Looking At Fantasy Second Basemen In 2010

In honor of the greatest tournament in sports, here is the March Madness version of my fantasy second baseman rankings for 2010.

The Kansas Jayhawk Division

These are your No. 1 seeds. Here are the top eight second basemen headed into 2010.

1. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies. Utley is clearly the best second baseman in baseball right now. He brings everything to the table—hits, AVG, home runs, OBP, and even steals (he stole 23 bases last season). He also goes into 2010 completely healthy, which helps as well.

2. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox. I have Pedroia ranked higher than Ian Kinsler because of Pedroia’s ability to stay healthy. I expect Pedroia’s batting average to increase from the .296 it was last year.

3. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers. Kinsler will give you home runs, RBI, and steals, but prepare for inevitable stint on the DL at some point.

4. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees. I am not a fan of this guy at all, but as long as he is in the Yankees’ potent lineup and his head is on straight, he will continue to produce. Could top 100 RBI mark this season.

5. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays. After being knocked out with a concussion for most of the 2008 season, Hill came back with a vengeance in 2009. Hill led all second basemen in home runs (38) and RBI (108).

Beckham should have a breakout season

6. Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox. Beckham is the preseason candidate for breakthrough fantasy player. It’s quite possible Beckham could be ranked two or three on this list by the end of the season.

7. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds. If it wasn’t for Phillips’ low average and OBP, he would rank right up there with the likes of Utley and Kinsler. Pencil Phillips in for 20 plus home runs and 25 plus stolen bases.

8. Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays. Zobrist can play second, OF, SS, do the dishes, clean the clubhouse, what ever you want him to do. He is that versatile. However, I do expect a little drop in Zobrist’s numbers in 2010.

The Butler Bulldog Division

Very solid, won’t make many mistakes, but just right underneath the elite teams. Same can be said for these next four second basemen.

9. Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles. Normally Roberts would be higher on this list, but his back is really starting to scare me. As a matter of fact, he is flying back to Baltimore to get his back checked out. Never a good sign.

10. Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners. Lopez was my 21st ranked first baseman, but is the 10th ranked two-bagger. You can clearly see where his value lies in your draft.

11. Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins. His .243 avg last year doesn’t help, but he will get you 30 home runs. Uggla has hit 30 home runs in three straight seasons.

12. Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies. Stewart qualifies as a second baseman in most fantasy formats, which makes him tremendously valuable. Stewart won’t get you average or OBP, but will knock 25 plus home runs in Colorado.

The Purdue Boilermaker Division

The potential and ability is there, but an injury will derail their season.

13. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I am tired of trying to predict when Kendrick will have his breakout season. I am starting to think it will never happen.

14. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers. Weeks was well on his way to having a career season last year, but then wrist surgery ended that. Wrist surgery is tough to comeback from, so the jury is still out on Weeks.

The Richmond Spider Division

You know I had to include an A10 team on this list. They are good and have the potential to be a sleeper, but I am not expecting much in the big dance or in the way of a big season for these second baseman.

15. Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians. Cabrera will get you runs, average, and some steals. Other than that, not much else.

16. Clint Barmes, Colorado Rockies. Very quietly, Barmes put up 23 home runs and 76 RBI last season. The .294 OBP is a killer though.

17. Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers. McGehee will mostly play third this year, but qualifies as a second baseman. Could pop between 15-20 home runs next season.

18. Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves. Prado took over for Kelly Johnson last year in Atlanta and took advantage of the opportunity. Prado hit 11 home runs and hit .307 in 450 AB's.

Polanco should score plenty of runs in Philly

19. Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies. Polanco’s numbers will be helped out by batting second in the dangerous Phillies’ lineup. He should top 100 runs scored this year.

20. Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks. After seeing his average and OPS decline three straight seasons, Johnson is a classic change of scenery guy for me in 2010. I expect him to enjoy a season like his 2007 season: .276/16/68.

21. Orlando Hudson, Minnesota Twins. If Hudson can stay healthy then he could move up on this list. He is essentially a .285/9/60/.350 player these days.

22. Skip Schumaker, St. Louis Cardinals. To give you an idea how weak the second base class is this year, Schumaker would rank in the 80's amongst fantasy outfielders. The only thing he can do is get you average.

23. Akinori Iwamura, Pittsburgh Pirates. Going from the Rays to the Pirates will certainly hurt Iwamura’s RBI and runs numbers. Still good for a .290 average and about 6 home runs.

24. Mark Ellis, Oakland A’s. If only this guy could stay healthy, he would be a top-15 second baseman. When he is on the field he is actually pretty decent. He did hit 10 home runs in 355 AB’s last year.

The Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lion Division

Draft any of these guys and you will be one and done like Arkansas Pine Bluff.

25. Freddy Sanchez, San Francisco Giants.

26. Adam Kennedy, Washington Nationals. There is no way he repeats his 2009 season, and he might not even have a starting job this year.

27. Scott Sizemore, Detroit Tigers. I have him a bit low, but I think he can win the AL Rookie of the Year award.

28. Jeff Baker, Chicago Cubs.

29. Kaz Matsui, Houston Astros.

30. Luis Castillo, New York Mets. Despite everything, Castillo did manage a .302 average and 20 stolen bases last year.

31. Chris Getz, Kansas City Royals.

I will continue going around the horn and will tackle the short stop position next.

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