Hitter Evaluations: 2B 2012 Talent Projections

With the core background work done on my hitter evaluations, I have decided to apply the process to second basemen for 2012. This ranking is based off of all player’s stats given the same number of PA. This a look to see which players are the most talented. You can follow the process with this spreadsheet.

Background and and Procedures (skip if desired)

To get a 2012 projection (columns R to X), I used a one-part weighting of 2011 stats (Column J to P) and a two-part weighting of the 2011 ZIPS projections (column B to H). I hoped to include most 2012 2B-eligible players (10 games at 2B in 2011). If there is a second baseman you want added, let me know.

Note: There was not a ZIPS projection for Tsuyoshi Nishioka so I created one. It was the average values of the other second basemen.

The standard values were changed to rates (columns AA to AI) to be used in further calculations.

Next, I created a projection using the five standard stats (AVG, HR, RBI, Runs, SB) for each of the second basemen based on 600 PA (columns AK to AQ). Besides these five stats, Hits, Ks, BBs and OBP can be determined using the information at hand. The values were then weighted using Zach Sander’s formula for finding fantasy above replacement values (columns AS to AW).

Note: We understand that the process is flawed when comparing different positions, and are working on updating it, but the calculator seems to work just fine for one position.

Finally, the individual overall rankings are calculated (columns AY and AZ).

2012 2B Rankings (based off of 600 PA):

Rank	Name	HR	Runs	RBI	AVG	SB	Ranking Value
1	Ian Kinsler	23	78	78	0.270	26	7.3
2	Dustin Pedroia	16	80	80	0.301	18	7.2
3	Robinson Cano	23	79	79	0.299	5	5.7
4	Chase Utley	20	76	76	0.270	16	4.5
5	Brandon Phillips	17	72	72	0.281	17	3.5
6	Michael Young	14	75	75	0.300	5	3.3
7	Ben Zobrist	18	74	74	0.252	18	2.9
8	Dan Uggla	29	76	76	0.244	3	2.5
9	Rickie Weeks	22	73	73	0.248	13	2.1
10	Brian Roberts	11	69	69	0.262	29	2.1
11	Kelly Johnson	20	72	72	0.251	13	1.6
12	Michael Cuddyer	17	73	73	0.269	8	1.6
13	Daniel Murphy	11	72	72	0.292	8	1.5
14	Ryan Raburn	23	72	72	0.262	5	1.5
15	Howie Kendrick	14	69	69	0.282	15	1.5
16	Martin Prado	13	70	70	0.283	4	0.3
17	Neil Walker	15	70	70	0.268	8	0.2
18	Ryan Roberts	15	69	69	0.244	17	-0.1
19	Aaron Hill	19	68	68	0.253	10	-0.3
20	Omar Infante	7	68	68	0.289	5	-1.0
21	Tsuyoshi Nishioka	13	67	67	0.258	12	-1.1
22	Maicer Izturis	7	67	67	0.273	13	-1.1
23	Chone Figgins	2	62	62	0.244	32	-2.3
24	Danny Espinosa	18	64	64	0.223	17	-2.6
25	Gordon Beckham	13	65	65	0.250	7	-2.7
26	Johnny Giavotella	6	64	64	0.264	13	-2.7
27	Orlando Hudson	8	65	65	0.249	12	-2.8
28	Jason Kipnis	11	65	65	0.258	7	-2.9
29	Ryan Theriot	2	63	63	0.271	15	-3.0
30	Mark Ellis	10	63	63	0.254	12	-3.0
31	Justin Turner	8	64	64	0.264	7	-3.1
32	Sean Rodriguez	17	63	63	0.225	13	-3.4
33	Robert Andino	11	62	62	0.248	13	-3.5
34	Dustin Ackley	7	64	64	0.246	8	-4.1
35	Darwin Barney	2	61	61	0.273	9	-4.6
36	Jemile Weeks	5	58	58	0.244	19	-5.2

I will not go over the list today because I will begin looking at it in detail over the next few weeks. In the mean time, let me know if you have any suggestions or questions.