Fantasy Baseball 2010 Second Basemen Rankings: Pre-Camp Version

The second base position in fantasy baseball is somewhat like my family buffet table during the holidays. If you don't get to the food quickly, you have to scrounge to be satisfied.

Chase Utley and Ian Kinsler are unanimous top-tier picks, but the excitement on draft day begins after they've been selected and fantasy GM's must decide on the next tier of second basemen. Five to six players make up this next tier, and no matter how you rank them -- we didn't agree at all -- you'd better grab one quickly. They should all be gone by the end of the fourth round.

There is talent to be had after the top seven to eight hitters at this position, but there are question marks aplenty. If you choose to wait on a second baseman, be sure to load up on power and stolen bases elsewhere. These are the two statistical categories that take a beating after the big-gunned second basemen are gone.

Player	Team
1. Chase Utley	Phillies
A unanimous No. 1 pick from all four of us, and one of the more consistent fantasy producers in baseball. Utley can do it all, and he does it better than anyone else. Avg: 1; Best: 1; Worst: 1
2009: .282 AVG, 31 HR, 93 RBI, 112 R, 23 SB
2. Ian Kinsler	Rangers
Kinsler's flyball rate spiked to above 50-percent and 30 home runs were the result. That new-found power killed his average, as did a poor hit rate. Watch his average climb in 2010 and those home runs to drop off a bit. Avg: 2; Best: 2; Worst: 2
2009: .253-31-86-101-31
3. Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox
His batting average dipped below .300 -- only slightly -- for the first time since he took over at second base. The culprit was extra balls hit in the air and a regression in hit rate to league average. He'll bounce back and could even increase power numbers. Avg: 4; Best: 3; Worst: 6
2009: .296-15-72-115-20
4. Brian Roberts	Orioles
At 33-years-old this season, Roberts will have to fight the battle against age. His stolen base numbers have declined by ten in each of the last two seasons. If the same trend occurs in 2010, Roberts in the fourth round is a wasted pick. Avg: 4.25; Best: 3; Worst: 5
2009: .283-16-79-110-30
5. Brandon Phillips	Reds
Phillips played with a fractured left wrist in the second half and still put up 20/20 numbers. A full year of health could mean some growth back towards that 30/30 season in 2007. Avg: 4.75; Best: 3; Worst: 7
2009: .276-20-98-78-25
6. Robinson Cano	Yankees
The new Yankee Stadium turned Cano into a gem. He improved statistically in every major rotisserie category and shows no signs of dropping off. Don't expect growth, but a similar season to 2009 and/or 2007 is almost guaranteed if he stays healthy. Avg: 5.50; Best: 4; Worst: 6
2009: .320-25-85-103-5
7. Aaron Hill	Blue Jays
Hill's 2009 season was nothing short of amazing. But that insanely high 14.9-percent HR/F ratio doesn't seem sustainable, especially since his career average is well below 8-percent without last year's outlying figures. Expect numbers closer to 2007 this upcoming season, don't pay for a repeat of last season. Avg: 6.75; Best: 5; Worst: 8
2009: .286-36-108-103-6
8. Ben Zobrist	Rays
Zobrist enjoyed a career year once he was given a full-time job. Look to his splits to show you what to expect in 2010. His skills are solid, but this season will look a lot like his second half, not the first. Avg: 7.75; Best: 7; Worst: 8
2009: .297-27-91-91-17
9. Jose Lopez	Mariners
Lopez will turn 27 years old this season and if the past three seasons are an indicator, he's not done growing as a hitter. His batting average dropped a bit, but that was due to a poor hit rate. He should drive that up in 2010, and may drive more balls out of the park . Avg: 10.75; Best: 9; Worst: 11
2009: .272-25-96-69-3
10. Gordon Beckham	White Sox
This guy was terrorizing SEC pitchers just a little more than a year ago. Beckham didn't need much seasoning in the minors and looks primed to continue running roughshod over any pitcher he faces. When you look at his numbers below, remember that he put those up in only 378 at-bats. Avg: 10.75; Best: 9; Worst: 13
