Cano easily tops a shallow second base class

Since we are so close to spring training, this list shouldn't change much unless an injury, trade, or an expected playing time adjustment occurs. Here is my updated list of the top fantasy baseball second basemen for 2012.

1. Robinson Cano: Cano followed up his 2010 emergence with another great year in 2011. He even contributed a career high in stolen bases with 8, which is not a ton, but it was a nice bonus. He increased his isolated power each of the past three years, indicating that 30 home runs might not be out of the question if he could improve his 31% fly ball rate and cut back on his career high 14% strike out rate. Cano is as safe as they come at second base, fully worthy of a mid-to-late first round pick.

2. Dustin Pedroia: Pedroia bounced back from an injury filled 2010 and poor showing in early 2011 with a monster finish to the season. He finished with a career high in home runs (21) and stolen bases (26). It is possible that Pedroia will begin to threaten for 20/20 seasons going forward, as he has maintained an 11% HR/FB rate over the last two years (8% career). Pedroia should regress some from his 2011 numbers, but not much, and he should be drafted close behind Cano as the number two second baseman.

3. Ian Kinsler: Kinsler avoided hitting the DL in 2011 for the first time in his career, playing 155 games, a total that I doubt he reaches in 2012. He played very well hitting in the leadoff spot for a powerful Texas lineup and was unlucky to hit for such a low average (.243 BABIP). His batting average should bounce back, but his career high 13% HR/FB rate suggests that repeating his 30 home runs should be difficult. Kinsler is a good bet to threaten for 25/25 though, and will accumulate a ton of counting stats in that lineup, but expect a DL stint and don't pay for more than 140 games.

4. Ben Zobrist: Ben Zobrist quietly had a very good season in 2011, finishing with 20 home runs and 19 stolen bases. His HR/FB rate bounced back to 12%, up from 6% in 2010 further verifying that 2010 was the outlier, and not 2009. Expect Zobrist to produce very solid numbers across the board, with a good chance at 20/20. His batting average is his biggest risk, but it will never kill you.

5. Dan Uggla: Uggla bounced back from an awful first couple of months in 2011. He was plagued by a .253 hit rate (career .294) for the season, so expect his batting average to rebound to somewhere near his career mark of .258. He will always give you power, and even increased his home run output in 2011 in Atlanta's marginally better hitting environment. Most of Uggla's peripherals are stable, so he should be a good value if others are scared off by his unlucky 2011.

6. Rickie Weeks: Rickie Weeks reminded us in 2011 why he was considered injury prone, playing in just 118 games. Weeks was on his way to another good season, and is very reliable when healthy, where he provides very good power and moderate speed from the second base position. Weeks could be a top-3 second baseman if he could play over 150 games, but I don't suggest paying for anything more than 130.

7. Brandon Phillips: Brandon Phillips is known for his power/speed combo, but both his power and his speed seem to be in the decline. His HR/FB rate has decreased in four straight seasons, and his stolen base attempts have decreased from 34 in 2009, to 28 in 2010, to just 23 in 2011, much due to his poor success rate (59% over the past two seasons). Don't expect a huge bounce back in either category from Phillips.

8. Chase Utley: Question marks surround Utley heading into 2012 as he has only managed to stay on the field for 115 and 103 games over the past two seasons. The injuries he has suffered have likely contributed to three straight years of decline in his HR/FB rate. Utley also only managed a 13% line drive rate (career 20%) in 2011, and though this should bounce back some, it does not instill confidence in a full batting average bounce back. The positive is that his base running skills have stayed elite, as he has stole 27/29 bases over the past two seasons. Don't pay for or expect the 2009 Utley, but if he is healthy, he still has upside.

9. Howard Kendrick: Kendrick seemed to stay under the radar this season while putting together a surprisingly nice year, hitting 18 home runs, stealing 14 bases, and hitting .285.His 17% HR/FB rate seems unrepeatable, as his career mark is just 9%. He did also have a 20% strike out rate, much higher than his career rate, so if he can cut his strike outs down a bit there could be batting average upside. Kendrick is a solid second baseman who should provide mid-teens power and speed, don't overlook him on draft day.

10. Dustin Ackley: Dustin Ackley displayed solid skills in his debut season, hitting 6 home runs, stealing 6 bases, with a .273 batting average in 90 games. If Ackley can reduce his 21% strike out rate towards his minor league total of around 12% then we could see a significant increase in his batting average. Ackley just needs to take a moderate step forward to become a threat for 15/15, with a good batting average. His counting stats should be depressed by the Mariners lineup however, so don't go overboard here.

