With the recent talk of a lingering injury to Chase Utley, Robinson Cano is out in front of fantasy players at second base. However, the second base position isn’t as shallow as many think. There’s a number of players with good numbers after the ten spot, so don’t panic if you don’t get Cano, Pedroia, Kinsler, or Uggla.
Robinson Cano to Dan Uggla
1. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees – Cano had his breakout year last season and carried the Yankees. He batted .319 with 29 HRs and 109RBIs. He should become better as he matures.
2. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox – In a shortened season (302 Abs), due to injury, Pedroia hit 12 homers with 41 runs batted in. His batted .288 with nine stolen bases. He should rebound from his injury and, with Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the lineup, should be more productive than ever.
3. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers – Kinsler seemingly never recovered from a high ankle sprain during the 2010 spring training. With just under 400 at-bats, Kinsler hit nine homers and 45 ribbies. He managed a .286 average and added 15 stolen bases. In the 2011 spring training games, Kinsler is ripping it with homers and stolen bases. He looks as healthy as ever.
4. Dan Uggla, Atlanta Braves – I had trouble trying to determine where to place Uggla and Brandon Phillips, but rated Uggla’s power a bit higher (33 HRs and 105RBIs) than Phillips’ speed. Both scored 100 runs and Uggla batted a slightly higher average (.287) than Phillips.
Brandon Phillips to Martin Prado
5. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds – Phillips stole 15 bases last season, but he also had 18 dingers and 59 runs batted in with a .275 batting average. He's solid, but also seems like he will do more.
6. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays – Look for Hill to return to his form in his 2009 breakout season with he had 36 homers and 108 RBIs. Last season, in a sophomore slump, he clouted 26 dingers with only 68 runs batted in and a disastrous .208 average. He batted .286 in 2009.
7. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies – Keep an eye on the tendonitis in Utley’s knee. There are whispers that it may be more than tendonitis. In 425 at-bats, Utley ripped 16 homers and knocked in 65 runs. He posted a .275 batting average with 13 stolen bases. If Utley seems healthy, move him up to the second or third spot.
8. Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves – Prado withstood nagging injuries last year as a leadoff hitter, but still posted the numbers with a .307 average with 15HRs and 66RBIs. With the addition of Uggla, Prado has to move to the outfield. He still qualifies at second base, but will qualify at outfield and third base as well and maybe first base in certain leagues.
Rickie Weeks to Kelly Johnson
9. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers – Weeks had some interesting numbers in 2010. He pounded 29 homers and 83 RBIs with 11 stolen bases and a .269 batting average. He’ll also grab lots of runs and hits, but for many years Weeks has disappointed fantasy owners and that stigma remains.
10. Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays – Speaking of disappointments – many jumped on the Zobrist bandwagon after an awesome 2009 season. He can play all sorts of positions, but in 2010 he played like a jack of all trades and a master of none. Double check to see how many positions he plays in your league. He managed 75 runs batted in with 24 stolen bases, but only batted .238 with just 10 homers. Look for him to improve.
11. Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles – Roberts only had 230 at-bats last season, but still had 12 stolen bases. That’s what teams will get with Roberts. He hit four homers with 15 RBIs and .278 average. Look at his 2009 stats for what to expect from his (16HRs, 79RBIS, 30SB, .283). That’s basically what he’s done over the last four years or so.
12. Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks – Johnson had a fine year with 26 home runs and 71 runs batted in. He managed 13 stolen bases and a respectable .284 average.
Howie Kendrick to Asdrubal Cabrera
13. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels – Once a hot prospect, he never panned out as many thought he would, but still has some nice numbers. He drove in 75 runs and had 14 stolen bases. He had 10 homers and batted .279.
14. Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox – Beckham has a lot of potential. Will it show this year or not? Last year in 444Abs, he posted nine homers and 49RBIs with a .252 batting average.
15. Chone Figgins, Seattle Mariners – Seattle signed him last years and were a little disappointed. Fantasy owners won’t see power from him (1HR, 35RBIs). He will nab 40-some bases like he does every year. His batting average flip-flops each year, so this should be a good year for him.
Others to watch: Mike Aviles (Royals), Neil Walker (Pittsburg), Ryan Baburn (Detroit),
Asdrubal Cabrera (Cleveland)
Terry Pruyne - I wrote for my high school and college newspapers on my way to teaching degrees in English and History. Later, I received a Masters Degree ...
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