FANTASY BASEBALL 1ST ROUND DRAFT
FANTASY BASEBALL 1ST ROUND DRAFT
By Muntradamus
BEAST DOME NATION
The first round of a fantasy baseball draft is important, but it is not the make or break round.
You need a stud. You need a player you can open your box score every night and expect to see something positive.
But even the safest picks can fail.
I remember one year when I was younger drafting Derrek Lee in the first round when he was with the Chicago Cubs. He was coming off an incredible season with 46 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and a .339 batting average. What was not to like about a 29 year old slugger in his prime?
About 50 games into the season Lee collided with a runner at first base while playing defense. He broke his wrist and his season was over.
That is fantasy baseball.
Even the best picks can blow up.
But the goal of the first round is simple. Draft a player who produces elite numbers when healthy.
If I had every pick in the first round, here is how I would draft.
#1 SHOHEI OHTANI
If there were a Taylor Swift of baseball, Shohei Ohtani would be that guy.
Power. Speed. Pitching.
He is elite at everything.
Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has one of the most stacked lineups in baseball around him. Ohtani could easily be an MVP candidate with the bat or a Cy Young candidate on the mound.
Honestly, just give him the MVP before the season starts.
Some fantasy managers take Aaron Judge ahead of Ohtani. I think that is crazy.
Judge might have slightly more raw power, but Ohtani offers 40 plus home run power, 40 plus stolen base potential, and ace level pitching upside.
That combination is unmatched.
#2 AARON JUDGE
If Ohtani were not playing baseball right now, Aaron Judge might get Babe Ruth treatment.
There are very few hitters in baseball history who have the type of power Judge brings to the plate.
Playing for the New York Yankees, Judge is the most dangerous pure slugger in the game today. He has already shown the ability to hit 60 plus home runs and dominate an entire season offensively.
Judge might not run like some of the other players in this round, but his power and run production make him one of the safest fantasy picks on the board.
All rise for the number two pick in fantasy baseball.
#3 JOSE RAMIREZ
Jose Ramirez is the truth.
Back to back 40 stolen base seasons prove that his speed is real, and he has also delivered back to back 30 home run seasons.
Despite standing only 5 foot 8, Ramirez produces elite power numbers while maintaining a strong batting average.
He is a safe 30 home run and 30 stolen base player, but if everything clicks he could realistically approach a 40 home run and 40 stolen base season.
Third base is not very deep this year, so locking up a superstar at that position early is extremely valuable.
#4 ELLY DE LA CRUZ
Elly De La Cruz stole 67 bases in 2024.
For some reason the Cincinnati Reds ran him less in 2025 despite him playing a full season.
Elly has the tools to be even better than Bobby Witt Jr., although he does run into cold streaks from time to time.
Still, he is a generational talent with massive fantasy upside. Shortstop is not nearly as deep as people think, and locking in a player with this type of speed and power combination is huge.
#5 BOBBY WITT JR.
If there is a player capable of a 40 home run and 40 stolen base season who has not accomplished it yet that plays in the infield, it is Bobby Witt Jr.
Witt already has a 30 home run and 30 stolen base season on his resume and continues to improve each year.
At just 25 years old, he is entering his prime and should still get even better.
There is very little risk here. Witt brings elite speed, growing power, and strong all around production.
#6 CAL RALEIGH
Cal Raleigh somehow still falls into the second round in many drafts.
That is crazy.
A catcher hitting 60 home runs is almost unheard of in fantasy baseball. Even if Raleigh loses some power and finishes closer to 40 home runs, he still gives you an enormous advantage at the catcher position.
Catchers carry more injury risk because of the wear and tear of the position, but Raleigh’s power is too valuable to ignore.
#7 JUAN SOTO
Juan Soto surprised a lot of people last season when he ran aggressively and stole nearly 40 bases to go along with his usual 40 home run power.
That combination of power, patience, and speed makes him one of the most complete fantasy hitters in baseball.
Now playing his second season for the New York Mets, Soto will once again be the centerpiece of the lineup.
Expect another monster season.
#8 JULIO RODRIGUEZ
Julio Rodriguez is only 25 years old and still improving.
He has already shown 30 home run and 30 stolen base ability even during seasons where everything was not clicking.
His true ceiling might be a 40 home run and 40 stolen base season.
Even if he falls short of that, he still provides safe first round production.
#9 RONALD ACUÑA JR.
After returning from an ACL injury, Ronald Acuna Jr. still managed to hit over 20 home runs in around 90 games.
That tells you the power is still there.
Before the injury he stole 73 bases in a season. Last year he only stole nine.
Another year removed from surgery should allow him to run more again. If everything comes together, Acuña could easily deliver another 30 home run and 30 stolen base season.
#10 JAZZ CHISHOLM
Jazz Chisholm Jr. qualifies at both second base and third base, which gives him tremendous positional flexibility.
He already has 30 home run and 30 stolen base ability, and playing for the New York Yankees with that short porch in right field could push him even closer to 40 home runs.
At 28 years old he is entering his prime and building off the best season of his career.
Do not be surprised if Jazz ends up outperforming several players drafted ahead of him.
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