2009 Fantasy Position Rankings: Second Base

1.  Chase Utley, Phillies
2008 stats:  .292 average, 33 home runs, 104 RBI, 113 runs, 14 steals

Analysis:  Hip injury?  No problem.  All signs point to Utley being ready for Opening Day as he has already started to play in spring games.  Utley should have another All-Star caliber season, and should be a first round pick. 

Feel confident in expecting another season of a .315 average with 30 homers, 110 RBI, and 15 steals.  He is still the best player at his position.

2.  Ian Kinsler, Rangers
2008 stats:  .319 average, 18 home runs, 71 RBI, 102 runs, 26 steals (121 games)

Analysis:  Kinsler is one of the bright young stars of the major leagues, but he still has a hard time staying healthy. He is a .300 hitter with 25/25 skills, and is a second round pick if he can stay on the field. He is hitting over .400 this spring, but his skills have never been in question. Kinsler has never played more than 130 games in a season.

3.  Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
2008 stats:  .290 average, 21 home runs, 77 RBI, 65 runs, 13 steals

Analysis: Ramirez was one of the bigger surprises of 2008 with his 21 home runs and 13 stolen bases in just 136 games. He will be making the move to shortstop, but will still be second base eligible in all leagues.

There is some concern about the fact that he only walked 18 times last year, but I am not taking that into consideration. Ramirez should be another big-time performer in 2009, and should be drafted in the first five rounds.

4.  Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
2008 stats:  .326 average, 17 home runs, 83 RBI, 118 runs, 20 steals

Analysis: Pedroia had a magical season in 2008, but I worry that he hit his ceiling. He is gutty, gritty, and plays the game the right way. Is he a great second baseman and worth a fourth or fifth round pick? Absolutely. Is he worth a second round pick? Not in my opinion.

5.  Brandon Phillips, Reds
2008 stats:  .261 average, 21 home runs, 78 RBI, 80 runs, 23 steals

Analysis: Phillips had a off year by his standards, but he is still one of the best options at his position. You should expect that .261 average to get up to the .285-.290 range, and look for his homers and steals to take a small step up. Phillips is a great early third round pick.

6.  Brian Roberts, Orioles
2008 stats:  .296 average, 9 home runs, 57 RBI, 107 runs, 40 steals

Analysis: Roberts should be going around the same time as Phillips, and basically is a similar player. Roberts will bring you less power, but more steals and a better average.

He is more of a top of the lineup hitter, while Phillips is more of a number three hitter. Roberts is still a young guy, and there’s no reason to think that he will have any less of a season in 2009, than he has had the past few years.

7.  Dan Uggla, Marlins
2008 stats:  .260 average, 32 home runs, 92 RBI, 97 runs, 5 steals

Analysis:  Uggla brings you all the power that Chase Utley brings, with none of the batting average or speed.

Uggla is the poster boy for one dimensional players. He is a fine option at second if you have one of two scenarios. If your team has plenty of guys with high averages, he’s a great option.

If your team has a non-power player at traditionally power positions, Uggla is a good choice.  For example, if you have James Loney at first, you need a power option somewhere where other teams don’t have it.

8.  Robinson Cano, Yankees
2008 stats:  .271 average, 14 home runs, 72 RBI, 70 runs, 2 steals

Analysis: Cano is being selected 20-25 picks later than he was this time last year, and that is because his average took a dive in 2008. Cano has had two or three great seasons already, and most players have a down year or two in his career.

Cano’s drive and commitment have come into question, but I see a big turnaround year for him.  Back well over .300 and near 20 home runs.

9.  Jose Lopez, Mariners
2008 stats:  .297 average, 17 home runs, 89 RBI, 80 runs, 6 steals

Analysis: Quietly way up in the Pacific Northwest, Lopez had one of the best seasons for anyone at shortstop. Lopez had a great average, and also drove in a great number of runs for a second baseman.

He probably won’t last as long this year as he has in the past, but he’s only 25 and should have another great year. If you miss out on the elite options, Lopez is a great guy to have and you can wait a handful of rounds to get him.

10.  Mike Aviles, Royals
2008 stats:  .327 average, 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 68 runs, 8 steals

Analysis:  Aviles came out of nowhere and had a great second half. Chances are good that his .325 average won’t be repeated, but his power and speed are legit. You can safely expect him to hit around .285, and a 20/20 season is far from out of reach.  He should be both 2B and SS eligible this season, adding more to his value.

