Now that 2010 is here, the fantasy baseball season is right around the corner. Your Mother’s Mustache will be previewing each position in preparation for your draft day. All rankings are based on a points system which values overall player productivity, or OPS (On-base Plus Slugging). Because if you’re still playing in a roto league, you probably also have a “Members Only” jacket hanging in your closet.
1. Chase Utley (PHI)- At the age of 31, Utley’s best days are probably behind him. But that shouldn’t make you think twice about making him the first second baseman taken off the board on draft day. He is the definition of consistency, and has averaged 29 home runs and 101 RBIs over the last 5 seasons, all while hitting .300. He’ll once again bat in front of Ryan Howard, guaranteeing he’ll see plenty of fastballs to hit. Expect another All Star caliber year from the slugging second baseman.
2. Dustin Pedroia (BOS)-When you look at his stat line, nothing really stands out. Even in his MVP year in 2008, Pedroia only managed to hit 17 home runs and 83 RBIs. But he walks almost twice as much as he strikes out, and his ability to stay healthy and hit for a high average atop the Red Sox dangerous lineup makes him a solid choice on draft day.Â
3. Ian Kinsler (TEX)- You’d figure the only legitimate 30/30 candidate on this list would be the best second baseman available on draft day, but you’d be wrong. While Kinsler’s speed and power numbers are off the charts for the position, his inability to stay healthy or show consistency with the bat make him a risky early round pick. I’m still willing to bet that he can produce a batting average closer to his 2008 numbers than his 2009 numbers though. 3000 years of beautiful tradition, from Moses to Ian Kinsler, you’re Goddamn right I’m living in the past.
4. Brian Roberts (BAL)-The player who scored the 4th most points among second basemen last year fittingly settles right in to our 4th spot on the list. Brian Roberts may no longer post a .300 batting average, but .283 is nothing to scoff at when it comes with 110 runs, 16 homers, 79 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Baltimore’s lineup should continue to improve this year with the emergence of Adam Jones and Matt Wieters, so Roberts might actually see an increase in his run production, even at the age of 32.
5. Ben Zobrist (TB)-Last year’s version of Nate McLouth, Ben Zobrist emerged from anonimity at the age of 28 to post the best OPS (.948) at the position. If his track record wasn’t so short, he’d be much higher on this list. Still, the Rays traded away starting second baseman Akinori Iwamura during the offseason to make room for Zobrist in the lineup, so they’re clearly drinking the Kool Aid too. He may not match his .300 batting average from last season, but he should still post a high enough slugging and on base percentage to end the year as one of the position’s top players.
6. Robinson Cano (NYY)-Let me start by saying that I despise Robinson Cano, so this ranking may seem a bit low to some. He’s a “me first” type of player, and if he actually put in the work he could contend for a batting title every year.  But because he relies solely on talent alone and refuses to work counts and lay off the garbage pitches, he usually pops out in RBI situations. That means that you can only count on him for runs and batting average. You’re better off saving your 5th round pick and getting similar production from Alberto Callaspo 6 rounds later.
7. Aaron Hill (TOR)-Another ranking that may surprise people, Aaron Hill broke out last season and led all second baseman with 36 home runs. What most owners don’t realize is that he hit those 36 home runs in a whopping 724 plate appearances, the most in his 5 year career. Hill has hit the disabled list and missed significant playing time in all but 2 of his pro seasons, and unless he gets a similar number of opportunities this year, you should expect his stats to regress from last year’s numbers.
8. Brandon Phillips (CIN)- A lock to put up another 20/20 season, Brandon Phillips is only held back by his sorry on base percentage and sub par batting average. Still, batting cleanup for the Reds will give him plenty of RBI opportunities, and most owners would be very happy with a 10th round pick driving in 100 runs at a weak position. If you miss out on one of the elite options on draft day, Brandon Phillips is an excellent value pick.Â
9. Jose Lopez (SEA)-Not to be confused with the crappier Felipe Lopez, Jose Lopez continued to progress last season, improving on his career highs while hitting 25 homeruns and driving in 96 runs for the Mariners. At the age of 26, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and with the addition of Chone Figgins at the top of the lineup, he should see his RBI chances increase batting out of the 3 hole for Seattle. His potential makes him another excellent value pick in this year’s draft.
10. Alberto Callaspo (KC)-The arrival of Chris Getz in Kansas City puts Callaspo’s playing time in jeopardy, but it’s tough to bench a player who hit .300 for the second consecutive season. His 1:1 strikeout to walk ratio proves the average is legit, and he actually flashed some power last season in a full time role. The peripherals lend comparisons to Dustin Pedroia, and if Callaspo played in a stronger lineup he could post similar numbers. His late round draft price makes him well worth a look.
