Here's an early look at the Top 30 second basemen for 5x5 roto leagues -- covering homers, RBI, batting average, runs and steals.
For the first time in years, no second baseman shall be a lock for Round 1 in roto leagues ... although it's worth noting that Robinson Cano -- a virtual lock for 25 homers, 100 RBI, 105 runs, .300-plus batting average from 2009-13 (with the Yankees) -- belted more homers at expansive Safeco Field last year (9) than the road (5).
Overall, this isn't the deepest position in fantasy baseball; but there's certainly valuable (perhaps dynamic) pieces to be had in the mid-to-late rounds, especially if 21-year-old Jurickson Profar -- baseball's No. 1 prospect from two years ago -- nicely rebounds from a shoulder injury, sometime in May or June.
TOP 30 SECOND BASEMEN
1. Robinson Cano, Mariners
2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals
3. Jose Altuve, Astros
4. Ian Kinsler, Tigers
5. Brian Dozier, Twins
6. Dee Gordon, Marlins
7. Neil Walker, Pirates
8. Jason Kipnis, Indians
9. Howie Kendrick, Dodgers
10. Chase Utley, Phillies
11. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
12. Daniel Murphy, Mets
13. Jedd Gyorko, Padres
14. Brandon Phillips, Reds
15. Kolten Wong, Cardinals
16. Scooter Gennett, Brewers
17. Martin Prado, Marlins
18. Ben Zobrist, Athletics
19. Javier Baez, Cubs
20. Brett Lawrie, Athletics
21. Asdrubal Cabrera, Rays
22. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
23. DJ Lemahieu, Rockies
24. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles
25. Rougned Odor, Rangers
25b. Jurickson Profar, Rangers (mid-year stash)
26. Yunel Escobar, Nationals
27. Marcus Semien, Athletics
28. Josh Rutledge/Grant Green, Angels
29. Omar Infante, Royals
30. Nick Franklin, Rays
30b. Arismendy Alcantara, Cubs
BREAKDOWN
1. Cano remains the golden goose at this position for at least one more year. For the months of May, June, July and August, the Mariners star cumulatively tallied 11 homers and a .331 batting average.
2. Anthony Rendon (21 HR, 83 RBI, 111 runs, 17 steals, .351 OBP last year) certainly has the upside to match or eclipse Cano this season.
But the Nationals All-Star may also become a permanent fixture at third base in 2015 -- hindering his dual-eligibility for next year.
It's a similar situation to the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter (MLB-best 126 runs in 2013) ... a one-time second-base wonder who's now wreaking full-time havoc at third base.
3. Altuve's ranking seems a tad low, after claiming American League titles with hits (225), steals (56) and batting average last year (.341).
However, in 5x5 leagues, he's also a potential lightweight in two categories, with two-year averages of six homers and 56 RBI.
On the positive side, the Astros' improved lineup may finally give Altuve (85 runs last year) a chance at breaking the century mark in runs.
4. Dozier may have enjoyed the quietest campaign of 20-plus homers/20-plus steals/110-plus in the history of fantasy baseball.
How else to explain a No. 5 preseason ranking in the relative prime of his career?
Bottom line: Given Dozier's low career tallies with batting average (.241) and slugging (.397), it's proper to invoke a prove-it-to-me-again approach for 2015, especially since we've already attached sky-high fantasy expectations to Danny Santana -- the Twins' short-sample-size stud at shortstop (7 HR/40 RBI/70 runs/20 steals/.319 batting in 101 games last year).
5. Some fantasy sites have the Tribe's Jason Kipnis (6 HR, 41 RBI, 61 runs, 22 steals, .240 batting last year) ranked as high as No. 3 among second basemen ... while others have him outside the top 10.
We're happily finding common ground here, knowing a healthy Kipnis should be a good bet for double-digit homers, 70-plus runs, 75-plus RBI and 20-plus steals.
On the flip side, from a splits standpoint, Kipnis endured four painful months of zero homers last season. That alone does not warrant a reputation-based spot in anyone's top five.
(deep sigh)
But we don't judge.
Jay Clemons can be reached via Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.
