MOCK DRAFT BY PECOTA, POSTIONAL PLAYERS

According to Keith Woolner's VORP stat...

1. Pujols Albert SLN .349 EqA 81.4 VORP
2. Cabrera Miguel FLO .323 68.8
3. Wright David NYN .315 60.2
4. Hafner Travis CLE .339 58.4
5. Berkman Lance HOU .329 57.8
6. Howard Ryan PHI NL .323 57.5
7. Mauer Joe MIN .321 53.4
8. Ortiz David BOS .330 53.4

Taking one of these eight guys, it's hard to go wrong. It really is.

9. Beltran Carlos NYN .310 53.2
10. Jeter Derek NYA .305 50.1
11. Guerrero Vladimir LAA .323 50.1
12. Utley Chase PHI .295 49.0
13. Rodriguez Alex NYA .319 48.0

The second tier stars. A-Rod's projection is unnecessarily pessimistic. Look for a big year. PECOTA loves Vlad this season. It's projecting him to lead the league in hits. I don't expect a 50 VORP from Jeter. I really don't, his power is gone.

14. Zimmerman Ryan WAS .293 47.9
15. Ramirez Aramis CHN .299 46.0
16. Tejada Miguel BAL .296 46.0
17. Guillen Carlos DET .306 45.9

The left side of the infield says hello. Zimmerman is a good pairing with a slugger like Ortiz or Howard in that second round. Tejada I don't like because the Orioles will be out of it, and he'll play sloppy. It helps that he plays everyday. Guillen is no lock to be on the level of these other guys, but he'll probably still be underrated in your draft. He's more of a third round pick in my eyes, though.

18. Soriano Alfonso CHN .296 43.9
19. Bay Jason PIT .308 43.6
20. McCann Brian ATL .296 43.4

McCann isn't worth a second rounder, Soriano will be overrated, and Bay's a leftfielder who gets walks on a bad team. He's no first rounder either.

Players I'd rather have include Jose Reyes, Michael Young, Jimmy Rollins, Manny Ramirez and Teixiera.