The 2026 MLB season is just around the corner, and many of you are gearing up for your fantasy baseball draft. A great way to get ready is by conducting as many mock drafts as possible. However, it can be challenging to find a mock draft that accurately reflects your league settings using public draft lobbies.
If you’re a Yahoo Fantasy+ subscriber, there’s no need to worry! You can utilize the Instant Mock Draft tool for quick draft practice. This tool allows you to try out various strategies, select different draft slots, and explore roster setups as often as you like, anytime.
[Yahoo Fantasy+ unlocks premium draft tools, player projections and more]
In this series, we’ll be utilizing the Instant Mock Draft tool to select from each of the 12 positions in a 12-team fantasy baseball league. We kick off the series with the top overall pick. Who will it be, Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani? Let’s dive in.
Note: For these mock drafts, we are following Yahoo’s standard points league settings.
Complete Roster
C: Shea Langeliers, Athletics
1B: Alec Burleson, Cardinals
2B: Brice Turang, Brewers
SS: Francisco Lindor, Mets
3B: Noelvi Marte, Reds
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
OF: Jackson Merrill, Padres
OF: Luis Robert, Mets
UTIL: Colson Montgomery, White Sox
UTIL: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
SP: Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies
SP: Jacob deGrom, Rangers
RP: David Bednar, Yankees
RP: Raisel Iglesias, Braves
P: Kyle Bradish, Orioles
P: Trevor Rogers, Orioles
P: Shane McClanahan, Rays
P: Ryan Weathers, Yankees
Bench: Dylan Crews, Nationals
Bench: Austin Wells, Yankees
Bench: Jac Caglianone, Royals
Bench: Abner Uribe, Brewers
Bench: Andrew Painter, Phillies
Roster Review
Top Pick Considerations: I opted for Judge over the Dodgers’ slugger, but with the No. 1 overall pick, either choice is valid—it’s that close. As a Yankees fan, this preference played a role. Having your favorite team’s star player is always a bonus, especially with Judge’s potential.
Building a Solid Foundation: After making my first pick, I took a balanced approach. Lindor is expected to be ready for Opening Day despite recent surgery, and I believe he is in an excellent offensive situation, warranting a later first or early second-round selection.
Risk and Reward Strategy: I paired Sánchez with another ace, deGrom, who has shown promise after a strong 2025 season. While injury concerns linger due to deGrom’s age, the potential for him to return to form is appealing. I took a gamble on Langeliers, aiming to secure a top-tier catcher despite the position’s scarcity.
Playing the Closer Game: Considering the dynamics of points leagues, I felt comfortable delaying the selection of relief pitchers. I chose Yankees closer David Bednar, who should receive ample save chances, and Raisel Iglesias for additional security.
Final Thoughts on No. 1 Drafting: Drafting from this position is a favorite of mine because you can plan better with back-to-back picks, limiting concern over opponents sniping your selections. When you start with Judge or Ohtani, you can prioritize pitching and take some calculated risks with offensive players while maintaining a strong overall foundation.
