As we look forward at the outcome for the keystone position, it has gained impressive momentum and a boatload of talent over the past couple of years. Second base has proved to be a black hole more or less in fantasy baseball, as there has been a very finite amount of startable talent at the position for a good while now. Back when Brandon Phillips, Dustin Pedroia, and Robinson Cano appeared to be the cream of the crop in the mid-to-late 2000's, the position has grown strong with a colossal core of exciting talent for fantasy owners. For the most part, second base has proved time and time again to be a generally more demanding position than first base, which leads the athletes at this position to be more versatile and agile out on the field. Due to that, the offensive ceiling of second basemen is immensely lower than any other spot on the diamond, and many, if not most teams are comfortable with deploying a more-than-capable defensive option at the position to form a strong double-play duo. Fortunately for fantasy owners this coming season, the position is at it's strongest for a first in some time, and gives fantasy owners a much needed bundle of flexibility to structure their draft around other higher offensive ceiling positions, while not missing out at a sumptuous and developed bat at second base. Fear not, their will be alluring and masterful choices at second base, but the real question becomes not if you can draft your preferred second basemen, but whether or not he'll be able to continue mashing at the plate, while delivering solid defense and garnering consideration for being a top-ten second basemen. The numbers posted at the plate in 2016 have significantly raised the floor and expectations for the second base community in 2017, and these lofty expectations may be met with underwhelming results early on this season. Some, not all, of the qualified players at second base are notoriously known for being atrociously slow starters (i.e. Brian Dozier), but more ways than none, that can be used to your advantage as a fantasy owner looking to hit big on a second base bat you missed on in the draft.
The top of the second base list is really one to drool on, as most players have a special knack for putting pitches in play at a high rate that presumably results in a high BABIP, while stealing bags and crushing homeruns when they need to. Usually on the smaller side for players in baseball, second basemen are leaner and smaller, but this list of guys packs a punch you really might regret missing on after seeing how they'll torch the league in 2017.
These projections are purely based off of the offensive capabilities and talents that these players possess, and do not factor defensive prowess or proficiency into altering the ranking of a player.
1. Jose Altuve HOU
2016 Stats: .338/.396/.531, 24 HR, 96 RBI, 108 R, 60 BB
2017 Projections: .330/.378/.473, 19 HR, 105 RBI, 113 R, 56 BB
Let's start out by point to the obvious: Altuve is 5'6", 165 lbs, and he put up 24 HR's and a .338 average? This just flat out screams ability to make hard contact and barrel up any pitch is his special weapon, and the guy knows how to swing the lumber as good as anyone in the sport. He led all qualified American League batters in average last season, and most might peg him for a regression in this coming campaign, but the interesting part is it might be smarter to be even more bullish on this guy not only repeating, but putting up better numbers than last season. His BABIP was .347, which means of all the balls he put in play, 34.7% of them would've gone for a hit for Altuve. This number is extremely above league average, but due to his blazing speed, and ability to put the ball where the defender isn't, there should be optimism for Altuve to settle into this high ceiling range year-in and year-out. With the recent additions of Brian McCann, Josh Reddick, and the never-aging Carlos Beltran, as well as returning budding stars Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, George Springer, and Yulieski Gurriel, Altuve has all the tools around him to demonstrate why he's a top MVP candidate, and to replicate his numbers year-to-year. Due to a stronger lineup overall, Altuve may see opposing hurlers pitch to him less, while they focus on attacking the batters behind Altuve instead; this could be an underlying sign that suggests a higher OBP this season is in the cards, and with the lineup Houston will be putting out on the field, Altuve could possibly crush his single seasons personal best runs scored record of 108 last year. Altuve is the obvious choice for the top-seed in the second base bag, as he's a true five-tool player, and represents perhaps the highest ceiling and understanding for hitting of anyone at the position currently.
