2010 Fantasy Baseball - Breakout Second Basemen (2B)

While players like Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler, Aaron Hill, Dustin Pedroia, Brian Roberts and Chone Figgins are the cream of the crop second basemen in fantasy baseball; here are a few 2Bs that you should monitor this offseason and target in drafts for the 2010 baseball season.

Ben Zobrist - TampaBay Rays
The 28 year old had a phenomenal year in his first full season in 2009 and should breakout even more in 2010. A sleeper by all means last year, Zobrist sported a .297 AVG, 91 Runs, 27 HRs, 91 RBIs and 17 SBs to make him one of the top 50 players in the fantasy game last season. As last years team MVP, an All-Star selection for the American League and proud owner of 3 Grand Slams, Zobrist has a lot to live up to this year. With his raw skills and determination I think Zobrist will break into the top 5 fantasy second basemen in 2010. Look for Zobrist to put up a .306 AVG, 100 Runs, 32 HRs, 105 RBIs and 25 SBs in 2010. Those numbers alone can make Chase Utley look like a weaker option. If you can snag Zobrist in the 7^th round in 10 team leagues I will tell you right now you won't be happier with anyone else. He is going to be a huge star in the major leagues and this year is only going to confirm that.

Gordon Beckham - Chicago White Sox
Drafted 8^th overall by the White Sox in the 2008 MLB draft, it didn't take long for Gordon to make an impact at the major league level. Although he only played in 103 games last season, Beckham posted a .270 AVG, 14 Hrs, 63 RBIs, 58 Runs and 7 SBs at the age of 22. Predominantly a third baseman during 2009, GM Kenny Williams showed how versatile the Georgia Bulldog standout really is when he stated that Beckham will be the starting second baseman for the White Sox in 2010 with the recent acquisition of Mark Teahan from the Kansas City Royals. Beckham has the potential to be a top 5 second baseman in fantasy leagues in 2010 as he has a lot of pop and a little bit of speed to add to it. I project the following numbers from Gordon in 2010: .291 AVG, 23 HRs, 85 RBIs, 72 Runs and 14 SBs. I will take that any day from a young gun with upside. In keeper and dynasty leagues, Beckham should be snatched up immediately as he has the potential to be a top 3 2B option for years to come. The White Sox have a tremendous talent to develop over the next few seasons and owners couldn't be more excited for it.

Chris Coghlan - Florida Marlins
The National League Rookie of The Year in 2009, Coghlan put up phenomenal numbers that he will only improve upon greatly in 2010. In 2009 Coghlan hit .321 AVG, 84 Runs, 9 HRs, 47 RBIs and 8 SBs. In addition, he put up 97 hits in the final 2 months of the season which is an outstanding feat for any player in itself. He also had outfielder eligibility which was a great plus to owning him in 2009. At the young age of 24, the sky is the limit for Chris as he looks to build upon his monumental season in 2010. In 2010 I project Coghlan to be a top 10 2B option with a .318 AVG, 96 Runs, 14 HRs, 64 RBIs and 13 SBs. This is a player worth owning and with dual eligibility he is an even greater asset to your ballclub. Look to grab him in the later rounds as a sleeper pick that will give you great value throughout the season.

Ian Stewart - Colorado Rockies
Even though it's early many experts are predicting Stewart to have a monster year in 2010. He will most definitely be hyped as a major sleeper that you should keep weary of in your drafts this season. With 2B/3B eligibility Stewart gives his owners even more flexibility than your average 2B. In 2009 Stewart was a member of the late surging Rockies team that was happy to have his services most of the time. The only negative I can point out on Stewart is his plate discipline. This is something the Rockies want to improve upon this offseason so he can raise his hideous 2009 AVG and SOs. In 2009 Stewart hit .228 AVG, 74 Runs, 25 HRs, 70 RBIs and 7 SBs. He looks like a Mark Reynolds in the making, but Stewart has shown potential at times that he can hit consistently for average. It's all a matter of him putting it together right now. While I don't see a tremendous improvement in Ian's average in 2010 I do project him to put up the following numbers to make his owners happy to have him. .253 AVG, 86 Runs, 31 HRs, 83 RBIs and 10 SBs. Look to draft Stewart in the late rounds of your draft and if you have a pretty shallow league he is a prime candidate to pickup during one of his hot streaks.

Casey McGehee - Milwaukee Brewers
A rookie in 2009 at the age of 26, Casey McGehee held his own on a Milwaukee Brewers team that underachieved. With J.J. Hardy out, McGehee is trying to find out where he fits into this 2010 Brewers lineup. Escobar seems to be fitting in at SS and Weeks, Hall and Gamel are all question marks as we speak. McGegee who had 2B and 3B eligibility in 2009 may travel between those two positions as the season begins, but he should be expected to fill a fulltime role once he gets cooking. Over 116 games in 2009 Casey put up a .301 AVG, 58 Runs, 16 HRs and 66 RBIs. I fully see him eclipsing the 20 HR mark in 2010 and building upon his other numbers offensively. I would consider taking him in the 15^th round in 12 team leagues and the last couple of rounds in 10 team leagues until we hear more about Milwaukee's lineup plans, but the future looks bright for Casey and I fully expect him to have a breakout year in 2010. 2010 Projections: .315 AVG, 70 Runs 22 HRs, 78 RBIs.