Fantasy 40/40 – 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Fantasy 40/40: 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 30 Second Basemen (2B)

By Tito on March 16th, 2011

With question marks surrounding Chase Utley, Robinson Cano slides into the top spot.  He’s 28, entering his prime, plays in a solid ballpark for lefties, in a lineup that would be competitive at an All-Star game.  Don’t get me wrong, I like Utley and thought he was capable of 28/18.  But his lingering health concerns have me wondering if he, like Alex Rodriguez last season, is passing the torch for good.

Top 30 Second Baseman

1. Robinson Cano NYY – 2011 Projections: .315-28-105-100-4.  He’s just starting to hit his prime, Cano either repeats 2010 or busts through big time.
2. Dustin Pedroia BOS – .305-15-75-100-18. He provides help at all five categories and has some new friends that should mix right into this powerhouse of a lineup.
3. Dan Uggla ATL – .270-32-100-90-6. Switching teams and home ballparks shouldn’t affect Uggla’s production.
4. Brandon Phillips CIN – .275-18-70-95-20. Phillips spent a lot of time batting leading off and saw a drop in RBIs and an increase in runs scored.  A 20/20 season is very possible.
5. Ian Kinsler TEX – .280-20-65-85-20. Kinsler could be a steal this year.  He’s a 30/30 threat and could be a huge help if he sees 550 AB.
6. Rickie Weeks MIL –  .255-17-60-90-15. Weeks was everything fantasy owners were looking for as he hit 29 HR, scored 112 runs and most importantly, stayed on the ball field.  Here’s to him to repeating.
7. Chase Utley PHI –  .280-16-65-60-10. Utley broke a thumb last season and is having knee issues this spring.  Injury concerns and an aging body will see Utley drop in drafts, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he still put up 18/10.  I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a Kinsler-esque 300 AB.
8. Ben Zobrist TB – .265-16-75-75-20. Lost a little power last season but still went 10/24 – also offers OF eligibility.
9. Martin Prado ATL –  .305-15-65-95-4. Prado ranks all over the board according to the expert sites.  Just know this.  He’ll be good for a .300 BA, about 12-15 HR, 90 to 100 runs and around 60 RBI.  Also will qualify at 2B/3B to start the season and OF soon enough.  Now, does that sound like something you’d be interested in?
10. Aaron Hill TOR – .260-26-70-70-3. Hill saw his average drop to a shotty .205 last season but still jacked 26 HRs.  Call it unlucky, Hill should bounce back to at least the .260 range.  Could be a a draft steal.
11. Kelly Johnson ARI –  .275-20-65-80-10. With the emergence of Prado in Atlanta, Johnson was free to find a new home.  He put up solid numbers in his first season in the desert, but not sure he matches them in year two.
12. Gordon Beckham CHW –  .285-18-70-70-5. His overall numbers don’t look that great, but Beckham believers benefited from his second half.  He’s got the tools and I think he puts it together in 2011.
13. Brian Roberts BAL – .270-10-50-90-20. Another older vet, Roberts has become an injury risk pick.  He’s got great upside if he stays healthy, especially with his improved lineup and nice home park – think 10 HR, 40 doubles and 25 SB.
14. Chone Figgins SEA – .275-2-40-70-40. He’s a 2B to start the season, but will quickly add 3B.  No HR but 40 SB is why you draft him.
15. Howie Kendrick PHI – .290-14-70-70-15. The James Loney of second baseman, I don’t think Kendrick will ever reach the 20 HR mark.  I hope he will, just don’t think he does.
16. Juan Uribe LAD –  .250-22-75-65-0. Uribe is joining the Giants rival in LA and should post at least 20 HR once again.
17. Neil Walker PIT –  .270-18-75-75-5. In a stacked rookie season, Walker played well without any attention.  Converted from catcher to third base to second, Walker has found a home and will improve in 2011.
18. Sean Rodriguez TB – .255-15-60-60-15. With the departure of Jason Bartlett, playing time has been opened up for young Rodriguez.  He’s a power/speed threat but a BA liability.  Think .250-.260 with the chance at 20/20.
19. Tsuyoshi Nishioka MIN – .280-5-50-90-20. As a Mets fan, I remember moving Jose Reyes to 2B for a flashy, power/speed SS named Kazuo Matsui.
20. Danny Espinosa WAS –  .250-15-55-70-15. He’s got a chance to be Washington’s Ian Desmond 2.0.
21. Ryan Theriot STL – .275-4-30-70-20. Could steal 20 to 25 bases and if he leads off, he has a shot to score 90 runs.
22. Mike Aviles KC – .290-10-40-65-15. Got over 400 ABs and hit .304 with 8 HR and 14 SB.  If he gets to 500 ABs, he could be a 12/18 guy.
23. Omar Infante FLA (3B/OF) – .295-8-55-75-8. Had a productive season in Atlanta and will be a lesser, cheaper version of Martin Prado.
24. Bill Hall HOU – .245-20-60-60-10. Who you got in a fight?  Bill Hall or Cole Hamels?  Me too.
25. Ty Wigginton COL – .255-18-60-55-0. His versatility will get him ABs at first, second and third.  Not sure he gets the 580 he got last season, but 450 ABs and 17 HR seems doable.
26. Eric Young COL – .260-3-30-55-25. A sleeper for 30 to 40 SB, he’s competing for the 2B job in Colorado.  He’ll still manage to see the field enough to be a difference in roto leagues.
27. Reid Brignac TB – .255-15-60-60-5. He’s going to spend the majority of his time at SS but still qualifies at 2B.
28. Freddy Sanchez SF – .290-8-55-60-3. A former batting title winner, Freddy is more of a NL only option who will bat .290 and score you some runs.
29. Alexi Casilla MIN (SS) – .270-3-45-65-20. Will either play SS or 2B and should be a cheap source of SBs.
30. Dustin Ackley SEA – .275-10-50-55-10. Drafted number two overall in the amateur draft in ‘09, Ackley might get the call out of Spring Training.  Most likely, he’ll be up in June.  Could be this year’s Neil Walker.