2. Robinson Cano SEA
2016 Stats: .298/.350/.533, 39 HR, 103 RBI, 107 R, 47 BB
2017 Projections: .292/.358/.484, 31 HR, 99 RBI, 103 R, 55 BB
The sweet swinging Cano has been nothing short of excellent since coming to Seattle as a free agent three years ago, but 2016 was really Robbie's banner year, as he put a second-best 39 dingers for second basemen, trailing only Twin Brian Dozier who hit 42 HR's. Cano has always had one of the best bats in the league, and going into his age 34 season, look for him to still swing a mean stick that rates towards the top of the league, but also look for him to become even more selective at the plate, as his power numbers may stall a little bit towards his career norm in the mid twenties per season. He's as solid a bet at the position as anyone to continue racking up fantasy points on a regular basis, but some owners may be reluctant due to Cano playing at Safeco Field, which kills long balls, but interestingly enough he hit .272 with 17 HR's and a 481 slugging percentage at home, which all rates as certainly above average. Also, look for Cano to continue attacking pitchers early in the count, especially swinging at first pitches, where in 2016, he hit to the tune of a .416 average in 0-0 counts, and a .338 average in 1-0 counts too; Cano like any other star hitter knows all too well what to do with pitches that pitchers make mistakes out of, as he demolished 39 offerings into the seats as souvenirs for fans. He'll likely be one of, if not the first second basemen to come off the board, and rightfully so, draft him high, and expect an explosion of powerful offensive numbers.
3. Daniel Murphy WAS
2016 Stats: .347/.390/.595, 25 HR, 104 RBI, 88 R, 35 BB
2017 Projections: .301/.344/.461, 18 HR, 89 RBI, 72 R, 29 BB
He's continued to make a fool of opposing pitchers since his historic postseason run with the Mets in 2015, and set fire to the fantasy community last year, capturing a startled amount of fantasy owners off guard by his gaudy numbers. He topped out at 14 HR's in his last year with the Mets, and only hit double digit dingers three times in his career before taking his talents to D.C. The expectations are going to be quiet lofty, and it can be assumed that this coming year will truly show some relapse in Murphy's power numbers, but he's always had firm bat-to-ball coordination, which should continue. He'll be drafted way too high, so don't bite on him to early, and it'll be hard to hold off once looking back on his 25 HR's and .347 average last year, but unless Murphy has developed into a late career booming second base resurgent magic bat, he'll throw solid, if not unspectacular numbers back at the fantasy community. You could look to draft him and pray he has a lightning quick start to the season, and sell high on his efforts, but Murphy hasn't done quite enough yet to warrant a safe guarantee that he'll be able to deliver elite numbers at second base just yet.
4. Brian Dozier MIN
2016 Stats: .268/.340/.546, 42 HR, 99 RBI, 104 R, 61 BB
2017 Projections: .254/.332/.521, 34 HR, 92 RBI, 101 R, 62 B
Brian Dozier, the bulldozer, plowed away at pitchers last season, leaving orbit and annihilating 42 HR's in the seats. Dozier has always been known to be a steady bet to provide great power numbers at the second base position, if not the best in the league, and he certainly backed his case for homerun champ at the position last year. It'll be hard to come back and hit another 40+ bombs, but he has the power to consistently knock at least 30 out of the park in his peak years, while providing a boost with double digit stolen base totals. Rumors have had it that the Dodgers were interested in acquiring Dozier, but with the asking price at an all time high, now is definitely not the time to buy on Dozier, but it is probably the best point to sell on Dozier for the Minnesota Twins, as his value will most likely never eclipse the point it is at right now. Another case like Murphy, coming off of a career year, the question is really whether or not Dozier can prove he can replicate his success to the degree he did last season; if he can he's a truly elite player at the position, and if he can't, well then you, just like the Twins, waited to long to sell on a sky-high scarce piece. Plug him and play him at second because he'll undoubtedly provide some of the best power numbers on your entire roster, and he'll do it with plain southern Mississippi boy power, striking pitches a country mile.
