Position Scarcity

By now, everyone should be aware that secondbase is a positon without proven fantasy stars. There is one, Chase Utley, but he isn't so great as to qualify twice. At C, Minnesota's Joe Mauer is considered the King at the position. Both players are being taken very early in fantasy drafts- Utley in the first round and Mauer in the 2nd or 3rd. These choices are justified by their selectors on a position scarcity basis. Because there are no other elite options at 2B or C, one is justified in selecting either player in the top couple rounds. Otherwise, you will be stuck with the dredges

It is a premise I buy whole-heartedly in the case of Chase Utley. He topped the position in HRs and RBIs in 2006 and was second to Robinson Cano in AVG. His 15 SB were good for 6th best amongst 2B-eligibles. However, I am struggling with the argument for Mauer. If he numbers are good enough to merit a 2nd or third round selection, wouldn't those same numbers merit a similar reach at 2B? After all, there is only one quality 2B.

No one believes that Mauer's production is good enough to be selected in the 2nd or 3rd round at any postion but catcher. Proof? Tell me how much different secondbaseman Freddy Sanchez is from Mauer.