throw strikes and hopefully lower the walks.

9) David Carpenter, RP, Houston Astros

No Smoak and mirrors here

Team: Pasko Varnica, Mastersball | Roster

Given Brandon Lyon's injury, David Carpenter has the potential to take over and shine in the closer role.

10) Johan Santana, SP, New York Mets

Team: Joe Hamrahi, Baseball Prospectus | Roster

A bit of a sentimental pick here...I can do that in the 26th round, right? None of us really know what to expect from Santana this year, but if he's even 75-80 percent of what he was before he got hurt, he's more than worth this spot in the draft.

11) Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles

Team: Ray Flowers, Baseball Guys/SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio | Roster

It's like when you walk into a car dealership intending to buy a sedan and walk out with a sports car. The lure of Davis and his power is too strong for me to break.

12) Travis Hafner, DH, Cleveland Indians

Team: Steve Gardner, USA TODAY/Sports Weekly | Roster

Hafner may have been a forgotten man on the draft board as a DH-only player. However, he should see regular playing time and if I'm looking for someone to replace Ryan Braun to start the season, I have an open spot Hafner can slide into. He should get 450-plus at-bats and hit close to 20 homers as long as he's healthy. If he isn't, I won't have a problem looking elsewhere.