Fantasy Baseball

2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Middle Round Second Base Options

Dustin Ackley | Photo by Keith Allison
Dustin Ackley | Photo by Keith Allison

Over the next week or so we will be releasing teasers of our staff consensus rankings with the hopes that you will break the bank and purchase our 2013 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit to see the full versions, and more importantly, show us your support.

Thanks in advance.

Here are the second basemen we have ranked 10-14, guys who will be options at the 2B and middle infield slots in shallower leagues.

10. Danny Espinosa | 2B | WAS

Espinosa will provide some nice value as the tenth second baseman off the board. He’s coming off of back-to-back seasons in which he appeared in at least 158 games, scored 72+ runs, clubbed 17 long balls and swiped 17 bags. Espinosa’s batting average leaves a bit (or a lot?) to be desired (.241 over the last two seasons), and the perpetual strikeouts could be a disaster in the making for those in points leagues. But, with a current ADP of 106 and the possibility of carrying multiple position eligibility, Espinosa could make for a nice middle-round addition to your squad.

11. Dan Uggla | 2B | ATL

Just one year removed from a 36 home run season, Dan Uggla failed to crack the 20 longball and 80 RBI mark in 2012 for the first time in his career. But aside from the dip in power, the awful batting average (.220) and the 26.7% K%, Uggla should still prove to be a fine late power option at a generally weak position.

12. Neil Walker | 2B | PIT

Walker triple slashed .280/.342/.426 with 14 moonshots, 62 runs, 69 RBIs and seven swiped bags in 129 games in twenty-twelve. Those numbers projected over 150 games indicate that Walker could have a real shot at a .280, 20 and 10 season.

The Pirates’ second baseman carries an early ADP of 188, but has been selected as high as 123. Walker is an excellent 2B later in your 12-team draft and presents excellent middle infield value for shallower leagues that use the MI slot.

13. Howie Kendrick | 2B | LAA

Kendrick is a fine fantasy second baseman that will certainly keep your middle infield stable. He’s unlikely to hit 18 homers again like he did in 2011, but ten is certainly a realistic expectation. What makes Kendrick especially valuable is his ability to hit for average and steal some bases. Look for a .285 season with 10 long balls and 15 stolen bases in the star-studded Angels’ lineup.

14. Dustin Ackley | 2B | SEA

Ackley had a pretty tough time at the plate in 2012, but he’s still young and can only improve from here. He displayed a bit of a power/speed combo — 12 homers and 13 swipes, respectively — and scored 84 runs, making him an asset to some fantasy teams on the interwebs.

Ackley’s average in twenty-twelve was down (.226), but could be attributed to some bad bounces as he sported a .265 average on balls in play (.290 career BABIP). Some better luck on the batted ball parlayed with the fences moving in at Safeco could have the making for a bounceback season for the Mariner in 2013. Ackley is a low-risk, high-reward pick later in you r deep mixed draft that you should keep an eye on.

Follow Alan’s nonsense on Twitter @TheFantasyFix

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