11. Jason Kipnis: Jason Kipnis was very impressive in a small 36 game sample in 2011, flashing some of the skills that made him a very good prospect. Kipnis, like Ackley is a definite threat for a 15/15 season, but I don't expect Kipnis to hit for the average that Ackley should hit for. Kipnis' srtikeout rate was around 18% in the minors, so I don't have as much confidence that he will significantly lower his 23% mark that he posted with Cleveland. Kipnis could be good, but don't overrate his tiny 2011 sample.

12. Jemile Weeks: Weeks provided a lot of speed in his rookie season in 2011, stealing 22 bases in just 97 games. He was probably fortunate with his .350 hit rate, but if he can maintain his low 14% strikeout rate, then he shouldn't hurt your batting average. Weeks has little power, so you are investing in his runs and stolen bases, but 30+ steal potential from a second baseman is a valuable asset.

13. Neil Walker: Neil Walker had a decent first full season in 2011, hitting 12 home runs, stealing 9 bases, with a .273 average. We could see his home run total jump into the mid-to-upper teens if his 34% fly ball rate returns closer to his 41% mark from a year ago. Most of Walker's underlying numbers are fairly stable, so expect a similar line to the one he posted in 2011, but with a bit more pop.

14. Kelly Johnson: Johnson had a disastrous year in 2011, hitting just .222. He shot himself in the foot with a 27% strikeout rate, but most of his peripheral numbers point to a bounce back year. He showed that his 2010 power gains are somewhat for real, posting a 14% HR/FB rate (16% in 2010), and an isolated power close to his 2011 ISO, so another 20+ home run season looks very possible. He stole a career high 16 bases, and his hit rate was .034 lower than his career mark. A correction to his hit rate and improvement in his strikeout rate should raise his average to something that won't kill you. Johnson could go very late in 2012 and looks poised to return good value.

15. Danny Espinosa: Espinosa provided a very nice power/speed combo in his first full season. His skills look in line with his minor league profile, so another run at 20/20 is certainly possible. A 25% strike out rate will never lead to a healthy batting average, but his other skills certainly play if you can absorb the batting average hit.

16. Ryan Roberts: Ryan Roberts may have been the biggest surprise at second base in 2011, hitting 19 home runs, and stealing 18 bases. He really thrived while getting regular playing time for the first time in his career. Roberts is 31 years old, making it a very odd time to break out, so don't expect him to take another step forward. Mid-teens power and speed with a low batting average is reasonable to expect, but that has value in all leagues, don't dismiss him if he falls in your draft.

17. Aaron Hill: Hill's last three seasons have been very unique, going from 36 home runs, to 26, to just 8 in 2011, all while going from 6 stolen bases in 2009, to 2 in 2010, to 21 in 2011. Hill's 4% HR/FB rate was unlucky and should correct towards his 8% career mark, but don't expect a repeat of his 21 stolen bases, as he could be anywhere from 5 to 20 in 2012. Hill has been one of the most inconsistent players in all of baseball, but some upside remains.

18. Daniel Murphy: Murphy looks set to receive regular at bats and should hit in the number two spot in a weakened Mets lineup. He is a good bet to provide 10-15 home runs, 5-10 steals, and a good batting average. Murphy doesn't have enormous upside, but he is a viable option in 12-team mixed leagues and deeper to begin 2012.

19. Jose Altuve: Altuve has drawn Howard Kendrick comparisons for his potential to hit for moderate power and to steal a handful of bases. For 2012 I don't think Altuve will hit for that kind of power, but he should be able steal 15-20 bases. His upside is limited while hitting in an Astros lineup that may be the league's worst, but he could be a steal if he falls in drafts.

20. Johnny Giavotella: Giavotella did not break out in his first 46 games for the Royals last year, but he was not overwhelmed either. While in double-A and triple-A he maintained a high hit rate, and did not strike out very much (around 11%), which contributed to his .322 and .338 batting averages in the past two seasons. He has the hitting skills to maintain a high hit rate in the majors, and if he can cut the 17% strike out rate that he posted for the Royals closer to his minor league rate, then he has .280+ batting average upside. He could approach double-digit home runs and add mid-teens stolen bases, making his upside worthy of a flier this late in drafts.

21. Orlando Hudson: Orlando Hudson is unlikely to finish the entire 2012 season healthy, but he should approach 10 home runs, and hit for a reasonable average, also adding double-digit stolen bases, with upside for more if his first season in San Diego is any indication (19 steals).

22. Ryan Raburn: Raburn should provide mid-teens power, with no speed to speak of. His batting average (.256) should bounce back if he can cut back on his career high 27% strike out rate. Raburn's upside is tied to his ability to play a full season, don't bet on that, he has never played more than 121 games in a single season and may lose playing time to Ramon Santiago when he slumps.