2009: .270-14-63-58-7
11. Howie Kendrick	Angels
Everyone knows that Kendrick can hit. The problem is that he's historically had trouble staying healthy. A banishment to Triple-A last year lit a fire upon his return that bodes well for a fantastic 2010 season. Avg: 11.50; Best: 10; Worst: 14
2009: .291-10-61-61-11
12. Dan Uggla	Marlins
Uggla's hit 30-plus home runs in each of the last three season. Too bad he's never going to hit above .260 again. If his batting average were 20 points higher, Uggla would be a top-5 fantasy second baseman. He strikes out too much for that to ever happen. Avg: 11.75; Best: 9; Worst: 13
2009: .243-31-90-97-3
13. Rickie Weeks	Brewers
At the pace he was on prior to his season-ending wrist injury, Weeks would have hit 30 home runs if he reached his 2008 total of 475 at-bats. If his wrist is ok, Weeks could be special in 2010. Don't forget he's a base stealer too. 20/20 isn't out of the realm of possibility. Avg: 12.25; Best: 11; Worst: 14
2009: .272-9-24-28-2
14. Ian Stewart	Rockies
Continuing a trend of Rockies hitters that can't hit left-handed pitching, Stewart posted a .178 batting average against southpaws. If he can fix this shortcoming, he can be truly special. His power is a spectacle. Avg: 13; Best: 10; Worst: 15
2009: .228-25-70-74-7
15. Asdrubal Cabrera	Indians
A 36.2-percent hit rate screams that Cabrera isn't a legitimate .300 hitter. However, his plate discipline was greatly improved and he can still move forward as a hitter in 2010. Don't buy the batting average on draft day, but he could post double digit home runs and swipe 20. Avg: 15.25; Best: 14; Worst: 16
2009: .308-6-68-81-17
16. Martin Prado	Braves
Prado ousted Kelly Johnson as the every-day Braves second baseman and strutted his stuff. Expect more of the same in 2010 and enjoy his multi-position eligibility. Avg: 17; Best: 15; Worst: 20
2009: .307-11-49-64-1
17. Placido Polanco	Phillies
As age sets in, Polanco's numbers are sure to continue to decline. However, when you bid on draft day, look more at his second-half numbers than his first. He might not return to the .300 hitter of old, but he's close. Avg: 18; Best: 16; Worst: 20
2009: .285-10-72-82-7
18. Clint Barmes	Rockies
Look at Barmes' three seasons of full-time work. His batting average of .290 in 2008 is the outlier -- he's not that good of a hitter. His worth as a fantasy second baseman comes in the fact that he could hit 20 home runs and steal 15 bases. Avg: 18.50; Best: 18; Worst: 21
2009: .245-23-76-69-12
19. Orlando Hudson	Twins
Gone are the days where Hudson pushes for double digit home runs and stolen bases. His batting average will still stick around and he'll score a lot on the Twins lineup. Avg: 19; Best: 15; Worst: 22
2009: .283-9-62-74-8
20. Kelly Johnson	Diamondbacks
Johnson's move to the desert could be a welcome change in scenery. He floundered last year in Atlanta and lost his job, but that may have been injury and hit rate related and not a degradation of skills. Johnson could be a nice steal in 2010, especially if he can get back to 15/10 form. Avg: 19.25; Best: 17; Worst: 22
2009: .224-8-29-47-7

21. Luis Castillo, Mets
22. Mark Ellis, Athletics
23. Kaz Matsui, Astros
24. Casey McGehee, Brewers
25. Alberto Callaspo, Royals
26. Jeff Baker, Cubs
27. Maicer Izturis, Angels
28. Akinori Iwamura, Pirates
29. Scott Sizemore, Tigers
30. Freddy Sanchez, Giants
31. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
32. Juan Uribe, Giants
33. Luis Valbuena, Indians
34. Adam Kennedy, Nationals
35. Felipe Lopez, Free Agent
36. Eric Young, Rockies
37. Nick Punto, Twins
38. Ronnie Belliard, Dodgers
39. Chris Getz, Royals
40. Julio Lugo, Cardinals
41. David Eckstein, Padres
42. Eugenio Velez, Giants
43. Mike Fontenot, Cubs
44. Willy Aybar, Rays
45. Alexi Casilla, Twins
46. Jeff Keppinger, Astros
47. Blake DeWitt, Dodgers
48. Omar Infante, Braves
49. Jason Donald, Indians
50. Craig Counsell, Brewers