Kuzul

Once thought of as a thin position in fantasy baseball, the 2B talent pool has grown considerably in the last few years; so much so that you could get good value for taking a second baseman in the later rounds. Here are my mid-spring training rankings for second basemen. 

Please Note: Stats are listed as: Average, HR, RBI, Runs, SB/Attempts and AB. The player’s age at the start of the 2011 season is next to his team’s name.

No. 1) Robinson Cano – New York Yankees (28)

2010: .319-29-109-103-3/5 (626)

Cano took a large step forward last year to become the clear-cut best second basemen in baseball. He bats in a powerful Yankees lineup and will play his home games in a great hitter’s park, especially for a left-handed batter. Cano is a 5-tool player but only attempted 5 steals last year. That’s about his only drawback. He has earned the selection as the first 2B off the board in your fantasy baseball draft.

No. 2) Dustin Pedroia – Boston Red Sox (27)

2010: .288-12-41-53-9/10 (302)

While Pedroia lost a significant amount of time with a broken foot last season, he recently said he is completely healthy now. The former AL-MVP is most likely going to bat in-between the Red Sox two big off-season acquisitions, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Even if Jacoby Ellsbury leads off with Crawford batting 3rd, Pedroia will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.

No. 3) Ian Kinsler – Texas Rangers (28)

2010: .286-9-45-73-15/20 (391)

His injury history may scare off some owners from spending an early draft pick on Kinsler, but he is one of the few players at his position to have a legit shot for a 20/20 season. He already has a 30/30 season in his career and he spent time on the DL during that year as well. The Rangers lineup and ballpark help his offensive output, and if he can stay relatively healthy, a .285-25-80-100-25 season is possible.

No. 4) Dan Uggla – Atlanta Braves (31)

2010: .287-33-105-100-4/5 (589)

I always try and stay away from players who just signed a large contract in the off-season. Financial motivation can equal single season success. But Uggla has just been too consistent in the power department over the years to downgrade him because of his new contract. Uggla has averaged 31 HR and 93 RBI a year in the first five seasons of his career and he should be right around those numbers once again.

No. 5)  Chase Utley – Philadelphia Phillies (32)

2010: .275-16-65-75-13/15 (425)

Even after missing time with a torn ligament in his right thumb, Utley was still able to put up a good season. He bats 2nd or 3rd in a potent Phillies lineup and has a great hitter’s ballpark at his disposal. While his age and injury history might no longer make him a first round pick, he still has the ability to be a top-tier fantasy second baseman. That is, if he can get and stay healthy. Utley has been bothered by a right knee injury all spring and his status for the early part of the season is unknown.  

No. 6) Brandon Phillips – Cincinnati Reds (29)

2010: .275-18-59-100-16/28 (626)  

Phillips is one of the few second basemen able to put up a 20/20 season, even posting a 30/30 season in ’07. He can bat leadoff or cleanup in a hitter’s ballpark for a powerful Reds lineup. He also has only a team option after the ’11 season, so he could be financially motivated as well.  

No. 7) Rickie Weeks – Milwaukee Brewers (28)

2010: .269-29-83-112-11/15 (651)

Weeks finally had his breakout season in ’10, posting career highs in HR, RBI and Runs. The most significant jump though was in games played. Weeks has always had the talent, and he stayed healthy enough last season to produce on the field. While you can’t project health, Weeks has the ability to improve on those numbers this season.

No. 8) Kelly Johnson – Arizona Diamondbacks (29)

2010: .284-26-71-93-13/20 (585)

The move to Arizona last season was a great one for Johnson. He wasn’t offered a contract from the Braves after a ’09 season in which he hit .224. The Diamondbacks picked him up originally for depth, but were rewarded with a career year from Johnson. He established new career bests in HR, RBI, Runs, Stolen Bases and games played. Tough to reach for any player coming off a career year, but in the right round it’s worthwhile to see if Johnson can maintain his production in ‘11.  

