2009 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Second Basemen

By Kevin Kleps, Fantasy Correspondent

The top 20 fantasy baseball second basemen for the 2009 season, with 2008 statistics in parentheses):

1. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (118 runs, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB, .326 AVG)
2. Chase Utley, Phillies (113 runs, 33 HR, 104 RBI, 14 SB, .292 AVG)
3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers (108 runs, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 26 SB, .319 AVG)
4. Brian Roberts, Orioles (107 runs, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 40 SB, .296 AVG)
5. Brandon Phillips, Reds (80 runs, 21 HR, 78 RBI, 23 SB, .261 AVG)
6. Dan Uggla, Marlins (97 runs, 32 HR, 92 RBI, 5 SB, .260 AVG)
7. Robinson Cano, Yankees (70 runs, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 2 SB, .271 AVG)
8. Placido Polanco, Tigers (90 runs, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 7 SB, .307 AVG)
9. Jose Lopez, Mariners (80 runs, 17 HR, 89 RBI, 6 SB, .297 AVG)
10. Kelly Johnson, Braves (86 runs, 12 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB, .287 AVG)
11. Howie Kendrick, Angels (43 runs, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 11 SB, .306 AVG)
12. Rickie Weeks, Brewers (89 runs, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 19 SB, .234 AVG)
13. Orlando Hudson, Dodgers (10 HR, 63 RBI, 10 SB, .294 AVG)
14. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates (75 runs, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 0 SB, .271 AVG)
15. Kazuo Matsui, Astros (58 runs, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 20 SB, .293 AVG)
16. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays (19 runs, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 4 SB, .263 AVG)
17. Akinori Iwamura, Rays (91 runs, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 8 SB, .274 AVG)
18. Felipe Lopez, Diamondbacks (64 runs, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 8 SB, .283 AVG)
19. Mark Ellis, Athletics (55 runs, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 14 SB, .233 AVG)
20. Alexi Casilla, Twins (58 runsm 7 HR, 50 RBI, 7 SB, .281AVG)

Short hops

Utley says he’ll be ready by opening day after offseason hip surgery, but I wouldn’t take him over Pedroia because of the ailment. ... There’s a big drop after the top two, with Kinsler getting the edge over Phillips because of his batting average, although Phillips could return to his 30-30 form of 2007. ... Cano was awful for much of 2008, but was great in 2006 (.342) and had a combined 34 homers and 175 in ’06 and ’07. ... In leagues that penalize players for strikeouts, be wary of Uggla, who had 171 whiffs last season and has 338 Ks in the last two years. ... Weeks steals bases, but doesn’t hit for average, which is why I wouldn’t make the mistake of drafting him over the Braves’ Johnson. ... The Blue Jays’ Hill, who had his 2008 season wrecked by a concussion and says he is OK now, could be a draft-day gem. He had 17 homers, 78 RBI, 47 doubles and a .291 batting average in 2007. ... Another name to watch: Colorado’s Clint Barmes, who batted .290 with 11 homers and 44 RBI in 393 at-bats last season. He is expected to be the Rockies’ everyday second baseman this year.