Fantasy Baseball: 2015 Consensus Second Base Rankings - Part 2

Alex Kantecki opened Second Base week here at Fake Teams with the landscape of the position for fantasy purposes on Monday morning. Now we bring you part 2 of our consensus fantasy second base rankings for 2015. We used a points system for each of the 30 second baseman ranked by each of the Fake Teams writers who participated in the consensus rankings series.

The writers who participated in this series are:

Ray Guilfoyle

Jason Hunt

Rob Parker

Brian Creagh

Timmy Kennedy

Daniel Kelley

Jack Cecil

Nick Doran

Alex Kantecki

Timothy Finnegan

We feel that providing you our consensus position rankings, you get an average ranking from the Fake Teams writers, rather than one writers' opinion, which inherently includes some biases. You will see some players ranked higher by one Fake Teams writer than the others, so this helps the reader see both sides of the argument for/against a certain player who might be getting too much love this offseason.

Each of the position rankings will be split into two parts, rankings and player profiles for second baseman ranked 1 - 15 in part 1, and rankings and player profiles for second baseman ranked 16 - 30 in part 2. Consensus rankings should bring about discussion amongst you, our readers, and the Fake Teams writers who participated in this series.

Now onto part 2 of our Consensus Second Base Rankings for 2015.

Consensus Fantasy Second Base Rankings for 2015

Rank	Player	Team	Ranking Points	Ray	Jason	Rob	Brian	Timmy	Daniel	Jack	Alex	Nick	Timothy
16	Brett Lawrie	OAK	131	21	15	17	11		9	24	13	22	16
17	Jedd Gyorko	SDP	128	22	18	19	19	21	18	15	19	17	14
18	Brandon Phillips	CIN	121	16	16	25	24	13	22	20	18	18	17
19	Scooter Gennett	MIL	105	26	26	20	15	19	19	23	17	16	24
20	Martin Prado	MIA	100	27	25	16		27	14	18	15	19	18
21	Rougned Odor	TEX	98	19	20	23	17	28	23	17	24	21	20
22	Asdrubal Cabrera	TBR	96	20	21	22	14		20	19	22	24	21
23	Aaron Hill	ARI	84	25	19	21	21		15	25	21	23	25
24	Arismendy Alcantara	CHC	74	17	23	30	22		29	21	20	20	23
25	Marcus Semien	OAK	66	18	27	26	27	24	25	26	23	26	22
26	Jonathan Schoop	BAL	58	23	28		23	15	21	28	28	29	26
27	Joe Panik	SFG	38	30	24	27	29	16	28		27	33	29
28	Omar Infante	KCR	34	29	30	29		22	26	27	26	28	28
29	Nick Franklin	TBR	32		22	24		30		22	29	34	27
30	Emilio Bonifacio	CHW	28	24				17		29		27	30

	# 16. Brett Lawrie (OAK)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.247	27	12	38	0
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
282	0.301	0.421	5.67%	17.38%

Lawrie moves from the Blue Jays to the A's in 2015, and he is one hitter who has yet to reach his full potential in the major leagues. And, that is exactly why A's GM Billy Beane traded All Star third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for Lawrie and others.

Lawrie is coming off a season where he played just 70 games, hitting .247-.301-.421 with 12 home runs, 27 runs scored, and 38 RBI in 282 plate appearances. Lawrie hit more fly balls last year for the second consecutive season, and his ISO and SLG% were his highest since his 2011 call up. Assuming he can stay healthy, a BIG IF, and he can maintain a double digit HR/FB%, he is a candidate to hit 20 home runs and drive in 70 runs in 2015.

	# 17. Jedd Gyorko (SDP)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.210	37	10	51	3
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
443	0.280	0.333	8.13%	22.57%

Gyorko is coming off an injury-shortened season where he hit just .210-.280-.333 with 10 home runs, 37 runs scored and 51 RBI in 443 plate appearances in 111 games. He is no longer the Padres only power threat, as gm A.J. Preller has added several power hitters this offseason, including Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers, among others.

Gyorko hit fewer fly balls and more ground balls last season, so it remains to be seen whether we can count on him being a consistent 20 home run threat at the keystone in 2015. Is he the next Dan Uggla, a power hitting second baseman who will hit for a low average, or just a low average hitter with middling power? 2015 will help us answer that question.

