Last year, there were 12 players in the majors that had 20-20 seasons.
The vast majority of those 12 players were outfielders (10). But the other two were both second basemen: Ian Kinsler, who was one of four 30-30 guys, and Dustin Pedroia.
In addition to Kinsler and Pedroia, there were four other second basemen (or second base-eligible players) that had 15-15 seasons: Ben Zobrist, Danny Espinosa, Kelly Johnson and Ryan Roberts.
There were only 24 players that had 15-15 seasons in 2011, which means that one-quarter (six) of them were eligible at second base.
Plus Brandon Phillips, who had 18 homers and 14 steals, just missed the 15-15 club.
In other words, there are several solid options at second base that can provide fantasy owners with value after the elite ones at the top.
Here are some notes on second basemen:
- Speaking of elite second basemen, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano set career highs last year in runs scored (104), runs batted in (118) and stolen bases (eight). Cano is one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. Over the past three years, he has scored 100-plus runs, hit 25-plus home runs and batted .300-plus every year.
- In 2010, White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham started slow, but he hit much better after the All-Star Break (.310, six home runs and 27 runs batted in). Last year, however, he hit poorly all season and even worse after the break (.213, three homers and 19 runs batted in).
- For the second straight season, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley played in 115 games or less. In the previous five seasons (2005-2009), here were Utley's per-season averages in the five standard rotisserie categories: 110.6 runs scored, 29.2 home runs, 108.8 runs batted in, 15.4 stolen bases and .301 batting average. In other words, if he can stay healthy, which seems unlikely, there is plenty of upside from where he is currently being drafted.
- Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa is not going to help much in runs scored or runs batted in and he's going to hurt you in batting average (.236 last year). That said, Espinosa will help in home runs (21) and stolen bases (17). Espinosa was one of eight National League players to finish with 20-plus homers and 15-plus steals in 2011 and the other seven players were all outfielders.
- One player who fell just short of 20-15 was Arizona's Ryan Roberts, who is eligible at second as well as third base. Roberts finished the season with 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases, both of which were career highs. Roberts also set career highs in runs scored (86) and runs batted in (65).
- The biggest knock on Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler has been his ability to stay healthy. Last year, Kinsler missed only seven games and played in more than 130 games for only the second time in his six-year career. Not-so-coincidentally, Kinsler has had 30-30 seasons in both of those seasons. He finished with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases and set a career high in runs scored (121).
- Similar to Kinsler, Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks has struggled to stay healthy. With the exception of 2010 (160 games), Weeks has played in 129 games or less every season. On a per-game basis, Weeks will really help in the counting statistics from the second base position, but the most pressing question will always be: How many games will he play?
- Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia started slow (.255 and .227 averages in April and May), but he finished strong from June to September. Pedroia hit over .300 in each of the other four months of the season including .411 in 26 games in July with eight home runs and 22 runs batted in. Pedroia set career highs in home runs (21), runs batted in (91) and stolen bases (26) and scored more than 100 runs for his third straight season last year.
- Not only is Michael Cuddyer eligible at second base, but as we noted in our first base rankings, he is eligible at first and outfield as well. In addition to offering fantasy owners positional flexibility, Cuddyer is moving to the friendlier confines of Coors Field this season. Although he played in only 139 games last year, Cuddyer set a career high in steals (11) and hit 20-plus homers for only the third time in his career.
Here are our top 25 second basemen for the 2012 season:
1. Robinson Cano, Yankees
2. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
3. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
4. Dan Uggla, Braves
5. Chase Utley, Phillies
6. Ben Zobrist, Rays
7. Brandon Phillips, Reds
8. Michael Young, Rangers
9. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
10. Dustin Ackley, Mariners
11. Howard Kendrick, Angels
12. Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
13. Jason Kipnis, Indians
14. Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks
15. Danny Espinosa, Nationals
16. Neil Walker, Pirates
17. Jemile Weeks, Athletics
18. Kelly Johnson, Blue Jays
19. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
20. Gordon Beckham, White Sox
21. Daniel Murphy, Mets
22. Jose Altuve, Astros
23. Omar Infante, Marlins
24. Sean Rodriguez, Rays
25. Johnny Giavotella, Royals
Other Positions: C - 1B - 2B - 3B - SS - OF - SP - RP
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Showing posts with label Gordon Beckham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gordon Beckham. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Gordon Beckham to bat second
The White Sox will bat Gordon Beckham second in their lineup to start the season, per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
Beckham, who was the eighth overall pick in 2008, struggled mightily in the first half of 2010.
Before the All-Star break, Beckham hit only .216 and three home runs in 273 at bats. His batting average in the first three months: .235, .159 and .233.
After the break, however, Beckham hit .310 with six home runs in 171 at bats.
In early mock drafts, Beckham is the 16th second baseman and 200th player selected, according to Mock Draft Central.
Beckham, who was the eighth overall pick in 2008, struggled mightily in the first half of 2010.
Before the All-Star break, Beckham hit only .216 and three home runs in 273 at bats. His batting average in the first three months: .235, .159 and .233.