23. Gordon Beckham: Beckham has been massively disappointing in each of the past two seasons, posting a particularly anemic .230/.296/.337 line in 150 games in 2011. The days where Beckham looked like a 25/15/.290 hitter are probably over, and there is not a whole lot in his numbers that suggest a break out is coming.

24. Sean Rodriguez: Rodriguez is slotted to start at shortstop for the Rays in 2012. He cut his strikeout rate by 6% in 2011 and his low .268 hit rate should bounce back, giving him room for some batting average growth (career .229 hitter). He has the power to hit 15 home runs and the speed to steal 20 bases provided he gets 600+ plate appearances, but since he has never got 450, we shouldn't pay for that. If everything falls right in 2012, Rodriguez could be a top-15 second baseman in 2012.

25. Brian Roberts: Roberts makes for a great end-game flier in shallower leagues, but has tremendous risk in deep leagues. He has played in just 59 and 39 games over the past two years and heads into the 2012 season with many questions left unanswered about his concussion symptoms. Be very cautious and monitor his health as spring training progresses.

26. Mike Aviles: Aviles should share time at short for the Red Sox. Even with half of the at bats he could reach double-digit home runs and stolen bases. There is good upside here if his playing time increased.

27. Omar Infante: Playing time is Infante's best asset, he should also chip in with a nice batting average too, but neither his power or speed numbers should reach double-digits.

28. Darwin Barney: Barney should be the everyday second baseman for the Cubs in 2012. He has no power, but could steal 10 bags and his average shouldn't hurt either.

29. Freddy Sanchez: Sanchez hasn't played in more than 111 games since 2008 and only offers fantasy value with his batting average. Be cautious here: questionable health and minimal upside.

30. Maicer Izturis: Aside from the double-digit steal potential, Izturis offers very little in terms of fantasy value. He is only a 6-8 home run guy if he plays 110 games. His strike out rate has increased in three straight years from 8% in 2008 to 13% in 2011, so don't bank on the neutral batting average that he has shown in the past. If this trend continues, then he will begin to be a batting average risk. Izturis will find it tough to get playing time in the crowded Angels lineup.

31. Mark Ellis: Ellis is still capable of doing a job for those in deep leagues. He should hit 5-10 homers with around 10 steals, but his average shouldn't help. He lacks upside, but is fairly reliable.

32. Ryan Theriot: Theriot will fight with Brandon Crawford for playing time at short in San Francisco. Even if he does play everyday, the 4 bases he stole in 2011 indicates that his days of major stolen base contributions are over. Don't go wild, Theriot is a risk both in skills and playing time.

33. Alexi Casilla: Casilla has 25 steal potential if he could stay healthy for a full season, but 97 games is his career high. Don't pay for much more than that.

34. Ruben Tejada: Tejada will probably start at short for the Mets, but won't give you much aside from counting stats.

35. Justin Turner: Pay for about five homers and five steals from Turner who should act as infield depth for the Mets.

36. Jeff Keppinger: Can hit for a good average, but playing time will be limited.

37. Ramon Santiago: Santiago should split time at second base with Ryan Raburn, he has little upside, so you are just paying for runs and RBIs here.

38. Chris Getz: Getz should back up Johnny Giavotella at second in Kansas City, but he should still get some at bats. He has good speed, but may not hit a single home run.

39. Nick Punto: Punto should find himself some at bats following the departure of Marco Scutaro in Boston. Punto doesn't run anymore and has very little upside, so pass in all but the deepest of leagues.

40. Robert Andino: Andino will act as insurance in Baltimore for J.J. Hardy and Brian Roberts, which isn't a bad place to be in. One, or both of those guys will likely end up missing significant time at which point Andino could see regular at bats. He won't excel at anything, but he could add modest stolen base totals.

41. Adam Kennedy: Kennedy is versatile, so he could earn playing time at a number of positions for the Dodgers in 2012. He could steal a handful of bases, but won't contribute much elsewhere.

42. Tyler Greene: Green has decent power and good speed, but is a big batting average risk and he may have trouble finding playing time.

43. Eric Young Jr: Has tremendous speed upside, but lacks playing time.

44. Skip Schumaker: Solid average, but no power or speed and playing time is a question.

45. Carlos Guillen: Will serve as depth with Mariners and would have limited value even with regular playing time.

46. Matt Downs: Has power upside if he could ever earn regular at bats.

47. Wilson Valdez: Offers roster flexibility, but nothing else.

48. Jonathan Herrera: With the Rockies trading for Marco Scutaro, it is hard to see much playing time for Herrera.

49. Luke Hughes: May offer a little power and a couple of steals if he is given some playing time, but his average will hurt.

50. Jack Wilson: The only thing he brings to the table is runs and RBIs.

51. John McDonald

All rankings are based on standard mixed 5x5 rotisserie leagues (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, K, W, SV, ERA, WHIP).

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