Fantasy Baseball 10-Team Categories Mock Draft with Fifth Pick: Mookie Betts, Corbin Carroll, Jackson Merrill, Logan Gilbert, Blake Snell and More

On the final day of 2024, I decided to conduct my first true fantasy baseball mock draft for the 2025 season.

I ran this mock through FantasyPros. It’s a 10-team 5x5 category setup and I drafted from the fifth spot. The roster spots are as follows: nine pitchers, three outfielders, one catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman and utility spot and then three bench slots.

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Round 1 - Mookie Betts

I was a big fan of Betts a season ago, and not much has changed this season. He’s still one of the better hitters in the league, and he should have position versatility, which is even more important when talking about a star fantasy player.

The only thing there really is to worry about is injuries. When he’s on the field though, he’s arguably the best fantasy hitter in the game, and that’s what appeals to me here.

Round 2 - Corbin Carroll

Carroll was a top-end fantasy pick last season, but really struggled for much of the season. Even with his average dipping 56 points, Carroll had more runs scored, RBIs and walks than his breakout 2023 season.

I see Carroll bouncing back this season, maybe not to his 2023 self, but somewhere in between the two seasons. He’s worth taking a gamble on, despite it being early in the draft.

Round 3 - Jackson Merrill

Merrill enjoyed a fantastic rookie season and has an incredibly bright future. He should hit in the heart of a talented Padres’ lineup, and I think that will help him outperform his current ADP.

I view Merrill as underrated and think it would be an absolute steal to nab him after pick 20.

Round 4 - Logan Gilbert

I needed to take a pitcher here, and Gilbert was my choice. He’s been dependable, with at least 32 starts in three straight seasons - he has at least 185 innings pitched and 174 strikeouts in all those seasons.

Gilbert has improved his numbers in each passing season and is still only 27, so I think he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. He’s a good fantasy pitcher to build around.

Round 5 - Blake Snell

I got another starter here in Snell. His landing with the Dodgers should improve his fantasy value a bit, and when healthy, he’s one of the better fantasy pitchers in the game.

His durability is definitely a concern, but after a normal offseason, I expect Snell to be better prepared to get in a full season. He could be another big value pick this late in a draft.

Round 6 - Cole Ragans

I debated Ragans in round 5, so I was thrilled to nab him here in the sixth. He was solid in his first two seasons before really excelling with the Royals in 2024. At 27 years old, I think he’s got room to grow as well.

I view Ragans as another big value pick here and think he could be in the hunt for the top fantasy pitcher in 2025.

Round 7 - Mason Miller

If you read some of my mock drafts last spring, you know I neglected closers often. I’m trying to address the position earlier this season, and landed a fun option in Miller in the seventh.

Miller was a beast in 2024, striking out 104 batters over 65 innings. Pitching for the Athletics limits his fantasy ceiling a bit, but the big strikeout numbers offsets that, and then some.

Round 8 - Josh Naylor

After a great 2023 season, Naylor regressed closer to his career average in 2024. He made up for the lower average by clubbing a career-high 31 homers and driving in 108 runs.

Naylor was traded to the Diamondbacks this offseason, which I think puts him in a better fantasy spot. If you can offset his potentially lower average with some contact hitters, like I did early in this draft, I like the idea of adding Naylor for home run and RBI purposes.

Round 9 - Brent Rooker

Rooker was a breakout player in 2024, and it took fantasy owners far too long to realize his fantasy value. He might regress a bit closer to his career averages, but with a healthy amount of home runs and RBIs, I still love Rooker as a fantasy player.

If he can even perform close to last season’s numbers, this is an absolute steal of a pick.

Round 10 - Alex Bregman

Bregman hasn’t signed with a team yet in free agency, but we pretty much know what he’ll deliver as a fantasy player looking at his season stats from year to year.

He really is a pretty balanced fantasy hitter, and he should land in a good situation. Bregman is a daily fantasy starter and provides a nice boost to fantasy teams.

Round 11 - Spencer Steer

Like Carroll, Steer’s average took a big dip in 2024, but his power numbers either stayed close to his 2023 marks or surpassed them. I think Steer is a bit overlooked right now and could be a good value pick.

Round 12 - Junior Caminero

I took a swing on Caminero here. He is regarded as one of the better prospects in the game, but hasn’t put it all together in the MLB yet. If this is his true breakout season, I have another draft steal on my hands.

Round 13 - Justin Steele

After neglecting my pitching for a while again, I went on a run with them again starting with Steele. He’s not a big strikeout guy, but he can eat some innings and post a low ERA to be a good fantasy asset.

Round 14 - Shane McClanahan

I see McClanahan as a big draft steal here. He hasn’t posted an ERA over 3.50 in his three seasons in the big leagues. He averages more than a strikeout an inning and limits baserunners pretty well. 

If you can get McClanahan this late, you should be absolutely thrilled.

Round 15 - Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo’s average dropped significantly in 2024, but he kept his power numbers up and posted a career high in RBIs and stolen bases. If his average can even split the difference between his career mark and last year, his overall numbers should improve and this again would be a draft steal.

Round 16 - Pete Fairbanks

I grabbed another closer here in Fairbanks. Durability is an issue with him, but when out there, he’s been one of the better relievers in the game.

Round 17 - Shea Langeliers

I nabbed a catcher here in Langeliers, and because he’s played 135 and 137 games the past two seasons, I don’t think adding another catcher is a big priority. He’s another low average, but high power fantasy bat.

Round 18 - Xander Bogaerts

Bogaerts’ season in 2024 was hampered by injuries. If he can stay healthy, which he has for most of his career, I have another daily starter here. He’d likely be a trade chip for me, or could possibly make one of my earlier picks expendable.

Round 19 - Adolis Garcia

I added some more pop here with Garcia. He took a step back last season, but still posted some solid numbers. This late in the draft, I’m fine taking a chance on him, and view him as another possible trade chip.

Round 20 - MacKenzie Gore

Gore started a run of four pitchers to end my draft. He keeps improving with each season, and at just 25 years old, his best fantasy seasons are likely still ahead of him.

I love adding a team’s No. 1 or 2 pitchers late in drafts, and Gore is just that.

Round 21 - Porter Hodge

Hodge really turned in a great rookie season, and he looks like the Cubs’ closer for 2025. He struck out more than a batter per inning and had a sub 2.00 ERA - I’ll absolutely take that this late in the draft.

Round 22 - Luis Severino

Severino is likely the Athletics’ No. 1 starter for the 2025 season. He has dealt with injuries and been inconsistent as a fantasy performer from year to year, but with a pick this late, the risk I’m taking is low, so I love the gamble.

Round 23 - Ryan Weathers

Weathers had his best season as a pro in 2024, and now looks to potentially be a building block for the Marlins. He’s not a huge strikeout guy, but if he can get in a full season of starts and post a sub 4.00 ERA, I’ll absolutely take that with my last pick.

Final Thoughts

My draft was graded as the fourth-best in this 10-team setup by FantasyPros. However, I was tied with two other teams, and had another right behind me. 

I felt like my hitting was my strong suit, but it was projected for seventh overall, while my pitching was third. With that in mind, I really would like my chances with this team.

This is just the first of many mock drafts we’ll cover here at FantasySP before the MLB season starts up. Be sure to check back soon, as fantasy baseball coverage will intensify as the season closes in!