With only 12 days until Opening Day, it’s officially the hottest time of the year for Fantasy Baseball drafts. Here are five players (plus a sleeper) you should target.

Round 1: 0F Mookie Betts, BOS: .318 AVG, 31 HR, 113 RBI, 26 SB, 122 Runs. Those were Mookie Betts’ stats last year, so the only question you should be asking yourself is: what’s not to love here? With Big Papi gone, Red Sox fans need a fresh face to turn to and Mookie Betts is the answer. He can contribute across the board in many formats. On pace to have another MVP type season, I believe Mookie will be the first overall pick in fantasy drafts this season. If you’re holding on to an early first round pick, do not let Mookie slide past you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Round 2: 1B Anthony Rizzo, CHC: If you missed out on stud first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona) in the first round, then you’re in luck if you see this guy is still on the board. Rizzo may not get you many stolen bases, but that’s a common trait for first basemen. He’ll make it for up with solid production in the Runs, HR’s and RBI categories. I feel like the Cubs will come out hot this season with Rizzo and Kris Bryant as their conductors. Draft him!

Photo: MLB.com

Round 3: 0F/2B Trea Turner, WSN: OK, time to breathe; you made it through the first few rounds of the draft. Congrats! Next up on my list is Trea Turner, nullity man extraordinaire for the Nationals, and I’m targeting him early to mid third round. If you’re a Nationals fan, you already know why I’m excited about this guy. Playing in only 73 games in the 2016 season, Turner’s batting average was a blistering .342. He was also a menace on the base-paths, stealing 33 bases. Heading into the 2017 season healthy, he’ll get to show what he’s capable of from the get go. Some experts are labeling Turner a bust because they don’t think he can sustain his production over a full season, but I view him as someone only scratching the surface of his potential. Enjoy the ride if you’re able to grab Trea in the third round or sooner.

Photo: CBS Los Angeles

Round 4: SS Corey Seager, LAD: If you still haven’t drafted a shortstop by this point in the draft, I think it’s wise to take a look at Corey Seager. Currently projected to hit second in the Dodgers lineup, Seager led all National League shortstops with 26 home runs in 2016. He will be a consistent player in each category for your team except steals, although he was a perfect 3 for 3 last year. Corey hasn’t played much since March 4th with a strained oblique, but the most recent reports are that he’s “pain free” and does not expect to miss Opening Day.

Photo: NESN

Round 5: 3B Kyle Seager, SEA: What can I say, I like the Seager brothers this year! Corey’s brother Kyle had a great 2016 campaign with 89 Runs, 30 HR’s and 99 RBI’s. I feel like those stats won’t change much this season. He’s what you want in a hitter and will help your team each and every week. Pick him with confidence and a smile on your face.

Photo: MLB.com

Draft Day Sleeper: 3B/OF Miguel Sano, MIN: He’s coming off a disappointing 2016 season, but that’s usually how sleepers work.  If you’re looking for a Home Run specialist in the later rounds he has some great potential. He looks to hold down the 3B position, a spot he is more familiar with than the outfield. He’s projected to hit cleanup for the Twins, which hopefully translates to a lot of bats with runners on base.

Good luck drafting!

~Derek~