Analyzing Fantasy Baseball's Second Round

Just as with the first round, let’s take a look at how I would break down the second round of your fantasy draft:

1. Carlos Beltran—New York Mets
2. Lance Berkman—Houston Astros
3. Johan Santana—New York Mets
4. B.J. Upton—Tampa Bay Rays
5. Ian Kinsler—Texas Rangers
6. Manny Ramirez—Los Angeles Dodgers
7. Justin Morneau—Minnesota Twins
8. Prince Fielder—Milwaukee Brewers
9. Evan Longoria—Tampa Bay Rays
10. Carlos Lee—Houston Astros
11. Aramis Ramirez—Chicago Cubs
12. Alfonso Soriano—Chicago Cubs

Notes

I know with Josh Hamilton at No. 12 in the first round, it’s tough to go back-to-back OFs. But Beltran is the best player on the board for me.

Picking Santana this early is not a favored strategy, but I would have a hard time letting him slip by. I've heard the rumors about his declining skills, but I’m simply not buying it.

He is the best pitcher in baseball and until he proves otherwise, I’m going to continue to draft him with confidence.

I had originally included Tim Lincecum at the end of this round (to fill the spot left by Alex Rodriguez’ fall), but I decided against it in the end.

To read why I don’t see him as a second round pick, click here. 

As I’ve discussed, the injury potential originally cost Soriano a spot in the second round (click here to view). However, with Rodriguez falling out due to injury, Soriano snuck in here instead of being left in the third round.

To me, Longoria is a gamble in the second round, something I’ve alluded to as the “Braun effect” recently. People saw how Braun performed in his sophomore season and don’t want to miss out on the next big thing.

It makes sense, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best strategy this early in the draft. I certainly wouldn’t take him early on in the round, but toward the back half isn't so bad.

Kinsler should never have been a first round pick (which I discussed here), but with Utley back and healthy there’s no doubt that he now falls.

Early on in the second round, however, I think he’s a great selection. He offers power and speed potential from a position that is relatively thin.

Is Fielder a bust?  I know, one 50-home run season proves nothing, but very few players offer the same power potential as him. That makes him well worth selecting here.

Ramirez is back with the Dodgers, something everyone assumed would be the case.

He’s one of the best hitters in baseball, and now that he’s assured to be in that above-average lineup, he could put up scary numbers this season.

Who do you think is missing? Who’s too high? Too low?

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