Fantasy Baseball 2012: Ranking the 15 Best Picks to Earn Stolen Bases

For many fantasy baseball players, stolen bases is one of the most difficult categories to compete in each season.

While it may not be the sexy statistic that home runs are, getting stolen bases is not a difficult task, especially with the rise in multi-category contributors these days.

More than anything, fantasy owners simply have the wrong approach when it comes to grabbing stolen bases. While many people look to snag one or two players who will hopefully swipe 50 bags while hopefully contributing in batting average and runs, instead look to fill your roster with five or six of these multi-category guys who will get you 20 to 30 bags but will definitely chip in 20 home runs or a .290 average.

Here are 15 guys, some top-notch stars and some players you can get in the late rounds, that fit the bill perfectly:

Jose Reyes, SS, Miami Marlins

Although I always look to fill out my roster with power at the top of the draft, Miami Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes is one of the few guys in baseball that year in, year out gives you elite production in batting average, runs and stolen bases.

Last season, Reyes finished top 10 in the league with 39 steals while finishing with a .337 batting average, tops in the NL. Expect similar numbers in 2012.

This season, batting atop the new-look Miami Marlins lineup, Reyes has the potential for an even bigger season, perhaps top 10 fantasy-wise.

Shortstop falls off quickly after the top two or three elite guys, making Reyes even more valuable.

Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

If you have the top overall selection in next year’s draft, you could do a lot worse than ending up with 2011’s fantasy MVP, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.

Last season, Kemp had a monster year, finishing just one home run shy of being the fifth player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club.

With consistent production across the board, Kemp is one of those rare five-category players that fantasy owners dream about. Expect much of the same next season.

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Should his suspension appeal go through, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is another five-category player like Kemp who warrants the top overall selection in 2012.

To be honest, I would still consider Braun a worthy fifth-round selection even if he does miss 50 games.

In terms of fantasy production, Braun is as consistent as they come. For three straight seasons now, Braun has batted over .300, driven in 100 runs and scored 100 runs, while crushing 30 home runs in four of the last five.

While last season’s 33 stolen bases was a career high for the 28-year-old, his speed looked legitimate last season and I’d say he’s a near lock for 25 bags again next season.

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers

For the second time in three years, Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler led his position in stolen bases with 30.

While that may change in 2012 with guys like Athletics second baseman Jemile Weeks looking to run wild (we’ll get to him in a few slides), Kinsler is a rare breed in that, when healthy, he gives you 25 home runs, 100 runs and 75 RBI pretty consistently.

Kinsler is a prime example of one of these multi-category players who can do a lot for your team’s structure. In most seasons, the consensus top 2B option, Robinson Cano, will bat 30 points better than Kinsler, knock in an additional 25 runs and cost you a late first-round pick. Kinsler, who you can get two rounds later, will get you just 10 more runs but 15 to 20 more steals. The difference in RBI can be pretty easily made up elsewhere, but that double-digit steal difference can win you a season.

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

One of my favorite players in fantasy, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has the makings to be an absolute star and could be this season’s Matt Kemp.

A .286 hitter each of his first two seasons, McCutchen is another rare five-category contributor who looks likely to only get better in his fourth big league season.

A likely third-round selection in most formats, McCutchen can be expected for 25 bags in 2012 and solid power numbers like last season’s 23 dingers and 89 RBI.

Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals

Another worthwhile strategy is to take late-round flyers on a couple formerly highly touted prospects that just haven’t yet panned out like some owners did last season with Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon.

While he’ll be unlikely to slip much past the sixth round this season, Gordon is another guy like McCutchen with five-category potential, albeit not quite Kemp/Braun level.

Last season, Gordon burst out onto the scene, posting a tremendous line (101 R 23 HR 87 RBI .303 AVG 17 SB) that made him a top-30 player on almost all formats. While he’s not a burner on the basepaths, Gordon has sneaky-good wheels and can be expected for another 15 to 20 bags in 2012, while contributing in quite a few other categories as well.

Cameron Maybin, OF, San Diego Padres

Cameron Maybin was once considered one of the top up-and-coming outfielders in all of baseball.

The centerpiece of the trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to Detroit, Maybin could be this year's Alex Gordon after breaking out in his first full-length season last year, swiping 40 bags while batting .264 with nine home runs at the plate. Both stats will go up in 2012 and as one of the quickest speedsters in the game, he's worth a gamble.

Drew Stubbs, OF, Cincinnati Reds

While Cincinnati Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs didn’t have the best of seasons in 2011, getting 40 stolen bases and 15 to 20 home runs from your third outfielder who you grabbed in the eighth round is hardly a bad deal.

At 27 years old, Stubbs will again be one of the industry’s favorite sleepers in 2012 and for good cause. While his batting average will hurt you a little (.260 to .270), Stubbs has terrific wheels and consistently contributes in runs, RBI and home runs.

