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Fantasy Grumblings: Draft Day Steals - Second Base
By Tony Finn \| Published 01/26/2008 \| Value Above Average \| Unrated

Tony Finn Managing Editor and Director of Operations for Sports Grumblings LLC, is nationally published covering the National Football League, Major League Baseball, College Football and has been a FSWA Writer of the Year finalist. Involved with Fantasy Sports since 1973, Tony has hosted radio and internet broadcasts that include the 'Dog and Tony Show' with NFL draft analyst D.J Boyer, 'Football Central', 'Finn on Sports', 'Gridiron Gamblers', and is the Senior NFL analyst for the PBS broadcast of "NFL Intellect". Tony's columns include 'The Finn Factor', 'Six Days to Sunday' and 'Sunday No Huddle' which are featured exclusively at Sports Grumblings and 'For Better, For Worse' a weekly feature for SportsIllustrated. View all articles by Tony Finn Escobar became a mixed-league option late in the 2007... What is it about fantasy second basemen that seems so covert, enigmatical, dark and difficult at times to project? Theories in the non-fictional baseball corner range from ignoring the position due to the large drop-off from the top-tiered at the position to the middle-class; to coveting the post due to the scarcity aspect in rotisserie formats. Most fantasy managers that navigate the World Wide Web played baseball at one point in their lives, especially before being skilled was a prerequisite to donning a hat and glove. In little league there are three positions that most choose to shirk, shrink and shy away from; catcher, right field and second base; after all, these are the positions that Charlie Brown's posse corn-holed him to. Last year Might Max, the Sports Grumblings world famous fantasy expert, ranked Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley as the player with the single largest disparity of value above average. Meaning his fantasy worth alone -- was on most occasions as great or greater than -- any other two second baseman combined. The Phillies five-tool middle infielder was considered a first-round selection in Max's 2007 projections. Heading into early February drafts this year, Utley is considered a late second or early third round fantasy expense. I personally disagree with Max's rank of Utley in the early stages of the 2008 campaign. Utley was the only second baseman to score and drive in 100 runs last season and did so in only 132 games -- missing much of July and August to a broken hand. Before the freak hand injury Utley was in the running for NL MVP and the Phillies were scrapping and scratching to stay in the NL East race. It was when Utley returned in late August that he and his teammates made the improbable September run to overtake the New York Mets and win the division. Mighty Max is logical, unfazed by personal biases and offers stat-lines based on a large number of variables. The Finn Factor however likes the way Chase plays the game and believes he's still the leagues best option at second base bare none. It's still early in the hunt to definitively determine the rank and file; but for now, consider this list of second baseman-- the players that will fly under the fantasy radar, offer value above average, and give managers the champions to dominate their summer leagues. 2007 Second Baseman numbers of note: 100 RBI/100 runs score Chase Utley Close but no cigar: Robinson Cano (93 runs, 97 RBI) Brandon Phillips (94 RBI) 30 HR/30 SB Brandon Phillips 20 HR/20 SB B.J. Upton Ian Kinsler Close but no cigar: Rickie Weeks (16 HR) 1. Kelly Johnson - Atlanta Johnson is a disciplined hitter who endured the typical struggles of a rookie in 2007. The versatile fielder showed strong signs of promise in July when he hit over .300 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 73 at-bats. On the final day of July the second baseman had four hits, including two home runs and five RBI -- but suffered an elbow injury that slowed him during stretches in September. Johnson has the ability to hit for power, steal bases and swing for average. Most January Mocks have Johnson exiting the draft board in the tenth round or later - a nice spot to pick up the second base slot if one doesn't target one of the "Big Three" (Chase Utley, Robinson Cano, Brandon Phillips). 2. Aaron Hill - Toronto Hill concluded the 2007 season as he began it: on a tear. What started with a .313, five-homer April ended with a .406, 23 runs scored, 10 RBI, and three ding-dong September. The soon-to-be 26-year-old showed maturity beyond his years last season. The ex-shortstop and career .287 hitter is an asset at second-base. He can hit for average, contribute in the power categories and only his lack of stolen bases keep him from being considered an all-around talent. The Blue Jay is just entering his prime as a hitter so expecting Hill to display even better power numbers and continued discipline at the plate is reasonable. Draft him as a potential .300, 20-home run threat. 3. Yunel Escobar - Atlanta With the trade of Edgar Renteria, Escobar is projected to be the Braves' opening day starter at shortstop. Considering the shortstop position is loaded with elite names; Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins, Derek Jeter, B.J. Upton, Troy Tulowitzki and more, Escobar's .300-10-60 potential will be overlooked by the masses. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter qualifies at 2B, 3B and SS offering an important ingredient to value above average. There are only a handful of players that qualify at three positions in the infield and this versatility is a huge plus in rotisserie formats. Escobar became a mixed-league option late in the 2007 season, and carries that value into the 2008 campaign. Consider him an every-week candidate as a mixed-league middle infielder.