Top 15 Fantasy Second Baseman for 2010: Take Two

Second base is clearly a position that has one or two elite players, but that next tier of guys certainly is better than it once was.  Once thought of as a weak position, there are late round draft picks with the potential to be in the Top Five at year’s end.  Let’s take a look at how the rankings currently look:

1. Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies
2. Ian Kinsler - Texas Rangers
3. Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds
4. Robinson Cano - New York Yankees
5. Ben Zobrist - Tampa Bay Rays
6. Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox
7. Aaron Hill - Toronto Blue Jays
8. Brian Roberts - Baltimore Orioles
9. Jose Lopez - Seattle Mariners
10. Ian Stewart - Colorado Rockies
11. Dan Uggla - Florida Marlins
12. Howie Kendrick - Los Angeles Angels
13. Clint Barmes - Colorado Rockies
14. Rickie Weeks - Milwaukee Brewers
15. Scott Sizemore - Detroit Tigers

Thoughts

• Cano vs. Phillips is likely a debate that is going to rage on throughout the offseason. At this point, I am ranking Phillips first, thanks to a huge advantage in stolen bases (though Cano likely has the edge in runs, home runs and average). Still, Phillips is close enough in the other categories that the speed gives him an edge.
• Brian Roberts’ speed has seemingly been diminishing each of the past few seasons. Considering that is where is value rests, he has to be downgraded heading into 2010.
• I have to admit, I am a now a believer in Ben Zobrist. He’s going to come off the board after Dustin Pedroia in most formats, so don’t reach too high to grab him. Still, if he’s sitting there towards the end of the fifth round, I wouldn’t hesitate.
• Jose Lopez is currently the big bat in the middle of a lineup led by Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins. You have to like his potential for RBI, don’t you?
• The difference between Ian Stewart and Dan Uggla? The speed potential that Stewart has. That’s the reason for Stewart being ranked ahead of him at this point.
• Even with his move to Philadelphia, Placido Polanco falls off from our initial Top 15 rankings. While the runs scored should benefit from the move, he still has little upside in both power and speed.
• I’ve talked about Scott Sizemore in the past (click here to view) and am extremely high on his upside potential.  With Polanco officially gone, he is now clearly the team’s second baseman for 2010 and with Curtis Granderson traded, has that much more of a chance to hit towards the top of the team’s lineup.  That just makes him seem all that more attractive, no?

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

Previous Early Rankings:

• Catchers
• First Baseman
• Third Baseman
• Shortstops
• Outfielders
• Starting Pitchers
• Closers

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