Cano, Pedroia top 2B list
Updated April 2
What do you do with Chase Utley?
That’s the question facing fantasy owners as they contemplate the second base position for the 2012 season. His name is absent from its usual lofty perch in the second base rankings because of recurrent knee injuries. Utley clocks in at No. 19 in my updated rankings.
Utley shuffles down the rankings, but the usual suspects remain atop the board. There’s no dispute that Cano, Pedroia and Kinsler lead the position. It just becomes a question of whether you swap those names around. If you look deeper down the list, you’ll note early appearances for Jason Kipnis and Jose Altuve. Are you onboard?
Let’s begin the roll call.
1. Robinson Cano, NYY
2011 Stats: .302, 28 HR, 118 RBI, 104 Runs, 8 SB
Analysis: Do I need to write a lengthy report on Cano? Following a downturn in his production during the 2008 season, Cano roared back to superstardom. In his past three seasons, Cano has averaged 27.3 home runs, 45 doubles, 103 runs and 104 RBI with a .314 composite batting average.
2. Dustin Pedroia, BOS
2011 Stats: .307, 21 HR, 91 RBI, 102 Runs, 26 SB
Analysis: Pedroia rallied from an injury-shortened 2010 season to offer fantasy owners new career highs in home runs, RBI and stolen bases. He’s averaged 111.7 runs scored in his past three full seasons (20 or more stolen bases in each) and owns a tremendous .305 lifetime batting average. A more consistent effort from 2011 acquisition Carl Crawford has me intrigued that he can achieve even greater heights in 2012.
3. Ian Kinsler, TEX
2011 Stats: .255, 32 HR, 77 RBI, 121 Runs, 30 SB
Analysis: Kinsler rebounded from an injury-marred 2010 campaign by contributing massive numbers across the board as the Rangers charged back into the World Series. In his past two complete seasons, Kinsler amassed 63 home runs, 163 RBI, 61 stolen bases and 222 runs. Durability is a concern, as Kinsler has played in 130 games or fewer in four of his six major league seasons. Still, it’s hard to look away from the gaudy production in the sexy categories, and his .275 lifetime batting average is hardly off-putting.
4. Dan Uggla, ATL
2011 Stats: .233, 36 HR, 82 RBI, 88 Runs, 1 SB
Analysis: I always think of the Danzig song “Mother” when I ponder Uggla’s place in the fantasy realm. “Gonna show you power!” In the past six years, Uggla has averaged 31.7 home runs, 32 doubles and 91.2 RBI. Uggla’s .258 career batting average isn’t going to get you excited, though he did excite the masses with his .287 batting average in his final year in Florida.
5. Brandon Phillips, CIN
2011 Stats: .300, 18 HR, 82 RBI, 94 Runs, 14 SB
Analysis: Phillips may be one of the least appreciated players on the draft board. He’s been a consistent four-tool contributor who also affords fantasy owners a decent batting average. Since claiming an everyday role in Cincinnati in 2006, Phillips has averaged 20.7 home runs, 81 RBI, 22.5 doubles and 87.3 runs scored. That’s a strong six-year run of production in Great American Ballpark.
6. Howie Kendrick, LAA
2011 Stats: .285, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 86 Runs, 14 SB
Analysis: Kendrick hasn’t challenged for that batting title that everyone projected several years ago, but he’s become a five-category contributor for Mike Scoiscia’s squad. His 18 home runs and 86 runs scored established new career marks, and his 14 stolen bases matched his best effort. The arrival of Albert Pujols will afford him ample pitches to hit, and we can reasonably expect him to improve on last year’s heroics. * Kendrick can also be inserted as an outfielder and first baseman (23 and 17 games played at each, respectively).
7. Ben Zobrist, TB
2011 Stats: .269, 20 HR, 91 RBI, 99 Runs, 19 SB
Analysis: Zobrist rebounded beautifully from a miserable 2010 campaign with strong all-around production. He doubled his home run production from 2010 and blasted a career-high 46 doubles. Zobrist also boosted his batting average 31 points, fueled by a 46-point push in his BABIP (.343 in 2011).
8. Michael Young, TEX
2011 Stats: .338, 11 HR, 106 RBI, 88 Runs, 6 SB
Analysis: Following a three-year downturn in his hit rate, the former AL batting champ was back on his game in 2011. Young produced the sixth 200-hit season of his career and established new career highs in batting average (.338) and RBI (106). The increased batting average was accompanied by a reduction in his home run rate (he’d hit 22 and 21 home runs in the previous two seasons, respectively), but Young continued to lace balls into the gap (41 doubles). Young owns a career .304 batting average and has batted .284 or better in every season since 2002. In this lineup, Young remains a strong three-category performer (BA, runs and RBI) with the potential to boost his home run total. * The versatile performer also appeared at every infield position last season. Young has positional eligibility at first base, second base and third base.