5. Ian Kinsler DET
2016 Stats: .288/.348/.484, 28 HR, 83 RBI, 117 R, 45 BB
2017 Projections: .289/.341/.439, 21 HR, 90 RBI, 102 R, 48 BB
Kinsler, originally a Texas Ranger, was swapped 1-for-1 with Prince Fielder back in 2013, which surprisingly turned out to be a steal of a deal for the Detroit Tigers. The Texas Rangers would only get one above-average season out of Fielder, who went on to hit a career low 23 HR's and score only 78 runs. Kinsler, on the other hand, has only gotten better in the past three seasons, accumulating a higher WAR each and every year since being acquired by Detroit. Kinsler has develop into quite the nice offensive cog for a powerful Detroit lineup, that has big bats J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, and Victor Martinez. Hitting atop the order, Kinsler will be a fine bet to remain near the top of the leaderboard for second basemen in runs scored, while providing credible power for the position. Kinsler has never really been a walks specialist, and has an acute ability to not only get on base, but thread balls into the gap and pop his fair share over the Comerica Park fences. Always a safe bet for a great return, Kinsler isn't the best at the position, but maybe the safest bet for a good return.
6. Rougned Odor TEX
2016 Stats: .271/.296/.502, 33 HR, 88 RBI, 89 R, 19 BB
2017 Projections: .265/.303/.510, 36 HR, 95 RBI, 92 R, 27 BB
Texas is known for sporting incredible offenses that perform the way they should in a ball park built to punish pitchers for leaving mistakes over the heart of the plate. Odor is an interesting case, because as he came up through the minors many pegged him as a fringe prospect due to his size, but if we've learned anything from the top of the list, size isn't necessarily a guarantee of anything. Only being 5'11", Odor packs a great punch with the bat and punches pitchers in the mouth with his power, as he launched 33 bombs last year. For such a small guy, he can swing the stick really as hard as anyone at the position, and is an intriguing talent that at the ripe age of 22, can only develop and get better from here. In that Texas lineup that features Elvis Andrus, Nomar Mazara, Adrian Beltre, and Jonathan Lucroy, it's scary to think what kind of numbers Odor could possibly post in his fourth big league season. I'd personally peg the guy to exceed expectations and continue to mash at the major league, and no one is going to stop Odor from becoming better or more aggressive, not even Jose Bautista. Globe Life Park rates as one of the friendliest for hitters in the league, and Odor took great advantage of that, as he hit .281 with a .538 slugging percentage and 17 HR's when playing there last season. Considering he'll play 81 games there, it can be assumed that while Odor is still adjusting to the league, and learning the true ability of his talents, it'll be hard for opposing pitchers to hold him inside the park. Odor could certainly be on the higher end of this list by seasons end, and he has about as much potential as anyone at the position to provide some of the best offensive numbers this coming season.
7. Dustin Pedroia BOS
2016 Stats: .318/.376/.449, 15 HR, 74 RBI, 105 R, 61 BB
2017 Projections: .309/.379/.425, 13 HR, 85 RBI, 100 R, 68 BB
Pedroia and the Red Sox tried to deliver Big Papi one more World Series before he walked off in the sun set, but ultimately fell short and lost in the ALDS to the pennant winning Cleveland Indians. A great portion of Boston's offensive success last season was thanks to their new leadoff man, Pedroia, who set the table for Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Ortiz to rake last season. He provided his usual stellar defense for which he is fondly known for, but the bat was perhaps the biggest surprise for many Sox fans. Going into his age 32 season, and previously having wrist surgery seasons before, it had been speculated Pedroia would never regain his power stroke, but ultimately he would go on to prove the doubters wrong. The Muddy Chicken would knock 15 HR's out, while sticking 36 pitches into the gap for doubles, and supplying one triple for good measure. His resume had been well padded coming into the season, but it's easy to think no one expected Pedroia to go out and terrorize pitches to the tune of a .318 batting average, while putting up a 61-73 BB/K ratio, which is an optimistic sign for an aging veteran that will certainly be more selective over pitches at the plate. Now that Ortiz has officially retired, Pedroia will look to Betts and Bogaerts more to generate the spark plug the Boston offense will unquestionably need now that Ortiz is no longer playing. It's fair to question how much longer Pedroia's small frame and body will be able to keep up, but with Boston manager John Farrell knowing as well as anyone that Peddey needs his fair share of days off, Pedroia should consistently be refreshed throughout the seasons so that he can continue to hit .300+ and score close to 100 runs per year.
