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1. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
Don’t let his small physique fool you, this guy is one of the best players in baseball. Last season he hit .338 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs, 108 runs and 30 stolen bases. He not only contributes, but thrives in four categories, and is serviceable in homers. Even if you believe his career high 24 homers and .194 ISO is unsustainable, you are still looking at the best second baseman, worthy of taking in the first few picks of your draft.
2. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Where Trea Turner should go in drafts has been a hot topic all offseason. He played in just 73 games in 2016, but from the time of his promotion, he had more Fantasy points per game and at-bat than Mike Trout. Even with regression expected, Turner is still a lock for at least 40 steals, a .285 average, 100-plus runs and his homers will be around the 15 mark.
3. Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers
Odor broke out in a big way in 2015, belting 33 homers, along with 89 runs, 88 RBIs, 14 steals and a .271 average. However, the one cause for concern, as he basically never walks. Still, he should be penciled in for 25-plus homers, double-digit steals, and a similar batting average. But his value takes a big hit for those in OBP leagues.
4. Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
Set a career-high in homers in 2016. The power will come back down, but he’s still a Top 5 option at the position. Improved his wOBA to .370, which was his highest since his last season in New York.
5. Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
Dozier hit an absurd 28 second-half home runs in 332 plate appearances last year. His regression is coming, but if he’s able to hit 30 homers instead of 42 and give you 15 steals, no one will complain too much.
6. Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals
“Daniel Murphy can’t repeat his 2015 playoff performance.” Whelp, he managed to do just that in 2016. Can he repeat those numbers again this year? Maybe not the .347 average, but the rest is legit. The multi-position eligibility makes him worth a pick in the third round of drafts.
7. Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
Do you ever scream bust every year until you’re right? That’s how I approach Kinsler. I’ll let someone else believe that a guy who has seen his strikeouts rise, his whiff-rate go up and his home run to fly ball ratio more than double last year but still produce 28 homers and 14 steals in his age 34 season is legit. If he falls to the right spot, he’s worth drafting, but expect a big negative regression to take place.
8. Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins
A PED suspension really hurt the owners who spent the earlier pick on him last season, but when he returned he certainly showed the speed that makes many Fantasy players still be tempted to take him when other prominent power sources on the board. Look for the batting average to rise back up a tick, and be prepared to go after Gordon aggressively if you want him, as there is a widespread perception that steals are down across the game.
9. DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
Call me crazy, but LeMahieu’s 2016 might be a precursor to a bigger 2017. He’s establishing himself as a consistent .300 hitter, but the rise in slugging percentage hints he might have an 18-20 homer season coming down the road. He can be accused of being yet another Coors Field creation, but there aren’t too many second sackers ahead of him in Fantasy.
10. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Pedroia no longer sits near the top of the second base rankings, but he showed in 2016 that he can still fill up a stat line when healthy. Each spring we hear how he’s going to run more, but the days of double-digit steals are likely gone. If you don’t grab one of the top options at second base, Pedroia represents a nice value in the middle rounds. Take advantage of the aging veteran discount. He’s got a few very nice years left.
11. Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs
Zobrist is as consistent as they come, but his RBIs and SB totals won’t help a ton. He has more value at your 2B or MI position, as his numbers put him in the OF5/Util discussion but would be a Top 15 option at 2B.
12. Neil Walker, METS
Walker was on the way to the best year of his career before he was derailed by back surgery. He can be something of a value if he is able to recapture his 2016 form, when he started off the year with nine home runs in April and made it clear he was comfortable in New York. Monitor him in spring training, and if all indicators are good, his ADP could start to climb.
13. Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles
Schoop was a popular sleeper pick last spring and he paid off nicely for those who bought in. He showed good power in part-time duty in 2014 and 2015, and that translated well to full-time at-bats last season. Do realize though that Schoop does come with a fair amount of batting average risk. His .329 and .305 BABIPs over the last two years seem a bit high. That .209 average in 2014 was not an accident. Draft him for the nice pop from a middle infield slot, but don’t reach. There is some risk here.
14. Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays
Travis’ offensive potential is obvious, but injuries have derailed him every time he seems to get going. If healthy Travis is a potential .300 hitter with 20-plus HR potential, and the Jays lineup should result in a ton of runs scored. All the injuries have put a damper on Travis’ ADP, which is a good thing. A later round investment could fill your middle infield slot very nicely.
15. Logan Forsythe, Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers leadoff hitters compiled a .259/.332/.398 line last season. Forsythe batted .265 with a .335 OBP, but slugged .446, which is why the Dodgers traded P Jose De Leon for him in late January. Forsythe has 37 homers the past two seasons and will provide stability at second.
16. Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians
Kipnis went from a near-20/20 player to decreased power in speed in 2014 and 2015. He had a revival in 2016, going from a “meh” player to a standout at the position, hitting a career-high 23 homers and stealing 15 bases. Like the rest of the league, I expect Kipnis to step back with his power in 2017, but still remain in the Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler grouping at second base.
17. Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates
Harrison is a perennially overlooked MI option. Harrison will hit for a high average with 15-20 stolen bases and 50-60 Runs and RBIs. None of those numbers is a game-changer, but they will all help in Fantasy at your middle infield spot.
18. Starlin Castro, YANKEES
Initially it looked like the change of scenery might have the boost that many Fantasy owners were hoping for when Castro switched leagues and headed to Yankee stadium. By the end of 2016 his numbers were right in line with what he’d done over the previous four years in Chicago. Castro could continue to add a little more power to his game as he ages, but paying for anything more than what he’s done is unlikely to pay off.
19. Brandon Phillips, Atlanta Braves
Phillips can still hit but is clearly just a placeholder on the Braves for Ozzie Albies, who could arrive by mid-season if he continues to develop in the minors.
20. Cesar Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies
Are you ready for a deep, deep second base sleeper? Look no further than Cesar Hernandez. Too bad second base is absolutely stacked and outside of average and speed, Hernandez doesn’t have much else to offer.
