With a lot of top second basemen getting older, it may be best to wait on a young up-and-comer in keeper leagues

Second Base is a position that is really tough to approach in fantasy baseball keeper and dynasty leagues. While Cano and Pedroia are obviously great options, most of the top second basemen are leaving their prime and there are not many players emerging to take their place. I would advise taking one of the top two second baseman early, or just waiting until the top ten guys are off the board to grab a young up and coming second baseman.

This list ranks the top fantasy baseball second basemen in keeper leagues going into the 2012 season. This is a very early list, that could be altered as the season approaches. This list takes into account more than just the 2012 season, this is my list of the best fantasy baseball second basemen over the next several years.

1. Robinson Cano: Cano is the best long term option at second base, he provides great power and batting average from a shallow position and as long as he is a Yankee, his counting stats will be elite. Cano's isolated power is also trending upward, increasing in three straight years. At 29 years old, Cano makes for a very good long term investment.

2. Dustin Pedroia: Pedroia is coming off of the best year of his career, hitting .307 with 21 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Don't expect that type of production each year, but he should be a threat for 20/20 for the next few seasons. Pedroia is easily the second best long term second base option, and if he returns to his 2011 level going forward, he could easily overtake Cano for the number one spot.

3. Ian Kinsler: Kinsler had his second 30/30 year in 2011. He also played in 155 games, easily the most of his career. I don't expect him to stay that healthy ever again, and if his injuries return, it would worry me about his long term value as he ages into his thirties. Regardless, Kinsler is still a top option at second base.

4. Ben Zobrist: Zobrist is now 30 years old, even though he has only played three full seasons. He is good enough to help out fantasy teams for the next couple of years with his 20/20 potential. He is typically undervalued, so you may be able to get him at a bargain.

5. Rickie Weeks: Weeks would rank much higher if he could stay healthy, but he has managed over 130 games only once in his career. He has 30 home run power and the ability to steal double digit bases, but those numbers will be tough to reach if he only plays 120 games. Players usually get less healthy as they reach their thirties, and Weeks cannot afford to lose any more of his health.

6. Dustin Ackley: Dustin Ackley's real life value will likely exceed his fantasy value, as his great approach at the plate should have him flirting with .400 OBP seasons. He doesn't have tremendous power or speed, but 15/15 with a .300+ batting average should be attainable once he begins to reach his prime. He will be 24 on opening day 2012, much younger than any of the top tier second basemen, so if you are trying to get younger, he may be one of your only good options.

7. Chase Utley: Utley will be 33 years old on opening day 2012 and has had significant injuries in each of the past two seasons. He still shows a very good power/speed combo, though, that could result in a 20/20 year if he stays healthy. Utley will help competing teams for the next couple of years, but is a must sell for rebuilding teams, as his value is much lower if you are gearing your efforts towards 2013 or 2014.

8. Brandon Phillips: At 30 years old, Phillips has already began to regress in both his power output and his stolen base success. Phillips can still be helpful, but his owners should consider dealing him if they can get fair value, because if Dusty Baker ever realized that a 61% (his 2011 number) success rate on the bases is poor, he may lose most of his speed value.

9. Dan Uggla: Uggla is still quite capable of hitting 35 home runs from a power scarce position. His average won't help, but he should manage to produce for a couple more years at a high level. As with most second basemen in the top ten, sell him now if you are rebuilding, he will be 32 in March.

10. Howard Kendrick: Kendrick showed more power in his 2011 season than in any other, hitting 18 home runs, 8 more than his previous career high. That power, however, came with K% spike, hurting his batting average some. Expect a 15/15 player who can still hit for a good average, going forward.

11. Jason Kipnis: Kipnis was very good in his first 36 big league games, and will probably be overvalued in all formats because of it. He doesn't have overwhelming tools, but he could probably maximize his skills with a 20/20/.290 prime. He is only the second player on this list who will be younger than 28 to start the 2012 season (he will be 25), so for rebuilding teams, jump on Kipnis if you miss out on Ackley; there is not much youth at second base.

12. Neil Walker: Walker is a solid option, at just 26 years old, he is one of the better young second basemen in the game. Walker shouldn't give you much more than he has over the past two years, but 15-20 homers, with close to double-digit speed is within reason.

13. Danny Espinosa: Espinosa offers a good power speed combo, but isn't seen as anything more than a .250 hitter. The average will hurt, but Espinosa's 20/20 potential will give him plenty of fantasy value for the next few years.

14. Jemile Weeks: Weeks was viewed as a player who might peak at double-digit power and have 20 stolen base speed to compliment his good batting average. Weeks, however, stole 22 bases in just 97 games, giving reason to believe that he could be more of a 10/30 candidate. I wouldn't suggest paying for that line in keeper leagues, but Weeks will be just 25 on opening day 2012 and is well worth some type of investment.

15. Jose Altuve: Altuve broke out in 2011, hitting .404 in high-A ball, followed by .361 in double-A before being called up. In total, Altuve hit 12 home runs and stole 31 bases in his time in the minors and majors. Altuve projects as a player who can hit for a high average, contribute good speed, with a surprising amount of power for his small frame. If things fall right, he could quickly become a top ten second basemen as some of the older second basemen begin to decline.

16. Kelly Johnson: Kelly was abysmal in 2011, striking out in 27% of his at bats, contributing to a .222 batting average. Johnson still went 21/16, and shouldn't be as unlucky with his batting average in the future. He is still young enough to be a good middle infield play in shallow leagues for three or four more years.

17. Aaron Hill: Hill's 2011 was only salvaged by his uncharacteristic 21 stolen bases. His power almost disappeared completely as he hit just 8 home runs, with a .110 isolated power. Hill's upside is intriguing enough to take a chance on, but expect more power than speed going forward.

18. Johnny Giavotella: Giavotella's best tool is his hit tool, he batted .322 in 134 games in 2010 and .338 in 110 minor league games before getting called up in 2011. He projects as a player who will contribute a high batting average, but neither his power or speed should be above average, he doesn't figure to ever have much more than 10-15 home runs or stolen bases. He shouldn't ever be a top five second baseman, but his skills shouldn't be ignored.

19. Gordon Beckham: Beckham has been one of the most disappointing players in recent memory. He has regressed in each of the past two seasons after having a great 2009 season. His inclusion on this list has more to do with lack of competition, than my confidence in him. His lack of speed and .106 isolated power leave little to be excited about. It looks exceeding unlikely that he ever reaches the 25/15/.290 line that people dreamed about prior to his 2010 season, but he is still young enough to grow into a solid fantasy middle infield option for shallow leagues.

20. Jean Segura: There are just not many good second base options this deep in a keeper league. Jean Segura, however, is a great option for rebuilding teams. Still in the minors, Segura projects as a player who will have high teens power, his high contact rate should allow him to hit for a .300 average, and he also has very good speed; he stole 50 bases in 2010. He needs to stay healthy though, which he has done only once in his minor league career. Segura could really be a fantasy monster if he can stay healthy and progresses as he should. He likely won't arrive until 2013, but could be well worth the wait.

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