Fantasy Baseball 12-Team Categories Mock Draft with Seventh Pick: Juan Soto, Zack Wheeler, Rafael Devers, Roki Sasaki, Cal Raleigh and More

It's time for another fantasy baseball mock draft!

This one was a 12-team standard category league. I was randomly given draft slot seven.

I used the standard roster settings from ESPN: one starter at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop and third base, three outfielders, one utility, seven pitchers (starters or relievers) and three bench slots.

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Round 1 - Juan Soto

I was surprised to see Soto available at pick 7 and hit the draft button really quickly.

He's going to be a great categories fantasy player this season with a high average and a bunch of home runs, RBIs and runs scored. The only stat he fails to really deliver great marks in is stolen bases.

Round 2 - Zack Wheeler

In a 12-team cats league, I didn't want to pass on pitching until round 3, so I snagged Wheeler with my second pick.

He should have a low ERA and WHIP, along with a bunch of strikeouts. Wins can be inconsistent, but with at least 12 in four straight seasons, Wheeler is one of the better fantasy starting options.

Round 3 - Rafael Devers

Devers has been in the news this week after the team signed Alex Bregman, but Devers' fantasy outlook won't take a hit after the signing - if anything, it will help him a bit.

Devers is a good fantasy guy for his average, homers, RBIs and runs scored, while lacking in the stolen base department.

Round 4 - Garrett Crochet

I grabbed another Red Sox here in Crochet.

He had a good fantasy season with the White Sox, and should be in store for more wins and maybe a lower ERA now that he's on a good team. Crochet's big fantasy appeal is his strikeouts, and he should go for even more in his second season as a starting pitcher.

Round 5 - Blake Snell

I grabbed my third starting pitcher already with Snell in the fifth round. 

There's some durability issues to worry about, but on a stacked Dodgers' team, Snell should be a good source of wins, ERA, strikeouts and WHIP.

Round 6 - Josh Naylor

I added more pop in round 6 with Naylor. He's another guy who should stack up a bunch of homers, RBIs and runs scored, but lacks in the stolen base department. 

Naylor is a bit of a wild card when it comes to average looking at his past couple seasons, but I'm just hoping he can hit around at least .250.

Round 7 - Ryan Helsley

I had avoided closers until here, but couldn't pass on Helsley.

I don't see him saving 49 games like in 2024, but a low ERA, a few wins and more strikeouts than innings pitched should help me out plenty.

Round 8 - Roki Sasaki

I took a gamble on Sasaki here in the eighth. His upside is really high, and as long as he can stay healthy, I think he at least can match the fantasy production of this pick.

If he stars right away, my team will be hard to top when it comes to ERA, wins, strikeouts and WHIP.

Round 9 - Brice Turang

I'd neglected my middle infield positions so far, but finally got a second baseman in Turang here.

He finally gives me some stolen base potential, while adding in a few homers and a good amount of RBIs and runs scored. If he hits even .250, I'll be happy with this pick.

Round 10 - Cal Raleigh

I really wanted to target more stolen bases, but decided on the powerful Raleigh instead.

He's another low average, but high home run, RBI and run scored hitter. Raleigh plays nearly every day, meaning I don't need to draft another catcher.

Round 11 - Joe Ryan

I got a little more starting pitcher with Ryan here. If he can stay healthy all season, he'll be a pretty good source for ERA, wins, WHIP and strikeouts.

Round 12 - Nico Hoerner

I landed Hoerner in the 12th round. He's a higher average guy, with low home run and RBI totals, but high totals for stolen bases and runs scored.

Round 13 - Jurickson Profar

Profar was my pick in round 13, in hopes he could replicate his 2024 season with San Diego with his new team in Atlanta. He's a good source for average, homers, RBIs and runs scored if he replicates 2024, and can maybe add 10 or so stolen bases.

Round 14 - Jeff Hoffman

I decided to try to add a few more saves with Hoffman in the 14th round. He's in line to close for the Blue Jays, which isn't great for his fantasy outlook, but tacking on a few saves will be big in that stat for me.

Round 15 - Brendan Donovan

I got the semi-versatile Donovan here - he plays the outfield and second base. A pretty strong average mixed with a good amount of RBIs and runs scored is what I like about him. Getting around 15 home runs and five stolen bases would be a win in my book.

Round 16 - Anthony Volpe

I finally got a true shortstop here in round 16. Volpe doesn't have the best average, but can steal some bases, drive in runs and score plenty of runs. He had 12 homers last year after 21 in 2023, so I'm hoping he at least splits the difference there.

Round 17 - Trevor Megill

I decided to take a gamble on more saves here in round 17 with Megill. He's in the running to be the No. 1 closer in Milwaukee, and if he is, that will greatly help me in the save department.

Round 18 - Taj Bradley

Bradley is an additional starting option for my fantasy rotation. He improved his numbers in 2024, and could be a steal if he gets in 30+ starts this season. With more than a strikeout per inning, he'll help most in the strikeout and win department, and if he's better than last year, will also boost my ERA and WHIP numbers a bit.

Round 19 - Willi Castro

I decided on the versatile Castro to cap my 19-round category draft. I mostly chose Castro so I could just have him fill in all over the place when a regular starter is out. He will probably help most in the run department, but can steal some bases and drive in some runs with a little pop.

Final Thoughts

I feel pretty solid about my end product here. Things might not look great at first glance, but teams in leagues with over 10 teams are always going to look a touch weaker on paper.

For pitching, I feel pretty good in the wins, ERA, WHIP and strikeout stats. Saves could be a bit tougher to come by, but that's just one stat, and I truly think the three closers I drafted can help me be close to average there.

As for hitting, I think my average and stolen bases could be my average stats. Maybe trading a pitcher of mine for a high average and SB guy might be a good move before the season kicks off. I think I'll perform great in the home run, RBI and runs scored stats though.

If I had to guess how this team would perform over the course of the season, I'd say I'll be above average and in the hunt for a playoff spot. I'd probably need a couple players to exceed expectations for me to be a true contender.

Stay tuned for more mock draft stories!