'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!) |
Ian Kinsler (TX) – If not for a sports hernia that cost him the final quarter of the 2008 season, Kinsler's final numbers would had been monstrous. In addition to a .319 batting average, Kinsler was on pace for 130+ runs (which would had led MLB), 25 HR, close to 100 RBI, and 30+ steals. And at age 26, barring any other injuries, Kinsler should be headed to his very peak. This five-category stud playing in one of MLB's best offensive parks is very deserving of the #1 ranking at the position headed into this year.
Dustin Pedroia (BOS) – I had this guy ranked #19 at the position heading into last year - what was I thinking?? An absolutely crazy stretch from late August into early September helped spur Pedroia to the top of a wide-open American League Most Valuable Player race, which he eventually won. His home run and stolen base totals are good, but not spectacular. What you are banking on would be an insane amount of runs and a batting average of well over .300. Only problem is as a Red Sox player he will not be overlooked in drafts and bidding will probably be off the hook in auction formats. Pedroia has indeed emerged into one of the best players at his position, but he is also the type of player who is slightly more valuable in real life than in fantasy baseball. 
Chase Utley (PHI) – For the first two months of last season, this was the most valuable player in fantasy baseball, as Utley was on pace for 55 HR/130 RBI – but from June 1 on he was simply not the same player, leaving many to wonder if he was trying to play through an injury. It turned out that Utley did indeed need extensive off-season hip surgery, leaving his status for the start of the '09 season in doubt. Utley remains confident that he will answer the bell on opening day, while others believe it could be as late as June before Utley rejoins the Phillie lineup. Best case scenario, Utley is ready for the opener – but even then it may take a while to regain his early '08 stroke – if not for that Chase would definitely be worthy of #1 on this list. 
Alexei Ramirez (CWS) – This Cuban defector was the steal of many drafts last year, immediately making it to the show and contributing in all five categories (.290/65/21/77/13 in 136 games). MLB pitchers have now had the winter figuring out how to get this guy out, so his numbers could decline some, but he is the real deal. 
Brian Roberts (BAL) – Most of what you hear about Roberts usually comes form Mitchell Report scuttlebutt and trade rumors, but ignore all that and you have a solid .290 hitter with 100+ runs and 40 steals. He's not much of a power guy, but the other three categories more than make up for it, no matter what uniform he eventually lands in. 
Brandon Phillips (CIN) – His stats were just so slightly off the 30-30 pace of last year when his season ended prematurely in September with a broken finger. He's in his prime though, and he has a decent lineup around him even with Adam Dunn and Griffey Jr. now gone, along with a bandbox for a home park. I see a huge drop between the top six second basemen and the rest of the field, if Utley is close to ready when your draft is being held and five of the six are taken, this would be a good time to take Phillips or Roberts or whomever may be available at this point. 
Robinson Cano (NYY) – Last year was a significant drop numbers wise, from a .308 average, 93 runs/97 RBI to .271/70/72. Smart money says RC bounces back, considering the fact that he doesn't strike out much and will have a bit of an upgraded lineup hitting behind him. Cano is still only 26, so there is no reason why this can't be a career year. 
Dan Uggla (FL) – There aren't many second basemen who average 30 home runs per year, not to mention Uggla averaging 100+ runs per year during that same span. My problem with Uggla is that he is an 0-20 slump waiting to happen, and he had a more extended slump in the second half last year hitting .226. I'd rather get my 30+ home run guys from the outfield or one of the corner infield spots and concentrate on runs, average, and steals from this position – but I guess going inside out could be an option too.
Rickie Weeks (MIL) – Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me, screw me six times.... You know it's going to happen, the year you decide you are not going to risk it on Rickie Weeks will be the year everything comes together, and he definitely has the skill set to do so. It took an improved second half just to get his final average to hover around .235 for the second consecutive year, which by that time his shaky defense to go along with his shaky offense was costing him playing time. I have a feeling it may take a change of address for Rickie to turn his career around, but you have to consider him mid-rounds just on the potential, but have back-up plans just in case. 
Jose Lopez (SEA) – As absolutely rotten as the Mariners were last season, Lopez was a true bright spot as he hit .297 in 644 AB's with 17 HR/89 RBI. He doesn't have much of a lineup around him, but he's still only 25 and if his power improves just a bit more he will easily be a top-ten second baseman. 
Kaz Matsui (HOU) – In just 200 games over the last two years, Kaz has stolen 52 bases, an impressive number along with a nice .290 average during that period. The problem has been a myriad of injuries over the past few years. If he stays healthy he should be fine, but at age 33 the speed could diminish.
