2007 Second Base Rankings

2007 Top 15 Second Base Rankings


Chase Utley

1. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

2006 stats: .309 average, 658 at-bats, 131 runs, 32 home runs, 102 RBI, 40 doubles, 4 triples, 15 stolen bases, 63 walks, 132 strikeouts, 160 games.

2007 outlook: Utley assumes the top spot at the position with the loss of Alfonso Soriano to the outfield. He's become a five-tool contributor to fantasy lineups, adding 15 stolen bases to his impressive power totals. Utley led all second basemen with 32 home runs, 102 RBI and 131 runs scored last year and ranked second only to Robinson Cano among qualifying second basemen in batting average (.309). At 28, Utley is hitting his prime and should repeat 06 totals with Ryan Howard protecting him in the lineup.

2. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

2006 stats: .342 average, 482 at-bats, 62 runs, 15 home runs, 78 RBI, 41 doubles, 1 triple, 5 stolen bases, 18 walks, 54 strikeouts, 122 games.

2007 outlook: Cano topped his rookie home run, RBI and stolen base totals in spite of playing in 10 fewer games. He is just 24 years old and still developing. Cano led all second basemen with a .342 batting average last season and will have plenty of opportunity for growth in the potent Yankees lineup. Fantasy owners can only hope that he avoids the big injury that forced him to the bench for 40 games in 2006. If he does, Cano may post a 20-homer, 100 RBI game this year.

3. Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins

2006 stats: .282 average, 611 at-bats, 105 runs, 27 home runs, 90 RBI, 26 doubles, 7 triples, 6 stolen bases, 48 walks, 123 strikeouts, 154 games.

2007 outlook: Uggla came out of nowhere last season to finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He ripped 60 extra-base hits (27 HR) and drove in 90 runs while scoring 105 runs. Uggla did struggle after the All-Star break (.256) due in part to a rising strikeout rate (123 for season). Expect a slight reduction in numbers from 2006.

4. Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles

2006 stats: .286 average, 563 at-bats, 85 runs, 10 home runs, 55 RBI, 34 doubles, 3 triples, 36 stolen bases, 55 walks, 66 strikeouts, 138 games.

2007 outlook: In 2006, Roberts hit 10 home runs (down from 18 in 05), and attempted a career-high 43 stolen bases, successfully swiping 36. He hit a solid .286, continued to improve his walk-to-strikeout ratio and topped 30 doubles for the third consecutive year. The additions of Aubrey Huff and Jay Payton will help to improve run production in Baltimore this season.

5. Richie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers

2006 stats: .279 average, 359 at-bats, 73 runs, 8 home runs, 34 RBI, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 19 stolen bases, 30 walks, 92 strikeouts, 95 games.

2007 outlook: Weeks looks to rebound from an injury-shortened 2006 season (wrist surgery), a year that saw him boost his batting average by 40 points and swipe 19 bases before being shut down in late-July. He was on pace to score 124 runs and steal 32 bases in 2006. Fantasy owners anxiously await a full season of production from Weeks, whose 96 games played in 2005 was a career high. Weeks is the favorite to lead off for the Brewers, and has the potential for a 20-20 type of year.

6. Julio Lugo, Boston Red Sox

2006 stats: .278 average, 435 at-bats, 69 runs, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 24 stolen bases, 39 walks, 76 strikeouts, 122 games.

2007 outlook: Lugo split the 2006 season between the Devil Rays and Dodgers. He struggled terribly with the Dodgers, hitting a weak .219 with zero home runs after achieving a .308 clip with 12 home runs for the Devil Rays. Lugo has stolen 21 or more bases in three consecutive seasons with an average of 45 extra-base hits. Expect 10-plus HR, 25-plus steals and 100 runs scored hitting atop the potent Red Sox lineup. His position versatility enhances his fantasy value as he should be eligible at 2B, SS, and 3B. Lugo will play shortstop for the Sox.

7. Josh Barfield, Cleveland Indians

2006 stats: .280 average, 539 at-bats, 72 runs, 13 home runs, 58 RBI, 32 doubles, 3 triples, 21 stolen bases, 30 walks, 81 strikeouts, 150 games.

2007 outlook: Barfield posted an outstanding rookie season for the Padres with 48 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases. He struggled in spacious Petco, but hitting in the more friendly Jacobs Field in a potent Indians offense could produce a 20-20 season from Barfield.

8. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

2006 stats: .286 average, 423 at-bats, 65 runs, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, 27 doubles, 1 triple, 11 stolen bases, 40 walks, 64 strikeouts, 120 games.

2007 outlook: Kinsler started out strongly for the Rangers before missing six weeks with a dislocated left thumb. To that end, his overall production in 2006 predicts a huge season to come. In spite of playing more than half of the season recovering from that injury, Kinsler finished the year with 42 extra-base hits with 55 RBI and a .286 batting average. Expect a solid season from Kinsler (20-20 potential) with Michael Young and Mark Teixeira protecting him in the Rangers lineup, and playing in hitter friendly Ameriquest Field.

9. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers

2006 stats: .292 average, 407 at-bats, 61 runs, 14 home runs, 68 RBI, 27 doubles, 3 triples, 1 stolen base, 55 walks, 69 strikeouts, 115 games.

2007 outlook: Once the defining player at his position, Kent is officially in the twilight of his career. He was limited to 115 games in 2006 with two extended stints on the disabled list, one for his wrist and another for a strained oblique. His 14 home runs and 68 RBI marked his lowest power output since 1996. Kent had hit at least 22 home runs and driven in 93 or more runs in nine consecutive seasons before last year's injury-shortened campaign. Kent spent the off-season working with a conditioning coach to try and return to form. Given last year's injury concerns, and his age (39 in May), some owners will stay away on draft day. If this conditioning regime works, those taking a chance on Kent may get a bargain.

10. Tadahito Iguchi, Chicago White Sox

2006 stats: .281 average, 555 at-bats, 97 runs, 18 home runs, 67 RBI, 24 doubles, 0 triples, 11 stolen bases, 59 walks, 110 strikeouts, 138 games.

2007 outlook: Iguchi has been incredibly consistent in his first two seasons with the White Sox, with moderate changes to his totals. The White Sox will continue to score runs (Iguchi scored 97 last year) in hitter friendly U.S. Cellular Field, and Iguchi should remain in range of his 2006 numbers. He'll hit 15-to-20 home runs with 10-15 stolen bases and a batting average in the .280-.290 range.

11. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

2006 stats: .276 average, 536 at-bats, 65 runs, 17 home runs, 75 RBI, 28 doubles, 1 triple, 25 stolen bases, 35 walks, 88 strikeouts, 149 games.

2007 outlook: In 2006, Phillips played in a career-high 149 games and produced 17 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases. The Reds continue to field a team with huge run-scoring potential that takes full advantage of their home field. One somewhat disconcerting fact coming out of 2006 was that his batting average dropped 63 points after the All-Star break.

12. Ray Durham, San Francisco Giants

2006 stats: .293 average, 498 at-bats, 79 runs, 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 7 stolen bases, 51 walks, 61 strikeouts, 137 games.

2007 outlook: Durham enjoyed a career year in 2006, he established new career marks in home runs (26) and RBI (93) for the Giants while hitting .293. Durham has hit 27 or more doubles in every season since 1995 and has hit double-digit home runs in 10 of the last 11 seasons. The big question is Durham's durability, he's averaged 140 games played in the past two seasons, but only 127 since 2003. Don't expect a repeat of last years numbers, but most likely 15 HR, 75 RBI, .280, and under 10 SB.

13. Marcus Giles, San Diego Padres

2006 stats: .262 average, 550 at-bats, 87 runs, 11 home runs, 60 RBI, 32 doubles, 2 triples, 10 stolen bases, 62 walks, 105 strikeouts, 141 games.

2007 outlook: Giles finds a fresh start in San Diego alongside his brother after a sub-par 2006 season in Atlanta. He struggled to a .192 batting average in April and failed to deliver the power and stolen base surge expected after his huge 2005 season. Expect 10-15 HR, 10-15 SB, and a .280 average.

14. Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates

2006 stats: .344 average, 582 at-bats, 85 runs, 6 home runs, 85 RBI, 53 doubles, 2 triples, 3 stolen bases, 31 walks, 52 strikeouts, 157 games.

2007 outlook: Sanchez won the National League batting title for the Pirates in 2006 (.344). He sprayed 200 hits, including 53 doubles, and more than doubled his RBI (85) output over his 2005 performance. He won't help much with HR and SB, but he should hit .300 plus again. Sanchez offers fantasy owners a bonus with his versatility, as he'll be eligible at three positions (3B, SS and 2B) in most 2007 leagues.

15. Jorge Cantu, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2006 stats: .249 average, 413 at-bats, 40 runs, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 1 stolen base, 26 walks, 91 strikeouts, 107 games.

2007 outlook: In 2006, Cantu missed a month and a half early in the season with a broken bone in his left foot, and was never able to get on track. He struggled in the second half (.230) with an increasing strikeout rate (91 K's in 107 games). Cantu could return to his 2005 power levels (28 HR, 117 RBI, .286), but most likely will be limited because of his free swinging ways.

The best of the rest...

16. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels
17. Chris Burke, Houston Astros
18. Luis Castillo, Minnesota Twins
19. Orlando Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks
20. Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers
21. Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners
22. Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs
23. Jose Vidro, Seattle Mariners
24. Ty Wigginton, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
25. Craig Biggio, Houston Astros