1.) Dustin Pedroia, Boston- Though my original draft of the rankings had Chase Utley valued more than Pedroia, I seem to forget that what makes this Red Sox second baseman so valuable is his ability to effect at least five categories positively. He will probably have the best batting average at second, score the most runs, and hit a good amount of homers and drive in the most home runs. His injury never factored into my rankings, because he told fans that there was nothing to worry about. At 5′6″ this kid was the AL MVP last season. Wow…. Just Wow…
2.) Chase Utley, Philadelphia- Power baby! Power! Like Pedroia, I believe that Chase Utley is completely healthy, despite his hip issues. A good point was brought up with Matt Berry and Nate Ravitz brought up the point that it will be less and less likely that Utley will have 20 steals in 2009, because of that hip. Either way he should snag about ten, and that is enough to take him in the first round. Utley had a .915 OPS with 104 RBIs and 33 dingers in 2008. According to reports he is ahead of his original timetable, and it already playing spring training games.
3.) Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati- Phillips is another mult-category second baseman with power, speed, and he does a pretty solid job throwing the hammer down. He has three full seasons behind him, and will now be smack dab in the middle of the Reds order. This is a guy that has led the National League in runs, stolen bases, and single at one time. He is a power speed threat, that should see an increase in average this season.
4.) Ian Kinsler, Texas- I am one of the few that isn’t quite on the Kinsler bandwagon. If he can play his first full healthy season, Kinsler could put up some pretty solid numbers. He will add steals. What makes him dangerous is his 20/20 value. Expect a .320 average with at least 18 homers and 65 RBIs, accompanied by a 20 stolen base season.
5.) Brian Roberts, Baltimore- You have to love the fact that Roberts will steal at least 30 bases, score one hundred runs and drive in somewhere around 50 runs. He is turning 31 but it is a contract year for Mr. Roberts. Double digit homers should be expected, though it probably won’t exceed the low teens. Consistency is the key here as well. Roberts has played at least 155 games in the last two seasons. With a better offense around him, Roberts numbers could improve.
6.) Alexei Ramirez, White Sox- A great balance of speed, power and getting on base. In Ramirez’s rookie season, he put up 21 homers and 77 RBIs. I really like Ramirez because he will be eligible at two positions and has such potential in so many categories. I think a slight increase of steals could be in order as well. Generally though, when you increase speed, you decrease power.
7.) Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels- With Mike Scioscia stating that Kendrick will most likely fill the second hole in the lineup, Kendrick’s fantasy value skyrocketed. He is already a good slap hitter, with a solid average, but with a healthy season, he could produce pretty solid power numbers. In July, one of Kendrick’s more healthy months, he drove in 19 of his 37 runs. imagine if he could do that all season. This is a bit of a reach pick, but with his potential, he is worth drafting if you take a strong shortstop earlier in the draft.
8. Dan Uggla, Florida- The most power at the second base position, Uggla continues to define his power numbers. If you draft a speedy outfielder and need to make up for power, Uggla is your guy. He will strike out a bunch and his average will hurt you, but Uggla is continiously improving his ability to take a base. For those of you worried about Uggla’s second half breakdown after his horrendous all-star game, It seems that he has finally cleared that from his head. Remember, his average has been fluctuant in his first three seasons, but the power numbers have always been there.
9.) Jose Lopez, Seattle- As always, chances are that Jose Lopez will get looked over on your draft day. If he does, jump. Did you see his World Baseball Classic performance? Jose put up a 1.398 OPS in the WBC, just amazing. Lopez was among the top four in batting average, hits, doubles and RBIs among big-league second basemen last year. At age 25, and a better lineup around him, his numbers can only get better. I honestly think he should be the third Mariner off the board, behind King Felix and Ichiro.
10). Robinson Cano, New York- Cano would have a lot more value in 2009, if i could prove he would have a comeback season, after horrid 2008 performance. I am almost convinced that he will rebound average wise, considering that after hitting .151 in April, he rebounded with a post all-star .302 average. He will offer a bit of pop this season as well, I think we see a bit of an increase in power at the new Yankee Stadium. He is going to post 70+ RBIs and come close to hitting .300. Not a bad option in the middle rounds and when all of the top second baseman are off the board.
