The following rankings will be based off of their stats from the past 3 seasons, as well as what I feel they will produce in 2015 (remember fantasy owners, you are paying for what they will give you in the future, not for what they have already done). I am also taking into account the availability of each player. Those last two factors are big reasons for why you may see some players ranked higher than others. Essentially, this list ranks the best values because in the end, what matters most is not the player you get, but the value you get out of that player.
1. Robinson Cano, Mariners
I'll be the first to admit that I like to go against the grain when it comes to baseball analysis. However, in the case of Cano, the evidence for him being the best Second baseman in baseball is so overwhelming, that I can't ignore it. Simply put, even playing in a suppressed home ballpark, he's the best Second baseman in fantasy.
2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals
Rendon had quite the breakout season. What helps his case for being selected highly is not only the fact that he can be counted on for at least average production in each offensive category, but also having third base eligibility. There are a few reasons to expect a regression, specifically regarding his power and speed numbers. Nonetheless though, there aren't many players who have a mix of versatility for two relatively shallow positions, while also giving at least average production across the board.
3. Neil Walker, Pirates
This is where things get interesting. I made a couple of bold rankings like how I had Yasmani Grandal as a top five Catcher, or Adam Laroche as a top ten First baseman, but none compare to ranking Neil Walker as the third best Second baseman in fantasy. Now that that's out of the way, allow me to explain. Since 2012, Neil Walker has had the fifth highest wRC+ among Second baseman. He has also had the second most home runs, and the third highest ISO. The best part about Walker, he isn't even being selected in most formats until the 144th pick in most drafts. Basically he's at the #3 spot because of how much of a steal he's been in drafts every single year. And also the fact that he's hit like a top three Second baseman. He's also supposed to hit behind Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte... Yeah RBI opportunities galore.
4. Jose Altuve, Astros
After years of giving owners a good amount of speed and average, he turned those up to max volume last season. As much as his BABIP of .360 looks suspicious, his playing style is putting balls in play and using his speed to beat out said balls in play. As much as Altuve's low walk rate and high swing rate outside the zone is a bit concerning, he rarely misses. So even if pitchers adjust to his tendencies, he'll still be okay. I do expect Altuve's average to slip toward the high .290s, but considering his high stolen base total and what can end up being a very good lineup around him, he could very well hit .295-.300, steal 35 and score 100. Those are the stats of a fantasy monster.
5. Howie Kendrick, Dodgers
Years ago, experts predicted that Howie Kendrick would become a great hitter, eventually winning a batting title. Well, part of that is true. Kendrick may never win a batting title, but he doesn't have to. Kendrick has only hit below .280 once in his career. He also improved his walk rate last year, while cutting down on his strikeouts each season since 2011. Despite having power that ranges from below average to terrible, he has become a very difficult out, as evidenced by his career .341 BABIP, and making infield popups more like a holiday instead of a regularity. The icing on the cake? You can wait until the middle rounds to acquire him.
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| Credit to ESPN |
At first, I was planning on not even having Utley on this list. It isn't so much because of his ability or age, but because he won't have much support in the lineup this season. However, he still is playing in a very hitter friendly ballpark, while still showing good power. Is there a chance he'll get pitched around a bit? Sure there is, but seeing as how he isn't even being selected among the first 15 second baseman in most formats, he's worth selecting.
7. Ian Kinsler, Tigers
I have a confession to make. I personally don't like Ian Kinsler. In fact, I borderline hate him. However, my bias against Ian Kinsler as a person has no effect on where I ranked him (otherwise, he wouldn't have been on the list at all if it did). Ian Kinsler's fantasy production lies entirely on runs at this point, but I can't ignore the fact that he can also still mash the ball as evidenced by his 17 homers. The thing is though, he is starting to show that he isn't fully capable of holding it together in the second half. That is why I don't have Kinsler higher is that compared to where he is being drafted, he isn't providing owners with a return to warrant his selection.
8. Brian Dozier, Twins
If the season ended at the All-Star break, Dozier would have been a top three Second baseman. However, since it doesn't, I put Dozier here. What's interesting is how his average and everything else stayed the same with him, it was just that his power cratered. Compare his 18 home runs and .194 ISO in the 1st, to his 5 home runs and .143 ISO in the second half. I have a feeling it was more of pitchers getting the book on him. Pitchers knew Dozier's power zone is middle and up to up and in. Pitchers adjusted to this by giving him a steady diet of pitches that were down and/or away. His response? An comical wRC+ of -24, and an infield fly% of nearly 30 to the opposite field. All in all, draft Dozier with caution, as pitchers will likely continue to attack the outside part of the plate until he proves he can hit there. However, when he tried doing that in the second half last year, his power suffered. Could that continue? We'll see.
9. Kolten Wong, Cardinals
Talk about a roller coaster year. He went from being highly hyped after breaking camp with the Cardinals, to being sent down to Triple A at the end of the month, and after being called back up, finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. As much as I'd like to say I don't think Wong is anything special, he fared fine enough considering how he was only a rookie. I also think the Cardinals lineup can easily give him a good bump in the runs category. He also showed that he can provide a little bit of power, as evidenced by his 12 home runs in only 433 plate appearances.
10. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
This is the year where we find out if Pedroia is truly declining or not. Since 2011, he's seen his power jump off a cliff, as his ISO and home run counts have been slipping. What is in Pedroia's favor though, is his proficiency in putting balls in play, which as a result, will give him more chances to get on base and with a potent lineup behind him, he should be able to provide owners with a bundle of runs.
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| Courtesy of Rangers Blog |
Just Missed The Cut
1. Dan Murphy, Mets
I hope Kevin Long is right about Murph having a big year. He could be the push we need to inch us closer to playoff contention.
I hope Kevin Long is right about Murph having a big year. He could be the push we need to inch us closer to playoff contention.
2. Rougned Odor, Rangers
Power speed potential is very tantalizing. Not only that, but his home ballpark helps him out plenty. Very intriguing pick because of his high upside.
Power speed potential is very tantalizing. Not only that, but his home ballpark helps him out plenty. Very intriguing pick because of his high upside.
3. Dee Gordon, Marlins
I get that his speed is a game changer, but I just don't get what the hype about him is. Analysts and drafters alike are treating him like he's a top five Second baseman, but we can't forget that he has only produced like that for not even a full year, but just one half!
I get that his speed is a game changer, but I just don't get what the hype about him is. Analysts and drafters alike are treating him like he's a top five Second baseman, but we can't forget that he has only produced like that for not even a full year, but just one half!
Backups Who Could Become Starters
1. Jedd Gyorko, Padres
We know he is capable of hitting for power. We also know that Second baseman who can hit for power are rare and valuable. However, he had a disaster of a season. Yes it was in part due to plantar fasciitis, but we now know what his floor is. I see him as a boom or bust pick right now.
We know he is capable of hitting for power. We also know that Second baseman who can hit for power are rare and valuable. However, he had a disaster of a season. Yes it was in part due to plantar fasciitis, but we now know what his floor is. I see him as a boom or bust pick right now.
2. Scooter Gennett, Brewers
3. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
Power speed combo is enticing. So is his home ballpark and hitting around Paul Goldschmidt. However, his floor is so low, that he isn't worth drafting as a starter in anything other than deep league and NL only formats.
Power speed combo is enticing. So is his home ballpark and hitting around Paul Goldschmidt. However, his floor is so low, that he isn't worth drafting as a starter in anything other than deep league and NL only formats.
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