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Second Base

Below are our rankings of second basemen entering the 2017 season.  The list was last updated on January 19, 2017.

The Elite

1.

Jose Altuve (HOU) Best little big man in the game. Altuve is a Top-5 overall pick in 2017.

2.

Brian Dozier (MIN) The career year in home runs was fueled by a monstrous 28 homer second half. 30 homers and 15-to-20 stolen bases is a solid floor for 2017.

3.

Robinson Cano (SEA) 14-82, 21-79, 39-103. One of these is not like the other.

4.

Jean Segura (SEA, SS elig) The change of scenery will produce the same outstanding results.

5.

Dee Gordon (MIA) Thirty stolen bases in 325 at-bats in 2016. Another safe boring 60 thefts are on the agenda for 2017.

The Middle Tier

6.

Rougned Odor (TEX) Not to be confused with his brother, Rougned Odor….who managed a better OBP.

7.

Jason Kipnis (CLE) The 23 homers last season were eight more than 2014 and 2015 combined. The mid-teen speed and runs scored are very real.

8.

Daniel Murphy (WAS, 1B elig) 11 homers and 31 RBI more than your second best season in both categories qualifies as a career year.

9.

Ian Kinsler (DET) He’ll be 35 in June. I’m not expecting a repeat of the 28 long balls in 2017.

10.

Dustin Pedroia (BOS) After three mediocre seasons, he returned with a vengeance in 2016. More of the same is in store in 2017.

11.

DJ LeMahieu (COL) The .388 BABIP led all of baseball last year. I think it’s a fair assumption that there will be some regression in the .348 BA.

12.

Neil Walker (NYM) A herniated disc interrupted what was a fine season. Walker accepted the qualifying offer and hopes to parlay it into a long-term deal. I think it’s a good bet.

Intriguing Options

13.

Jedd Gyorko (STL, SS/3B elig) If you call for a breakout year enough times, it might actually come to fruition.

14.

Jonathan Schoop (BAL) The power developed. The on-base skills still need some work.

15.

Logan Forsythe (TAM) Twenty home run potential with a handful of stolen bases, makes for sneaky late value.

16.

Starlin Castro (NYY) The move to the Yankees suited him well as he bested his career high in home runs by seven.

17.

Devon Travis (TOR) Will he ever be healthy? If he can, he could move up the 2B charts in a hurry.

The Rest

18.

Ben Zobrist (CHC, OF elig) The last time we saw numbers from Zobrist like we did last year was in 2012. I’m not betting on a repeat performance.

19.

Josh Harrison (PIT) Pencil in 15-to-20 stolen bases and be content.

20.

Cesar Hernandez (PHI) He was caught stealing 13 times in 2016. Improvement is required.

21.

Kolten Wong (STL) The defense will keep him on the field, but the offense has to show up or he’ll be “Half way to Memphis” before you realize.

22.

Joe Panik (SF) He walked 50 times, struck out 47 times, and still sported only a .315 OBP?

23.

Brett Lawrie (CWS) How ironic is it that Yoan Moncado will likely be drafted higher than Lawrie in 2017?

24.

Alen Hanson (PIT) Will the Pirates ever give this kid a shot?

25.

Brandon Phillips (CIN) It’s time to waive the no-trade clause and move on.

26.

Jed Lowrie (OAK) 2013 was a long, long time ago.

27.

Ryan Schimpf (SD) 105 strikeouts in 276 at-bats. This isn’t going to end well.

28.

Raul Mondesi (KC) I thought he retired years ago.

29.

Chase Utley (LAD) Best left for Only-formats.

30.

Tyler Saladino, (CWS, SS elig) He’ll play virtually everywhere in a backup capacity.

31.

Joe Wendle (OAK) If the A’s can find a way to move Jed Lowrie, Wendle could hold short-term value in deeper formats.

32.

Derek Dietrich (MIA) A full season from Dee Gordon means about 250 fewer at-bats for Dietrich.

33.

Darwin Barney (TOR) “I love you, you love me”, please don’t make me use Barney.

34.

Whit Merrifield (KC)

35.

Jace Peterson (ATL)

36.

T. J. Rivera (NYM)

37.

Scooter Gennett (MIL)

38.

Dilson Herrera (CIN)

39.

Wilmer Difo (WAS)

40.

Cory Spangenberg (SD)

41.

Carlos Sanchez (CWS)

42.

Christian Colon (KC)

43.

Phil Gosselin (ARZ)

44.

Ryan Goins (TOR)

45.

Cliff Pennington (LAA)

46.

Kelly Johnson (FA, 3B elig)

 

2 comments on “Second Base

  1. I assume Trea Turner will be listed under OF? Where would you rank him among 2b?

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