KAC 2005 FANTASY BASEBALL - SECOND BASE RANKINGS
WEAKENED SORIANO STILL BEST OF THE LOT
The following 2005 fantasy rankings for second baseman have been done without the permission of Major League Baseball or MLB.COM. Furthermore I will use the actual names and statistics of MLBPA members without any authorization whatsoever. But I thought you might be able to use the information, so I�m blogging it anyways. I dare the Man to stop it. Outside of Alfonso Soriano, second base is arguably the toughest position to fill in the entire draft, so you may either want to invest in one of the top-tier guys in the first five rounds, or check out one of the potential sleepers later on.
- Alfonso Soriano (TX) � Well, here is one Ranger whose value has actually slipped. Soriano dropped from 38 to 28 home runs and even more alarmingly fell from 35 steals to 18 and from 114 runs to 77. However Soriano would had been pushing his usual 700 AB�s had he not missed the final two weeks of the season due to the fact that he has never heard of the concept of the base on balls. That�s actually a good thing if he can get the BA back into the .290-.300 range. Soriano may have fallen from �icon� status and is no longer a top-five overall pick, but is still #1 on this list and should rebound in most if not all statistical categories in year two in Texas. Be aware though that this is a salary that Texas would just love to dump, and the possibility of Alfonso waking up some morning with New York�s National League team is very real.
- Marcus Giles (ATL) � Behind Soriano, several players could make a legitimate case for #2, but Giles has the best upside. Continued his mad climb as one of baseball�s best second baseman until a May collision left him with a busted collarbone. Strong April (.393/14/2/14/5) was bookend-ed by an even stronger (.330/16/3/11/5) finish. Giles should be able to do 20 homers/20 steals at the very least, and some think he can go 30/30. I wouldn�t go that far, Giles only hit two homers outside of the A-T-L in 203 AB�s. Still you�re getting a player who will hit over .300, score close to 100 runs, and be strong in all five categories. Giles should be drafted around 35th � 40th overall.
- Bret Boone (SEA) � Canseco says that Boone may have been on the receiving end of some B-12 shots, possibly between 2000 (career high 24 HR/95 RBI at that point) and 2001 (37 HR/141) where he did get noticeably bigger � whatever. Boone has been up-and-down power-wise since, although he provides a nice bonus stealing in double-figures the last three years. Even though he will be 36 Opening Day, 30 HR/100 RBI is still very possible.
- Jose Vidro (WSH) � A perennial .300 hitter, Vidro had an off year in RBI�s in 2003 and shut it down early to get his knee repaired last year. With the extra rest, I say Vidro comes out swinging this year and will return to All-Star form. 20 HR and 100 RBI are very good possibilities.
- Jeff Kent (LA) � Even older than Boone, but is still a strong four-category player going .189/96/27/107 last year. Value does take a hit leaving Houston for Chavez Ravine. We�re also going to have to account for the lengthy suspension he will get when he finally gets a piece of Barry Bonds during a Dodgers/Giants brawl.
- Mark Loretta (SD) � Until two years ago, I considered Loretta as your quintessential Milwaukee Brewer � nice average, but zero speed and zero power � which made him very likable and more importantly, very affordable in Brewer-land. But ever since getting out of Dodge and moving on to San Diego, Loretta suddenly turned himself into the second coming of Tony Gwynn � minus the belly. Loretta wore out the NL to the tune of a .335 average and even chipped in a career high 16 home runs, 11 at un-homer friendly Petco Park. His 108 runs added to his value even more in 5 x 5 leagues. Another Gwynn-like stat, LO struck out all of 45 times in 620 AB�s.
- Chone Figgins (ANG) � Was never declared a bonifide starter at any point last year, but injuries to others got Chone 577 at-bats. Figgins value rests in his 34 steals from 2004, a number that could go even higher. Figgins also gives you flexibility with eligibility at second, third, and the outfield. Should score a ton of runs with the lineup behind him.
- Brian Roberts (BAL) � You�ll proably see Roberts ranked lower in some other publications due to the fact that the presses rolled before Jerry Hairston FINALLY got traded. Expect a repeat of the 107 runs scored from last year with a strong lineup behind him, and to also eclipse the 30 steal mark.
