CAN’T KNOCK THE HUSTLE: 2B Loaded With “40/40″ Type of Guys: 2010 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS: Second Base (2B)
Remember way back when secondbase was a position that you put your smallest guy ? Or weakest arm? A defensive-minded position manned by someone who might have batted eighth? Quick, speedy, team-oriented, always hustling. Moved runners over, sacrificed bunted, took pitches. Do whatever it took to help the ballclub win. The position didn’t call for offense which was always typically left for corner infielders and corner outfielders. Mazeroski. Willie. Sweet Lou. Brian Roberts.
It seems like it was always dominated by one or two guys, then everyone else, almost like the modern day C spot. Over history, a couple 2B usually starred for stints, then passed the torch to the other generations. Hornsby. Robinson. Morgan. Ryno. Alomar Jr. Utley.
Today, the 2B position offers fantasy owners a shot at drafting some versatile players who can help in all five rotisserie categories. These young men fortify a position that offers everything from .320AVG. to 30HR to 30SB. Depth at the position is pretty good, but numbers begins to drop off quickly after the TOP 10. And you don’t want to be stuck with Kelly Johnson or Orlando Hudson if you could have drafted Cano or Uggla a couple rounds earlier.
This year, Chase Utley of the Phillies once again leads the list of top players at this position. He has an American league-type lineup playing in a hitter-friendly Citizens Park. He puts up monster numbers and helps in all five categories. 40/40 loves that type of production.
Not only does he do it with the bat, but also does it in the field; he is one of the best defensive 2B in baseball as well. Mr. Utley is in his own tier at the top of the pyramid, followed by tier 2, Ian Kinsler. Some see Kinsler in the same category, some might see him as the #1 this year, some have him 4 or 5. Until I see Kinsler do it for a full 162, he sits in the 2-hole for me. The rest of the TOP 10 can really fall many ways since each of these guys brings a lot to the table. Predictions are just luck and past averages meeting half way. A guy like Ian Kinsler, Brandon Phillips might end up 30/30, 25/25 this year. Fantasy 40/40 loves power/speed combos and 2B has them. So does Pedroia at 12/20. But that’s what I’m saying; it’s really a crap shoot and roll of the dice when it comes to drafting a player. I tend to draft skills rather than stats. Each of these 10-12 guys offer a nice advantage at a weaker position. You can find guys that will put up 10/10 or 15/10 later in the draft (K. Johnson, C. Barmes).
2010 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS AND PROJECTIONS: 2B
TIER 1
1. Chase Utley PHI - The guy can do it all. Field. Throw. Run. Hit. He hits third in a great lineup and in front of 45HR guy, Ryan Howard. He should continue to be the position’s best this year and improve on his numbers from ‘09. He will have a full off-season to rest and no worries about hips this year. He might not clip the 30SB mark again, but Utley is plus plus in 5 categories at a weak position. That’s why his value is so high. .302-33-116-109-22.
TIER 2
2. Ian Kinsler TEX – This Texas youngster is Fantasy 40/40 material. He was 31/31 last year in a short season and should see more AB this year. His average suffered a bit (.253) as a result of the power increase, but should even out next year somewhere in the .270’s. He’ll be that magic age of 27 at the start of the season and might very well end up 2010’s best 2B. His average is the only thing separating Kinsler from Utley. A lot of projections have around the same number of AB, 500-575 as the past couple years, predicting injury. If he stays healthy, finally, expect Ian to put up big numbers in Arlington for Coach Ron Washington. .274-34-108-106-30.
TIER 3
3. Aaron Hill TOR – I know. I know. You hate it. But fact is a lot of people can’t get a grasp on Hill, since many fantasy people had not heard about Hill in Toronto. He lost a lot of ‘08 with concussion after effects and headaches. In ‘09, Hill had a career year as a 27-year-old breakout. He posted .286-36-108-13-6. Snap. Can he repeat in ‘10? Possibly, not probably, but I’m on the bandwagon. .281-28-92-88-4.
4. Dustin Pedroia BOS – This little monster is loving life with the Big Monster. Pedroia batted .318 at home, compared to .273 on the road in ‘09. He also more HR and RBI (10-46) at home than on the road (5-26). Some care, I don’t. He still manages to play great ball and win in Beantown. This former ASU standout will produce at the top of Francona’s lineup and should help any owner who takes him in the 3rd or 4th RD. .312-14-64-109-17.
5. Robinson Cano NYY – “Seven’s the number. You can’t even break a sweat in six minutes.” 27. 27 is the number. 27 is the age of Cano for the ‘10 season. That magical number seems to be the theme this year as many young stars are looking for their breakout/career seasons statistically. Many in baseball believe 27 is “the year” and right in most primes. And past numbers help prove this. Cano now plays in a great hitters park for LH and his smooth stroke should take advantage of this. Guys like ARod and Teixiera help too. .308-24-88-82-4.
6. Brandon Phillips CIN - This former Indian prospect and current Red standout still produces for fantasy owners. 20/25 in ‘09, Phillips is a RH bat between Bruce and Votto. He should also benefit from playing in a Williamsport ballpark. If health isn’t an issue, Phillips should surpass his numbers from last year. .270-23-84-80-22.
TIER 4
7. Brian Roberts BAL - Many people are mixed on Brian Roberts. Some say he’s overrated and doesn’t put up enough HR (12 in ‘09). Some say he’s underrated and would be a hall of famer in pinstripes (30sB/100R in ‘09). Almost like a Pedroia with more SB and less AVG. A year older. A year wiser I say. .280-12-70-104-30.
