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Fantasy Baseball: An Early Look at 2013 Second Base Rankings

By Ray Guilfoyle
September 1, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (24) hits a home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE
September 1, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (24) hits a home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

I am taking a break from the Roto Roundup pieces for a few days, maybe longer. With the MLB and fantasy season winding down, I am going to start posting my early 2013 position rankings. These rankings will be just the rankings with a few comments about some of the players.

Once the season is over, we will begin our annual review of our Preseason Position Rankings. Once those are complete, we will post our Position Rankings with detailed commentary on each player ranked. Yes, the offseason will be busy for us, but it is a long offseason, and it helps us get through the offseason just a little bit quicker.

In addition to our MLB Position Rankings, we will also be ranking our annual Prospect Position Rankings, which will be loads of fun.

My early look at the Top 20 Second Baseman for 2013 is after the jump:

Here are my early Second Base Rankings for 2013:

1. Robinson Cano, NYY

2. Ian Kinsler, TEX

3. Dustin Pedroia, BOS

4. Brandon Phillips, CIN

5. Aaron Hill, ARI

6. Ben Zobrist, TB

7. Jason Kipnis, CLE

8. Neil Walker, PIT

9. Danny Espinosa, WAS

10. Chase Utley, PHI

11. Josh Rutledge, COL

12. Rickie Weeks, MIL

13. Jose Altuve, HOU

14. Dustin Ackley, SEA

15. Kelly Johnson, TOR

16. Dan Uggla, ATL

17. Howie Kendrick, LAA

18. Marco Scutaro, SFG

19. Omar Infante, DET

20. Gordon Beckham, CHW

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is the easy choice as the No.1 fantasy second baseman heading into 2013. He leads all fantasy second baseman in home runs, runs, and batting average and is second in run scored as well. His RBI total is down this season, mainly due to an aging Yankee team that has struggled to score runs this season.

Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill is the surprise pick at No. 5 in my rankings, as he has exceeded my expectations for him this season. He is benefitting from playing his home games at Chase Field, as he is hitting .296-.355-.508 with 22 HRs, 76 runs, 67 RBI and 14 stolen bases at 30 years of age.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is a guy who I think can take a step forward in his second full big league season in 2013. He has been very productive across the board in 2012, even though his triple slash line doesn't scream fantasy stud. He is hitting .254-.327-.378 with 13 HRs, 73 runs, 65 RBI and 27 stolen bases. Should he improve his slash line in 2013, he very easily could be a Top 5 fantasy second baseman.

One guy who has fallen off a cliff this season is Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. Uggla has seen his power drop in a big way this season. Uggla was the equivalent of Adam Dunn at second base for the last 5 years as he hit 30 or more home runs in 5 straight seasons. This season, his home run total has dropped to just 18 and his SLG has dropped to below .400, and is on a severe down trend. I would stay away in 2013.

I ranked Rockies shortstop Josh Rutledge in my second base rankings as he is supposed to take over the second base job when Troy Tulowitzki returns, which probably will be in 2013 after his latest setback. Rutledge has the potential to put up double digit home runs and stolen bases hitting in Coors Field in 2013. I am probably too high on him right now, so he could fall in my rankings come spring training or sooner.