The 2025 fantasy baseball season is officially underway, and the ESPN fantasy baseball crew has kicked things off with an exciting head-to-head points mock draft. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the draft results, team rosters, and key takeaways.

Draft Overview

The mock draft featured 10 teams, each managed by seasoned fantasy baseball experts. The draft utilized ESPN's standard head-to-head points league scoring and roster settings, with each team assembling a balanced lineup of 16 starters and 3 bench players.

Scoring System

• Hitters: Earn points for total bases, walks, runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. Lose a point for each strikeout.
• Pitchers: Earn points for outs recorded (3 per inning), strikeouts, wins, and holds. Saves are worth 5 points. Pitchers lose points for runs allowed, baserunners, and losses.

Key Picks

• Round 1: Shohei Ohtani (SP/DH) led the charge, followed by Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, reflecting their high fantasy upside.
• Mid-Round Gems: Players like Gunnar Henderson and Yordan Alvarez were snapped up in Round 2, showcasing their potential as top-tier contributors.
• Late-Round Steals: Emerging talents such as Jackson Holliday and Spencer Steer were picked in the later rounds, offering high upside for their draft positions.

Team Rosters

Each team’s roster is a mix of established stars and promising young players. Here’s a snapshot of the rosters:

• Team Karabell: Built around Shohei Ohtani, Gerrit Cole, and Freddie Freeman, this team boasts a balanced mix of power and pitching depth.
• Team Carty: Anchored by Tarik Skubal and Fernando Tatis Jr., this team leans heavily on high-risk, high-reward players.
• Team Schoenfield: With Paul Skenes and Gunnar Henderson leading the way, this team focuses on youth and future potential.

Expert Insights

Experts highlighted the importance of balancing risk and reward in the draft. While star hitters like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are reliable, pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes offer significant upside if they perform to expectations.

Join the Action

Ready to start your own fantasy baseball league? Join or create a league for free on ESPN and start drafting your winning team today!