Bryce Harper Kicks Off Mock Draft Round 4

October 6, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) stands on deck during game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4 of my mock draft was all over the place. After getting the top-rated overall players, it’s at this point in the draft that you begin to fill in the positions you need before it’s too late. Some teams drafted their first or second starting pitcher, others satisfied a need at a corner infield position. I decided that if I wanted one more round for a pitcher, I could potentially miss out on a top-10, top-15 player. While I wish I could have waited, I’m okay with how it ended up.

4.31 OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

In just three short seasons, Harper continues to decline in production. Whether it’s injuries or just overhype, Harper isn’t the player who we all thought he would be. He went from 139 games played in 2012 to 100 last season. His power has dropped off significantly as well. However, with the amount of upside he has once he breaks out, Harper could be a top power hitter. He just seems to be drafted a round or two ahead of where is numbers put him. He is one of the bigger boom-or-bust picks.

4.32 C/1B Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

After being injury prone in his first three seasons, Posey proved in the next three that he is an elite catcher. He posted 20 home runs and a .300+ batting average in two of those seasons. It’s a no brainer that Posey is the first catcher taken off the board. It also helps that he has first-base eligibility. He should maintain that in 2015. Carlos Santana and Joe Mauer have moved away from catcher, paving the way for Posey to be the No. 1 guy.

4.33 SP Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians

Kluber had two mediocre seasons in 2012 and 2013 before putting up superstar numbers last year. I was able to pick him up off the waiver wire in mid-May and rode him all the way to second place in my Roto league. He posted 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings with a 2.44 ERA and 1.095 WHIP. I wanted to pick him up again, but it wasn’t meant to be. As the defending American League Cy Young winner, he will compete for a top-five starting pitcher this year.

4.34 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Gonzalez is one of the most consistent first basemen in the league. He has played in 157 games or more in each of the last nine seasons and continues to put up big power numbers each season. Gonzalez was able to hit 41 doubles and 25 home runs for the first time 2011. However, he saw a drop in batting average, .276 last year. While he will turn 33 in May, he will look to finish as a top-10 first baseman, as long as he can play 155 games again.

4.35 OF Ryan Braun, Milkwaukee Brewers

Braun served a 65-game suspension for his part in a PED scandal. One would think he would be motivated to have his best season, but did the complete opposite. In 135 games, he hit 19 home runs and 81 RBI with a .266 average and .324 OBP. To make matters worse, Braun underwent thumb surgery in the offseason. Reports state that there will be no limitations on what Braun can do in Spring Training. Yet, what kind of player will he be in the regular season? Pre or post-PED Braun? There is too much risk, for me, to draft him in the fourth round.

4.36 SS Hanley Ramirez, Boston Red Sox

Is every shortstop injury prone? First Tulowitzki, now Ramirez. He has played in over 130 games once in the last four seasons. After hitting 20 home runs in 304 at-bats in 2013, his power disappeared as he hit just 13 in 449 at-bats. While standard leagues don’t care about anything but home runs, Ramirez has increase his doubles power. He hit 35 in 2014, the most since 2009. The move to Fenway Park will help his potential to reach 20-20 again. He is another risk-reward player.

4.38 1B Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

Freeman has been a quiet fantasy contributor, hitting at least 21 home runs from 2011 to 2013. Last year, however, was a bit of a disappointment. Despite playing in all 162 games, he hit 18 home runs and 78 RBI while striking out a career-high 145 times with a .288 average. The loss of Justin Upton may hurt Freeman’s production as he will now be relied on to drive runners home. He isn’t much of a power hitter compared to the other elite first basemen, but 20-25 home runs should be expected with a .300 average. You could do much worse than Freeman as your first baseman.

4.39 OF George Springer, Houston Astros

Springer is a one-category hitter. He can hit home runs, that’s it. In a 59-game span last year, he hit 20 home runs, which is amazing. However, in that same span, he hit for a .233 average and a .354 OBP. He finished the season with 114 strike outs. His rookie season was cut short with a quad injury in July. With a clean bill of health and plate discipline, Springer should see an uptick in batting average while hitting 40 home runs. He should also improve on the five stolen bases. He could finish as a top-10 outfielder.

4.40 SP Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

The 2015 season got off to a rough start for Wainwright. He suffered an abdominal strain, which has a three-week recovery time. Looking back, the first half of the 2014 was phenominal for him. He had a 12-4 record, 1.83 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Things then went south after the All-Star break. He allowed three or more earned runs in seven of his final nine starts. He had his lowest K/9 rate since 2008. Yet, he finished fifth in head-to-head and Roto leagues. Drafting him as a top-five pitcher is not an option, but as a high-end No. 2 starting pitcher is more likely.