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Jason and I are providing you our 2012 Prospect Rankings by Position, and here are links to our rankings to date:
Today, I will rank the Top Fantasy Second Base Prospects for 2012, but realize that second base is one of the toughest positions to rank since not many hitters are drafted as a pure second baseman, and many move over from other positions, including shortstop.
1. Johnny Giavotella, KC
2. Steve Lombardozzi, WAS
3. Reese Havens, NYM
4. Brett Pill, SFG
5. D.J. Lemahieu, COL
6. Ivan DeJesus, LAD
7. Charlie Culbertson, SFG
8. Vince Belnome, SD
9. Cord Phelps, CLE
10. Chris Valaika, CIN
11. Will Rhymes, DET
12. Adrian Cardenas, OAK
13. Josh Satin, NYM
14. Tommy Field, COL
15. Henry Rodriguez, CIN
16. Tyler Kuhn, CHW
17. Oscar Tejada, BOS
18. Nick Franklin, SEA
19. Kolten Wong, STL
20. Ryan Adams, BAL
Giovatella appears to be the Royals starting second baseman to start the 2012 season, so he was an easy choice for the top spot. I ranked Lombardozzi second based on the fact that the Nationals really like the guy, and there has been talk that they may trade Ian Desmond to make room for him to play second, with Danny Espinosa moving over to shortstop.
Could Reese Havens stay healthy for one year, please? If he ever did, he would probably be the Mets starter heading into the 2012 season. With the Mets financial woes, Havens may finally get his chance in 2012.
Bret Pill received his cup of coffee in 2011 and he may get more playing time in 2012, especially with injury-prone second baseman Freddy Sanchez in front of him. Pill tore up the Pacific Coast League in 2011, going 25-107-.312 in 133 games.
My top 10 Second Base Prospects for keeper leagues after the jump:
Top 10 Second Base Rankings for Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
1. Anthony Rendon, WAS
2. Jean Segura, LAA
3. Eddie Rosario, MIN
4. Kolten Wong, STL
5. Cory Spangenberg
6. Nick Franklin, SEA
7. Billy Hamilton, CIN
8. Scooter Gennett, MIL
9. Reese Havens, NYM
10. Jonathon Schoop, BAL
Neither list was an easy task as there just aren't many top prospects who play second base, and so many eventually move to second base from another position. Guys like Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips started their careers at other positions and were eventually moved to second base due to need. Thus the reason why my Top 10 Second Base rankings is filtered with hitters who currently play another position in the minors, but could eventually move to second base due to being blocked or team need, or both.
I was surprised when I saw one site, Deep Leagues, rank Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario in the second base rankings, but read in the comments section that the Twins had Rosario playing second in the Instructional Leagues, so that is why I ranked him here.
Anthony Rendon is an easy choice for #1 second base prospect should the Nationals move him there, and with Ryan Zimmerman blocking him at third base coupled with the fact that they may explore a long term deal with him, I can see Rendon moving to second base as early as 2012.
Let me know if I missed anyone on this list.
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