No. 9) Aaron Hill – Toronto Blue Jays (29)

2010: .205-26-68-70-2/4 (528)

After having a career year in ’09, Hill regressed last season, batting .205. While that and his injury history may scare off some owners, Hill’s power production at second base can’t be overlooked. Toronto led all of baseball with 257 total HR, 146 of which came in the Rogers Centre. Even the Blue Jays’ divisional opponents play in parks with high HR totals. Hill is only 29 years old and still hit 26 HR in the worst year of his career. He is a great bounce-back candidate for ’11.     

No. 10) Martin Prado – Atlanta Braves (27)

2010: .307-15-66-100-5/8 (599)

Prado went from a super-utility player early on in his career to an All-Star in ’10. He set career highs in Hits, HR, RBI, Runs and Stolen Bases while missing time with a fractured right pinky and then a torn oblique muscle. He is expected to be ready for full activities when spring training starts. At 27 years old and arbitration-eligible, it’s reasonable to project Prado’s numbers going up. While he will no longer get the majority of his starts at 2B because of the Braves’ acquisition of Dan Uggla, Prado retains 2B eligibility for ’11 and is even more valuable in leagues where he is available at multiple positions.  

Honorable Mention

Brian Roberts – Baltimore Orioles (33)

2010: .278-4-15-28-12/14 (230)

Howie Kendrick – Los Angles Angels (27)

2010: .279-10-75-67-14/18 (616) 

Gordon Beckham – Chicago White Sox (24)

2010: .252-9-49-58-4/10 (444) 

Chone Figgins – Seattle Mariners (33)

2010: .259-1-35-62-42/57 (602)

Mike Aviles – Kansas City Royals (30)

2010: .304-8-32-63-14/19 (424)

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With less than three weeks till Opening Day (I don’t count the night game before), Major League Baseball is almost here. So is your fantasy baseball draft. No better time than now to start preparing for it.

Here are my mid-spring training rankings for the closer position.

Please Note: Stats are listed as: Wins, ERA, Saves/Opportunities, Strikeouts, WHIP and IP for the 2010 season. The player’s age at the start of the 2011 season is next to his team’s name.

No. 1) Mariano Rivera – New York Yankees (41)

2010: 3 – 1.80 – 33/38 – 45 – 0.83 – 60.0

Even at 41 years old, Rivera takes the top spot for fantasy baseball closers. While Rivera doesn’t have the high strikeout totals anymore, his ERA and WHIP continue to be at the top of the rankings. Rafael Soriano might get some save chances during the season, but nothing should discourage you from drafting Rivera for your fantasy team.

No. 2) Brian Wilson – San Francisco Giants (29)

2010: 3 – 1.81 – 48/53 – 93 – 1.18 – 74.2

The closer of the World Series Champions had an exceptional year in ’10. Over a three-year period, Wilson’s strikeouts have gone up while his ERA and WHIP have gone down. Wilson has also averaged 42 saves the last three seasons and stands to get a lot of save opportunities for a Giants team that plays in many low scoring games.

No. 3) Heath Bell – San Diego Padres (33)

2010: 6 – 1.93 – 47/50 – 86 – 1.20 – 70.0

Since taking over as closer of the Padres after Trevor Hoffman left, Bell has solidified himself as one of the best closers in fantasy baseball. Going into the final year of his contract would normally raise his value, but San Diego might trade him to shed salary and get young players in return. So there is a chance that he could get traded to a team that already has an established closer, and Bell would then lose save opportunities.

No. 4) Joakim Soria – Kansas City Royals (26)

2010: 1 – 1.78 – 43/46 – 71 – 1.05 – 65.2

Having a closer from a team towards the bottom of the standings can be a plus in fantasy baseball. The games those teams win are usually close. Soria has been dominant closing games for the Royals the last three seasons, and at 26 years old, is entering his prime years. He is worth a top draft pick.

No. 5) Neftali Feliz – Texas Rangers (22)

2010: 4 – 2.73 – 40/43 – 71 – 0.88 – 69.1

Feliz grabbed the closer role for the Rangers last season and helped them reach the World Series. The reigning 2010 AL Rookie of the Year was so dominate as a closer that Texas may use him as a Starter in ‘11 to help make up for the loss of Cliff Lee to the Phillies. Becoming a starting pitcher would be the only way Feliz gets knocked off the Top 10 closers list. If he stays on as the closer, his WHIP and high strikeout rate make him worth being one of the top RPs drafted in fantasy leagues.  

