Second base isn’t the most glamorous fantasy baseball position, but it can still pay major dividends for your season’s success.
There are only a few options who are far out in front, so be wise when selecting your second baseman. If you don’t succeed on the top three players, then you might as well wait on drafting a second baseman.
Here’s my top-five entering the 2016 season.
1. Jose Altuve, Houston
He’s the clear-cut favorite and possibly a first-round pick. Altuve’s value is all dependent on where you value first base and how your particular draft is going. There are multiple first basemen who are likely to go at the end of the first round, but if you’re waiting on that position, Altuve would be a solid option at the end of the first round or at the beginning of the second. Altuve checks all the boxes for a second baseman. He scores runs, tallies a solid batting average and steals plenty of bases. That’s about all you can ask for out of a second basemen, giving Altuve the highest grade in that position.
2. Robinson Cano, Seattle
Cano is our top sleeper candidate at second base. According to Fantasy Pros, which takes opinions from multiple experts, he’s ranked as the 52nd overall player in the draft, putting him in the fifth round. If you can get Cano in the fourth or fifth round, that should set you for the season at second base and other positions, since you can tackle other fantasy players in the early going. Cano had a down season last year, but he still managed to bat .287 with more than 20 home runs and 79 RBIs. Those aren’t great numbers, but it’s manageable. I’m banking on a better season, with more RBIs and homers this season.
3. Dee Gordon, Miami
This pick is all about what you need on your fantasy team. Gordon is going to score runs and steal bases. He did bat well for average last season, but we’re not certain he will keep that up. There are only a few players who can give you stolen bases, so depending on what you need, you may grade Gordon higher.
4. Brian Dozier, Minnesota
Now the talent level drops off significantly. I’m taking those top-three toward the top of the draft. If you don’t land one of those guys, then go ahead and wait. Dozier offers pretty much standard for what the rest of the second basemen offer, except he can provide power. Dozier had his best season last year and if he can keep up the improvement he can possibly join those top-three players. He hit 28 home runs last year, which is a solid number for a second baseman. He’s also shown to steal bases in the past, but only collected 12 last year.
5. Matt Carptenter, St. Louis
I expect a bit of a downgrade in the home run department, but this is still the same player who went for more than 100 runs and 28 homers last year. He has shown the ability to hit for power, something that many second basemen struggle with. He’s getting worse in the batting average department, registering .272 averages in the past two years after going over .300 in 2013. However, if he keeps up the ability to hit for power, he would be a solid addition in the middle rounds for fantasy baseball owners.
