Fantasy Baseball 2010: Top 10 Second Basemen to Draft

Who to take at second base has often been an afterthought in most fantasy baseball leagues, one which most owners do not address until the late rounds of the draft. However, there is now enough talent at the position that most owners may want to revise their thinking when it comes to drafting a second baseman. To help with that decision making process, here are the top 10 second basemen to go after in a 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft.

Chase Utley (Phillies)

At 31, the left-handed hitting Utley is arguably the best fantasy second baseman around. Coming off a World Series performance in which he hit a record tying 5 homers over the course of a series, Utley's fantasy value may be at an all-time high coming into the 2010 season. Though he failed to drive in 100 runs (he had 93 RBIs) for the first time in five years, Utley still posted 31 homers, scored 112 runs and stole a career high 23 bases on 23 tries. And while his batting average dropped for the 2 straight seasons (after hitting a career high .332 in 2007), Utley is still surrounded by a power lineup that will let him post huge numbers again in 2009. Look for Utley to go in the top 3 rounds of the draft.

Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)

Last season Pedroia posted numbers close to those of his 2008 MVP season. Though his average fell from a high of .326 to .296, Dustin still collected 115 runs, 20 steals, 17 homers and 72 RBIs. Along the way, he also manage to hit 48 doubles (compared to 54 in 2008) which means that he often found himself in scoring position. At 26, there is still plenty of upside to Pedroia, and playing in Boston won't hurt his fantasy numbers any. Look for Pedroia to go by the 5^th round.

Aaron Hill (Blue Jays)

After a good 2007 season and a disappointing 2008, Aaron Hill finally lived up to the potential that made him a first round pick out of LSU in 2003. Last season, Aaron led all second basemen in homers (36) and RBIs (103), while scoring 103 runs and hitting a respectable .286. While he won't steal bases for you, Hill will help you plenty in the other offensive categories. Hill is a star in the making who should be in the top tier of fantasy second basemen for years to come.

Brain Roberts (Orioles)

It's easy to forget Roberts when you are talking about the better second basemen in fantasy baseball. Yet few players have been as consistent as Roberts over the past 6 seasons. In fact, if you count the number of players who have had at least 3 seasons of 50 or more doubles in the baseball, Roberts' company would be made up exclusively of Hall of Famers. Last season Roberts scored 110 runs, stole 30 bases, collected 73 extra base hits, and drove in 79 runs. Not bad for an easy to overlook 5-9 player. Chances are you Roberts will fall to the mid rounds of the draft, where drafting him will be a steal.

Robinson Cano (Yankees)

Cano' has stolen all of 17 bases in the last 5 seasons, and he is not a threat to improve on that in 2009. If you can get pass the fact that he will not run for you, you will begin to see that there is little else Cano' can't do in fantasy baseball. Last year the New York second sacker enjoyed a career year with 205 hits, 103 runs, 25 homers, 85 RBIs and a .320 average. What's more, Cano' plays in the midst of a star studded Yankee lineup, which will continue to aid his fantasy numbers.

Ian Kinsler (Rangers)

Despite missing 18 games last season, Kinsler sill turned in a 30-30 season, hitting 31 homers while stealing an equal number of bases. And while his average dropped from a sterling .319 to just .253, Kinsler still scored 102 runs and drove in 86 more. At 27, Kinsler is headed into his peak years, and there is little reason to suggest that he won't deliver good fantasy numbers across 4 or 5 key categories. Having said that, Kinsler has yet to prove he can stay healthy for a full season, with the 144 games he played last season being a career high.

Brandon Phillips (Reds)

Few second basemen have been as consistent a hitter as Phillips over the last 3 years. Playing his home games in a hitter's park, Phillips has posted 20 homer, 20 steal seasons over the past three seasons. Last year his 98 RBIs were the second most by second sacker and his 25 stolen bases were tied for third. Only 28, there is little reason to believe that Phillips will not hover around the 20-90-20 mark for a while to come.

Dan Uggla (Marlins)

Since breaking into the league in 2006, Uggla has average 30 homers, 90 RBIs a season. The problem with Uggla is that he is a lifetime .257 hitter who strikeout a lot, and who can't steal a base. In other words, Uggla will help you in about as many categories as he will hurt you. If you can live with a batting average that may dip under .250, then Uggla is the player for you.

Jose Lopez (Mariners)

Lopez has now put together solid back to back fantasy season, having posted a .297 average, with 191 hits, 17 homers and 89 RBIs in 2008, and a .272 average, with 25 homers and 96 RBIs in 2009. While he won't get you steals, his power numbers are still on the rise. On the high side, Lopez may be good for a .290-30-100 in 2010. On the low side, he will still get you at least 20 homers and 80 RBIs for the next few years to come.

Alexei Ramirez (White Sox)

Ramirez's numbers regressed in 2009, but he still has enough upside to be capable of a 30 homers, 100 RBI, 20 steals season. Last season Ramirez was on pace for a 20-20 season before the All-Star game (including a 7 homerun June), before losing his long ball stroke after the break. If he is able to get on track early this season, Ramirez is worth a late round gamble.

Statistical Source:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players