Tiered Up: Second Basemen

Ready to go the extra mile? Tiered Up looks at a more thorough way to set up your draft board than simple rankings.

Many owners are going to be jumping on second basemen in the third, fourth and fifth rounds, but I'm a big fan of the sleepers this year. Sure, I'd jump on drafting Brandon Phillips and Robinson Cano if I can get them at great value, but I feel the real value lies later in the draft.

Howie Kendrick, Rickie Weeks and Ian Stewart are all very close to entering the top two tiers at the position, and any growth in 2010 for these youngsters could make this the year. I like them so much that in a 12-team mixed league I'm more than happy passing on the entire top three tiers and drafting my starting 2B late in the game.

Let's take a look at my tiered second basemen rankings. The number next to each player is his overall Median Draft Position, as explained here.

Tier 1

Chase Utley, Phillies (4)
Ian Kinsler, Rangers (15)

Utley is in a class by himself and is a likely top-five pick in your league. Kinsler is also in a class by himself, clearly behind Utley but also clearly ahead of the next batch of second basemen. If I wasn't in love with the depth at 2B this year, I'd definitely spend a second-rounder on Kinsler.

Tier 2

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (35)
Brandon Phillips, Reds (38)
Robinson Cano, Yankees (44)

Logic would have this tier grouped with the following tier, but I feel these three are a cut above their Tier 3 counterparts. I'd spend a third or early fourth round pick on them. Pedroia is the most well-rounded fantasy player of the three, while Phillips could only hurt you in average. Cano isn't going to steal many bases, but a very high average makes up for it.

Tier 3

Aaron Hill, Blue Jays (47)
Brian Roberts, Orioles (42)
Ben Zobrist, Rays (51)

This is my Tier to Avoid. Hill's homer total should come down to earthly levels, and his average isn't good enough to make up for it. Roberts' main asset (his speed) has been in decline over the last three years, and now he's battling injury already. Some people love Zobrist, but I'd like to see the out-of-nowhere stud prove it again before spending a top-50 pick on him.

Tier 4

Jose Lopez, Mariners (111)
Howie Kendrick, Angels (145)
Rickie Weeks, Brewers (165)
Ian Stewart, Rockies (121)
Dan Uggla, Marlins (83)
Gordon Beckham, White Sox (86)

Here are our money guys. Kendrick has the chops to win a batting title, and could give you a .330-plus average with a 15/15 season if he takes the next step forward this year. A wrist injury derailed Weeks last year, but he's back to prove the breakout was real. Stewart is like Uggla with upside. I do like Beckham, but I fear he's earning the Chris Davis-type hype this year and will wind up disappointing in his draft slot. In most cases, I'm getting my starter from this tier.

Tier 5

Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians (138)
Martin Prado, Braves (227)
Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks (308)
Clint Barmes, Rockies (237)

I definitely think Johnson is being underdrafted at this point. He had two very solid fantasy seasons before last year's lost season. With guaranteed ABs in Arizona, he will be a fine pickup for your MI position. If Cabrera doesn't hit .300 again (and I think he won't), then he's going to disappoint his owner.

Tier 6

Orlando Hudson, Twins (228)
Placido Polanco, Phillies (225)
Scott Sizemore, Tigers (276)
Luis Castillo, Mets (346)
Kazuo Matsui, Astros (389)

Hudson and Polanco are the more popular picks here, but I like Sizemore, if he can put an early injury behind him. Castillo and Matsui will help you in the speed category, if you're searching for steals at this point of the game.

You can throw all other second basemen into Tier 7 and take your favorite if you want to add one more bench 2B.