After the break, however, Beckham hit .310 with six home runs in 171 at bats.
In early mock drafts, Beckham is the 16th second baseman and 200th player selected, according to Mock Draft Central.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday Night Links
Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson says of the comparison to Curtis Granderson, "I get that all the time. I've been compared to him, and that is a real compliment."
Granderson homered in his first at bat as a Yankee.
With Cody Ross and Dan Uggla, the Marlins had two (of the seven) players under 6'0" to hit 20+ home runs.
Orioles president Andy MacPhail said to "not read too much into" Nolan Reimold fielding ground balls at first base.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Gordon Beckham's move to second base: 'He's got a great chance to be a good one. I think the move to second will make it easier for him. He's more comfortable. He can just worry about his hitting.''
The four-year extension for Toronto's Adam Lind could be worth as much as $38.5 million, per Morgan Campbell of The Toronto Star.
Jason LaRue will be the Cardinals' Opening Day catcher.
Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune names B.J. Upton, David Price, Sean Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano as his players to watch in 2010 in addition to prospects Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson.
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has returned to the Mets after his brothers' automobile accident in Venezuela.
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal says the Dodgers are capable of reaching the World Series.
Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez focused on slowing down his delivery.
Padres second baseman David Eckstein said, “This team is definitely headed in the right direction with a lot of good, young talent. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people, maybe ourselves.”
The Red Sox added Scott Schoenweis to their Opening Day roster after placing Daisuke Matsusaka and Junichi Tazawa on the disabled list.
Giants outfielder John Bowker, who led the team this spring with 23 RBIs, won the starting right field job.
Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is tired of losing.
Braves phenom Jason Heyward wears number 22 in honor of Andrew Wilmont, his former high-school teammate and the son of his favorite high-school teacher. Wilmont passed away after a car accident.
Marlins closer Leo Nunez said, "Finding a song [for a closer] isn't easy. You are supposed to have something intimidating.''
Eric Chavez is now the Athletics designated hitter.
Shameless plug: Get our Twitter updates @EDSBaseball.
Giants catcher Bengie Molina said of ace Tim Lincecum, "... some of the starts he won, he won because of his name. He wasn't always feeling the best. He wasn't throwing as hard, and his breaking ball wasn't as good. He was beating them because the hitters knew who they were facing. Obviously, I'm not trying to put Timmy down. Everybody knows how nasty he is. Even if he doesn't have his good stuff, he knows how to pitch a good game."
The Rockies left fielder on Opening Day will Seth Smith, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
Some (more) shameless plugs for our latest posts at our other blogs: NCAA Championship prediction, Ravens' consensus draft pick and Donovan McNabb dealt to Redskins.
Granderson homered in his first at bat as a Yankee.
With Cody Ross and Dan Uggla, the Marlins had two (of the seven) players under 6'0" to hit 20+ home runs.
Orioles president Andy MacPhail said to "not read too much into" Nolan Reimold fielding ground balls at first base.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Gordon Beckham's move to second base: 'He's got a great chance to be a good one. I think the move to second will make it easier for him. He's more comfortable. He can just worry about his hitting.''
The four-year extension for Toronto's Adam Lind could be worth as much as $38.5 million, per Morgan Campbell of The Toronto Star.
Jason LaRue will be the Cardinals' Opening Day catcher.
Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune names B.J. Upton, David Price, Sean Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano as his players to watch in 2010 in addition to prospects Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson.
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has returned to the Mets after his brothers' automobile accident in Venezuela.
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal says the Dodgers are capable of reaching the World Series.
Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez focused on slowing down his delivery.
Padres second baseman David Eckstein said, “This team is definitely headed in the right direction with a lot of good, young talent. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people, maybe ourselves.”
The Red Sox added Scott Schoenweis to their Opening Day roster after placing Daisuke Matsusaka and Junichi Tazawa on the disabled list.
Giants outfielder John Bowker, who led the team this spring with 23 RBIs, won the starting right field job.
Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is tired of losing.
Braves phenom Jason Heyward wears number 22 in honor of Andrew Wilmont, his former high-school teammate and the son of his favorite high-school teacher. Wilmont passed away after a car accident.
Marlins closer Leo Nunez said, "Finding a song [for a closer] isn't easy. You are supposed to have something intimidating.''
Eric Chavez is now the Athletics designated hitter.
Shameless plug: Get our Twitter updates @EDSBaseball.
Giants catcher Bengie Molina said of ace Tim Lincecum, "... some of the starts he won, he won because of his name. He wasn't always feeling the best. He wasn't throwing as hard, and his breaking ball wasn't as good. He was beating them because the hitters knew who they were facing. Obviously, I'm not trying to put Timmy down. Everybody knows how nasty he is. Even if he doesn't have his good stuff, he knows how to pitch a good game."
The Rockies left fielder on Opening Day will Seth Smith, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
Some (more) shameless plugs for our latest posts at our other blogs: NCAA Championship prediction, Ravens' consensus draft pick and Donovan McNabb dealt to Redskins.
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