Fantasy baseball: The perfect first two picks for every draft position

It’s already the center of March, and Opening Day shall be right here earlier than you already know it. Fantasy baseball managers everywhere in the world are preparing for these ever-crucial drafts as a way to inventory their fantasy rosters with the expertise that they hope will find yourself with a championship.

They say that follow makes perfect — and you’ll actually follow your drafting abilities in our Mock Draft Lobby — however that saying raises the query: What would a “perfect” draft even seem like?

Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell weighed in on every of their preferrred picks from every of the ten draft positions in an ESPN customary league in each of our major fantasy baseball codecs (points-based scoring and rotisserie). Let these choices assist information you towards getting your personal draft off to a perfect begin.

Draft slot No. 1

Cockcroft (points-based leagues): Round 1 – Shohei Ohtani, Round 2 – Bryan Woo/Kyle Schwarber

The “cheat code” is again, as Ohtani is 2½ years faraway from reconstructive elbow surgical procedure and doubtlessly able to dominate on either side of the ball. As a two-way participant following the All-Star break, albeit one who averaged solely 68.3 pitches per begin, he lapped the sector by 56 fantasy factors (excluding hitting stats on his pitching days beneath the idea you’d — and ought to — slot him in at pitcher). We’ve projected him for 911 mixed factors (819 when docking his per-game hitting common over 28 begins), that means that in ESPN leagues, he could possibly be inside vary of his 2022 (904 actionable factors) or 2023 (737) manufacturing. Getting the No. 1 total draft slot this 12 months, particularly in a factors league, grants a monstrous benefit.

Woo and Schwarber are interchangeable as at-the-turn picks, although sound sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Julio Rodriguez are additionally viable, personal-preference picks in Rounds 2/3. Base your resolution for choosing Woo (or a comparable beginning pitcher) in your stage of confidence in Ohtani’s capacity to ship these 28 begins.

Karabell (rotisserie leagues): Round 1 – Ohtani, Round 2 – Junior Caminero

Regardless of format and your league’s guidelines for benefiting from the best two-way possibility ever, I can not make a lot of a case for anybody however Ohtani for roto/classes codecs, both. There was cheap doubt getting into final season about Ohtani stealing bases and making sufficient pitching begins to be related there and, nonetheless, it was one other unbelievable season. Do not overthink this one.

Caminero smashed 45 house runs and knocked in 110 runs in his age-21 season, albeit benefiting from Tampa Bay’s one-year benefit of enjoying house video games in a minor-league park. Still, we should assume Caminero will regulate as a hitter, no matter house ballpark. His energy is immense. He is a building-block participant.

Draft slot No. 2

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Aaron Judge, Round 2 – Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Putting apart Ohtani’s pitching contributions, Judge has in any other case been fantasy baseball’s top-scoring participant over the previous 4 seasons, totaling 2,176 factors. That’s an common of 544 per 12 months — a threshold exceeded in 2025 alone by solely 5 gamers, considered one of them Judge himself. He’s within the midst of one of the outstanding multi-season runs within the historical past of baseball.

A pitcher like Yamamoto, Woo or Logan Gilbert (whom we’ll focus on shortly) is a clever companion choose to Judge, contemplating a league that drafts the position extra aggressively might go away the workforce drafting from the two-slot choosing from a decrease tier (learn: SPs 11-15) of the participant pool. Yamamoto’s solely downside in comparison with the opposite two is the tendency of the Los Angeles Dodgers to make use of a six-man rotation, which retains his innings pitched ceiling barely decrease than the two members of the Seattle Mariners.

Karabell: Round 1 – Judge, Round 2 – Schwarber

Ah, if Judge might solely pitch and add fantasy worth that approach, then he would not merely be the best right-handed hitter of his era and an apparent Hall of Fame participant. He would surpass Ohtani. Alas, Judge settles for No. 2 right here, as he not solely presents staggering energy, however he has hit higher than .300 and carried out in a minimum of 152 video games in three out of 4 seasons. He is an unimaginable expertise, too.

