MLB -- 2010 Second Base Sleepers

In this week’s column, I will take a look at what is often an overlooked position in fantasy baseball: second base.

If you are unable to get one of the top options at the position (Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler, etc.), here are three guys that could provide a nice bang for your draft day buck.

1.  Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves

Prado took over as the Braves’ starting second baseman permanently in the second half of 2009 and he did not disappoint, hitting .290 with seven home runs and 31 RBI after the All-Star break.  Overall, he hit .307 with 11 HR and 49 RBI along with 38 doubles and a .464 slugging percentage in 450 at-bats last season.

Prado’s fantasy value is enhanced by his multi-position eligibility.  He played 41 games at third base and 29 games at first base last season, so he is eligible in most (if not all) fantasy leagues at those two spots as well.

A full-time starting gig and the requisite at-bats should bring some improvement over last season’s numbers for Prado.  I project him to hit around .300 with 15 home runs and 55-60 RBI.  He is also a legitimate threat to top 40 doubles, which would help him to produce a nice slugging percentage as well.

2.  Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Kendrick hit .291 with 10 HR and 61 RBI along with 11 stolen bases in 374 at-bats with the Angels last season.  He finally started to flash some his potential, which bodes well for 2010.

Kendrick may need to improve his defense some to secure the starting job full-time, but his offensive potential should net him enough at-bats to be a fantasy factor.

I project Kendrick to hit around .300 with double digit home runs and double digit steals.  At his age, he’ll turn 27 in July; there is some upside potential in those projections.

3.  Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks

Johnson struggled in 2009, hitting just .224 with eight home runs and 29 RBI along with seven stolen bases and 47 runs scored in 303 at-bats with the Atlanta Braves.  He hit just .214 before the All-Star Break, suffered a right wrist injury and was eventually demoted to Triple-A for a time.  In a rather weird split for a left-handed hitter such as Johnson, he hit .325 against left-handed pitchers last season while he hit just .188 against right-handers. 

Some of Johnson’s struggles can be chalked up to a very low .249 batting average-on-balls-in-play (BABIP), which can be chalked up to some bad luck.  In 2008, when he was completely healthy, he hit .287 with 12 home runs and 69 RBI along with 39 doubles and 11 stolen bases in 547 at-bats.  He also had a nice season in 2007, when he hit .276 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI with 26 doubles and 10 triples in 512 at-bats.

Johnson lost his job as the Braves’ starting second baseman to Martin Prado last season, perhaps prompting him to sign a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the offseason.  He is expected to be the Diamondbacks’ starting second baseman.

Owners who drafted Johnson in 2009 (I among them) may be scared off from taking a chance on Johnson this season, and that could make him a tremendous value on draft day.  I project him to hit around .270 with 10-15 home runs, 55-60 RBI and double digit steals.

Brad Berreman is a staff writer for World Fantasy Games.

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