We know who is good now, but how do we gauge players over the long-term? Who really is the best player, or actually, value over the next five seasons? We hope to add some insight with our new rankings. We will start by rating them position, and then overall.
- Dustin Pedroia
- Robinson Cano
- Rickie Weeks
- Ian Kinsler
- Chase Utley
- Dustin Ackley
- Brandon Phillips
- Kelly Johnson
- Danny Espinosa
- Neil Walker
- Dan Uggla
- Howie Kendrick
- Ben Zobrist
- Jason Kipnis
- Jemile Weeks
- Eric Young, Jr.
- Ryan Raburn
- Scott Sizemore
- Jean Segura
- Jose Altuve
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Hill, Darwin Barney, Sean Rodriguez, Gordon Beckham, Chris Getz, Skip Schumaker
Despite all the rumblings over the past few years about second base being a shallow position, I tend to disagree. This list shows a pretty formidable top 10. Any whom I would be happy to have. First off, and possibly a little controversial, I have Pedroia. I am not a Yankee hater, but Pedroia can be a 5-category player when he’s healthy. He plays great at Fenway (who doesn’t) and is in a stupidly potent lineup for years to come. Having Jacoby lead-off certainly helps. Cano is a close second, and the tiebreaker was mostly based upon speed. Weeks is a 4-category star. He won’t hurt you in BA, so as long as he’s healthy, you will have production for years to come at the keystone.
Kinsler’s injury history is troublesome, but he always seems to bounce back. He’s still a 5-category stud across the board, is under 30, and should be secure in Texas. Utley could be the #1 2b right now, but I have some reservations – mostly injury history. When he’s in the lineup he’s a 4 1/2 category star.
I quickly jump to Ackley at #6. Just b/c he’s in the top 10 doesn’t mean it’s a weak position. He’s just that good. Of course there’s risk involved, so if you’re looking to play it safe, I think you’re fine signing Phillips or Johnson at #7 and #8 respectively. Espinosa has shown great power in his first full year, but needs to work on his approach still. If SS ever opens up for him, he’d be that much more valuable. And rounding out the top 10 is the young and seemingly consistent Neil Walker.
The bottom-half begins with Dan Uggla. I think he will bounce-back next year and possibly land in the top 10, but you have to worry about his future position a little. Again, if you’re risk averse, then I would be fine with a Kendrick or a Zobrist. Kipnis at 14 could be a steal if it’s possible to lock him up long-term. Ideally, you can lock him up and have him ready behind a solid veteran.
EY Jr. is interesting b/c he’s got tons of speed. So he could help the right team, in the right situation. Weeks, Sizemore and Segura are all still green, but have more upside than a Hill or Schumaker at this point. Raburn needs to turn it around fast, but he still has the opportunity to turn it around with Sizemore in Oakland.
Martin Prado and Ryan Roberts were not considered as they have not seen much 2b this year, and may not for the near future.