Adding in his breakout-star potential, Stubbs will be a very worthwhile pick.

Shane Victorino, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Looking at players who could bounce back in 2012 after a down year in stolen base totals, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino tops the list among the multi-category players.

After averaging 33 stolen bases from 2007-2010, Victorino swiped just 19 bags last season, large in part to a spike in power and significant increase in fly-ball percentage. Don’t take that as a sign that his speed has gone anywhere, however. His career-high 16 triples led all of baseball, his stolen base success rate was again elite and with more opportunities to run in 2012, he should get back into the 30s pretty easily.

In addition, Victorino posts a solid batting average every season and consistently chips in 90 runs and 60 RBI. Victorino is one of the safest picks in the sixth to seventh round. 

Jemile Weeks, 2B, Oakland Athletics

Looking at a few 2012 breakout candidates, Oakland Athletics second baseman Jemile Weeks leads the way after swiping 22 bags in 96 games last season atop the Oakland lineup.

The speedy younger brother of Milwaukee Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks, Jemile was both great and the plate and on the bases last season, finishing with a .303 batting average and 50 runs scored.

While you’ll want someone else to start ahead of him at second base, Weeks is certainly worth a flyer in the 16^th to 18^th rounds and looks to be a consistent contributor to both runs and batting average in addition to stolen bases.

Dee Gordon, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

For the most part, I try to avoid the one-trick ponies in fantasy baseball, especially when it comes to stolen bases. Guys like Brett Gardner and Michael Bourn are both great thieves but provide little else and will cost you a sixth- or eighth-round pick respectively. I’m all for grabbing a guy in the 20^th round though—if your draft even goes that deep.

Despite playing just 56 games last season, the 150-pound Gordon tagged 24 stolen bases, the third-highest total of anyone with fewer than 250 at-bats. Outside of stolen bases, he doesn’t bring a ton to the table but with the potential to lead off in the Dodgers lineup and the team’s willingness to let him run wild, Gordon could be a late-round, multi-category gem.

If anything, I’d much rather get a guy in the late rounds with his stolen-base potential than an additional 10 to 15 home runs. 

Emilio Bonifacio, OF/SS, Florida Marlins

The second of three guys who you could snag in the late rounds, Florida Marlins uber-utility man Emilio Bonifacio was one of fantasy baseball’s most underrated stars last season, finishing with 40 stolen bases and a .296 average.

Before fully determining his value next season though, a lot has to be decided down in South Beach. With Jose Reyes locking down shortstop and Hanley Ramirez likely locking third, Bonifacio loses the two positions he played most in 2011. This season, he’ll likely compete with Chris Coghlan for center field duties, leaving his fantasy value tied deeply into opportunity.

While his batting average will likely come down a little, Bonifacio provides solid contributions to runs, stolen bases and average when he plays regularly. In leagues with five outfielders, he’s at the very least worth stocking on the bench and inserting into the lineup on days he plays. In limited time he should get at least 20 bags and could approach 40 again if he’s a 2012 regular. 

Jason Bourgeois, OF, Houston Astros

Last of the three, Houston Astros outfielder Jason Bourgeois won’t be drafted in any leagues but after stealing 31 bags in very limited play last season (238 at-bats), he could be worth a roster spot in 2012.

Last season after the Astros traded center fielder Michael Bourn to the Atlanta Braves, Bourgeois took over everyday duties and did surprisingly well. While Jordan Schafer will likely take over next season, Bourgeois is another guy like Bonifacio who could be added in deeper leagues to stream on days that he starts.

He doesn’t kill your average, hitting well everywhere he’s played, and like Bonifacio will be worth 20 to 40 bags depending on playing time.

Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Rarely should you look for stolen bases at the infield corners but the next two guys might make you change your mind.

Last season, Toronto Blue Jays 2B/3B Brett Lawrie made a statement in his major league debut batting .293 with nine homers, 25 RBI and seven steals in 150 at-bats. Extrapolated to a full season, he would’ve finished second among all 2B with 28 steals and first among third basemen, doubling top-finisher David Wright’s 13.

While Lawrie’s pace would’ve certainly slowed a little, I view him as a legitimate starter in fantasy baseball next season (although I’d also recommend hedging that bet by drafting someone like Pablo Sandoval or Aramis Ramirez).

In fantasy baseball, we love to uncover the next big thing and Lawrie could be just that.

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Lastly, just one first baseman finished with a double-digit stolen base total last season: Kansas City Royals rookie Eric Hosmer.

While I certainly would aim to get one of the top five to six guys we chirp about every year, Hosmer is definitely top-10 first baseman talent next season.

In a full year, Hosmer will likely hit closer to 23 bombs, 85 RBI with a .290 to .300 average. These are decent but not elite numbers for a first baseman, but again, chipping in those 10 to 15 steals will make a greater difference than the couple extra power statistics that guys like Paul Konerko will give you.