- Luis Castillo (FL) � Although Castillo is still a good hitter and approaches 100 runs per year, the bloom is partially off due to the fact that Luis has only stolen 21 bases in each of the last two season, as opposed to the 40-50 bags he was good for earlier in his career. Hitting #2 behind Juan Pierre has put a definite dent in his running game. The fact that Luis possesses zero power does not help neither.
- Chase Utley (PHI) � Several years ago, after embattled Detroit Lion coach Wayne Fontes finally got his walking papers, someone kept calling the team offices every day � asking the receptionist if he could speak to Fontes just to get the satisfaction of the lady replying 'I�m sorry sir, but he doesn�t work here anymore'. Those who own Utley feel a similar satisfaction over the firing of Larry Bowa. Utley heads into the spring as the Phils starting second baseman and will not be benched in favor of Placido Polanco the second he goes 2-13. Utley should have earned his spurs by now, hitting 13 HR and 57 RBI in just 267 AB�s, as opposed to just 55 RBI in Polanco�s 503 at-bats. We�re ranking him high, but Chase deserves your attention because someone else in your league certainly will be eyeing him.
- Jose Reyes (NYM) � Frustrated a lot of owners with various injuries over his first year and a half in the bigs. However the 21 year-old has 31 steals in 474 career AB�s. 45-50 bags is a conservative estimation over a full season will a great possibility of shortstop eligibility as well.
- Chris Burke (HOU) � The Astros happily paid a $700,000 buyout to Jeff Kent after Burke went .315 with 16 HR�s and 37 stolen bases in AAA last year. If CDM is allowed to operate it�s fantasy baseball game, you will be very interested in Burke�s 400 salary. Don�t expect too much in the power department, before last year�s outburst Burke only had nine ding-dongs in 2 � seasons in the minors.
- Omar Infante (DET) � The Tigers had to look pretty silly for spilling out a lot of coin to FA Fernando Vina last off-season. After Vina�s annual season-ending injury, Omar took off with 16 HR and 13 steals in 503 AB�s. 20-20 potential this season out of the 22 year-old with SS eligibility to boot.
- Todd Walker (CHC) � His owners had just got done rejoicing the departure of Mark Grudzielanek and now Jerry Hairston comes into town. I�m guessing Walker has a better chance of beating Hairston out than he did Grudz. Socked 15 HR in just 374 AB�s last year so this should be the year he finally breaks into the 20�s.
- Mark Bellhorn (BOS) � Strikes out at a near Jose Hernandez level (177 K�s last year alone) and anything above .250 is a bonus. But everyone in the Red Sox lineup puts up numbers, and that includes Bellhorn who had 93 runs, 17 homers, and 82 RBI just last year.
- Tadahito Iguchi (CWS) � In a press conference announcing his signing, Iguchi said through an interpreter 'Back in the �50�s you had a second baseman named Mr. (Nellie) Fox � who was probably very famous'. I appreciate the guy�s manners trying to get off on the right foot with the media and what few fans the team has � but no one who has ever played for the White Sox has ever gone on to be famous. Well, maybe Jack McDowell, but that�s only because he writes for Yahoo and plays in a band. For truly famous Chicagoans, please steer Tads towards Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, Michael Jordan, Stan Makita, Oprah Winfrey, and Jerry Springer. Iguchi has definite sleeper potential, especially considering his late January signing came too late for some of the magazines. Iguchi has a pair of stolen base titles in his final three Japanese League campaigns, and also had an average of 25 HR�s over the past four seasons. However Tadahito never hit higher than .261 until his final two seasons, where he suddenly exploded with .340 and .333. Say ta-da-HEAT-o ig-GOO-chee and you won�t get laughed off the draft day table.
- Tony Womack (NYY) � Leading off a powerful Yankee lineup has to be worth something, and hitting .307 with 26 steals last year with the Cards was nothing to sneeze at. 100 runs is a definite possibility.
- D�Angelo Jimenez (CIN) � Still only 27, Jimenez has already bounced around four organizations � but finally found an everyday home in Cincinnati last year, and hit double figures in both home runs and stolen bases in each of the last two seasons.
- Michael Cuddyer (MN) � You get eligibility at both second and third with Cuddyer, who should finally see everyday duty with the Twins. Went .263/49/12/45 in just 337 AB�s last year, so he should be strong across the board with even a few steals thrown in this year.
