A Closer Look At Second Base

Upon further review, I’ve deemed second base (2B) worthy of multiple spots on my roster. Go ahead; look at the rankings! Start at #1 and scroll those pretty blue eyes of yours down to #18. Which player isn’t going to be drafted? And the better question, which player is going to go off? The answers to these questions are completed opposites, but I will dive in and answers them, but first I’ll go into my thoughts on the top tier 2B.

Cano as #1 is an obvious choice. The man that started as the #9 hitter for the Yanks, and was good for only average has fully developed into a premier power hitter that pitchers fear. I like him for top 5 overall. In the same mold, I love Pedroia. If you’re lucky, you may be able to swipe him in the 2^nd round. He’s a 5 category player, and well worth a top draft pick. The next 5 are toss ups:

Uggla (power), Phillips (little bit of everything), Zobrist (little bit of everything with a wisp of mystery), Kinsler (the Dare-To-Be-Great player), and Weeks (one big fat question mark [?]). Each one has a legit argument to claim the coveted #4 spot, but for me, limiting risk is the key. Although Uggla was awful in the beginning of the year…awful isn’t not harsh enough…appalling…Uber-Apalling…that’s better…he still finished with 36 homer runs. That’s 5 straight years with 30+ HRs. I love it! Phillips is my next choice (if you have the rankings open you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)  For the past 5 years he’s average 91R 20HR 80RBI 20SB 0.280AVG. They are not “Slap Your Grandma” numbers, but you know what you’ll get out of the guy, and there’s something to say and pay about that.

The next list Kendrick thru Hill is the “Can They/Will They Do It Again” list. I can see myself owning each and everyone of these guys. There are worse player to take flyers on then these gentlemen.  Prado could be a great late round flier to boost the average of the Teixieras and Grandersons of the world. Out of Hill/Johnson/Espinosa (I can’t tell the difference between these guys. Look at their numbers! Very similar.) I can see 1, all, none blowing up and making someone look very dumb, smart, but that’s part of the fun! Walker and Ackley, I truly believe they take the next step, and I believe I will be ranking them in the top 10 next year. Utley…ooooohhh man! Chase Utley. What do you do with this guy? Me? I avoid the heck out of him! Why take on that headache when there is so much better, safer, maybe not as high, but still good, upside later in the draft? Avoid. Getting back to the 3 headed monster I’ve just dubbed EspiHillSon, I avoid Hill, take a flyer on Espinosa because of his youth and potential growth, and I will most definitely be drafting Johnson because throughout the year, especially after he was traded, showed some serious signs of life.