If you had second base in the Which Non-Pitching Position Other Than First Base And The Outfield Is The Deepest? Contest (and what a contest that would be), you're our winner.
Your prize: The first choice between Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler.
If you'd rather wait a couple rounds, we have Brandon Phillips, Chase Utley and Ben Zobrist available.
If you're a middle-round-for-a-middle-infielder kind of owner, we have Dan Uggla, Rickie Weeks, Howie Kendrick, Dustin Ackley, Neil Walker...
OK, you get the point.
This position is stacked. So much so that Oakland's Jemile Weeks, who batted .303 with 22 steals as a rookie, will be a backup in most leagues.
Without further delay, our middle infield all-stars …
(Note: Players are listed only at the position at which they are expected to spend the most time in 2012, not every position at which they are eligible.)
1. Robinson Cano, Yankees: It's extremely close at the top, but the nod goes to Cano, who hit .302 last year and has averaged 29 homers, 114 RBI and 103 runs the last two seasons.
2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: He batted .307 with career bests in homers (21), RBI (91) and a steals (26) in 2011.
3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers: He likely will put up better numbers than Cano and Pedroia in homers and steals, but he will have fewer RBI and likely a much worse average (.255 in 2011).
4. Brandon Phillips, Reds: His power and steal numbers were down last season, but his .300 average was a career high.
5. Ben Zobrist, Rays: He batted only .269 last year, but made up for it with 99 runs, 20 homers, 91 RBI and 19 steals.
6. Dan Uggla, Braves: He was brutal at the start of last season, but still has six-year averages of 32 homers, 91 RBI and 98 runs.
7. Rickie Weeks, Brewers: He followed a huge 2010 with a disappointing 2011, which included only 49 RBI and nine steals.
8. Howie Kendrick, Angels: His career year included 86 runs, 18 homers, 14 steals and a .285 average.
9. Dustin Ackley, Mariners: He hit .273 as a rookie, and his minor-league numbers suggest he will be productive, but not very powerful.
10. Chase Utley, Phillies: Utley can produce in every category when healthy, but he's been limited to a combined 823 at-bats since 2010. He's likely to start the season on the DL with the same troublesome knee as last season, so have a decent backup if you plan to draft Utley.
11. Neil Walker, Pirates: His second year wasn't nearly as good as his first (a 2010 in which Walker hit .296 with 12 homers and 66 RBI).
12. Danny Espinosa, Nationals: He had 21 homers, 66 RBI and 17 steals in his first full season. He also batted .236 and was a strikeout waiting to happen (166 in 573 at-bats).
13. Jemile Weeks, Athletics: His minor-league stats (.286, 16 homers, 108 RBI and 41 steals in 873 at-bats) tell us his 2011 wasn't a fluke.
14. Jason Kipnis, Indians: He had seven homers in 136 at-bats as a rookie, and he was a .297 hitter down on the farm.
15. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks: His 21 steals were 15 better than his previous best. Unfortunately, it meant a huge drop in homers and RBI.
16. Kelly Johnson, Blue Jays: He had 21 homers and 16 steals, combined with a .222 average and 163 Ks.
17. Daniel Murphy, Mets: He batted .320 with 49 RBI in 391 at-bats last season.
18. Brian Roberts, Orioles: He was limited to 163 at-bats by a concussion, and he's no better than a late-round flier in deeper leagues at age 34.
19. Gordon Beckham, White Sox: He was good in 2009, but has batted .252 and .230 in the two seasons since.
20. Omar Infante, Marlins: His average dropped from .321 in 2010 to .276 last season, and he will offer little help in the other categories.
Eligibility notes
Zobrist should see time at first base and the outfield, but he's obviously more valuable here. … Arizona's Ryan Roberts is ranked 11th at third base, his primary position.
Others to watch
Jose Altuve, Astros: He hit .276 as a rookie last season, but was very productive in the minors (.327 with 117 steals in 1,466 at-bats).
Marco Scutaro, Rockies: He will make the move from shortstop, and a shift to Coors Field never hurts a hitter's value.
Darwin Barney, Cubs: He hit .276 in his first full season and batted .287 in the minors.
More 2012 fantasy rankings:
Top 20 catchers: In a weak and banged-up crop of catchers, Indians youngster Carlos Santana could be poised for a breakout third season.
Top 20 first basemen: Albert Pujols should find American League pitching to his liking.
Top 20 shortstops: It's Troy Tulowitzki's time to be the top shortstop, assuming you can shrug off the injury risks.
Top 20 third basemen: The top two choices -- Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez -- didn't even play that position last season.
Top 10 designated hitters: Michael Young might be able to help your team at several positions, but he's a default DH.
Top 60 outfielders: With Ryan Braun's suspension avoided, he's the best on the board, just over Jose Bautista.
Top 80 starting pitchers: Where do big-potential starters such as Stephen Strasburg and Yu Darvish fit in?
Top 20 closers: Don't jump on a closer too early in a draft; there are many decent options.
Top 100 overall: Plus links to other draft tips.
