Chances are if you’re reading this then you don’t have a top 5 pick in your upcoming baseball draft. Not ideal, but there’s such an embarrassment of riches in talent that you don’t have to worry much until the very late rounds of your fantasy draft. Here’s who you should be picking #6 through #10.
6. NOLAN ARENADO (COL) 3B – Yes I’ve already waxed poetic about Kris Bryant, and Josh Donaldson, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any other elite third basemen left. Arenado is a beast and is pretty much guaranteed 35 HR and 110 RBI, at the very least. Don’t let him slip too far into your draft as he’s sure to make a huge impact on whatever squad he ends up on.
7. PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT (ARZ) 1B – A couple of years ago, Goldy would’ve been pushing for 1st overall. He hasn’t really regressed and has kept up his consistent play as the best 1B in the game, so at 7th overall, he is essentially a steal. The only thing that I’m hesitant about is the fact that 1B has the most depth in the league, and if you miss out on Goldy you can find a solid replacement later on.
8. BRYCE HARPER (WSH) OF – Talk about a sleeper pick. Harper is set to bounce back in a huge way after having a relatively down year by his terms. He hasn’t even hit his potential yet, and he took home the NL MVP just 2 years ago. He should explode and should not make it to the 2nd round.
9. ANTHONY RIZZO (CHC) – Make no mistake, Rizzo can mash. He can sometimes be overshadowed by his other talented teammates, and the fact that he plays 1st base can deter from his talent. But he has been incredibly consistent the last few years – you know what you’re getting from him.
10. CLAYTON KERSHAW (LAD) – Until I’m proven otherwise, Kershaw is still the best regular season pitcher in baseball. When a pitcher gets chosen, he should be the first to go. He’s a strikeout machine and is good for an easy 18-20 wins.