11. Placido Polanco, Detroit- want a spark plug? Someone that will score at least 100 runs? How about a perennial .300 hitter? Polanco then is your guy. Sure, he isn’t going to hit double digit home runs, but he will drive in at least 50 RBIs. Even better, he will almost automatically score 85+ runs. He is the cheaper version of Ichiro, minus the stolen bases.
12.) Mark DeRosa, Cleveland- I’m not expecting DeRosa to smack 20 dingers yet again in 2009, but his combination of power and average are what puts him as high as twelve. He has hit in the .280s or higher since 2006, when he began playing full time. What makes him so valuable too is his ability to play all over the field. A valuable guy that for some reason, might be hanging around the waiver wire to start the season.
13.) Mike Aviles, Kansas City- I usually don’t like to take someone off his first season, that didnt show anything but average in his first season, but it seems that Aviles could be the real thing. He did obtain double digit homers and twenty seven doubles. RBI wise, he was consistent, but what scares me is his strikeout rate. Aviles struck out more each month played as pitchers began figuring him out. WIth that being said, the youngster isn’t quite the walk machine either. At a weak position though, Avilies is top 20 material.
14.) Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee- The Brewers don’t really have a lead off hitter, and Ken Macha has considered moving Jason Kendall back up to the top of the order. Weeks is still in the hunt to hit second in the order, which I think suits Weeks well. His average is atrocious, but he gets on base pretty well. He takes a lot of walks, and drives in a lot of runs. In 2009, I believe he gets back to the 20+ stolen bases.
15.) Kelly Johnson, Atlanta- Solid average, and decent power numbers for a second baseman. He will be in double digits, with a solid .280 or higher average. Johnson is a sleeper pick, that could produce. Last season he did hit in the three hole at points, and with Chipper being hurt, it could be possible. At the two slot, he will score a lot of runs in this lineup. Especially with the emergence of a healthy Chipper Jones and Garrett Anderson.
16.) Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh- Sanchez is just a category guy that will help your team average. He starts off slow generally, but picks it up after the all-star break. I am more about trading for Sanchez later in the year than drafting him, because he really has no upside. He could be of real value if he gets back to his 80+ RBI performances in 2006 and 2007.
17. Orlando Hudson, Dodgers- The new dodger second baseman will hit for good average, because he always has. His speed and power though, continue to decrease. Despite this decrease, Hudson had the highest OPS of his career the last two years (.817). Hudson is a great late addition in mixed money leagues as a one dollar sleeper buy. I wouldn’t target him though.
18. Kaz Matsui, Astros- A solid average and stolen base ability is what I like from Kaz. He is more than just a flier, because he gets on base at a regular rate. With Michael Bourn hitting second, you would think Matsui’s percentage of being in scoring position will increase. There is not going to be any power from the former Rockies starter, but he will keep your lineup balanced. Not a bad backup to keep in mind late in drafts.
19.) Felipe Lopez, Arizona- Lopez will take over Orlando Hudson’s job in Arizona. After his tear with the Cardinals in 2008, there is good reason to take Felipe Lopez in your upcoming draft. In 2006 and 07, he was a very valuable fantasy option because of his ability to steal bases, but it doesn’t seeem he will ever get back to the 44 plateu he hit in 2006. But there is potential for 20+ production in the basepaths. Lopez is hard to gauge because of his streaky demeanor.
20.) Ian Stewart, Colorado- I am probably cheating here, because Stewart doesn’t officially register as a second baseman. Manager Clint Hurdle though has been working him out at the position, and It seems that Stewart can be one of those guys that is comparable to a DeRosa. He could bring some speed, power, and a pretty good average on the table. Stay tuned to the Stewart news. If he becomes the everyday second baseman, then you could have yourself a steal.
FanSided