No. 6) Carlos Marmol – Chicago Cubs (28)

2010: 2 – 2.55 – 38/43 – 138 – 1.18 – 77.2

Marmol signed a three-year, $20 million contract extension last week. His 15.99 strikeouts per nine innings in ’10 set a major league record. While I try and avoid drafting any player to my fantasy team that just signed a big contract in the offseason, Marmol’s strikeout totals comparable to that of a starting pitcher make him too good to pass on.

No. 7) Jonathan Papelbon – Boston Red Sox (30)

2010: 5 – 3.90 – 37/45 – 76 – 1.27 – 67.0

Going into the final year of his contract and being rumored in multiple trades over the offseason should give Papelbon plenty of motivation heading into this season. Papelbon has been one of the top fantasy closers in baseball the last few years, and even though he had a down year for his standards last season, he is definitely worth drafting especially if you can get him in the later rounds.

No. 8) John Axford – Milwaukee Brewers (28)

2010: 8 – 2.48 – 24/27 – 76 – 1.19 – 58.0

After replacing Trevor Hoffman as the Brewers’ full-time closer during the season last year, Axford showed himself to be one of the top RPs in fantasy baseball. He was also one of the best fantasy waiver wire pickups of the entire season, but he will get drafted this year and is worth a look as your No. 1 fantasy closer. With the additions of Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee is going for it this year and should provide Axford with plenty of save opportunities.    

No. 9) Andrew Bailey – Oakland Athletics (26)

2010: 1 – 1.47 – 25/28 – 42 – 0.96 – 49.0

Although Bailey missed time on the DL last season, he still wound up with impressive numbers. His ERA and WHIP are the fantasy statistics that really stand out, and he plays his home games in a great pitchers park. All of it is based on if he can get healthy for the start of the regular season. He just started pitching in spring games. The Athletics are a pitching first team and should be involved in close games, making a healthy Bailey a solid fantasy closer selection.  

No. 10) Craig Kimbrel – Atlanta Braves (22)

2010: 4 – 0.44 – 1/1 – 40 – 1.21 – 20.2

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez suggested that Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters might share closing duties this season. That thinking may not last for long as Kimbrel showed he is capable of dominating hitters in the short time he was in the majors last season. Kimbrel struck out 40 batters in just 20-and-two-thirds innings last season with a 0.44 ERA. If he gets the opportunity to close games for Atlanta, Kimbrel has a chance to wind up as one of the top closers in fantasy baseball.

Honorable Mentions

Jonathan Broxton – Los Angles Dodgers (26)

2010: 5 – 4.04 – 22/29 – 73 – 1.48 – 62.1

Huston Street – Colorado Rockies (27)

2010: 4 – 3.61 – 20/25 – 45 – 1.06 – 47.1

Brad Lidge – Philadelphia Phillies (34)

2010: 1 – 2.96 – 27/32 – 52 – 1.23 – 45.2

Matt Thornton – Chicago White Sox (34)

2010: 5 – 2.67 – 8/10 – 81 – 1.01 – 60.2

Chris Perez – Cleveland Indians (25)

2010: 2 – 1.71 – 23/27 – 61 – 1.08 – 63.0

Jose Valverde – Detroit Tigers (33)

2010: 2 – 3.00 – 26/29 – 63 – 1.16 – 63.0

Francisco Cordero – Cincinnati Reds (35)

2010: 6 – 3.84 – 40/48 – 59 – 1.43 – 72.2

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It is never too early to start thinking about baseball. It is also never too early to start preparing for your fantasy baseball draft.

Spring brings with it new hope for every team, as well as your fantasy baseball squad. Whether it’s a rising star or aging veteran, look for value form your backstop.

Here is a look at the early top 10 list for fantasy baseball catchers.

Begin Slideshow