8. Ben Zobrist TB – This Ray played more like a chameleon last year, lining up like Bugs Bunny across the diamond. In 2010, Zobrist also carries a 2B/OF badge, making him more valuable to fantasy owners. Like Hill, his numbers are hard to gauge because of a checkered past and lack of consistency. .272-22-76-72-14.
9. Gordon Beckham CHW – This super stud came up last year as a rookie and made manager Ozzie Guiilen’s lineup. He played 3B, but will most likely go back to 2B this year after acquiring Teahen from 
KC. He offers 2B/3B, upside and potential for a great pick. .277-21-86-84-10 in 542AB. Seems like a decent starting point for this former Georgia Bulldog.
10. Howie Kendrick ANA – Kendrick had a tale of two seasons last year, playing like the top prospect in the 2nd half after being sent down early. His talent and upside are there. Mike Scioscia likes to play everyone which means an Aybar/Izturis/Kendrick playing wheel might cut his AB. I think Kendrick ends up getting at least 500 AB. .306-14-76-70-5.
11. Dan Uggla FLA – After all the talk of him leaving this winter, this Fish stayed home in Miami and will man 2B in 2010. He has great power for a 2B and can put up 30HR in a given season. He’s just going to bat .250 while doing it. Your call. He’s kind of like the Adam Dunn of 2B. Offers HR/RBI/R but low AVG and will need someone to counteract that. Or not. .251-28-85-88-4.
12. Ian Stewart COL – “I thought the Rockies would be a little rockier than this.” Had to do it. With the exit of Atkins, Stewart is being handed the 3B job in ‘10. Colorado did sign Melvin Mora as an insurance policy, but this 25-year-old should produce as a mid to late round pick. He has 30HR potential and that’s why he’s up here. He also played 21 games at 2B and that’s why you see him before the starting 2B (Barmes). Possible great pick. .254-27-77-75-5.
13. Jose Lopez SEA – Seattle has a new team and a new lineup. Lopez will be hitting behind Ichiro and Figgins and should benefit from the gaps in Safeco and his speedsters on base. Still young, Lopez should only get better in the following seasons. Can’t guarantee he will top last year though, he was pretty good. .277-24-82-68-3 could be a baseline.
TIER 5
14. Rickie Weeks MIL - Back from wrist injury, Weeks will be ready for Milwaukee in 2010. This former top pick seemed to be finally turning the corner last year before leaving; hopefully he can find that game. Potential for 20/20 every year, Weeks is one of those guys who could help win a league if healthy and gambled on late in drafts. He is also a health concern and could belly flop. Cannonball!!! .258-16-51-78-21.
15. Asdrubal Cabrera CLE – This 24-year-old stole 17 bases and batted .300 in ‘09. He qualifies at 2B and SS and should develop more this season. Many wanted to compare him to Yunel Escobar in ATL. I guess I see the similarities. .309-8-66-79-24.
16. Martin Prado ATL – Another guy who can fill in at holes at 1B/2B/3B. He took over for Kelly Johnson and never looked back. He is a versatile player every owner loves to have. He’s not going to slug 30 HR, but will do a serviceable job for you while moving around the infield for you. .292-11-54-66-2.
TIER 6
17. Clint Barmes COL – Barmes had 23/12 last year and is another option to help in multiple categories. He will hurt you in AVG, dipping to .246 after hitting .290 the year before. If he doesn’t play well to start ‘10, don’t be surprised to see little Eric Young Jr., who can play a solid 2B and offer Jim Tracy 30 to 50 SB. Barmes should be taken later in drafts; you may get lucky in 2010. .256-14-52-56-10.
18. Orlando Hudson MIN – The “ODAWG” or “O-Dog” signed a one year contract to play along side Mauer and Morneau in Minny. There’s no turf anymore and Hudson seems to be losing a step each year. He is still better left for starting in AL-Only leagues, but may have a decent year in a pretty good offense. Remember, Joe Torre did sit him for Ronnie Belliard in the playoffs in ‘09. .276-9-62-60-7.
19. Placido Polanco PHI – Replacing Pedro Feliz in Philly, Polanco returns to 3B after playing 2B for Detroit. He offes 2B/3B eligibility and is going to a smaller park. He is now 35 and in a new league with new pitchers. .296-10-67-78-7.
20. Casey McGehee MIL – Another 2B/3B option, McGehee also has a limited past and will get a look at 3B for Ken Macha. He seemed to appear out of nowhere last year and helped many owners off the waiver wire. They’ll be smarter the second go around. Another question mark because lack of history. I’m sure if you’re a Brewer fan… .283-14-62-58-2
21. Kelly Johnson ARI – Looking to have a rebound year with the Dbacks, Johnson will join the team in the desert. He was let go because of poor play and should find his groove back (Insert Stella joke here) after a sort of letdown in Atlanta. .274-14-58-66-9.
Everyone else can be used in AL/NL-Only leagues or as injury replacements.
22. Mark Ellis OAK 23. Luis Castillo NYM 24. Kazuo Matsui HOU 25. Alberto Callaspo KC 26. Chris Getz KC 27. Freddy Sanchez SF 28. Maicer Izturis ANA 29. Felipe Lopez FA 30. Akinori Iwamura PIT 30a. Jeff Baker CHC
There is absolutely no way Cano is not at least #3 on this list. I bet you he hits at least 330 this year.