Top 15 Fantasy Second Baseman for 2010: An Early Look

We’ve already covered catchers (click here to view) and first baseman (click here to view), so naturally second baseman are next on the schedule.  The position is certainly deeper then it once was, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a clear separation between the tiers.

Let’s take a look (keep in mind that these are going to be fluid throughout the offseason based on news, transactions and further research):

Tier 1
1. Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies
2. Ian Kinsler - Texas Rangers

Tier 2
3. Robinson Cano - New York Yankees
4. Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds
5. Brian Roberts - Baltimore Orioles

Tier 3
6. Ben Zobrist - Tampa Bay Rays
7. Aaron Hill - Toronto Blue Jays
8. Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox

Tier 4
9. Dan Uggla - Florida Marlins
10. Jose Lopez - Seattle Mariners

Tier 5
11. Ian Stewart - Colorado Rockies
12. Howie Kendrick - Los Angeles Angels
13. Rickie Weeks - Milwaukee Brewers
14. Asdrubal Cabrera - Cleveland Indians
15. Placido Polanco - Detroit Tigers

Thoughts

• Terrible average or not, Ian Kinsler went 30/30 last season. A ridiculously unlucky .243 BABIP certainly should not be repeated, meaning he could easily pair a .280+ average with all of those home runs and stolen bases. Even if he isn’t in the leadoff spot (Julio Borbon will likely be there), he’s going to be an asset across the board.
• Aaron Hill went from relatively obscure sleeper prior to the 2009 season to among he top 2B in baseball prior to 2010. While the power could take a step back (can he really repeat the 15.1 percent HR/FB), he easily should remain among the top performers at the position. Still, his ranking is tenuous at best and can go either way as the offseason and research progress.
• Brandon Phillips or Robinson Cano? That’s an interesting debate that we will be closing examining in the offseason.
• Will Dan Uggla remain on the Marlins in 2010? We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but where he ultimately ends up will certainly determine his potential value.
• Jose Lopez seems to enter 2010 the same way he did 2009, a value pick if you miss out on the top names off the board.
• Ian Stewart played 21 games at 2B, so he should be eligible there in most formats next season. He is likely going to be the Rockies starting 3B next season, with Garrett Atkins shipped out, but if that does not play out that way his value will quickly tumble.
• Howie Kendrick has been showing signs of all that potential we’ve been hearing about. As a last resort, he’s worth taking the gamble on because if he gets off to a slow start he’d be easily replaced on the waiver wire.

What are your thoughts on the early rankings?  Who is too high?  Who is too low?  Who was omitted that shouldn’t have been?

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