Fantasy: 3 things we've learned from mock drafts

Check out all of theScore's fantasy content for the upcoming season here.

Keeping tabs on drafting trends can provide valuable insight as you prepare for the big the day. Granted, every league promises to be different - whether it be the rules, format, or size of the rosters - but what you're able to glean from mock results could offer a distinct advantage over your competition on draft day.

We did some of the work for you after looking at composite results compiled by FantasyPros, and here are three things that caught our eye:

Undervaluing Carlos Santana

Fantasy owners are drafting Buster Posey as the first catcher off the board and 26th overall – both results are in line with our rankings – while Santana isn't being taken in some leagues until the seventh round. We rated Santana our fourth-best catcher, but that ranking might be low in retrospect. Consider the five-category comparison between he and Posey:

When you also factor in Santana's eligibility advantage – C/1B/3B to Posey's C/1B – one could argue the Cleveland Indians slugger is just as valuable a 5x5 contributor than Posey. Even if you don't subscribe to that conclusion, surely the difference between them doesn't warrant a 50-pick disparity. 

Recommendation: Don't burn an early pick on Posey when there's comparable value to be found a few rounds later.

Sleeping on Tanaka

Considering the alarming rate at which pitchers are tearing their UCL, it's not surprising to see owners skeptical of Masahiro Tanaka and his vulnerable right elbow this season. But with every nasty splitter that Tanaka throws this spring, owners might consider readjusting their expectations for the New York Yankees ace. 

Tanaka's composite average draft position is currently 89.7 – which shakes out to 24th among starting pitchers. That's below the likes of Jake Arrieta, Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray and James Shields. While those pitchers make for strong options, none of them possess Tanaka's upside. 

Recommendation: If Tanaka continues to impress without any issues, consider reaching a few picks ahead of his ADP to get a pitcher being undervalued by a couple rounds.

No one can decide on Sandoval

Owners seem as divided on where to draft Pablo Sandoval as experts were in determining his free-agent value this offseason.

Sandoval's being drafted on average as the 15th-best third baseman, which is five ranks below the composite rating we assigned him heading into the season. Though 15th feels a bit low for a player who's in his prime and supported by a strong lineup, it's his overall ranking that seems especially pessimistic. Some leagues are taking Sandoval as high as the seventh round, while other formats are watching him drop as low as the 16th.

Recommendation: Regardless of whether you think Sandoval is overrated, he'll offer better run production than players being picked ahead of him, like Matt Carpenter and Josh Harrison. Draft accordingly.