The Case for Dustin Pedroia as the Top Ranked Fantasy Baseball Second Baseman

Full disclosure: I wouldn’t take Dustin Pedroia over Robinson Cano. I had Cano pegged as the top second baseman last year, and I’ll stand by that claim again this year.

That said, it wouldn’t make anybody question your sanity too significantly if you opted to go with Boston’s little big man over his Yankee counterpart.

Cano probably has a higher batting average ceiling than Pedroia, but you’re looking at a .305 lifetime average for Pedroia and a .308 average for Cano. In three of the past five years Pedroia actually finished with a better average. Cano is a more powerful hitter, but their OPSs (Pedroia .836, Cano .843) are nearly identical. Bottom line, that category is a wash.

The remaining two categories are a split.

Cano has the clear edge in  home runs and RBI, averaging 27.3 long balls over the past three years. He has also averaged 104 RBI, a number that is trending up. Meanwhile Pedroia has averaged 17.5 home runs and 81.6 RBI over the past 2.5 years. Obviously, if you were looking for power numbers, Cano would be your guy.

However, as I mentioned, they split the remaining four categories of 5×5 leagues. The run totals were fairly even last year, but Pedroia is averaging 110.9 runs over the past 3.5 years. Cano is 103.3. Pedroia has twice scored at least 115 runs.

Where Pedroia really gains ground is in the stolen base category. He has averaged 21.4 over the past 3.5 years. The 26 bases Pedroia stole last year are only two fewer than Cano’s 28 over the course of his career. In the past three years he’s averaged 5.3 stolen bases.

As I stated earlier, I still believe Cano is the top second base option, but if you are more interested in solid numbers across the board and a bump in stolen bases, Pedroia could be your guy.

Also check out:

2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Options
Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Options