On Sunday, February 14, 2010, RotoCommunity.com participated in a fantasy baseball mock draft (on Mock Draft Central) with the other industry experts listed below. Player position eligibility was provided by Mock Draft Central. We assumed standard 5x5 category roto scoring with 23 starters and no reserves (for the purposes of the mock). Here's how the draft went down round-by-round, with analysis following each round.

You can go here to read about my first mock draft of the season (1/26/10). That one was a 12-teamer. Go here to read about my 15-teamer from Sunday, 1/31. Go here to read about my Tuesday, 2/2 mock. Go here to read about my Tuesday, 2/9 mock. This is my fifth expert mock within the past few weeks. 

Scoring the No. 1 pick brings a fair amount of joy, but also its share of challenges. Granted, the best player in the game will don your mantle for the entire season, but it's a loooong wait until you get to pick again. You may find yourself having to reach a bit for a player that certainly won't make it back to you, but who fills a current need on your roster. Well, let's get to it and see how I made out.

ROUND 1

Wow, what a shocker. Pujols is the clear No. 1 pick in every fantasy format I know of, so let's welcome him aboard. A-Rod at No. 2 was a surprise, as was Chase Utley falling to No. 8.

ROUND 2

What in the wide, wide world of sports is Joe Mauer doing still on the board at No. 24 in a two-catcher format? I don't usually pull the trigger on a backstop this early, but the prospect of landing a second player that is clearly the best at his position was just too good to pass up. Steve takes the Reynolds plunge, but I don't think I'll be diving into that pool quite this early. Phillips before Kinsler is new, as is three third baseman going off the board in Round 2. I guess that whole "position scarcity" thing is driving the market, huh?

ROUND 3

I wanted an outfielder on board, and Upton just oozes 30-30 potential. I considered Sizemore, but I happened to be drinking a cup of coffee during the draft, and the visuals were just too strong to overcome. Oh wait, those pictures don't exist... never mind. Tim jumps on the catcher train, but I thought McCann might have gone a bit early. Ditto for Jason Bay, who I believe will struggle in spacious Bailout Ballpa... errr... Citi Field. Reyes could be a steal at this juncture, though there's certainly some risk.

ROUND 4

Well, this is a nice surprise; I don't think Hill will mash 30-plus taters again, but he should be good for 25 or so -- without going Uggla on your team batting average. I like Adam Lind a lot, and was sorry to see Tim grab him before I had the chance to. This kid can hit, and a .300-30-100 guy at this point is a very good thing indeed.

ROUND 5

I didn't like the potential starting pitchers that would available at the end of Round 6, so reached a bit for Verlander. If he repeats 2009, this will look like a bargain. I thought Broxton went a little early -- there are plenty of good closers on the board.

ROUND 6

With third base running dry, I added an elite speed option in Figgy. Rumor has it that he's taking grounders at second this spring -- Middle Infield eligibility would be a wonderful thing. Steve B -- who took Broxton last round -- could have waited and "settled" for Joe Nathan.

ROUND 7

I've written about Manny before -- I think he's in for a nice year in L.A. I'm not sure I understand taking Wandy over Yovani... or Beckett... or Carpenter.

ROUND 8

I was very surprised to see Carpenter still on the board, so went off my beaten track a bit and grabbed him. If he stays healthy, he's one of the best in the game. I like Jose Lopez, but this feels a bit early given the depth at middle infield. Bruce was in my queue... a pox upon your team, Ivar.

ROUND 9

That's good value on Bell here in the ninth round -- it's a good feeling to have an established closer on board when you have to wait 22 picks for your turn again.

ROUND 10

A definite upside pick here -- Quentin was an elite slugger before his injury-marred 2009 campaign. If he's healthy again, this will be a steal. I like Reimold as a prospect, but the price is pretty high here. That's good value on Bailey here... and I'm not worried about Joey Devine.

ROUND 11

Lackey will pitch against a bunch of opposing No. 3 starting pitchers this year, and has one of baseball's better bullpens behind him. He could win 17-18 games. I almost pulled the trigger on Webb, but I'm very skittish about his injury status.

ROUND 12

Cuddyer may have been a bit over his skis power-wise last season, but he should give me decent power numbers without killing my team BA. I like the Suzuki pick. I wonder if this is the last year that he'll be available at a decent price?

ROUND 13

Escobar is a nice, safe harbor amidst all the uncertainty of your draft's latter rounds. You know what you're getting: solid BA, decent power, a goodly number of ribbies, and no speed. 

ROUND 14

Tim broke my heart by grabbing Davis, so I settled for the then-unemployed Johnny Damon. He should be good for plenty of runs and 15-20 steals at the top of the Detroit order, though I'm not expecting 20-some homers again. And yes, I would have taken Oswalt if he had made it to me.

ROUND 15

Marmol is a good No. 2 closer, as he has the upside to be a No. 1 by the end of the year. Plus, if he tanks I haven't invested a ton of coin this late. I was a little short on speed at this point, so I had to pass on Ludwick for Damon.

ROUND 16

The move to the NL should mean good things for E-Jax. He can be dominant at times, and if he can learn to command his wicked stuff, he can be an outstanding No. 3 Fantasy starting pitcher.

ROUND 17

Soto has reportedly dropped some tonnage and is looking like he's ready to go to work. I'm not buying that he gets back to his 2008 level, but I'll take something in the range of .275-15-75. I'm avoiding Coghlan this year -- the loss of his second base eligibility kills a lot of his fantasy value. I love the Prado pick. This guy should have a regular job this season, and he showed enough stuff last year to make me think he's in for a breakout.

ROUND 18

Scutaro was certainly way above his norms last season, but the Fenway Shoebox has a way of turning good hitters into great hitters. I was hoping Escobar would fall to me, but I had no such luck. JP is one of those "cheap speed" picks that dot this year's fantasy landscape.

ROUND 19

He's still young, his stuff can still be unhittable at times, and he's in a good environment for pitchers. Kaz is one of my favorite sleepers this season.

ROUND 20

Mags is a filler outfield pick that has some upside, though his power appears to be all but gone. If he can hit .300 with 12-15 homers, call me a satisfied customer. That was a nice pick on Doumit -- maybe this is the year that the perpetual sleeper finally stays healthy and delivers the goods.

ROUND 21

I probably waited too long to fill my corner spot, as Blake is nothing more than serviceable. Unless he gets off to a hot start, Blake will be an early cut for the Flavor of the Day. Yadier Molina gets too little love. he's always hovering around .290 or so, and that's gold from your fantasy backstop.

ROUND 22

Meh -- third closer in the house. I don't think Gregg will hold the job for long, but he should at least rack up a few saves early on. It was interesting that a couple of closers-in-waiting were taken before Gregg, whom the Jays paid a lot of money to close for them.

ROUND 23

My love affair with Mr. Hughes continues -- at the very least he'll provide close to one strikeout per inning, with the upside for so much more. Posey is a great prospect, but I think he'll do most of his damage at Triple-A this year.

Not a bad draft -- plenty of power, a solid starting rotation of Verlander, Carpenter, Lackey, Jackson and Kazmir. Bell, Marmol and Gregg in the 'pen. I'm a bit nervous about stolen bases, but there always seems to be speed available on the wire once things get going.

ALSO

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