Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia 3-4 in NESN.com’s Fantasy Second-Base Rankings

by NESN Staff | Mar 24, 2010 | 6 Min Read

This year’s crop of fantasy keystoners may seem shallow at first glance, but a bit more research will help you realize that there are quality options long after Chase Utley and Robinson Cano have been selected.

It’s especially important to remember that speedster Chone Figgins and young slugger Gordon Beckham will be switching to second this season, and although you’ll have to wait until mid-April for them to gain eligibility in most leagues, your patience will be rewarded.

To help ensure that your draftmates don’t beat you to the punch, here’s a look at what each of the top 25 second basemen is expected to contribute in 2010.

See position-by-position rankings here: C
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300

Name Team 2009 Stats 2010 Projection Notes
Chase Utley Phillies .282 AVG, 31 HR, 93 RBI, 112 R, 23 SB .294 AVG, 32 HR, 97 RBI, 113 R, 19 SB Utley provides immense value at a position where elite players are scarce.
Ian Kinsler Rangers .253 AVG, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 101 R, 31 SB .266 AVG, 24 HR, 83 RBI, 97 R, 27 SB Streaky, and hit just .219 away from hitter-friendly confines in Arlington, yet power-speed combo is too valuable to overlook.
Robinson Cano Yankees .320 AVG, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 103 R, 5 SB .313 AVG, 22 HR, 88 RBI, 94 R, 4 SB Perfectly suited for Yankee Stadium — hit .338 with 14 home runs in 314 at-bats in the Bronx last year.
Dustin Pedroia Red Sox .296 AVG, 15 HR, 72 RBI, 115 R, 20 SB .308 AVG, 17 HR, 78 RBI, 111 R, 17 SB Elite run-scoring threat as on-base percentage machine in Boston lineup, and should see uptick in batting average.
Brandon Phillips Reds .276 AVG, 20 HR, 98 RBI, 78 R, 25 SB .280 AVG, 21 HR, 91 RBI, 83 R, 23 SB If healthy, almost a lock for 20 homers and 20 swipes, which is tremendous given shallow second-base crop.
Ben Zobrist Rays .297 AVG, 27 HR, 91 RBI, 91 R, 17 SB .288 AVG, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 89 R, 16 SB Last year's waiver-wire MVP has the tools to remain a tremendous all-around threat.
Brian Roberts Orioles .283 AVG, 16 HR, 79 RBI, 110 R, 30 SB .279 AVG, 14 HR, 80 RBI, 107 R, 28 SB Improving supporting cast makes fine run and RBI totals for leadoff man sustainable.
Aaron Hill Blue Jays .286 AVG, 36 HR, 108 RBI, 103 R, 6 SB .282 AVG, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 86 R, 4 SB Power is real, but perhaps not as prolific as last year's lofty home-run total suggested.
Gordon Beckham White Sox .270 AVG, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 58 R, 7 SB .279 AVG, 23 HR, 93 RBI, 87 R, 12 SB Won't gain second-base eligibility until mid-April, but has a Jeff Kent-in-his-prime ceiling when he does.
Chone Figgins Mariners .298 AVG, 5 HR, 54 RBI, 114 R, 42 SB .293 AVG, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 98 R, 39 SB Switching to second for Mariners this year, and is only second baseman with reliable 40 stolen-base potential.
Dan Uggla Marlins .243 AVG, 31 HR, 90 RBI, 84 R, 2 SB .257 AVG, 30 HR, 92 RBI, 87 R, 3 SB A Carlos Pena-type player at second base, Uggla offers elite power if you can live with the sub-par average and stolen-base totals.
Howie Kendrick Angels .291 AVG, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 61 R, 11 SB .311 AVG, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 64 R, 13 SB Once considered a future batting-title contender, Kendrick is a good bet for 10 dingers, 10 swipes while helping your team's batting average.
Rickie Weeks Brewers .272 AVG, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 28 R, 2 SB .270 AVG, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 83 R, 15 SB A late-round sleeper who could provide excellent home-run and stolen-base value if he's finally able to avoid the disabled list.
Scott Sizemore Tigers Did not play in MLB .274 AVG, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 70 R, 9 SB The Tigers showed confidence in Sizemore when they let Placido Polanco walk, making him worthy of a late-round look.
Martin Prado Braves .307 AVG, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 64 R, 1 SB .303 AVG, 8 HR, 53 RBI, 61 R, 2 SB Sometimes the best you can hope for is a player who won't kill your team's batting average, in which case, Prado's your man.
Kelly Johnson Diamondbacks .224 AVG, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 47 R, 7 SB .271 AVG, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 65 R, 8 SB A risky pick after collapsing last season, but Johnson hit .287 with 12 homers and 11 stolen bases in 2008.
Felipe Lopez Cardinals .310 AVG, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 88 R, 6 SB .300 AVG, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 77 R, 10 SB May not play full time, but he should do enough to keep your average afloat while contributing modest power and speed totals.
Luis Castillo Mets .302 AVG, 1 HR, 40 RBI, 77 R, 20 SB .287 AVG, 1 HR, 39 RBI, 76 R, 16 SB Ideally, he'd be a backup on your team, but Castillo could be a passable starter if your roster is laced with power.
Clint Barmes Rockies .245 AVG, 23 HR, 76 RBI, 69 R, 12 SB .258 AVG, 19 HR, 68 RBI, 60 R, 8 SB A poor man's Uggla, thanks to Coors Field, but Barmes will be pushed by speedy rookie Eric Young Jr.
Orlando Hudson Twins .283 AVG, 9 HR, 62 RBI, 74 R, 8 SB .291 AVG, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 70 R, 5 SB The O-Dog's power and speed are diminishing, but he's still good for a solid average — and a positive influence on your fantasy clubhouse.
Kazuo Matsui Astros .250 AVG, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 56 R, 19 SB .265 AVG, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 63 R, 15 SB Average plummeted last season, but is a cheap source of steals at a position where they are sometimes at a premium.
Luis Valbuena Indians .250 AVG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, 52 R, 2 SB .258 AVG, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 62 R, 4 SB Offers above-average power for late-round second baseman, though a shaky approach will limit his average and run numbers.
Akinori Iwamura Pirates .290 AVG, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 28 R, 9 SB .282 AVG, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 68 R, 10 SB An ideal No. 2 hitter, but Iwamura's value slips moving from Rays' elite lineup to Pirates' mediocre attack.
Alberto Callaspo Royals .300 AVG, 11 HR, 73 RBI, 79 R, 2 SB .279 AVG, 7 HR, 59 RBI, 69 R, 2 SB Provided nice value off the waiver wire last season, but a modest regression in power is expected.
Eric Young Jr. Rockies .246 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 7 R, 4 SB .266 AVG, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 39 R, 21 SB Blocked by Barmes, yet worth a gamble because if he does find regular playing time, Young Jr. could steal 40 bases.

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