8. D.J. LeMahieu COL
2016 Stats: .348/.416/.495, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 104 R, 66 BB
2017 Projections: .310/.389/.478, 12 HR, 71 RBI, 110 R, 63 BB
A huge surprise for the fantasy baseball world, LeMahieu unexpectedly came out and torched the league, hitting .348 in what was by far LeMahieu's most impressive year yet. His bat-to-ball skills are extremely impressive, and he also possesses any uncanny ability to pair his contact skills with a better than average strikeout rate that could see him morph into a perennial batting average monster. Take into consideration he also plays for a potent Rockies lineup that plays at Coors Field, and has the advantage of seeing their fair share of fly-balls go for homeruns due to the altitude in Colorado. LeMahieu doesn't boast encouraging power numbers, because if you draft him, you'll be looking for someone to carry your team in the average department, and that's just what LeMahieu should be called upon to do. He did put up a .495 slugging percentage last season, which is definitely better than league average, but he hit an uncharacteristic .391/.473/.591 at home last season, which may prove to be unsustainable as he continues his career. This isn't his first season hitting over .300, as he put together a .301 campaign the year prior, and did jump 107 points in the slugging percentage branch. With Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, and newly signed Ian Desmond hitting behind LeMahieu, there will be no shortage of runs scored, barring any injury that may occur. He should be able to hit above .280 for sure, and because he plays at Coors, expect his stats to stay inflated due to the nature of Colorado's ballpark dimensions and sea level elevation.
9. Jason Kipnis CLE
2016 Stats: .275/.343/.469, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 60 BB
2017 Projections: .290/.361/.464, 21 HR, 90 RBI, 98 R, 72 BB
Thank you, Edwin Encarnacion, for taking your talents to Cleveland where fantasy owners should expect a jump in runs scored for Kipnis, and potentially an overall rise in his gameplay due to the fact that Encarnacion will absorb a greater portion of the overall team expectations. Since debuting back in 2011, Kipnis has proved to be a valuable asset both on offense and defense, collecting a 5.9 WAR at his peak thus far, and coming into his age 29 season, his best years are potentially still to come, and that should entice many owners to take a shot on a guy coming off career highs in HR's, runs scored, and slugging percentage. He's one of the better second basemen at the position, and considering he swings left-handed, he can offer a bit of diversity in your lineup when it comes lefty/righty matchups in the box. Like Pedroia, Kipnis is an Arizona State product, and is another second basemen that defies the odds of gravity, standing at only 5'11", 195 lbs on the field. Could be a dark horse candidate for a 20/20 season, as he set a personal career high in fly-balls hit last season, which if he continues the trend, leaves him at a greater risk for a lower batting average, but could reward fantasy owners in return with a greater number of HR's. Manager Terry Francona could look to run more on the base paths, and that could pave the way for more steals for Kipnis, who could provide a potentially deadly HR and SB package as mentioned before that could best other second basemen.
10. Ben Zobrist CHC
2016 Stats: .272/.386/.446, 18 HR, 76 RBI, 94 R, 96 BB
2017 Projections: .275/.396/.430, 15 HR, 81 RBI, 100 R, 99 BB
A fine example of the well-known swiss army knife, Zobrist has invented his very own brand of the crafty knife, as he played at least one game at five different positions last year, while providing steady and effective numbers across the board as a veteran hitter and leader in the Cubs clubhouse. Signed as their second basemen, Zobrist provides middling numbers in the power department, averaging around 13.2 homeruns per season in his ten year career, but he excels both on paper and in the stadium at getting on base at a well above-average rate. Zobrist put up a .386 OBP, which is second in his career only to his .405 OBP he registered in 2009, which was perhaps the height of his career. He brings 30+ doubles, 10+ homeruns, and is set to most likely score more than 90 runs this season in an extremely potent Cubs lineup. Due to the fact that he can be dispersed at multiple positions on your fantasy roster, and the towering expectations for second basemen to deliver this season, he may be a better shortstop or outfield option, but he's still quite capable of putting together a fine fantasy season for owners that missed out on top-tier options early in the draft.
That'll wrap up the top list of second baggers for now, and in our next article we'll highlight and focus on one of the best positions, third base, to provide your fantasy lineup with an all-around offensive spark to rake this coming year.
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