11.  Howie Kendrick, Angels
2008 stats:  .306 average, 3 home runs, 37 RBI, 43 runs, 11 steals (92 games)

Analysis:  Kendrick was one of the higher ranked prospects from the last five years, but looking at his stats now I kind of wonder what his future value will be. I don’t see him being an elite option at the position like was once thought. 

He is projected to hit for a high average (which has been going up), but he isn’t a power hitter, and doesn’t steal many bases at all. He is still good if you wait a long time to draft at the position though.

12.  Kelly Johnson, Braves
2008 stats:  .287 average, 12 home runs, 69 RBI, 86 runs, 11 steals

Analysis:  It starts to get a little more slim pickin's at this point.  Johnson has consistently hit around .280, but doesn’t bring you much in the power or speed categories. He can definitely bring you a 15/15 season, with a possibility of a little bit more. 

He just turned 27 which some people call the most likely season for a hitter to have a breakout season, but I think his 2007 numbers (16 HRs, 68 RBI, 9 SB) are probably about as high as they will get.

13.  Rickie Weeks, Brewers
2008 stats:  .234 average, 14 home runs, 46 RBI 89 runs, 19 steals

Analysis:  He is here only because of his potential.  Weeks had a 25/25 season back while in the minors.  Since then Weeks’ career has been a never ending string of injuries, low batting averages, and strikeouts. 

Now there have been a few bright spots, and he has gotten up to 16 homers in a season, but he has either been unable to stay on the field or unable to lay off of bad pitches.  Weeks is the definition of high risk/high reward at this position.

14.  Orlando Hudson, Dodgers
2008 stats:  .305 average, 8 home runs, 41 RBI, 54 runs, 4 steals (107 games)

Analysis:  Hudson is a guy who is much more valuable in actual baseball than he is in fantasy baseball. Hudson is another guy who has had a hard time staying in the lineup, and he doesn’t really excel at any category.

He hits under .300, and his career highs are 15 homers, 67 RBI, and only 10 steals. He isn’t a great starting 2B option, but if your league plays a middle infield position, he is worthwhile there.

15.  Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
2008 stats:  .263 average, 2 home runs, 20 RBI, 19 runs, 4 steals (55 games)

Analysis: Before last season’s injury riddled campaign, Hill had put himself on the fantasy map with his 17 homer/78 RBI year in 2007.  Hill had concussion problems and there shouldn’t be any lingering effects this season. 

If he can pick up where he left off before his injury, he could help you think year at the middle infield position.

16.  Alexei Casilla, Twins
2008 stats:  .281 average, 7 home runs, 50 RBI, 58 runs, 7 steals (98 games)

Analysis:  Casilla is a speedy guy who could help you out in the stolen base category.  He hasn’t really put up the big steals numbers yet, but the guy had seasons of 31 and 47 swipes while in the minors.

Another stat to note is his 50 RBI in under 100 games for the Twins last season. If he can drive in runs at that pace again, he could be worthwhile.

17.  Kaz Matsui, Astros
2008 stats:  .293 average, 6 home runs, 33 RBI, 58 runs, 20 steals (96 games)

Analysis: Matsui has been unable play a full season since coming over from Japan, however, he has shown some signs of being the player the Mets thought they were bringing over five years ago. 

He doesn’t bring you a lot of power, but his batting average has increased in each of his seasons in the majors, and he topped out at 32 steals in only 104 games in 2007. It is unlikely he will play a full season, but he could be valuable if he can.

18.  Felipe Lopez, Diamondbacks
2008 stats:  .283 average, 6 home runs, 46 RBI, 64 runs, 8 steals

Analysis: Lopez has had a few spikes in his statistics over his career. Lopez hit .291 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 2005 for the Reds, and then stole 44 bases the next season. Most of the rest of his years were pretty average.

He is likely eligible at many different positions, which adds to his value, but it is hard to see him giving you great help at any category.

19.  Placido Polanco, Tigers
2008 stats:  .307 average, 8 home runs, 58 RBI, 90 runs, 7 steals

Analysis:  Polanco has hit over .300 in three of the last four seasons, including years of .341 and .331. He won’t bring you much help in the other categories, as he hasn’t broken double digits in home runs or stolen bases in four seasons.

At age 33, there’s little hope for a spike in any category, but he is at least solid in batting average.

