SECOND BASEMEN2B

40 SPORTING NEWS FANTASY BASEBALL 2009

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Chase Utley is still the cream of the crop, but after Utley underwent hip surgery in late November, the door opened for the

contenders to challenge his throne. The best-case scenario for Utley is that he’s back within the first few weeks of the season. However, it’s possible he could be out until June.

A combination of youth and power is adding a new dimen-sion at second base in fantasy leagues. The days of a .290 average, 10 home runs and 20 steals being a second baseman’s ceiling are are almost gone, and players like Utley and Florida’s Dan Uggla are proof.

Sure, there are a lot of speedy average hitters (i.e., Brian Roberts and Alexi Casilla) at second, but more guys playing the position are moving up in batting orders, driving in runs and crossing the plate. And it peaked in the offseason with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia winning the AL MVP. With the exception of Alfonso Soriano (now an outfielder), this was impossible a few years ago.

Gone are the days in which you wait until your roster is filled to snag a second baseman. Utley’s still the best, but don’t be dis-couraged if you aren’t able to grab him. Guys like Uggla, Pedroia, Texas’ Ian Kinsler and Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips should all be productive despite not being first- or second-round picks.

The parity at this position will only grow in 2009, and fantasy owners will take advantage. How nice would it be to have a second baseman that hits .300 with 25 homers? It’s a possibility, and fantasy owners shouldn’t overlook the depth here. Who knows? You might be passing on the Utley of the future.

Pedroia’s pop shows this position is

becoming an increased power source

By Tony Wilson

If you want Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia or Brandon Phil-

lips, get ready to pay. The top four second basemen will require a lot of

money in an auction draft. Is it worth it, though?

In a word, “yes.”

Beyond the top four, there aren’t a lot of “value” guys—at least not ones you

can count on. Brian Roberts and Dan Uggla are good, but they won’t be cheap.

Perhaps the best values will be Alexei Ramirez and Robinson Cano. Ramirez is

an up-and-coming star who may rival the top four when it’s all said and done. And

Cano will be a steal if he can bounce back to his 2006 and ’07 form.

We already know Chase Utley and

Dan Uggla can mash, as both hit more

than 30 home runs in 2008. But who

else excelled in the power department

last season? Mark DeRosa, Brandon

Phillips and Alexei Ramirez all hit 21

homers, while Texas’ Ian Kinsler chipped in 18 of his

own despite missing the final six weeks of the season

because of a sports hernia.

Searching for some wheels? Look no further than

Brian Roberts, who led all second basemen in steals in

2008 with 40. Kinsler (26) and Phillips (23) were next

on the list. Kazuo Matsui (20) and Dustin Pedroia (20)

each reached the 20-steals plateau, too.

Utley, Kinsler, Pedroia, Phillips and Ramirez are po-

tential 20-20 (or higher) guys who will provide more bang

for the buck, but they will all be high draft picks (with the

exception of Ramirez). Either way, they’re worth it.

POS AVG. RUNS HR RBIs SB2B .283 84 16 68 12

Kelly Johnson, Braves With the increasing depth among the elite players

at second base, the average players are becoming less valuable in mixed leagues.

However, there are a few who are worthy of being drafted, like Johnson, who hit

.287 with 12 home runs, 69 RBIs, 11 steals and 86 runs scored last year. It’s possible

to get value out of these guys—just don’t reach too early.

Kinsler

POWER, SPEED, RESPECT

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AUCTION STRATEGY

(2008 median stats for 2B)

2B_overview.indd 12B_overview.indd 1 12/8/08 12:11:13 PM12/8/08 12:11:13 PM