Again, if I go around the major leagues in my mind, these are the top second basemen:
Top tier -
Robinson Cano, NYY – elite player
Ian Kinsler, TEX – solid contributor, but an injury risk annually
Dustin Pedroia, BOS – does it all and does it well
Next tier -
Chase Utley, PHI – age is a concern, as well as injury
Ben Zobrist, TB – after spectacular 2009, cooled off in 2010, back in 2011
Brandon Phillips, CIN – defense, on base, speed
Rickie Weeks, MIL – offensively a force now
Promising rookies -
Dustin Ackley, SEA – may not hit for the power expected coming out of the draft, but should hit for average with gap power, draw some walks, and steal some bases
Jemile Weeks, OAK – speed, but what else?
Danny Espinosa, WAS – stellar 2010 in the minors/majors, though still has rookie status…ROY candidate
Perhaps relevant, but not top tier -
Aaron Hill, TOR – brutal 2010, driven by abnormally-low BABIP; rebounded some
Mark Ellis, COL – trade to Colorado from Oakland should help his offense
Howie Kendrick, LAA – will he ever win the much-predicted batting title?
Gordon Beckham, CHA – prospect has struggled other than 1st ½ season and 2nd half ‘10
Jacob Turner, NYN – playing solidly as a surprise in the Big Apple
Dan Uggla, ATL – struggled mightily early
Neil Walker, PIT – a key part of the Pirates’ surprising success
Darwin Barney, CHN – rookie has gotten on base some, not much else
Brian Roberts, BAL – injured, again
Chris Getz, KC – decent speed, not much else
Carlos Guillen, DET – just back from an 11-month injury layoff
Will Rhymes, DET – is he still with Detroit, or did he move to the Cubs?
Alexi Casilla, MIN – won’t ever hit for much power
Tyoyoshi Nishioka, MIN – broken leg derailed his season, not much so far
Orlando Cabrera, CLE – best years are behind him
Orlando Hudson, SD – still good defensively?
Freddy Sanchez, SF – injured and out likely for the season, was doing okay
Mike Fontenot, SF – better against lefties in 2011, despite being lefty himself
Jeff Keppinger, SF – newest Giant has always played utility role and hit lefties
Emmanuel Burriss, SF – decent defense, no offense, some speed
Jonathan Herrera, COL – thought he’d be something, but lost starting job
Skip Schumaker, STL – better as an outfielder
Clint Barmes, HOU – also plays shortstop
Kelly Johnson, AZ – big season first year in Arizona, not since
Juan Uribe, LAD – Dodgers overpaid for this production
Jamey Carroll, LAD – Scrappy, good on base, versatile, no power
A couple of minor league prospects who may play in 2011 -
Jason Kipnis, CLE – fans are clamoring for his call-up
Brett Lawrie, TOR (though he will likely be a 3b in the majors)
Within ESPN fantasy leagues with standard scoring, here are the 2b rankings so far (7/21/11):
1 Dustin Pedroia, Bos 2B 9.65
2 Robinson Cano, NYY 2B 8.57
3 Rickie Weeks, Mil 2B 8.02
4 Ian Kinsler, Tex 2B 7.99
5 Michael Young, Tex 3B, 1B, 2B, DH 7.28
6 Michael Cuddyer, Min OF, 1B, 2B 6.82
7 Ben Zobrist, TB 2B, OF 6.53
8 Danny Espinosa, Was 2B 6.42
9 Ryan Roberts, Ari OF, 2B, 3B 6.07
10 Neil Walker, Pit 2B 5.98
Given that I have Dustin Pedroia, supplemented by Howie Kendrick, in Strat-O-Matic, I'm pretty pleased with this.
While Cano or Kinsler would perhaps be better, Pedroia's 2b-1e6 is very solid (Cano is a 2b-1e3 and Kinsler a 2b-2e11, still very good), his on base in 2010 was as good as Cano's against righties and better against lefties, and he steals bases, which Cano doesn't.
For 2010, John Lamanna, who publishes card ratings and expert opinion for Strat-O-Matic baseball gamers, ranks Cano the top second baseman (third best card in the entire set overall), Pedroia second best at second (and fifth best card overall), Utley third (nineteenth best card), and Kinsler fourth (thirty-eighth overall).