	# 18. Brandon Phillips (CIN)
Photo Credit: Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.266	44	8	51	2
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
499	0.306	0.372	4.61%	14.83%

Phillips turns 34 in June, and has seen his production at the plate drop as he gets older. Once a highly ranked fantasy second baseman, he is five years removed from his last 20-20 season. Last season, he hit just .266-.306-.372 with 8 home runs, 44 runs scored, 51 RBI and just 2 stolen bases in 499 plate appearances, by far his worst of bios career.

He set career lows in the following statistics: home runs, runs scored, RBI stolen bases, ISO, OCP, SLG, wOBA, and wRC+, and his power is in a seven year downtrend. He was drafted in the 18th round of the recent FSTA Experts mixed league draft, so this gives you an idea as to how far his value has fallen among fantasy owners.

	# 19. Scooter Gennett (MIL)
Photo Credit: Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.289	55	9	54	6
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
474	0.320	0.434	4.64%	14.14%

Gennett will get most of the starts at second base in Milwaukee now that Rickie Weeks is gone, and he could move up these rankings hitting in the talented Brewers lineup. Last season, Gennett was solid his rookie season, hitting .289-.320-.434 with 9 home runs, 31 doubles, 55 runs scored, 54 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 9 attempts.

Looking at his batted ball profile on FanGraphs, it appears he is more of a line drive hitter, so expecting more than 10-12 home runs from him would be expecting too much. He is a solid contact hitter, but his 40% outside the zone swing rate is a concern heading into the 2015 season. Should he be able to maintain the high line drive rate, he should be a .280 hitter capable of double digit home runs and stolen bases this season.

	# 20. Martin Prado (MIA)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.282	62	12	58	3
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
573	0.321	0.412	4.54%	13.96%

If you want to go safe at the second base position rather than reach for one of Javier Baez or Rougned Odor, Prado is your guy. But, let it be said that he won't hurt you in any category. He doesn't offer any upside, but he provided his owners with solid numbers across the board in 2014, hitting .282-.321-.412 with 12 home runs, 62 runs scored and 58 RBI.

Prado started the 2014 season in Arizona, but was traded to the Yankees around the trade deadline. This offseason, he was dealt again, this time to the Marlins in the deal that sent Nathan Eovaldi to the Yankees. Prado will probably slide into the either the two spot or the 7th spot in the Marlins new lineup, which now includes Dee Gordon and Michael Morse.

	# 21. Rougned Odor (TEX)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.259	39	9	48	4
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
417	0.297	0.402	4.08%	17.03%

Odor played just 62 games, and 282 plate appearances, at Double A before getting the call up last season, but the 21 year old held his own at the plate. Odor hit .259-.297-.402 with 9 home runs. 39 runs scored, 48 RBI and 4 stolen bases in 11 attempts (WOW!) in 417 plate appearances.

Daniel Kelley profiled Odor on Monday, where he opined that while Odor is a breakout candidate in 2015, he should only be drafted in the deepest of mixed leagues. I agree. He should also be drafted in AL only leagues as he should see a significant amount of playing time this season.

The other side of the argument is that Odor is still very young and could struggle as so many other former prospects have in their second season in the big leagues. He batted in the 8th and 9th spots in the Rangers lineup quite a bit last season, and I expect the same this season, so his counting stats could be limited.

	# 22. Asdrubal Cabrera (TBR)
Photo Credit: Lance Iversen - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.241	74	14	61	10
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
616	0.307	0.387	7.95%	17.53%

Cabrera signed with the Rays this offseason, where he will be their starting second baseman in 2015. He is now three years removed from his 2011 career year, where he hit .273-.332-.460 with 25 home runs, 87 runs scored, 92 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 151 games. Yet, he is still a solid option at the keystone, as he can still put up solid counting stats, despite a batting average that is below league average. Last season, Cabrera hit .241-.307-.387 with 14 home runs, 74 runs scored, 61 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts.

Actually, Cabrera has hit at least 14 home runs, scored an average of 70 runs, drove in 61 or more runs and stolen at least nine bases every year since his breakout 2011 season. While his ISO and SLG are in decline, 14 home runs are nothing to sneeze at.

