Fantasy Baseball 12-Team Categories Mock Draft with 10th Pick: Kyle Tucker, Tarik Skubal, Devin Williams, Junior Caminero, Luis Arraez and More

It’s time for my second fantasy baseball mock draft of the season!

After a 10-team mock on the final day of 2024, I’m expanding things a bit. I ran this mock through FantasyPros. It’s a 12-team 5x5 category setup and I drafted from the 10th 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 five bench slots.

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Round 1 - Kyle Tucker

I was very pleased to get Tucker near the end of round 1. He was on pace for a monster season in 2024 before injuries derailed things.

I think his fantasy value decreased a bit when he was traded to Chicago, but I also think he’s talented enough to still be one of the top fantasy outfielders - I ranked him third in my top-10 list.

Round 2 - Tarik Skubal

A lot of outfielders were calling my name with my second pick, but I decided to grab an elite fantasy pitcher in Skubal - he’s my No. 1 pitcher for 2025.

Because I’m drafting near the end/start of rounds, it made sense to grab a pitcher now, instead of waiting and hoping others would be available in round 3 or later.

Round 3 - Jackson Merrill

I was absolutely thrilled to land Merrill at the end of round 3. He’s another top-10 fantasy outfielder of mine going into 2025.

Merrill was great as a rookie and should only improve during his career. I think he could end up contending for NL MVP if he and the Padres stay relatively healthy this season.

Round 4 - Logan Gilbert

Just like I chose Merrill in round 3 in my first mock, I also got Gilbert in the fourth. This time around though, he’s my No. 2 pitcher, which thrills me.

Gilbert and Skubal are about as good of a 1-2 punch a fantasy owner could ask for through four rounds. Those two will carry my starting rotation and it gives me some flexibility for the rest of my draft.

Round 5 - Devin Williams

With two elite starting pitchers in place, I decided to address my closer position in round 5 with Williams.

He’s right up there with the best fantasy closers in the game, and Williams should star with the Yankees.

Round 6 - Mason Miller

Why not double up and get another closer in round 6? I chose Miller in round 7 in my first mock, but again, here he is my No. 2 closer, so I’m absolutely thrilled.

This mock is shaping up really well for me so far, and I have a great chance of being good in the saves category - something I usually really struggle in.

Round 7 - Josh Naylor

I kept drafting players from my first mock with Naylor in the seventh round. The value was just too good to pass on him any longer.

I love Naylor’s fit in Arizona, and think he’ll provide a good boost to my power numbers.

Round 8 - Cal Raleigh

I got another slugger in round 8 and filled the catcher spot at the same time with Raleigh - he’s my No. 4 fantasy catcher for 2025.

Raleigh is the last of the top fantasy catchers who I really want to spend a top-10 round pick on, and I actually feel getting him in the eighth round of a 12-team draft is a bit of a steal.

Round 9 - Sonny Gray

I addressed my starting rotation again here with Gray. 

Once he got on the mound last season, he was a good/great fantasy option most starts. He covers a lot of innings and strikes out a bunch of batters, so I think he’s a good No. 3 fantasy option.

Round 10 - Junior Caminero

I went back to my first mock draft again and got Caminero here in round 10 - that was two rounds earlier than I got him in the 10-team setup.

There just wasn’t a ton of other intriguing options around, so I took a gamble on a high-upside player instead of reaching on someone else.

Round 11 - Steven Kwan

Kwan started the 2024 ultra hot before cooling off in the second half of the season. He’s still a good fantasy option, especially as my third-best fantasy outfielder.

Round 12 - Shane McClanahan

I got another starter in round 12 with McClanahan - he was my pick in round 14 in my first mock. I think he’s very underrated as a fantasy player, and I love getting him at this point of the draft.

Round 13 - Bryan Woo

I kept working on my rotation by taking Woo in the 13th round. He was great in his 22 starts in 2024, and my only hesitation in taking him is durability issues. If he gets in a full season of starts, this is likely a big draft steal.

Round 14 - Luis Garcia

I took Garcia to lock down my second base spot. He had a bit of a breakout season in 2024, and if he can even get close to replicating those numbers, this is another draft steal in my eyes.

Round 15 - Logan O'Hoppe

I got myself a backup catcher in O’Hoppe. He’s probably a player I could start in the utility spot often, but he’s also great insurance in case Raleigh regresses or gets hurt. 

Round 16 - Nick Castellanos 

Castellanos is another fantasy outfielder I could turn to. Merrill currently has shortstop eligibility in a lot of leagues, so I could also start Castellanos in the outfield, while Merrill mans SS.

Round 17 - Luis Arraez

Arraez was taken as a secondary option at first and second base, but could be another guy I start often. His high average and on-base percentage are super appealing, and could make a trade option for me if he starts the season hot.

Round 18 - Ronel Blanco

I kept working on my rotation here and got Blanco in the 18th round. He had a breakout season in 2024, and even if he regresses a bit, I like this pick for the back half of my fantasy rotation.

Round 19 - Luis Severino

I chose Severino for a second-straight fantasy draft. I really like landing No. 1 or 2 team starters late in drafts, and he was one of the last ones remaining.

Round 20 - Jeffrey Springs

Springs hasn’t pitched much over the past two seasons, but he continues to deliver when he’s healthy. If he gets through the season unscathed, this might be the steal of the draft.

Round 21 - DJ Herz

Herz was a high-upside pick of mine in round 21. He showed some promise last season, and hopefully will keep improving in his second MLB season. If he doesn’t I can simply move on and use this roster spot to stream pitchers.

Round 22 - Nestor Cortes

Cortes is another player I’m gambling on late in the draft. I think he could be in line for a big season in Milwaukee, where many pitchers have gone and immediately had career seasons. There’s not much risk involved, and plenty of upside if he makes a season worth of starts.

Round 23 - Michael Busch

I rounded out my draft by taking Busch in the 23rd round. He’s eligible at first and third base and posted some solid numbers in 2024. I’m hoping he takes another step forward, and if he does, I have another starting option, or a trade chip.

Final Thoughts

Despite this being a mock with more teams and bigger rosters, I feel this mock was better than my first one.

FantasyPros thought so as well, as I received an A- grade, which was the second-best in the league. I’m projected to be a top-four finisher in average, saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP.

I’ll continue to test different mock draft setups as the MLB regular season nears, so keep checking back for more!