9. Rickie Weeks, MIL
2011 Stats: .269, 20 HR, 49 RBI, 77 Runs, 9 SB
Analysis: Fantasy owners hoped that Weeks had left his injury-riddled past in the rearview mirror when he appeared in 160 games in 2010. Alas, he was limited to 118 games in 2011, and his overall production was muted. Sure, Weeks hit 20 home runs for the second straight season, but generated just 49 RBI. He has four-tool potential (his lifetime .255 batting average isn’t moving the needle). You just have to grit your teeth and hope that the red asterisk is retired.
10. Ryan Roberts, ARI
2011 Stats: .249, 19 HR, 65 RBI, 86 Runs, 18 SB
Analysis: Roberts was a breakthrough performer who helped lift a number of fantasy owners’ title hopes with four-category production for the Diamondbacks in 2011. He generated 46 extra-base hits (25 doubles) and attempted 27 stolen bases (18 successes). I’m intrigued to watch his follow-up effort. Remember, Roberts received ample playing time in 2009 only to flail away to a .197 batting average in limited time for the Diamondbacks in 2010. * Roberts will play third base for the Diamondbacks in 2012, but retains second base eligibility after playing 28 games at the position last year.
11. Dustin Ackley, SEA
2011 Stats: .273, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 39 Runs, 6 SB
Analysis: The former college baseball hero was one of the most highly-anticipated call-ups of the 2011 season. He struggled at times, including the big September fade, but Ackley produced strong overall numbers in his 90-game introduction to Seattle. Ackley generated 29 extra-base hits (16 doubles) and produced a strong .358 BABIP. The spacious confines of Safeco will lower the ceiling on his power output, but look for him spray doubles to the gap with regularity.
12. Danny Espinosa, WAS
2011 Stats: .236, 21 HR, 66 RBI, 72 Runs, 17 SB
Analysis: He’s a free-swinging switch-hitter in a retooled Washington roster. Espinosa is going to strike out a ton. You’re not banking on a huge batting average from Espinosa, but it’s awfully difficult to turn away from his production in the other four standard categories. He rapped out 55 extra-base hits (29 doubles) and posted a .332 BABIP. The return of a healthy Ryan Zimmerman and more consistent production from Jayson Werth bodes well for a repeat of his high run generation.
13. Jason Kipnis, CLE
2011 Stats: .272, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 24 Runs, 5 SB
Analysis: Kipnis will be one of those middle infielders that owners will reach for this spring. He dominated minor league pitching in back-to-back seasons and has five-category potential. Kipnis produced 93 extra-base hits in 861 at-bats with 129 RBI and 21 stolen bases. At 24 years old, he’s just growing into his power base (28 home runs combined in those minor league at-bats). Kipnis and the newly re-signed Asdrubal Cabrera comprise a formidable middle infield.
14. Michael Cuddyer, COL
2011 Stats: .284, 20 HR, 70 RBI, 70 Runs, 11 SB
Analysis: Cuddyer generated 51 extra-base hits (29 doubles) with 70 RBI in his final season for the Twins. In his final three years in Minnesota, Cuddyer averaged 60 extra-base hits (22 home runs) and 81.7 RBI. I can’t wait to see him hit alongside CarGo and Tulowitzki in Colorado.
15. Neil Walker, PIT
2011 Stats: .273, 12 HR, 83 RBI, 76 Runs, 9 SB
Analysis: The Pirates’ first-round pick in the 2004 draft performed reasonably well in 2011. However, I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge that his overall production didn’t change much from his 2010 breakthrough campaign despite playing 49 more games with 170 additional at-bats. He offers solid five-category production, and I wonder if his total of 36 doubles in 2011 may translate into a few additional home runs in 2012.
16. Kelly Johnson, TOR
2011 Stats: .222, 21 HR, 58 RBI, 75 Runs, 16 SB
Analysis: Take your pointer finger and cover Johnson’s batting average in the line above. The rest of his numbers from 2011 pique your interest and compel you to slide him up your rankings sheet. Johnson also batted .270 in 33 games for the Blue Jays, though he offered little power production during that run (three home runs and nine RBI). In fact, a long view of his performance as a member of the Diamondbacks and Braves allows you to discount his putrid 2011 batting average to a degree. Johnson batted .276 or better in three complete seasons, though his 2009 season (he batted .224) looked eerily similar to his 2011 production in 114 games with Arizona. He’ll offer solid power production for a middle infielder with a double-digit stolen base total. However, his free-swinging ways may put a drag on your batting average.
