Fantasy Baseball (2nd base): Second base – New MVP Position?

By Josh Bremberg
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Second basemen were only supposed to be good glove men that just hit doubles… well, tell that to Philadelphia Phillie Chase Utley, Texas Ranger Ian Kinsler, and reigning American League Most Valuable Player - Dustin Pedroia (BOS). These three 2nd-sackers may just be among the league’s elite following their 2008 campaigns.
Utley - an MVP candidate throughout most of the 2008 season - hit .292 with 33 HRs and 104 RBIs, should continue to be a huge threat in the Phillie line-up in ‘09. Kinsler playing in only 121 games managed to hit .319, while collecting 165 hits, 18 HRs, 71 RBIs, 102 runs! MVP Pedroia (Kinsler’s teammate at Arizona State - go Sun Devils!) followed up his R.O.Y. performance with a career year (.326 avg, 213 hits, 118 runs). Any one of these players would solidify your line-up, but if their names fall off the board – here are some potential second-tier players for you to consider:
Brian Roberts (BAL) offers great potential - 40 steals, .296 avg, 181 hits, 107 runs - in a pitiful line-up for the Orioles.
Dan Uggla (FLA), despite his name, may just have one of the prettiest home-run swings in baseball! In his brief 3-year career, he’s averaged 30 HRs & 90 RBIs for a young line-up looking to make things happen.
2008 R.O.Y. runner-up Alexei Ramirez (no relation to Manny, as far as I know) put together a fine premier - .290 avg, 139 hits, 21 HRs, 22 doubles, 77 RBIs, & 65 runs! The sky is the limit for this “youngster” – turned 27 in September – who may even play shortstop this season for the White Sox.
Total bases may be one of the most important stats for a second baseman – followed by Utley (325) & Pedroia (322), Seattle’s Jose Lopez surprised with 285 total bases in 2008! Lopez had a career year (.297 avg, 191 hits, 89 RBIs, & 80 runs) in ’08 and should continue on this upward trend.
Looking for steals? Chone Figgins (34 steals last year) may be the next best thing after Roberts, Brandon Philips (23), or a long shot with Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks (19).
If you miss out on the top three of the group, don't panic. There are plenty of other second-tier 2-baggers that can help your team. Could we have another MVP waiting to break out?
(Coming tomorrow: Shortstop rankings by Chad Garner)

TOP 20 2ND BASEMEN
1. Chase Utley (PHI)
2. Ian Kinsler (TEX)
3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
4. Brian Roberts (BAL)
5. Dan Uggla (FLA)
6. Alexei Ramirez (CWS)
7. Jose Lopez (SEA)
8. Brandon Phillips (CIN)
9. Robinson Cano (NYY)
10. Chone Figgins (LAA)
11. Rickie Weeks (MIL)
12. Mark DeRosa (CLE)
13. Placido Polanco (DET)
14. Kelly Johnson (ATL)
15. Mike Aviles (KC)
16. Orlando Hudson (LAD)
17. Freddy Sanchez (PIT)
18. Howie Kendrick (LAA)
19. Akinori Iwamura (TB)
20. Clint Barmes (COL)