Howie Kendrick (ANG) – His hitting for average is just fine, hitting over .300 the last two years. But his lack of durability and not taking a lot of walks are turnoffs. You also would like to have someone at the position to show either some power or speed, and Kendrick only shows up somewhat in the speed department. The fact that he has youth on his side yet keeps Howie ranked amongst the second tier.
Placido Polanco (DET) – The veteran has hit well over .300 averaging close to 100 runs scored the last two seasons. He won't help you much in the power or SB areas but excelling in the other two categories alone at least makes him reliable.
Mark DeRosa (CLE) – He's coming off a very solid offensive year, finishing .285/103/21/87, but the Cubs found him expendable. I can't see him falling off too much in Cleveland as opposed to the North Side, but at the very least I don't see him approaching 100 runs again. At age 34 he is viewed as a one-year stop-gap by the Indians, who will use him primarily at third base where he was also eligible last year. 
Kelly Johnson (ATL) – The numbers for his first two major league seasons are good, but not spectacular, about a .280 average, double-digit homers (as in about 12-15), double digit steals, and about 90 runs. The A-T-L does not look at Johnson as a long-term solution at the position, so be aware that he could find the bench at any time.
Ryan Theriot (CHC) – Played 37 games at second last year, making The Riot eligible there as well as shortstop. That and stealing 20+ bases the last two years and hitting +.300 last season has him being worth at least a few bucks on the auction table. 
Mike Aviles (KC) – In his first full season at age 27, Aviles ended up hitting a spectacular .325 in over 400 AB's with decent power/speed numbers (12 HR/8 SB). His late-bloomer status tempers expectations for future improvement but there's enough of a sample size from last year to prove his numbers weren't that much of a fluke. Also eligible at SS.
Alexi Casilla (MN) – Like many of the second basemen towards the bottom of this list, Casilla didn't offer much in the power/speed categories last year, but hit a nice .280 in his first full season. But at age 24 there is room for improvement, and take note that Casilla stole 35 bases between the minors and the Show in 2007. There is potential for 20+ SB's this year if things break right.
Akinori Iwamura (TB) – Moved from third base (where he is no longer eligible) to second last year. Offers a decent .280-like average. Is a great run-scorer with 173 runs in 275 career MLB games, translated over a season in which he plays 150 games, that would translate into 94 runs. Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE) – Really found himself in the last 62 games of last year, hitting .320 with 33 RBI. Did not steal much with the big club last year, but stole 25 bases in the Cleveland farm system in 2007.
Clint Barmes (COL) – After getting sent to the minors in 2007, Barmes had a nice comeback last year – reaching double-figures in both home runs and stolen bases while playing 107 games, translated over a full season, Barmes could potentially push for a 20-20 season. Problem is there are other middle-infield possibilities in Colorado. Also a trade away from Colorado would be a killer for Barmes, last year he hit .330 at Coors Field as opposed to .249 on the road.
Felipe Lopez (AZ) – Quick, who hit for the highest batting average in MLB after being acquired in a late season trade last year. No it was not the outfielder who got traded from Boston to the Dodgers – it was Lopez, who hit .385 with the Cardinals in 43 games after hitting all of .234 with Washington – so sometimes the team can make all the difference. So what does this mean for Lopez playing in Arizona. Well, Lopez was a top-ten fantasy second baseman a couple years back when he was coming off a 44 SB season, but he only swiped eight bags last year. You can hope that he gets the green light more this year than he did with his previous two teams.
Mark Ellis (OAK) – Flirted with 20 HR's in 2007, and would have flirted with 20 HR/20 steals if his 2008 season hadn't ended in August. Now for the negatives, Ellis is not a great average hitter and has been dogged by injuries in three of his last four seasons. Also, Ellis is no longer a pup at age 31.
Blake DeWitt (LA) – Was a popular early season pick-up after making a good first impression at third base, then saw action at second later in the year with less positive results. DeWitt will be battling veteran Mark Loretta for playing time this season. Jeff Baker (COL) – His 2008 power numbers (12 HR/48 RBI) over 299 AB's would translate well if doubled over a full season. Also qualifies at first base and could fill in there if Todd Helton still has injury problems. Baker's slugging percentage at Coors Field last year was .590 as opposed to .407 on the road. Orlando Hudson (FA) – One of a number of free agents who remain unsigned even as the Cactus League and Grapefruit circuit camps are opening up, who will probably end up signing a far less lucrative contract than originally envisioned. Hudson is coming off a broken wrist, which is part of the concern of potential suitors. Even when healthy, Hudson is not a big power guy and doesn't produce a lot of RBI, even though he batted #3 much of the season for Arizona last year. 
