Francisco Lindor drops, but not out of first round in LABR Mixed draft

The first two picks in most fantasy baseball drafts this season are almost a foregone conclusion. But what happens when another player in the top five suffers a stunning injury and likely won't be ready for opening day?

We found out as the League of Alternative Baseball Reality kicked off another season — with Mike Trout and Mookie Betts the obvious first and second picks.

However, a strained calf muscle that will sideline Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor for 7-to-9 weeks, has put his status for the start of the 2019 season in doubt. Lindor, who hit 38 homers, stole 25 bases and tied for the major league lead with 129 runs scored last year, had been taken in other drafts as high as third overall before the injury.

An esteemed group of 15 fantasy experts provided a glimpse into Lindor's updated value in the Feb. 12 LABR Mixed draft.

LABR Mixed draft: Round 1

1. OF Mike Trout -- Joe Pisapia, Fantasy Black Book 
2. OF Mookie Betts -- Tim McLeod, Prospect 361
3. 3B Jose Ramirez -- Mark "Dr. Roto" Bloom, Scout Fantasy
4. OF Christian Yelich -- Jake Ciely, The Athletic
5. 3B Nolan Arenado -- Zach Steinhorn, Baseball Prospectus
6. SP Max Scherzer -- Ryan Bloomfield, Baseball HQ
7. OF J.D. Martinez -- Scott Pianowski, Yahoo Sports
8. OF Ronald Acuna Jr. -- Jeff Erickson, RotoWire
9. SS Francisco Lindor -- Joe Sheehan, Sports Illustrated
10. SS Trea Turner -- Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports
11. 2B/SS Javier Baez -- Andrea Lamont, LennyMelnickFantasySports.com
12. SP Jacob deGrom -- Rudy Gamble, Razzball
13. SP Chris Sale -- Alan Harrison, @TheFantasyFix
14. 2B Jose Altuve -- Stephania Bell/Kyle Soppe, ESPN
15. OF Aaron Judge -- Jason Collette/Paul Sporer, Fangraphs

So Lindor slid some, but not very far. 

Sheehan said during the radio broadcast on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio he wasn't too concerned about the injury -- and Lindor's talent is still worth grabbing in the first round.

Lindor has been one of the game's most durable players over the past three seasons, appearing in 158, 159 and 158 games over that span. He should still be a very productive player if he only misses a couple weeks at the start of the season.

Elsewhere, there weren't many surprises in Round 1. 

Three starting pitchers went in the first 15 picks (plus two more -- Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander -- in the top 18). That will be a theme in many drafts this season as the need for an ace has become an important part of prevailing fantasy wisdom. 

However, there's always the contrarian point of view. Fangraphs' Paul Sporer and Jason Collette waited until the fourth round to grab their first pitcher. And Yahoo's Scott Pianowski didn't take his first pitcher until Round 6.

So which strategy has the upper hand? The FantasyPros Draft Analyzer likes the team Harrison constructed from the No. 13 spot -- by taking starting pitchers with his first TWO picks. 

Additional analysis from LABR team owners: 

-- Baseball HQ: Ryan Bloomfield -- Pick a path, any path

-- Baseball Prospectus: Flags Fly Forever podcast -- LABR recap

-- Rotowire: Jeff Erickson draft review -- Never say never

-- FNTSY Sports Network: Tim McLeod breaks down his strategy (video)

-- Razzball: Rudy's 2019 LABR Mixed Draft

-- FanGraphs: LABR Mixed draft live chat

Follow the LABR Mixed league all season long at www.rtsports.com/labr-mixed