Fantasy Baseball 2012 Rankings (NL-Only): Top 12 Second Basemen

When looking at the National League second base options, you almost feel like you are deprived of the best talent, don’t you?  It’s a running trend (we felt the same way when looking at the NL first baseman, which you can view by clicking here).  This time it is three best options who reside in the AL, as well as the most promising youngsters.  What is there actually to draft in the NL?  Let’s take a look:

1. Dan Uggla – Atlanta Braves
2. Brandon Phillips – Cincinnati Reds
3. Chase Utley – Philadelphia Phillies
4. Rickie Weeks – Milwaukee Brewers
5. Neil Walker – Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Aaron Hill – Arizona Diamondbacks
7. Danny Espinosa – Washington Nationals
8. Jose Altuve – Houston Astros
9. Ryan Roberts – Arizona Diamondbacks
10. Daniel Murphy – New York Mets
11. Orlando Hudson – San Diego Padres
12. Mark Ellis – Los Angeles Dodgers

Thoughts:

• I am already on record about not being very high on Neil Walker (click here for my thoughts on him).  However, when you are talking about an NL-only format, those thoughts have to be thrown completely out the window.  The position is relatively weak, especially when you throw in the injury risk of Rickie Weeks and the knee troubles of Chase Utley.  Considering what else is available, Walker suddenly looks like one of the better options.
• Speaking of Utley, we recently looked at him as well (click here to view).  The knee injury could be a consistent issue for the rest of his career, and at 33-years old, he already is showing that he’s not the player that he once was.  He’s got to be viewed as an incredible risk, though one that does come with a potentially great reward.
• It remains to be seen if Daniel Murphy can both stay healthy and show the baseball IQ required to be the Mets regular second baseman for 2012.  While he’ll open the year with the job (at least it appears that way), Justin Turner could easily step in, as could the two youngsters in the minor leagues (Jordany Valdespin or Reese Havens).  I wouldn’t invest too heavily in Murphy, as there’s a good chance he doesn’t finish the year as a starter.
• Danny Espinosa offers speed, power and a propensity to strikeout.  It’s the latter that is a huge issue, as it destroys his ability to hit for a viable average.  In 676 Major League AB, he’s hit a paltry .232, and there unfortunately isn’t much reason for optimism that he can rectify the situation.  Barring a dramatic turnaround, he’s not going to be anything but a mid-level option.

Make sure to check out all of our 2012 rankings:

• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40

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