Schwarber is the lone NL fellow to out-homer Ohtani and he led the majors in RBIs. He is not going to assist a fantasy workforce a lot in batting common or stolen bases (although he did swipe 10 bases in 2025, half of Ohtani’s complete), however that is protected, dependable energy. Schwarber has averaged 47 house runs, 108 RBIs and 107 runs over 4 Philadelphia Phillies seasons. The solely cause to keep away from Schwarber is in case you already roster Ohtani, for every is DH-only.

Draft slot No. 3

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Juan Soto, Round 2 – Gunnar Henderson

Thanks to his best-in-baseball plate self-discipline — in his eight-year MLB profession, he has the best stroll (18.7%) and lowest chase (16.6%) charges amongst gamers with a minimum of 2,000 plate appearances — Soto is the most secure, highest-floor choose for points-league play. His 5 seasons of 500-plus fantasy factors prior to now seven are the sport’s most and, in 4 of them, he reached that threshold with out the good thing about 15-plus stolen bases (not to mention his NL-leading 38 in 2025).

Henderson, one of many stars of the World Baseball Classic, figures to rebound to a minimum of second-round standing after a 2025 that was largely derailed by an early-season intercostal pressure. He’s 24 years outdated, heading into his prime and has lengthy been marketed with front-line fantasy potential.

Karabell: Round 1 – Bobby Witt Jr., Round 2 – Trea Turner

Witt’s fourth MLB season might have appeared a tad disappointing, because the Kansas City Royals shortstop dropped 37 factors of batting common and hit 9 fewer house runs. Still, these numbers are wonderful, and Witt hasn’t hit his prime fairly but. A repeat of 2024 stays believable.

Turner enters his age-33 season displaying few indicators, if any, of apparent decline, as he received the NL batting title and stole 36 bases, his most since 2018. Turner additionally made nice strides defensively, and thus we do not hear speak of him transferring off shortstop anymore. Perhaps one seeks extra energy in Round 2, and no person in a factors format ought to covet him, however batting common, runs and steals matter, too.

Draft slot No. 4

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Paul Skenes, Round 2 – Caminero

You can flip a coin between Skenes and Tarik Skubal for the dignity of No. 1 non-Ohtani fantasy beginning pitcher if you want, however Skenes, who has the bottom ERA by means of 55 profession begins (1.96) of any pitcher since earned runs turned an official stat in 1913, is my private choice. It’s robust to wager in opposition to a 23-year-old at his pitching efficiency peak whose weakest class final 12 months was wins, one thing that may fluctuate 12 months over 12 months and will enhance behind an improved Pittsburgh Pirates offense.

Caminero provides this workforce one heck of a younger main pitcher-and-hitter mixture, as one of many sport’s greatest up-and-coming sluggers. As Eric talked about, Caminero’s energy ought to play anyplace, and even some statistical regression would maintain him a worthy second-round choose.

Karabell: Round 1 – Jose Ramirez, Round 2 – Jackson Chourio

Ramirez comes off his second consecutive 30/30 marketing campaign, and it’s tough to search out anybody contributing five-category greatness and sturdiness on an annual foundation. Ramirez, 33, exhibits no indicators of slowing down.

Chourio, 22, is already the most effective, younger hitters within the sport, but it surely actually appears like he can present even better numbers, like maybe a 30-HR, 30-SB marketing campaign. Like many others on this record, Chourio is just not a lot for plate self-discipline (5.1% stroll fee), however there’s time for him to enhance in all areas.

Draft slot No. 5

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Witt, Round 2 – Gilbert

In factors leagues, Witt is as more likely to be a main contender for the hitting (i.e. non-Ohtani) scoring lead as he’s to ship second-round manufacturing, having adopted up his 590 level 2024 with a extra modest 461 factors final season. That mentioned, he is a prime-age 25 with upper-tier abilities by way of energy, velocity and hit software, making him about as sound a range right here (if not a pair picks sooner) as there’s.

Gilbert’s 2025 was disappointing, however he stays one of the proficient, 200 IP-capable beginning pitchers, two years faraway from a top-10 total fantasy level complete (505). He’s a perfect pitcher round whom to construct, and points-league managers ideally wish to tackle the position in a minimum of considered one of these rounds.