	# 23. Aaron Hill (ARI)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.244	52	10	60	4
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
541	0.287	0.367	5.18%	17.01%

Hill will turn 33 years of age before the Opening Day, and Hill could become trade bait by midseason, as the Diamondbacks are not expected to contend in the NL West. Gone are the multiple seasons of 25+ home runs, Hill is coming off a 2014 campaign where he hit .244-.287-.367 with 10 home runs, 52 runs scored and 60 RBI in 541 plate appearances.

Hill should be drafted in only the deepest of mixed leagues and NL only leagues in March drafts, and can be counted on for double digit home runs and 100+ runs scored and RBI.

	# 24. Arismendy Alcantara (CHC)
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.205	31	10	29	8
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
300	0.254	0.367	5.67%	31.00%

Alcantara is the second baseman who could vault up our second base rankings this time next year, as he has the power and speed to put up a 15 home run, 25+ stolen base season, assuming 500+ plate appearances. At the moment, there is plenty of discussion as to where he will play in the Cubs lineup now that they have traded for center fielder Dexter Fowler. Alcantara can play all over the infield and in center field, so new manager Joe Maddon may utilize him like the Cubs version of Ben Zobrist this season.

Last season, Alcantara hit just .205-.254-.367 with 10 home runs, 31 runs scored, 29 RBI and 8 stolen bases in 13 attempts in 300 plate appearances in the big leagues. But, combining his AAA and big leagues stats, he hit 20 home runs and stole 29 bases last season, so that gives you a flavor of his potential as a hitter. He whiffed at a 31% rate after his call up, so he will need to make more contact in 2015. He is a favorite of Cubs President Theo Epstein, and Maddon loves him, so it will be interesting to see how he is used this season. There is a chance, maybe a good chance, that he starts the season as the Cubs Opening Day second baseman, assuming Javier Baez needs more time in AAA.

Nick Doran profiled Alcantara yesterday, where he advises readers to use a late round pick on him, as he could prove to be a late round steal this season.

	# 25. Marcus Semien (OAK)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.234	30	6	28	3
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
255	0.300	0.372	8.24%	27.45%

I profiled Semien in our recent Sleeper Series, but that was written before the A's traded Yunel Escobar to the Nationals for reliever Tyler Clippard, so Semien is now slated to be the A's starting shortstop once again.

He is capable of putting up double digit home runs and stolen bases, but that could come with a low batting average.

	# 26. Jonathan Schoop (BAL)
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.209	48	16	45	2
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
481	0.244	0.354	2.70%	25.36%

Schoop is one of the few second baseman in part 2 of our Top 30 Fantasy Second Baseman who could provide fantasy owners with 20 or more home runs in 2015. Then again, he could find himself back in AAA as well, if he can't improve upon his low batting average and walk rate. Last season, Schoop hit just .209-.244-.354 with 16 home runs, 48 runs scored, and 45 RBI in 481 plate appearances.

Schoop struggled at the plate last season, striking out in more than 25% of his plate appearances, while walking at just a 2.7% clip. Those will have to improve, and if they do, we could see a breakout season from Schoop in 2015.

I profiled Schoop in our Sleeper Series earlier this offseason.

	# 27. Joe Panik (SFG)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.305	31	1	18	0
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
287	0.343	0.368	5.57%	11.50%

Panik made a name for himself in last year's playoffs and World Series, and will be the Giants starting second baseman in 2015. He had a solid half a season in 2014, hitting .305-.343-.368 with a home run, 31 runs scored and 18 RBI in 287 plate appearances.

He won't hit for much power, but should provide owners with an above league average batting average in a full season of plate appearances. He should only be rostered in NL only leagues at this point.

	# 28. Omar Infante (KCR)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.252	50	6	66	9
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
575	0.295	0.337	5.74%	11.83%

	# 29. Nick Franklin (TBR)
Photo Credit: Casey Sapio - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.160	7	1	6	2
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
90	0.222	0.247	6.67%	35.56%

	# 30. Emilio Bonifacio (CHW)
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri - USA Today Sports

2014 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.259	47	3	24	26
2014 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
426	0.305	0.345	6.10%	19.95%

The three second baseman ranked 28 -30 should be drafted in only the deepest of mixed leagues, AL only leagues, or used as injury replacements. Bonifacio should be the starting thsecond baseman for the White Sox, but they have a few other guys who could limit his plate appearances in 2015. Franklin should see time at second base in Tampa if Asdrubal Cabrera takes on the starting shortstop job.

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