2B Rankings Revisited

At the beginning of the season, the Rotographs authors compiled a composite ranking of 2B. After a month of the season completed, here is a look at how that initial ranking compare to the players’ production so far.

I looked at 66 players that had over 20 PA and were qualified at 2B in some common fantasy league format. Comparing just the stats between second basemen, here are the top 20 basemen and few notable extras:

Over Performers

Ben Zobrist – Zobrist just jumped to the head of the 2B class because of his 2 HR, 5 Run and 10 RBI day on Thursday. Even without that day, Ben is still a top 5 2B this season. The increase in production this year is because his SLG is up .250 to 0.602 compared to last season. The high power is not totally out of place after he put up a SLG of 0.543 in 2009.

Placido Polanco – Placido Polanco at age 35 is hitting .389. 0.389! Walk rate is up, strikeouts are down. What’s not to love. He has been a great pick up for any owner that took a chance with him at the beginning of the season. If I owned him, I would be looking to sell high before he comes back to earth

Jonathan Herrera – Herrera was off of everyone’s radar to start the season as I recently profiled. He is still hitting over 0.300 and since he is batting 2nd for the Rockies, there will be plenty of Run opportunities.

Honorable mention: Angel Sanchez, Neil Walker, Darwin Barney and Mike Aviles

Under Performers

Dan Uggla – It has been ugly for Uggla this season*. Of the 18 Runs and RBIs he has created this season, only 8 were someone else besides Uggla on his own home runs. He needs more of the balls he puts in play to end up as hits. Owners of Uggla normally get their value from HRs, RBIs and Runs and no help from his AVG and SB. This season they aren’t even getting the Runs and RBIs. Heck, Chris Getz has more RBI + Runs than Uggla right now.

Gordon Beckham – Beckham had such a promising rookie year, but he has been a disappointment in 2010 and 2011. Two items really seem to be the cause of his struggles. First, he walk rate is at 4.1%, down from 9.5% just two years ago. Second, he has an IFFB% of 27.3%, second worst in the league behind Carlos Lee’s 31.6%.

Dustin Pedroia – Dustin isn’t having a horrible season, he just isn’t having the season expected from 3rd ranked 2B in the league. A person just doesn’t expect the players to ranked right ahead and behind him to be Darwin Barney and Jonathen Herrera. With a couple hot hitting weeks, Dustin could shoot right to the top of the rankings.

Honorable mention: Chase Utley, Chone Figgins, Kelly Johnson

* I had to go there, at least I didn’t use it in the headline