20.  Akinori Iwamura, Rays
2008 stats:  .274 average, 6 homers, 48 RBI, 91 runs, 8 steals

Analysis: Iwamura isn’t going to bring you much and should only be used in case of injury. He strikes out way too much.  His batting average was only .274, he only hit six home runs, drove in 48 runs, and stole just eight bases. The only category that Iwamura gives you any help in is runs scored.

21.  Emmanuel Burriss, Giants
2008 stats:  .283 average, 1 home run, 18 RBI, 37 runs, 13 steals (95 games)

Analysis: Burriss has had some pretty impressive stolen base numbers throughout his minor league career, including 51 in just 89 games at Class A in 2007. In his 95 games with the Giants last year he snagged 13 bases in 95 games.

He could bring you a .285 average with 30 steals if all goes right.

22.  Mark Ellis, Athletics
2008 stats:  .233 average, 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 55 runs, 14 steals (117 games)

Analysis:  Ellis has had some injury shortened season, but the one year he was healthy was pretty good.  In 2007, Ellis connected on 19 homers and 76 RBI with a .276 average. 

If he is ever able to play 155+ games again, he could be worth a spot on fantasy teams. But since he is 32 years old and that has happened twice, I wouldn’t put much stock in the possibility.

23.  Asdrubal Cabrera
2008 stats:   .259 average, 6 home runs, 47 RBI, 48 runs, 4 steals (114 games)

Analysis: Cabrera showed some wheels in 2007 at AA when he stole 23 bags in 95 games. But other than that, there’s not much to brag about here. He doesn’t hit for much of an average, has little to no power, and hasn’t stolen many bases. 

He will be the Indians’ starting 2B to begin the season, but that has even been a revolving position of late.

24.  Clint Barmes, Rockies
2008 stats:  .290 average, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 47 runs, 13 steals (107 games)

Analysis: Barmes goes into the season as the starting second baseman for the Rockies, and based on some of the stretches of his career, he is worth a look.

He gives you decent pop and decent speed from the position, and is a guy that you like to root for.  I’m not sure he can stay healthy or keep his job, but I think the Rockies will give him a long leash on which to play with this season.

25.  Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
2008 stats:  .271 average, 9 home runs, 52 RBI, 75 runs, 0 steals

Analysis: He was a batting champion with 81 RBI in 2006, since then his batting average dropped 70 points, and his RBI were down 30. Sanchez offers you very little power, and no speed. Unless you are in a huge league, there’s no reason to take him.

26.  Alberto Callaspo, Royals
2008 stats:  .305 average, 0 home runs, 16 RBI, 21 runs, 2 steals (74 games)

Analysis: Callaspo will be the starting second baseman for the Kansas City Royals this year, but there’s no reason to get excited here. He might hit for a decent average, but that’s about it. 

He has never hit a homer in the majors, and his career high as a big leaguer is three. This will be his first shot at a full time job, but he isn’t worth a look in a draft.

27.  Luis Castillo, Mets
2008 stats:  .245 average, 2 home runs, 28 RBI, 46 runs, 17 steals (87 games)

Analysis:  Castillo was once one of the better lead of hitters in the league, but many years and injuries later, he is barely on a roster.

Castillo will most likely hit second for the Mets to start the season, but who knows what you are going to get from him.  There’s an outside shot he could steal 30 bases, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

28.  David Eckstein, Padres
2008 stats:  .265 average, 2 home runs, 27 RBI, 32 runs, 2 steals (94 games)

Analysis: Eckstein doesn’t bring you much as far as fantasy is concerned. He doesn’t hit .300, he barely hits any home runs, and he will lucky to steal more than 10 bases.  There’s no reason to consider Eckstein.

29.  Chris Getz, White Sox
2008 stats:  .302 average, 11 home runs, 52 RBI, 60 runs, 11 steals (minors-111 games)

Analysis: Getz is a rookie starting second baseman who could bring you some decent stats, but could also bring not much.  At his best, Getz will be a .285 average with a max of 15 homers and possibly 15-20 steals, but that would be if all goes well.

30.   Anderson Hernandez, Nationals
2008 stats:  .333 average, 0 home runs, 17 RBI, 11 runs, 0 steals (28 games)

Analysis: Hernandez was a good prospect for the Mets but he is more known for his glove. He’s never hit more than seven home runs in a season, even in the minor leagues. He also doesn’t have enough speed to make it worthwhile. Hernandez offers nothing as far as fantasy is concerned, so don’t bother with him.

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