Second Basemen:
1. Robinson Cano
After a slow start in 2007 that had Cano batting .274 entering the All-Star break, Robby went on a tear in the second half,
batting a robust .343 and ending the season with at a .306 clip with 19 homers and 97 RBI. Striking out more than twice as
often as he walks, Cano is not a sabremetrically sound offensive player, but for fantasy purposes there are no better
second basemen in the American League. Robinson Cano brings batting average, homers, RBI, and actually attempted 9
steals (up 2 from the year before). He will always have the comfort of the Yankee lineup to protect him, and has learned to
make adjustments and improve his approach each season. Expect more improvement and .300+ with 20+ homers and
100+ RBI.
2. Ian Kinsler
Other than his inability to eclipse 500 at bats in a single season, what’s not to like about Kinsler? Think of Ian as Brandon
Phillips-light. He knocked 20 homers to go with his 23 stolen bases, and although his batting average declined from 2006-
2007, his peripheral numbers suggest it may have been a fluke. Do not expect a 30/30 season yet, but expectations are
mounting for a year like that in the foreseeable future for Kinsler.
3. Brian Roberts
Possibly the only player mentioned in the Mitchell Report whose value has remained roughly the same entering 2008, much
of Roberts’ value lies in his speed. Few second basemen are capable of swiping 50 bags, much less knocking 10+ homers
and batting around .300 – but Brian Roberts is one of them. As one of the few veterans left on the Orioles during their
rebuilding effort, speculation is mounting that he will be moved in a trade for prospects, possibly even before Opening Day.
Bid or draft expecting more of the same, as now Roberts will be playing for his credibility in 2008.
4. BJ Upton
A breakthrough campaign in 2007 has some critics thinking that he is now the number one second baseman in the
American League. With 24 homers and 22 steals to go with a .300 average, Upton emerged as a potential three category
option in the middle infield. Though BJ Upton was always a highly touted prospect, we are not yet sold on his ability to
repeat 2007’s performance, especially with regard to batting average. Expect a drop-off across the board, but a repeat
may be enough to claim the throne of best second baseman entering 2009.
5. Mark Ellis
Two favorite words of fantasy baseball GMs are “contract year.” Unless he is re-signed by Oakland soon, 2008 represents
just that for Mark Ellis. Looking to build on a 2007 effort that resulted in 19 homers, 76 RBI, 9 steals, and a .276 average –
Ellis will be hoping to carry over his hot second-half hitting in 2007 to 2008. It is hard to accept the diminutive Ellis as a 20+
home run hitter, but the inspiration of a contract year might be all it takes to get him there.
6. Aaron Hill
How does a guy who combined for 9 homers in his previous 900 major league at bats blast 17 in just 608 in 2007? Just ask
Aaron Hill. Not only did Hill exceed expectations with 17 long-balls, he also launched 47 doubles while posting his second
straight .291 season average. His big second half (.320 average with 8 homers and 23 doubles), as well as Hill’s work ethic
and desire to improve all provide hope for a repeat in 2008. It is too soon to declare Hill a top five second baseman
predicated upon one productive season, but he may earn those honors with an encore in 2008.
7. Dustin Pedroia
Pedroia’s 2007 season was good for AL Rookie of the Year honors. His .317 average augmented the value of this 5’9,
Lilliputian middle infielder. Eight homers and seven steals make Pedroia otherwise unremarkable, but both are totals that
the talented Dustin Pedroia hopes to build on during 2008. Don’t expect big jumps in either speed or power, but there is
room for growth and the supporting cast will provide adequate protection in the lineup for this fan favorite and future
potential batting champ.
8. Howie Kendrick
Howie Kendrick is not going to give you a ton of power or speed. What he has always reliably proven is his ability to post a
robust batting average at every professional level. Think of a Western version of Pedroia, and expect a .320+ average,
10+ homers and 10+ steals if healthy.
9. Akinori Iwamura
Akinori Iwamura will qualify at third, second, middle infield, and corner, making his value that much greater entering 2008.
Iwamura’s freshman year in American baseball followed the expected path of a major dropoff in power and average and a
compensatory increase in peripherals like speed (we expect the same from Fukudome in the Cubs’ outfield). Iwamura’s 7
homers and 12 steals in 20 attempts give him value in most league formats. We expect that more at bats will result across-
the-board increases in power and speed, so Akinori Iwamura represents a largely undervalued source of help in most
relevant fantasy categories.
10. Brendan Harris
Harris was rewarded for a nice rookie season with Tampa Bay by promptly being dealt as a key component in the Delmon
Young/Matt Garza deal to Minnesota. Replaced by Iwamura by Tampa, Harris will now start at second for the Twins and be
expected to repeat 2007’s performance. We think a drop-off is more likely than a breakthrough for Harris, so plan for 10+
homers and a .280+ average but do not rest your hat on it just yet.
11. Placido Polanco
Only in fantasy circles can a player that batted a chunky .341 can barely crack the top ten second basemen. Placido
Polanco has mastered the art of the see-sawing batting average at this point in his career. In 2006 he batted only .295
following a .338 performance in 2005. Since it is unclear which Polanco will show up on Opening Day, we advise caution in
relying upon an average of .330+. What can be expected is .300+ with 7+ homers and 50+ RBI.
12. Asdrubial Cabrera
With the collapse of Josh Barfield in Cleveland, the Asdrubial Cabrera era may just be starting. Cabrera brings speed,
modest power, and plate patience to the table. A tough strikeout, Asdrubial Cabrera showed none of his speed in a 159 at
bat flier during 2007. We expect 6+ homers and 15+ steals with a .280+ average in 2008, but his ceiling is higher than both
Brendan Harris or Jose Lopez, who are often selected before him in drafts and auctions. He will come at a discount due to
inexperience and lack of glitz, but he may turn some heads in ’08.
13. Juan Uribe
We keep waiting for the bubble to burst for Uribe, but the power is surprising (and the average is killer) for this White Sox
middle infielder. For the past four seasons, Juan Uribe has silenced critics who claimed his home run pop would disappear
when he left the friendly confines of Coors Field. Typically good for about 20 homers and 70 RBI, Uribe has only managed
a .230+ average for the past two seasons. If you have enough batting average to defray the bruise Uribe will cause in that
department, then by all means take on this fairly reliable option at second base.
14. Jose Lopez
On the surface, it looked like Lopez was a better player in 2007 than 2006. With one more homer in almost 80 fewer at
bats, fantasy GMs and critics were already declaring Lopez as ever-improving. In reality, Jose Lopez dropped off in batting
average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage during ’07. An atrocious second half along with the drop-off in
relevant offense all water down our enthusiasm about Lopez during 2008. He’s still very oung, but expect more of the
same, and understand that any rise in power may well be off-set by decline elsewhere.
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