Pedroia is clearly one of the top three to build on, and less an injury risk than Kinsler.
In L.A. Slackers, Kinsler is my second baseman and a likely keeper every year.
In Pine Tar and Cold Beer, Dustin Ackley and Jemile Weeks are rostered, with Ackley being the closest to a keeper there. As minor leaguers to start the season, neither has accrued much value thus far.
Up-and-comer Danny Espinosa is someone else to keep an eye on and grab in your league if available. Ryan Roberts has had a fine season for Arizona, playing mostly third base and left field. In fact, I may well target him as my left fielder for next year (he’s a free agent in our league) if Travis Snider doesn’t end up with a good enough card.
11 Brandon Phillips, Cin 2B 5.77
12 Howard Kendrick, LAA 2B, 1B, OF 4.75
13 Daniel Murphy, NYM 1B, 2B, 3B 4.65
14 Kelly Johnson, Ari 2B 3.99
15 Martin Prado, Atl 2B, 3B, OF 3.58
16 Ty Wigginton, Col 3B, 1B, 2B, OF 3.43
17 Darwin Barney, ChC SS, 2B 2.94
18 Chris Getz, KC 2B 2.49
19 Alexi Casilla, Min 2B, SS 2.35
20 Aaron Hill, Tor 2B 2.00
Howie Kendrick, another Meadow, has put in a solid season and also has versatility by having played first base and left field. Daniel Murphy and Ty Wigginton are somewhat under the radar, and Aaron Hill has rebounded a bit from an abysmal 2010.
21 Ryan Theriot, StL SS, 2B 1.77
22 Maicer Izturis, LAA 2B, 3B, SS 1.68
23 Gordon Beckham, CWS 2B 1.66
24 Justin Turner, NYM 2B, 3B 1.54
25 Adam Kennedy, Sea 2B, 1B, 3B, DH 1.53
26 Aaron Miles, LAD 2B, 3B 1.41
27 Orlando Cabrera, Cle SS, 2B 1.40
28 Brent Lillibridge, CWS 2B, OF 1.29
29 Chase Utley, Phi 2B 1.24
30 Dan Uggla, Atl 2B 1.19
Former top prospect Gordon Beckham is struggling this year as he did the first half of 2010. He came on in the second half then, but will he now? He’s hitting .327/.351/.382 in July (still little power, but decent average and on base).
Free agent signing Dan Uggla has “StrUGGLAed” in 2011, but has come on a bit of late. I was surprised to see he has 17 home runs as part of his .193/.265/.380 line.
Brent Lillibridge has been solid in part-time action, and will likely have a good utility Strat card for 2011.
31 Jamey Carroll, LAD 2B, SS 0.83
32 Mark Ellis, Col 2B 0.69
33 Jemile Weeks, Oak 2B DTD 0.57
34 Orlando Hudson, SD 2B 0.57
35 Jeff Keppinger, SF 2B 0.39
36 Freddy Sanchez*, SF 2B 0.27
37 Mike Aviles, KC 2B, 3B 0.17
38 Omar Infante, Fla 2B, 3B, OF 0.00
39 Jed Lowrie*, Bos SS, 2B, 3B -0.12
40 Jerry Hairston Jr., Was SS, 2B, 3B, OF -0.26
Mark Ellis has responded to his trade to a more hitter-friendly ballpark in his time with the Rockies, Jemile Weeks will be a lovely source of steals in fantasy (whether he’ll hit enough or be good enough defensively for a good Strat card may be another question), and Jed Lowrie has produced decent numbers the last two years, when he’s been healthy (an extra base hit of some kind every 9.175 at bats).
