JH-Sportsline's 2010 MLB Fantasy Preview: Second Baseman
I would try to grab one of my Top 7 or take a strong look at my sleeper pick. The talent really falls off at this position so it would behoove you to draft a top-notch elite player. There could be at least 3 rookies to start the year at 2B, which is always a gamble. Cleveland (Luis Valbuena), Detroit (Scott Sizemore) and LA Dodgers (Blake Dewitt) make up those three teams.
3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2007-09)
Games Played: Robinson Cono (160)
Batting Average: Dustin Pedroia (.313)
Home Runs: Dan Uggla (31)
Doubles: Brian Roberts (50)
RBI: Chase Utley (100)
Triples: Akinori Iwamura (7)
Stolen Bases: Brian Roberts (40)
Walks: Brian Roberts (82)
Runs: Chase Utley (110)
Cream of the Crop: #1 Chase Utley (PHIL) #2 Dustin Pedroia (BOS) #3 Brian Roberts (BALT) #4 Ian Kinsler (TEX) #5 Brandon Phillips (CIN) #6 Robinson Cono (NYY) #7 Dan Uggla (FLA)
The Next Best: #8 Jose Lopez (Sea) #9 Orlando Hudson (Twins) #10 Ben Zobrist (TB) #11 Howie Kendrick (LAA) #12 Aaron Hill (Tor) #13 Gordon Beckham (CHW) #14 Luis Castillo (Mets) #15 Rickie Weeks (Milw) #16 Freddy Sanchez (SF) #17 Skip Schumaker (STL) #18 Akinori Iwamura (Pitt)
You could do worse: #19 Mark Ellis (Oak) #20 Kazu Matsui (Hou) #21 Christian Guzman (Wash) #22 Clint Barmes (Col) #23 Ronnie Belliard (LAD) #24 Nick Punto (Twins) #25 David Eckstein (SD) #26 Ryan Roberts (Arz) #27 Martin Prado (Atl)
Hope and Prey: #28 Kelly Johnson (Arz) #29 Scott Sizemore (Det) #30 Mark Fontenot (Cubs) #31 Jeff Baker (Cubs) #32 Chris Getz (KC) #33 Adam Kennedy (Wash) #34 Luis Valbuena (Clev) #35 Alexi Casilla (Min) #36 Blake Dewitt (LAD) #37 Matt Antonelli (SD) #38 Emanuel Burriss (SF) #39 Eric Young (Col) #40 Aaron Miles (Cin) #41 Joe Inglett (Milw) #42 Sean Rodriguez (TB) #43 Jayson nix (CHW) #44 Edwin Maysonet (Hou) #45 Jamey Carroll (LAD)
Career Year: Brandon Phillips (CIN) Brandon enters his 5th season with career averages of .265, 21 HRs, 84 RBI, 29 doubles, 5 Triples, and 24 SB's. He plays in a very hitter friendly park, especially in the dog days of Summer and does of a good job of putting the ball in play. (75 K's in 584 AB LY) It's nice to know that he has played at least 141 games since 2006. You can stick him in your starting line-up for the entire season and not have to worry about taking him out. Brandon batted .276, 20 HRs, 98 RBI, 5 Triples, 25 Stolen bases, 78 runs, and 44 free passes. I still believe he has not peaked yet. He is at the prime age (27-28) for having career years in baseball.
Sleeper: Gordon Beckham (CHW) He had a solid rookie season batting .270, 14 HRs, 41 RBI, 28 Doubles, 58 runs scored, 41 walks, and 7 steals in just 378 at-bats. If he gets 600 + at-bats look for .285, 22 HRs, 79 RBI, 40 Doubles, 80 runs scored, and 15 steals. And if that happens he won't be a sleeper next year! Very talented player with huge upside.
Bust: Dan Uggla (FLA) How can this guy hit three consecutive 30+ HR seasons but never top 92 RBI in any season. The answer is his awful batting average (.243 last year) and his extremely high strike-out total. (150 in 564 at-bats) He has a hitch in his swing that causes all sorts of problems. Last year he only scored 84 runs in 158 games played down from his career high of 113 in 2007. Someone in your draft will take Uggla too early. Don't be that guy!
Good Luck in Your Draft!
JHSL
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