Fantasy Baseball 2011 Rankings: Robinson Cano and The Top 10 Second Basemen

Second base is a position that has been getting deeper and deeper with the emergence of Robinson Cano and Chase Utley over the last half decade, there are more options for fantasy owners.

Rickie Weeks and Dustin Pedroia form a nice second tier for second basemen, and there are plenty of third tier guys who will serve your team just fine.

So, what was once a shallow position and the cause of concern for many fantasy owners has become a position that many teams can plug in one guy for the season without worry.

Here are the top 10 second basemen for 2011.

10. Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 29: Gordon Beckham #15 of the Chicago White Sox hits the ball against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on August 29, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Beckham had a sophomore slump in 2010, hitting .252 with nine home runs and 49 RBI in 131 games.

In 2009, he hit 14 home runs and drove in 63 runs in only 103 games.

So, this year will be a barometer for the rest of his career probably. Will he return to his 2009 production or stay at his 2010 production?

I'm thinking he'll sort things out and get back to the way he was during his rookie campaign.

9. Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 09: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays on deck against the Texas Rangers during game 3 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Zobrist should still be eligible at second base in 2011 in most leagues.

He plays just about everywhere though, so if you need a guy to play in multiple spots, he's the one.

He hit only .238 last season, but he still popped 10 home runs and had 75 RBI.

Not bad production for a second baseman, and he should improve on that this season.

8. Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves

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ATLANTA - AUGUST 31: Martin Prado #14 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single to right field in the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field on August 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Prado will probably play mostly at first and third base this season with Atlanta's acquisition of Dan Uggla this offseason.

But, he'll still be eligible at second base for the 2011 season and might fill in there on Uggla's off days.

Prado hit .307 with 15 home runs and 66 RBI last year.

The Braves will need him to match those numbers if they want to compete for the playoffs again this year.

7. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 06: Second baseman Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds takes an at bat against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 6, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Reds 10-5. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Ima

Phillips only had 59 RBI last season, despite being in the most loaded Reds' lineup in recent history.

That's an alarming statistic. If he can't produce behind Joey Votto and Scott Rolen, he's going to lose fantasy value.

So, if you can get him in one of the middle rounds, do it, but don't overpay for Phillips this season.

6. Dan Uggla, Atlanta Braves

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SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 29: Dan Uggla #6 of the Florida Marlins bats against the San Francisco Giants during an MLB game at AT&T Park on July 29, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

We all know that if you need power from the second base spot, you pick Dan Uggla.

He hit .287 with 33 home runs and 105 RBI in 2010, great numbers for any position.

Those numbers were all career highs though, so don't get too excited about Uggla in 2011.

With a new team, he'll probably see his production dip more towards his career averages.

But, he's still a great second baseman if you can grab him.

5. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Ian Kinsler #5 of the Texas Rangers hits a sacrifice fly to score Michael Young #10 against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning of Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Oc

I may be slightly biased towards Kinsler because he went to Mizzou, but he has a lot of potential.

He hit nine home runs and drove in 45 runs in 103 games last season.

If he stays healthy, he should do a lot better than that in 2011, especially in the Rangers' loaded lineup.

4. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

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SAN FRANCISCO - JUNE 25: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox warms up against the San Francisco Giants during an MLB game at AT&T Park on June 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Pedroia will be back at the start of the season most likely, so there's no reason to pass on him in your draft.

In his limited action in 2010 (75 games), Pedroia hit .288 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI.

If he's back and healthy in 2011, he should put up career-highs with the additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez in the offseason.

3. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers

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ATLANTA - JULY 15: Rickie Weeks #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Weeks had a full season in 2010 and showed flashes of brilliance.

He hit .269 with 29 home runs and 83 RBI batting ahead of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.

If he can continue his healthy ways, he'll be a major factor in Milwaukee this season.

Therefore, you're going to want to get him on your team.

2. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs off the field after turing a double play against the San Francisco Giants in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Phila

Utley played in only 115 games in 2010 but still hit .275 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI.

He's definitely one of the top two second basemen in the game, and if he can play a full, healthy season, he's going to put up some elite numbers.

Playing in Philadelphia helps the power numbers, and his average should improve when he's fully healthy.

1. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees round the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the second inning against Tommy Hunter #35 of the Texas Rangers look on in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadi

Cano rose to the levels of superstar last season, hitting .319 with 29 home runs and 109 RBI for the Yankees.

In a small ballpark with lots of superstars in the lineup, Cano has a great chance of exceeding those numbers in 2011.

His swing is the prettiest swing I've seen since Ken Griffey, Jr.

He makes what he does look effortless, and that's a big reason why he'll be the best second baseman in the league in 2011.