41 Daniel Descalso, StL 3B, 2B -0.30
42 Ryan Raburn, Det OF, 2B -0.31
43 Angel Sanchez, Hou SS, 2B -0.42
44 Clint Barmes, Hou 2B, SS -0.50
45 Matt Downs, Hou 2B, 3B -0.64
46 Sean Rodriguez, TB 2B, 3B, SS, OF -0.89
47 Robert Andino, Bal 2B, SS -0.92
48 Brian Roberts*, Bal 2B -0.97
49 Scott Sizemore, Oak 2B, 3B -0.98
50 Jeff Baker, ChC 2B, 1B, 3B -1.03
Sean Rodriguez is supposed to have promise, but has not produced much so far as a semi-regular in Tampa Bay. Scott Sizemore, dumped by Detroit despite their needing a second baseman, has done well in his time in Oakland (before a pitch to the face knocked him out of action).
51 Skip Schumaker, StL 2B -1.04
52 Jonathan Herrera, Col 2B, SS -1.07
53 Dustin Ackley, Sea 2B -1.46
54 Blake DeWitt, ChC 2B, OF -1.48
55 Tyler Greene, StL SS, 2B -1.62
56 Luke Hughes, Min 3B, 1B, 2B -1.80
57 Juan Uribe, LAD 2B, 3B, SS -1.84
58 Mike Fontenot, SF 2B, 3B, SS -1.96
59 Jack Wilson, Sea SS, 2B -1.97
60 Bill Hall*, SF 2B, OF -1.98
Dustin Ackley is the only name to remember in the set of players above, and in fact, may be the last one to concern yourself with at all for the remainder of the list. Because he started the season in AAA, his aggregate numbers aren’t great, but he has hit for average, popped a few out of the park, stolen some bases, and has played acceptable-enough defense at second base.
Ackley has four home runs in his first 95 at bats, putting together a line of .284/.343/.505, and has stolen two bases without being caught. He has nine walks against sixteen strikeouts, perfectly reasonable (under 20% strikeouts).
A keeper at the position, if not all the way there yet.
61 Elliot Johnson, TB 2B, SS -1.98
62 Nick Punto, StL 3B, 2B, SS -2.01
63 Ruben Tejada, NYM SS, 2B -2.02
64 Wilson Valdez, Phi SS, 2B, 3B -2.03
65 Emmanuel Burriss, SF 2B -2.08
66 Eric Patterson, SD OF, 2B -2.14
67 Omar Vizquel, CWS 3B, 2B -2.26
68 John McDonald, Tor 2B, 3B, SS -2.29
69 Michael Martinez, Phi SS, 2B, OF -2.33
70 Jayson Nix, Tor 2B, 3B -2.36
Ruben Tejada was the Mets’ #9 prospect entering 2010, but now that it looks like the Mets are keeping Jose Reyes, Tejada’s future is likely as a second baseman.
Emmanuel Burriss has a shortstop’s arm at second base, is fairly good defensively, and can run a bit, but it’s not clear he can hit at the major league level.
71 Chris Nelson, Col 3B, 2B -2.52
72 Mike McCoy, Tor 2B, 3B -2.60
73 Chone Figgins, Sea 2B, 3B -2.67
74 Alberto Gonzalez, SD 2B, 3B, SS -2.78
75 Eric Young Jr., Col 2B -2.86
76 Felipe Lopez, TB 2B, 3B, SS -2.96
77 Ramon Santiago, Det 2B, SS -3.06
78 Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Min 2B, SS -3.06
79 Alex Cora, Was 2B, 3B, SS -3.08
80 Andres Blanco*, Tex 2B, SS -3.17
Chone Figgins has experienced a huge decline over the last two years, concomitant with his move to pitcher-haven Seattle.
Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka suffered a broken leg early and has not put up much since his return. Projected to hit high single digit/low double digit homeruns and contribute along the lines of twenty or more stolen bases, Yoshi carries a line of .233/.298/.267, with no home runs, two stolen bases, and three caught stealing in 120 at bats on the season.
81 Carlos Guillen, Det 2B -3.21
82 Reid Brignac, TB SS, 2B -3.24
83 Cord Phelps, Cle 2B -3.27
84 Pete Orr, Phi 2B -3.37
85 Jose Lopez, Fla 3B, 2B -3.42
86 Blake Davis, Bal SS, 2B -3.50
87 Matt Tolbert, Min 2B, SS -3.51
88 Will Rhymes, Det 2B -3.56
89 Chris Valaika, Cin 2B -3.58
90 Adam Rosales, Oak 2B -3.69
Reid Brignac, a Meadow I drafted as a prospect a few years ago, was handed the starting shortstop job in Tampa Bay after the departure of Jason Bartlett. He has struggled mightily, losing playing time to Elliott Johnson and occasionally Sean Rodriguez. I don’t think Ben Zobrist has played there this year.
