2012 2B Tiers: Preseason

After releasing our consensus ranking of the 2B, I am going to put the 2B into tiers. My personal projections where close to the overall 2B rankings, so I don’t have a ton of disagreements.

Tier 1
Robinson Cano
Dustin Pedroia
Ian Kinsler

The same top 3. If, and it is a big if, Kinsler can stay healthy, he has the stats to be the top of this group.

Tier 2
Brandon Phillips
Ben Zobrist
Dan Uggla
Michael Young
Howie Kendrick

If a person doesn’t get one of the top 3, they should aim to get the cheapest of these 6. In a draft league, that looks to be Kendrick. Here are the ADP of Phillips and Kendrick at MockDraftCentral.com and ESPN:

MDC ADP
Phillips: 61
Kendrick: 105

ESPN
Phillips: 54
Kendrick: 111

Kendrick is being taken 40 to 50 places after Phillips. Using a consensus of the projection systems at Fangraphs and the PA from the Fan projections, here are the projected stats for the pair:

Phillips: 0.279-96-19-77-16
Kendrick: 0.284-80-15-78-14

People should easily be able to make up the 16 runs in the 40 pick between Phillips and Kendrick

Tier 3
Jason Kipnis
Rickie Weeks
Neil Walker
Michael Cuddyer
Jemile Weeks

At this level, these players have some warts, but can still be useful depending on a team’s needs. Is a fantasy owner wanting to go younger there is Kipnis or Jemile Weeks? Does the owner already a healthy team and can take a chance on Rickie Weeks? Does a team need roster flexibility? Cuddyer and his 3 position eligibility (1B, 2B, OF) is for them. Steals? Jemile Weeks A plain Jane 2B who won’t bring down any stats? If so, then Walker is your man. Not a fancy group of players, but useful.

Tier 4
Jose Altuve
Daniel Murphy
Dustin Ackley
Danny Espinosa
Kelly Johnson
Ryan Roberts
Aaron Hill
Marco Scutaro

At this level, teams are either looking for a 2B in a deep league, to fill a MI position, or a backup. Just like Tier 3, different players for different team needs. For a late home run pick, I like Kelly Johnson. He could end up in the top 5 2B like he was a couple of years ago.

Tier 4B
Chase Utley

I would make sure that I am not counting of Utley for production this season. I would make sure my entire starting team is selected before taking him. He is not at the Brian Roberts last round flier level yet. He is falling into the Justin Morneau area right now.

Tier 5
Johnny Giavotella
Omar Infante
Ryan Raburn
Gordon Beckham
Sean Rodriguez
Orlando Hudson
Darwin Barney
Maicer Izturis

None of these guys look to have much talent. If I had to take a chance on one of them it would be Beckman. He could go all Alex Gordon and finally bust out. He could also continue to suck.