2009 second base rankings 1-10

February 6, 6:24 PMNY Fantasy Sports ExaminerLee Forman

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1) Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies - Age: 30
2008 stats: .292 AVG, 113 R, 33 HR, 104 RBI, 14 SB
3 year average: .310 AVG, 116 R, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 13 SB
Batting behind: Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino
Protected by: Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez
Backup: Eric Bruntlett
Notes: Had hip surgery in November, expected to be "on schedule" for opening day.  A strong bat in the middle of a potent lineup and in that ballpark is too tantalizing to pass up.

2) Ian Kinsler - Texas Rangers - Age: 26
2008 stats: .319 AVG, 102 R, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 26 RBI
3 year average: .290 AVG, 88 R, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 20 SB
Batting behind: Jarrod Saltalamacchia/Taylor Teagarden and Elvis Andrus
Protected by: Michael Young and Josh Hamilton
Backup: Jaoquin Arias
Notes: Says he's 100% after sports hernia surgery in September ended his 2008 early.  Nice power speed combo.  Will score plenty of runs ahead of Hamilton and company.  30-30 player one day, maybe this year.

3) Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox - Age: 25
2008 stats: .326 AVG, 118 R, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB
2 year average: .322 AVG, 102 R, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 14 SB
Batting behind: Julio Lugo and Jacoby Ellsbury
Protected by: David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis
Backup: Jed Lowrie
Notes: Big contract extension after MVP in '08 and ROY in '07.  Has set the bar real high, hopefully not too high.  Best bet aside from Utley to produce 200+ runs.

4) Dan Uggla - Florida Marlins - Age: 29
2008 stats: .260 AVG, 97 R, 32 HR, 92 RBI, 5 SB
3 year average: .262 AVG, 105 R, 30 HR, 90 RBI, 4 SB
Batting behind: Jeremy Hermida and Jorge Cantu
Protected by: Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross
Backup: Emilio Bonifacio
Notes: Trade rumors have yet to come to fruition.  Lineup already lost Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham. Still has HR and RBI potential but should see decrease in runs scored.  AVG already low and could dip even more.

5) Brian Roberts - Baltimore Orioles - Age: 31
2008 stats: .296 AVG, 107 R, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 40 SB
3 year average: .290 AVG, 98 R, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 42 SB
Batting behind: Adam Jones and Cesar Izturis
Protected by: Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis
Backup: Ryan Freel
Notes: Remember when he hit 15 HR pre-All Star break in '05?  Well try not to; those days are long gone.  Will bat leadoff so expect strong R and SB with a plus AVG.  Big time trade possibility at the deadline as Orioles look to retool.

6) Robinson Cano - New York Yankees - Age: 26
2008 stats: .271 AVG, 70 R, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 2 SB
3 year average: .304 AVG, 75 R, 16 HR, 82 RBI, 4 SB
Batting behind: Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher
Protected by: Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter
Backup: Cody Ransom
Notes: Looking to rebound from disappointing .271 mark last season.  Hit over .300 in '06 and '07.  Big time R and RBI potential if he can right the ship. Return of Posada and acquisitions of Teixeira and Swisher take off a lot of pressure.  

7) Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds - Age: 27
2008 stats: .261 AVG, 80 R, 21 HR, 78 RBI, 23 SB
3 year average: .276 AVG, 84 R, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 27 SB
Batting behind: Willy Taveras and Jeff Keppinger
Protected by: Jay Bruce and Joey Votto
Backup: Danny Richar
Notes: 2008 ended early with broken index finger.  Hitters park and developing prospects around him are beneficial.  Had 30-30 season in '07; capable of reaching plateau again.  Only 2009 30-30 potential this far down the list. 

8) Mark DeRosa - Cleveland Indians - Age: 34
2008 stats: .285 AVG, 103 R, 21 HR, 87 RBI, 6 SB
3 year average: .291 AVG, 82 R, 15 HR, 78 RBI, 4 SB
Batting behind: Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore
Protected by: Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez
Backup: Andy Marte
Notes: Had career season with Cubs last year.  Tough to duplicate success at his age.  Expect HR and RBI to drop; could see spike in R.  'Pronky' and 'V-Mart' are injury concerns behind him.  Expected to shift to 3rd base.  Contract expires after the season.

9) Jose Lopez - Seattle Mariners - Age: 25
2008 stats: .297 AVG, 80 R, 17 HR, 89 RBI, 6 SB
3 year average: .278 AVG, 72 R, 13 HR, 77 RBI, 4 SB
Batting behind: Endy Chavez and Ichiro Suzuki
Protected by: Adrian Beltre and Jeff Clement
Backup: Ronny Cedeno
Notes: M's acquired Cedeno to move Lopez and his lackluster defense to 1st.  Still young and may develop more power.  Will hit close to 20 HR again and may eclipse it.  Production hinges upon progression of young talent around him (Jeff Clement, Franklin Gutierrez, and Cedeno).

10) Howie Kendrick - Los Angeles Angels - Age: 25
2008 stats: .306 AVG, 43 R, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 11 SB (340 AB)
3 year average: .306 AVG, 41 R, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB (315 AB per season)
Batting behind: Torii Hunter and Kendry Morales
Protected by: Gary Mathews, Jr. and Mike Napoli
Backup: Macier Izturis
Notes: Injuries are of up-most concern.  Had two DL stints last season with hamstring problems.  Even when healthy seems frail at the plate.  Not much HR power to speak of, but strong in AVG.  More valuable in points leagues than roto style.