91 Ryan Adams, Bal 2B -3.74
92 DJ LeMahieu, ChC SS, 2B -3.79
93 Eric Sogard, Oak 2B -3.82
94 Pete Kozma, StL SS, 2B -3.87
95 Logan Forsythe, SD 3B, 2B -3.92
96 Ivan De Jesus, LAD SS, 2B -3.99
97 Luis Valbuena, Cle 2B -4.02
98 Chin-lung Hu, NYM SS, 2B -4.11
99 Brad Emaus, NYM 2B -4.18
100 Julio Lugo, Atl 2B, SS -4.23
Eric Sogard was just recalled by Oakland, and was rated their #21 prospect by Baseball America entering the season. “He doesn’t have flashy tools, but he’s a baseball rat who has always hit.” Might be worth thinking about for the future.
All this is well and good, but in Strat-O-Matic where batting splits matter, it’s informative to check how players hit versus lefties and righties. I tend to weight OBP most highly, but OPS (on base plus slugging) would be another way to go.
Here are the top second basemen in 2011 in on base percentage against right-handed pitching (the majority of what is seen in the Major Leagues and in Strat):
RK Player Team AVE OBP SLG OPS
1 Guillen, C DET .385 .429 .615 1.044
2 Utley, C PHI .293 .383 .459 .842
3 Weeks, J OAK .330 .380 .440 .820
4 Downs, M HOU .276 .373 .586 .959
5 Kinsler, I TEX .255 .367 .456 .823
6 Zobrist, B TB .263 .363 .462 .825
7 Murphy, D NYM .311 .360 .446 .807
8 Nishioka, T MIN .254 .359 .269 .628
9 McCoy, M TOR .244 .358 .378 .736
10 Walker, N PIT .288 .352 .452 .804
11 Pedroia, D BOS .253 .347 .413 .760
12 Hudson, O SD .221 .343 .286 .629
13 Casilla, A MIN .268 .342 .392 .734
14 Weeks, R MIL .278 .342 .494 .836
15 Punto, N STL .268 .339 .411 .749
16 Kendrick, H LAA .287 .338 .399 .737
17 Sanchez, F SF .308 .335 .416 .751
18 Ackley, D SEA .261 .333 .464 .797
18 Davis, B BAL .212 .333 .273 .606
18 Kozma, P STL .111 .333 .222 .556
21 Beckham, G CWS .284 .328 .402 .730
22 Barney, D CHC .296 .327 .364 .691
23 Turner, J NYM .278 .325 .383 .708
24 Tejada, R NYM .242 .324 .267 .590
25 Herrera, J COL .237 .323 .283 .606
26 Espinosa, D WSH .227 .322 .435 .757
Carlos Guillen is just back from a year-long injury, but has done well in his very limited time back. Utley has been the best regular against right-handed pitching, after being better against lefties in 2010.
Jemile Weeks, a 24-year old switch-hitter, is better against righties with an above-average .380 on base percentage that way.
Matt Downs has thrived on playing time, but may be exposed if expected to be a regular.
Kinsler dominates Pedroia and where is Cano?
35 Cano, R NYY .272 .313 .496 .809
Ah, there he is, #35 in OBP vs. righties among second basemen. His slugging percentage of .496 ranks #1 among regulars, though, making his OPS sixth best among starters.
Zobrist and Walker are both valuable, and at least Nishioka gets on base some against righties.
Ackley is above average, and again merits keeper consideration.
In Pine Tar and Cold Beer, where I have he and Jemile Weeks, clear-cut keepers likely will be Carlos Santana, c, Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, and Jordan Walden, closer.
For my other two, Gio Gonzalez, starting pitcher, Nelson Cruz, of, and B.J. Upton, of, will be in the running with Ackley.
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