17. Jemile Weeks, OAK
2011 Stats: .303, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 50 Runs, 22 SB
Analysis: Weeks stole a career-high 22 bases in 97 major league games last season. He had stolen 16 bases or fewer in his three full minor league seasons before getting promoted to Oakland last season. Weeks has three-category potential as a low-end middle infield option this season. He batted .278 or better in each of his minor league seasons (.321 last year) and demonstrated good plate discipline with a low strikeout rate.
18. Jose Altuve, HOU
2011 Stats: .276, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 26 Runs, 7 SB
Analysis: Altuve may be short in stature at 5-foot-7 and 168 pounds. The 21-year-old Venezuelan prospect raised eyebrows split across two minor league stops last year and gives Houston fans some hope. Altuve hit at a ridiculous .389 clip in 87 minor league games with 22 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He acquitted himself nicely upon his call-up last season and stands as your classic “ninja” for 2012.
19. Chase Utley, PHI
2011 Stats: .259, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 54 Runs, 14 SB
Analysis: The former fantasy superhero has been limited by injuries in back-to-back seasons. He produced at least 28 home runs in four of his previous five complete seasons, but he’s been limited to 27 home runs and 109 RBI total in the 2010 and 2011 seasons combined. His name conjures images of five-category production and dominance. However, Utley’s selection on draft day is fraught with peril. * Utley turned 33 years old in December. The Phillies admit that his patella tendinitis may never dissipate. Ryan Howard is also returning from a huge injury. Approach him with caution.
20. Aaron Hill, ARI
2011 Stats: .246, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 61 Runs, 21 SB
Analysis: Count me among those intrigued to see Hill in Arizona this season. He performed well in his 33-game introduction to Arizona, generating a strong .315 batting average (48 points higher than his current lifetime mark) with 16 extra-base hits in 124 at-bats. Memories of his high power output in Toronto remain (36 and 26 home runs in 2009 and 2010, respectively). Hill represents a solid mid-level “ninja” option for fantasy owners in 2012.
21. Daniel Murphy, NYM
2011 Stats: .320, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 49 Runs, 5 SB
Analysis: Murphy is a versatile performer, bringing first base, second base and third base eligibility to fantasy lineups in 2012. He returned to action in 2011 after missing the 2010 season because of a knee injury and produced solid power numbers. He reduced his strikeout rate from his 2009 output and boosted his batting average by 54 points. Murphy has a tremendous stroke to the gap (56 doubles in his past two years) and could put up a double-digit home run total (he hit 12 in 2009).
22. Mike Aviles, BOS
2011 Stats: .255, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 31 Runs, 14 SB
Analysis: It was recently announced that Aviles earned the nod as the starting shortstop, a move that made fantasy owners take notice. Aviles first appeared on the fantasy radar in 2008 when he produced 41 extra-base hits and 51 RBI with a .325 batting average. He struggled through the 2009 season before rebounding nicely in 2010. The potential is there for a high doubles count with a double-digit stolen base total as part of this Boston lineup.
23. Gordon Beckham, CWS
2011 Stats: .230, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 60 Runs, 5 SB
Analysis: Beckham was one of many White Sox hitters that left fantasy owners (and fans) wanting in 2011. He produced 33 extra-base hits, but the promise and potential of his 2009 introduction to Chicago remained unfulfilled. His batting average dipped to .230, including a ridiculously low .216 mark at what is arguably a top-5 hitters’ park in U.S. Cellular Field. Obviously, we can’t anticipate monstrous rebounds from all of the Chicago batters in 2012, but I can’t cast Beckham aside altogether just yet. He’s all of 25 years old, and I wonder if a shift in managerial philosophies might help him get right at the plate.
24. Ryan Raburn, DET
2011 Stats: .256, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 53 Runs, 1 SB
Analysis: The versatile Raburn (he played at six positions in 2011) has established himself as a solid power producer for the Tigers in the past three years. During this run, he’s averaged 46 extra-base hits (15 home runs) with 52 RBI and a solid .274 batting average. Raburn will settle in as the everyday second baseman to start 2012.
25. Alex Casilla, MIN
2011 Stats: .260, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 52 RBI, 15 SB
Analysis: Casilla is a three-category prospect for owners loaded in the power categories. He stole 15 bases in 97 games for the Twins in 2011 and stole at least 35 bases in three minor league seasons. Casilla was limited because of a hamstring injury (something to watch for recurrences on a speed option) in 2011, but is expected to start in 2012.