Karabell: Round 1 – Soto, Round 2 – Henderson

No matter what number of bases Soto decides to steal this season, whether or not it’s one other 38 (like 2025) or single digits (like 2024), his fantasy worth is protected as he presents glorious energy and the easiest plate self-discipline within the sport. Expect one other dominant season.

Henderson’s numbers slipped a bit from his earlier two seasons, as he started 2025 on the injured record and struggled to fulfill expectations. Still, Henderson was a five-category roto possibility, and we noticed his upside in 2024. He can return to that stage, particularly because the Baltimore Orioles have added offense round him.

Draft slot No. 6

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Skubal, Round 2 – Corbin Carroll

Skubal’s sheer dominance makes him a viable choose in a factors league as early because the No. 3 slot total, however once more, Skenes is my most well-liked first beginning pitcher for 2025. But let’s make the Skubal case, which makes him a simple choose at sixth total: He led all pitchers in fantasy factors in his back-to-back Cy Young Award seasons, and he additionally led throughout his remaining eight begins (amongst 15 complete) of 2023. With a brand new contract in his close to future, he’ll be a lot motivated to pile up the factors.

Though hamate surgical procedure threatened Carroll’s standing for Opening Day throughout spring coaching’s early weeks, his current return to DH motion and impending return to the outfield strengthens his case for second-round factors league standing. The solely lingering concern, which is what retains him right here fairly than a number of picks sooner, is whether or not his energy will swiftly recuperate following the operation.

Karabell: Round 1 – Carroll, Round 2 – Kyle Tucker

Carroll was already a fantasy star getting into the 2025 season, after which he notched profession highs in each house runs and RBIs. We can debate if we have now already seen Carroll’s energy upside emerge, particularly as some fear about his restoration from hamate bone surgical procedure, however this stays a foundational fantasy asset.

Tucker joins his third franchise in as many seasons, the place he’ll merely be one piece of the Dodgers’ extraordinary offense, fairly than the prime star. Perhaps it is a good factor. Tucker wasn’t at his greatest in his lone season for the Chicago Cubs and he drops a spherical within the rankings, however he presents energy, velocity and plate self-discipline. Perhaps he returns to sturdiness in 2026 as properly.

Draft slot No. 7

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Ramirez, Round 2 – Fernando Tatis Jr.

Ramirez has scored extra fantasy factors than anybody over the previous 5 seasons (2,640), and he has a league-leading six years with 500-plus factors during the last 9. You will not discover a a lot safer choose for points-league play, although at age 33, we’re extra more likely to see Ramirez’s stats to barely tick downward than enhance from right here. He’s solely slotted right here as a result of these picked forward of him have extra ceiling into which to develop.

Tatis offers a sound partnership with Ramirez, as a equally multitalented offensive participant however one who does carry that larger ceiling into which to develop. Tatis is 27 years outdated and, along with ending top-30 in fantasy factors (439, twenty eighth), made important strides by way of each his stroll (12.9%) and chase (24.4%) charges.

Karabell: Round 1 – Ronald Acuna Jr., Round 2 – Francisco Lindor

Acuna is not a first-round choose primarily based on his 2024 or 2025 numbers, however for what he achieved in 2023 and the chance he performs wholesome at that particular stage once more. Wouldn’t all of us love one other 41-HR, 73-SB season? Mock if you want, however Acuna, absolutely recovered from one other main knee harm, must be a lot motivated to remind everybody what he’s able to statistically. We can not let him slip from the first spherical.

Lindor stays about as constant (and sturdy) a hitter within the sport, coming off one other 30/30 season and enjoying in practically every sport. As with Carroll, fantasy managers might have some trepidation about him being prepared for Opening Day on account of hamate surgical procedure, however it’s exhausting to wager in opposition to Lindor.

Draft slot No. 8

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Tucker, Round 2 – Ketel Marte

Points-league managers will desire a piece of the Dodgers lineup, because it’s loaded and due to this fact more likely to maximize its hitters’ run-scoring and RBI potential, however maybe as importantly, the variety of occasions they arrive to the plate. Those who cannot get Ohtani would do properly to choose Tucker, who’s assured a minimum of a top-five spot within the order and maybe the dream No. 2 spot between Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Over the previous three seasons, Tucker’s 3.30 fantasy points-per-game common ranks seventh greatest.

