MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2011: Second Basemen

2011 was a let down year for the second base class. Cano, Utley, Rickie Weeks and Kinsler all took steps backwards. Brian Roberts struggled with injuries. For those of you who pay very very very close attention to the Orioles will remember Roberts. Pedroia slightly over achieved but not enough to be make up for an average class. Youngsters Danny Esponosa and Jemile Weeks had good years but not great years. This had been a hot bed in years past for highly productive players who could do a variety of different things. That is just not that case this year.

Call the electric company there has been a power outage at second base. Except for Dan Uggla who has a wee bit of an on base problem (6). Cano, Kinsler and Weeks are 8 18-20 homers. Rickie Weeks is the most traditional power hitter of the bunch He can bat 6 or 7 at a good price. That pesky +0 fielding is a bit... a major turn off. Pair him with Tulo up the middle and you can still make a good push for a 7 infield. Kinsler has the speed A and will be competed for by Small Ball players. Cano has the best chart of the 3 players and will be competed for as well. The later two allow for more options at Short and third. This is a thin crop and The Laser Show, Dustin Pedroia will eat too much cap for very little power. For Rickie Weeks, Cano and Kinsler are the players. These are round 3-5 round players.

For those Pingers who want cheap on base and now power prepare to cry. There are no 9's in the second base class. This may be a good opportunity to look at the utility players. There are some options there and offer the ability to be creative in late game settings. Orlando Hudson may be a serviceable 7 hitter. He fields and his 7 on base is pretty average in this class. Jemile Weeks is someone who may be of interest. That +0 is a tough pill to swallow by most cheap skates. Paired with Scutaro it may not be a horrible middle of the infield. Hudson and Jemile Weeks should be looked at in the 6-8 rounds. For Money Ballers There are no good options besides the utility players. A punt player would be Mark Ellis. He costs 10 points but he does have a +5 fielding which will open up options at other positions. He is definitly a late round player. Do not be surprised if he goes earlier by someone who took ether of the Weeks brothers and wants a bench player. 

For small ball players have the best use for Pedroia. He can bat Lead off or second if the points work out right. The +5 makes it easier to justify and even open the possibility of Starlin Castro or Elvis Andrus. He is the best second basemen and if you like him take him. I would not insult anyone taking him in the second round of a 8 or more person league. Cano is a 6 or higher single. He does not fit into a small ball line up well though in my opinion. Batting second he may have some uses. He may also round out the end of a line up if there is a cheap singles hitter you can put behind him. He is not worth while if he is going to hit doubles and die. Kinsler may have value as a 5 hitter in the right line up. Utley and Phillips are actually people I think fit well in the 2 hole. They can run and have enough pop to warrant being their in a un-powerful year.

Mark Ellis is the best bench player of this group. He costs 2 points with the discount and has a +5 fielding which is an upgrade that may serve useful if you have a Weeks brother. Dan Uggla may be a brief thought here. 44 for the chance at cheap homers off the bench verse low control pitchers. Freedy Sanchez for 22 points is not a great deal as a none homer hitting 7 who is only a speed B and only fields for 3.