2011 Fantasy Projections No 12: Why New York Yankees Robinson Cano Is The Top 2B

Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

Chase Utley has widely been considered the top fantasy second baseman for several years. Until now.

Robinson Cano proved his 2009 spike in power (25 HRs) was no fluke, as the left-handed hitter whacked 29 over the fence in 2010. Further, the 28-year-old has proven himself to be the most durable and consistent two-bagger over the last few years.

In six big-league seasons, Cano has hit .297 or higher five times, and sports a career .309 batting average. Over the last four seasons, Cano has missed a grand total of eight games.

This is especially important to note considering Chase Utley, Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler have missed 86, 123 and 150 games, respectively, over the same four-year period.

Cano’s on-base percentage, slugging percentage, isolated power, fly ball percentage and HR/FB rate have all increased progressively over the last three seasons, supporting his growth in power production.

Now fully entrenched as the Yankees’ No. 5 hitter, Cano should hit 25-plus dingers for the third consecutive season and have plenty of opportunity to top the 100-RBI plateau once again in 2011.

He doesn’t present the highest ceiling among second basemen, as the aforementioned Utley, Pedroia and Kinsler all have 20/20 potential, but Cano is most definitely the safest pick.

This early in the draft, consistency is more important than potential. Take Cano 12fth overall and reap the rewards.

	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
2010 stats	696	103	29	109	3	.319
3-year average	668	92	23	89	3	.304
2011 FBI Forecast	690	100	27	100	2	.312

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: FANTASY BASEBALL INSIDERS

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Nos. 1-10: Is Pujols Still The Top Pick?
• No. 11: Joey Votto

Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• 2011 Projections: Adrian Beltre
• The Sub-2.50 ERA Curse: Why Five Elite Starting Pitchers May Regress in 2011
• 2010 Batting Average on Balls in Play Leaders: What to Expect in 2011?
• 2011 Closer’s Corner: Papelbon, Cordero & Rivera Are the Only Reliable Options

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