Emmanuel Burriss (SF) – He is definitely worth a big swing in the later stages of drafts, the stolen base potential is enormous after stealing 68 bases in the minors in 2007 as well as 13 steals in a half-season with the big club last year. Burriss's defense is questionable however, so holding down the starting spot is not a total lock, but still woth consideration over some of the lower-level starters.
Freddy Sanchez (PIT) – After unexpectedly winning the National League batting title a few years back, Sanchez's average has slipped considerably the past two seasons. Sanchez doesn't offer much in the other categories and doesn't have the greatest offense around him. 
Aaron Hill (TOR) – Hit 17 home runs back in '07, but missed most of last season with the dreaded post-concussion syndrome. Good news is that Hill is said to have resumed his normal workout activities during the winter, but it remains to be seen if he can regain the rigors of every day baseball duty – as you can ask former Blue Jay Corey Koskie how quickly post-concussion problems can derail a career. Brendan Harris (MN) – If you like someone with multiple position eligibility to help fill some holes over the season, Harris is your man – he qualifies at second, short, and third – and hits for a decent average with a little bit of pop. Not a sexy option, but a reliable one for late in the draft. 
Luis Castillo (NYM) – Still managed to steal 17 bases in a half-season's worth of work last year, but Castillo's game is eroding quickly. The Mets will likely look at other options in the not-too-distant future. Mike Fontenot (CHC) – Projected to be in a platoon with Aaron Miles this coming season, the left-hander showed some pop (.514 slg pct) in just under 250 AB's last year.
Anderson Hernandez (WSH) – Has not been thought of as a hot prospect, but hit .333 with 17 RBI in a month's worth of AB's late last year, then finished second in the MVP balloting in the Dominican Winter League. Be warned though there will be plenty of competition in Washington this spring. Ronnie Belliard (WSH) – Another versatile option, Belliard is eligible at first, second, and third base, and has hit in the .290 range the past two years and even produced more power than you might expect last year, hitting 11 home runs in just under 300 AB's.
Adam Kennedy (STL) – His days of fantasy usefulness are quickly winding down if it hasn't done so already. Kennedy also reportedly wanted out of St. Louis in the off-season but imagine there wasn't much interest. Danny Richar (CIN) – Has always hit well in the minors but has never been quite able to make it in the show. There is an opening at shortstop with the Reds this spring, where Richar has played in the past. Chris Getz (CWS) – At age 25, Getz has a good chance at cracking the show after hitting .300 with 11 HR/11 SB in the minors last season. Alexei Ramirez is expected to move to shortstop, which opens up the second base competition. Eugenio Velez (SF) – Much like teammate Emmanuel Burriss, Velez has a gigantic stolen base pedigree on his minor league resume – but is questionable defensively. See who makes it out of camp between he and Burriss and you can find a late-round 'steal'. Emilio Bonifacio (FL) – Has bounced around from the D-Backs to the Nationals to the Marlins in the last year. Bonifacio steals some bases which may make him useful for fantasy purposes and the Marlins will definitely love him for now since he is cheap labor. Look for Emilio to see playing time when (not if) the Marlins trade Dan Uggla.
Edgar Gonzalez (SD) – Adrian's brother is looked at as little more than a stopgap by the Padres, who look at Joe Antonelli as their future second baseman. But Antonelli does not have much of a bat, which may once again make Edgar a fallback option. Last year's opening day starter in San Diego last year was Tad Iguchi, he is no longer in the picture as he has returned to Japan. Eric Patterson (OAK) – Another late round stolen base alert, Patterson came over to Oakland in the Rich Harden trade last summer. Patterson's positions are left field as well as second, where he is blocked currently behind Matt Holliday and Mark Ellis, jump on the waiver wire as soon as an injury or trade involving one of those two occur. Mark Loretta (LA) – After a couple of outstanding years with the Padres a few years back, including hitting .335 back in 2004, Loretta has hit in the .280 range the last four seasons. Loretta saw action at all four infield positions with the Astros last year, but opens this year only eligible at second. Joe Inglitt (TOR) – Was pressed into action after Aaron Hill's season ending injury last year, and ended up flirting with .300 in well over 300 AB's. At very worst he will see utility duty with the Jays this year.
Mark Grudzielanek (FA) – Remains a very solid hitter, going .297, .302, and .299 the last three years. Gruds has spent the off-season saying that he feels like at age 38 he has two, three, or maybe even four good years left in him. His strategy this year is to latch onto a contender, so whether he ends up expect it to be in a role capacity rather than starting. Ray Durham (FA) – Is still a very good professional hitter and made a solid contribution to the Brewers playoff drive., but only saw modest interest in the free agent market this winter and at last report was contemplating retirement.