- Ray Durham (SF) � At this stage in his career you know what you are going to get with Sugar Ray. A nice average in the .280�s, a lot of runs (114 and 95 in two of the last three years), and occasional pop (around 15 HR). The only downside is that Ray doesn�t run much these days.
- Orlando Hudson (TOR) � Is developing into a decent offensive second baseman, although he hasn�t provided much in homers or steals yet. Did improve to .270/12/58 in just 489 AB�s last year.
- Aaron Miles (COL) � Had an opportunity to play for the Greek Olympic team last August, since his great-grandfather was from Greece, talk about international loopholes. However Miles stayed with the Rockies the entire year hitting .293 in 522 at-bats. However Miles only had 24 extra base hits, and anyone should do much better playing half their games at altitude. However Miles was known as a good gap hitter in the minors and he racked up plenty of doubles there � I would expect that number to improve if only by accident. Miles will also chip in around 10-15 steals.
- Juan Uribe (CWS) � Hit for absolutely no power in Colorado, suddenly he�s hitting 23 HR�s for the White Sox. Will be discussed more in the third base and shortstop sections � where he�s also eligible.
- Placido Polanco (PHI) � Not projected as a starter right now but hits a nice .290-.300 with around 15-20 HR�s in full-time duty. He�ll be a utility man this year, logging most of his AB�s between second and third (not currently eligible) base.
- Luis Rivas (MN) � Has never gotten his average above .260, but did hit 10 HR along with 15 steals in just 336 AB�s last year. Michael Cuddyer�s move to third base should get Rivas back in the starting lineup.
- Ronnie Belliard (CLE) � Another one-time prototypical Brewer, Belliard had a tremendous first-half last year and even made the All-Star team before tailing off badly in September. Brandon Phillips continues to wait in the wings, so Ronnie isn�t highly recommended.
- Ty Wigginton (PIT) � Eligible due to playing 25 games at second last year. Good power, but hit only .220 after the break last year. More info in the third base section.
- Keith Ginter (OAK) � Has been on my radar the last couple of years, and did hit 19 HR in just 386 AB�s last year. In Oakland Ginter moves into a tougher hitters park, but should start the season at second while Mark Ellis rehabs from shoulder surgery.
- Junior Spivey (MIL) � If healthy, has about 15 HR power with a handful of steals � but has missed a chunk of time over the last two years. Look for the Brewers to try to unload his salary if he gets off to a good start so they can make room for prospect Rickie Weeks.
- Roberto Alomar (TB) � 276 hits away from 3,000 in his career, which would make Robby a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Then the question would be what hat he wears to Cooperstown, he can now choose between the Padres, Blue Jays, Orioles, Inidans, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Mets and now Devil Rays. Or he could be like Gaylord Perry in the Old-Timer games and where a uniform with all the logos on it. At least in Tampa Robby has a chance to start before no doubt being dealt to a contender late in the year.
- Scott Hairston (AZ) � Whereas Jerry Hairston doesn�t qualify at second base this year, Scott Hairston does. However the way Scott played defense last year, it�s possible that he may now be an outfielder too. After a nice first month in the majors, Hairston tailed off badly towards the end of the campaign. Did hit 13 home runs in 101 games, but strikeouts outnumbered walks four-to-one.
- Mark Grudzielanek (STL) � Will be hitting at the bottom of a nice lineup in St. Louis, but homers and steals will be far between. Average is the one area Grudz is likely to help you most.
- Willie Harris (CWS) � Had he been starting, 25-30 steals would had been a good bet. However bringing in Tadahito Iguchi scuttles Harris� chances for playing every day. AB�s in the outfield are possible.
- Eric Young (SD) � Even at his advanced age, E.Y. can still steal. Just try to explain how he hit 15 homers with the Brewers two years ago, but only one with the Rangers in 344 AB�s last year. Playing for the Padres should get rid of the rest of the guesswork, E.Y. won�t be going deep too often as a utility player.
- Rickie Weeks (MIL) � I wasn�t nuts about the Brewers drafting him second overall a few years back, since he played his college ball in a minor conference. Weeks didn�t produce eye-popping numbers at AA last year, but then tore up the Arizona Fall League. Weeks should move up to AAA to begin this season with an ETA to the bigs around August. It�s said that Weeks bat speed is so good that he can even make contact on a pitch he�s fooled on.