Marte is the category of a skinny position, having averaged four-tenths of a fantasy level per sport than the next-closest common second baseman over the previous three seasons. He’s extra of an harm danger than lots of the gamers picked on this tier, however the benefit he offers on the position is essential within the format.

Karabell: Round 1 – Elly De La Cruz, Round 2 – Tatis

It might not seem to be it, however Cincinnati’s shortstop made key strides in 2025, as he lower down on his strikeouts, made extra contact and hit a career-best .264. Fantasy managers might have most well-liked 30 homers and 75 steals, however as De La Cruz develops, maybe these numbers are potential. De La Cruz is 24 and we dare to dream.

Fantasy managers as soon as dreamed of Tatis changing into one of many first gamers to covet in every draft. He has slipped a bit in worth to the second spherical, however there’s little mistaken with a participant we are able to rely on for each energy and velocity, and Tatis performed in a career-high 155 video games in 2025, too. Hope for comparable sturdiness and the wonderful numbers shall be there.

Draft slot No. 9

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Garrett Crochet, Round 2 – Cal Raleigh

Crochet’s fantasy potential is not removed from that of Skenes or Skubal, with final 12 months’s outcomes as compelling proof as any: Skubal scored solely three extra fantasy factors for the season, and Skenes scored 49 fewer. As beginning pitchers come at a premium in factors leagues, Crochet is the third member of the position’s clear first-round class.

A catcher within the second spherical?! When it is a catcher who hit 60 house runs one 12 months in the past, with any cheap regression calculation nonetheless holding his quantity within the 40s, it is a simple case to make. Near-everyday catchers carry with them a noticeably better benefit relative to their brethren in factors leagues relative to roto — quantity is king right here — and Raleigh’s might once more quantity to as many as 75 extra fantasy factors than the following closest on the position (though I’m admittedly a believer in a William Contreras rebound to shut that hole considerably).

Karabell: Round 1 – Julio Rodriguez, Round 2 – Crochet

Rodriguez bounced again from a disappointing 2024 season (20 HRs, 24 SBs) with higher stats (32 HRs, 30 SBs), and he carried out in a career-high 160 video games. As with Tatis and others, maybe we yearn for extra, however Rodriguez has settled in as a dependable statistical supplier and borderline first-round choice. That is sweet sufficient.

Crochet modified his Sox from White to Red and led the large leagues with 255 strikeouts, whereas posting a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. OK, so maybe he is not the first beginning pitcher off your draft board, however he shouldn’t be removed from it.

Draft slot No. 10

Cockcroft: Round 1 – Acuna, Round 2 – Cristopher Sanchez

A wholesome Acuna is able to difficult for the fantasy factors scoring title. In reality, he would have already got one, in 2023, if not for Ohtani — and he is trying as wholesome and productive this spring as ever. Acuna should not be one of many first picks off your draft board in a factors league, however he additionally should not slide far, if in any respect, into the second spherical.

Sanchez’s 2025 breakthrough units him up for a run on the high of the pitching leaderboard this season, as he is once more throwing extraordinarily properly throughout spring coaching. Teams choosing from the No. 10 slot want to remember the beginning pitching candidates who would possibly stay come the Rounds 3-4 flip in the event that they move on Sanchez or one of many comparable picks within the rankings: It would possibly imply settling upon Joe Ryan, Jesus Luzardo or Jacob deGrom as your workers ace.

Karabell: Round 1 – Skubal, Round 2 – Skenes

Skubal earned his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award and there’s little cause to consider he can not make it three in a row. While the Detroit Tigers ace received 5 fewer video games than the season prior (by means of no fault of his personal), Skubal lowered his ERA to 2.21 and his WHIP to 0.89. He additionally raised his strikeout fee. Even in roto, Skubal warrants first-round consideration.

The second season of the Skenes expertise was fairly memorable, as he earned the NL Cy Young Award and posted a sub-2 ERA but once more. His profession ERA is 1.96! The Pirates ought to supply extra offensive help in 2026, and Skenes ought to earn extra victories, which might assist elevate him far larger than final 12 months’s SP43 by way of Player Rater worth for wins.