1. Chase Utley PHI
Quick, name the two players who have hit five home runs in the same World Series. Reggie Jackson is an easy one. I guess Chase Utley as the second option would make a lot of sense here considering I’m writing this under this under his name and because it just happened a few months ago. But, regardless, Utley was on another level last October/November (which, to go off on a tangent here, why are there World Series games in November?? Baseball players are the Boys of Summer, not the Boys of Winter. Get it right, Selig and co.). His postseason was just an extension of his tremendous 2009 regular season where, despite his lowest average and RBI total since he became a full-time player, turned in one of the most valuable fantasy seasons in his career. He won his fourth straight Silver Slugger award while swiping 23 bases without getting caught, and drawing 88 walks, both easily career highs. Assume his .282 average rises back to the .300 level and continue to expect the same to the rest of his production. He’s a monster in every category in every league. Period.

2. Ian Kinsler TEX
A 30-30 second baseman? Sign me up!! What used to be a weak position, and an area on the field where home run hitters went to die now is a unit that boasts awesome fantasy stars and 30-homer threats at a premium. Kinsler is one of those, however he adds the aspect of the game that old-fashioned folks are used to from second basemen—steals. Kinsler has flashed his 30-30 potential for two years, but somehow always managed to get injured. He spent some time on the DL in ’09, but set career highs in games and at-bats. It’s no coincidence then that it was his first 30-30 season as well. He’s not the most durable option, but he’s a safe play when he is on the field. Expect him to flirt with 30-30 again like the milestone is a hot blonde at a bar. He’ll score runs in bunches as well and his average should come back to his .279 career norm.

3. Aaron Hill TOR
OK, this guy is insane. After a breakout 2007 season, Hill tortured owners by missing the majority of ’08 to a concussion, but came back in 2009 with such an incredible season that he can be the spokesperson for the “Reward Zone” for a credit card company thanks to the treat he gave the fantasy owners who gambled on him. Hill surpassed his career high of 17 homers on like April 2nd (OK, I’m exaggerating) and ended up more than doubling that total, hitting 36 dingers and 37 doubles. He still claims he is more of a gaps and line drive hitter, but if he hits like that, he can say whatever he wants. I believe differently. To boot, he also hits for a pretty good average (.290 is just about guaranteed), scores runs and thanks to his 340 total bases, drives in runs. I was actually tempted to place him second, but Kinsler’s steals are the only thing keeping the Texan in the No. 2 spot. Draft with ease, Hill is for real.

4. Ben Zobrist
I discussed earlier that the second base position has been tougher to watch than “Jersey Shore,” but has experienced a sudden turnaround. No. 3 ranked Hill and this man, Ben Zobrist, are two BIG reasons why. Hill was at least a serviceable option before, but if anybody actually drafted Zeus (if you read my fantasy surprise article, I have dubbed Zobrist “Zeus” for his God-like 2009 fantasy season), then they should take up betting on horse races or something. Before ‘09, Zobrist got less attention than an NCAA Mid-Major at tournament time. But after, I could see some guys taking him in the third round just because he saved their team last year. That’s a little high, but you could do worse. He adds steals, average, homers, RBIs, runs, walks, heck even triples and no matter what way you break it down, he’s for real. Proceed with confidence. Zeus is for real as well.

5. Brian Roberts BAL
Roberts steals the past three years: 50, 40, 30. Before drafting, be warned. He’s getting old. Traditionally, stolen base artists start to decline in the speed department at age 30 and Roberts is 32. That being said, he probably will still find a way to steal 30 this year and he does everything else pretty well. He draws walks, hits doubles and scores runs in bunches while leading off for an improving offense in Baltimore. He also set a career high with 79 RBIs last year and had 16 bombs to boot. He’s not the sexiest option at second, but he’ll help you in every category and hurt you in none. However, his label reads: “Not for use in keeper leagues. Legs are not fresh and will continue to decline.”

6. Robinson Cano NYY
He won a World Series, yes. Congratulations Robby. But, he has some serious flaws in his game that hampers his fantasy value. For one, he had 75 extra base hits last year (25 home runs) while hitting in one of the top lineups in the league and managed just 85 RBIs. He simply could not hit consistently with runners on base, kind of like the Cubs the past 100 years. Also, he stole just five bases in 12 chances. And, he walks just 30-35 times a season, which can kill you in leagues that take bases on balls into account. That’s the negative. The positive is that he is a second baseman with both gap power and longball pop, hits well above .300 and thanks to his 200 hits a season, will still scores 100 runs in what will be a great offense again. You could do worse.

7. Dustin Pedroia BOS
Thus endeth the run of AL East second sackers. Pedroia is the worst of the bunch, but if he’s your starting second basemen, you’re likely not to be the worst in your league. Pedroia does a little bit of everything with a lot of scrappiness and heart. He’s more famous in real life than he should be in fantasy circles because of his balls-to-the-walls approach that has won the hearts of fans nationwide and because he plays in probably the second-biggest market in the MLB today. Don’t draft him based on name, as he is not that good in fantasy, but he will help you slightly in every single category and really boosts your run and doubles (if you play head-to-head) totals.

8. Brandon Phillips CIN
Quick, name a second baseman who has drastically reduced his strikeouts the past three seasons while increasing his walks. OK, I guess this is another easy one and the last trivia question, I promise. Phillips’ plate discipline looks great on paper, but at the same time, his average has still hovered below .280 and his power and run totals have dropped the past three years. Still, what other second baseman hits cleanup for their team most of the season? Thanks to his lineup spot, which doesn’t figure to change anytime soon, Phillips is the benefactor of a lot of ducks on the pond and is a pretty good hunter, as his 98 RBIs last year prove. He’ll give you steals as well, but don’t look for another 30-30 season. Expect more 20-25. Also, you don’t have to worry about this Phillips getting fired for having an affair with an ESPN secretary. He doesn’t work at ESPN, so the chances are pretty slim. Draft with confidence, he’s a professional who is looking to improve on his game every day.

9. Gordon Beckham CHW
Who’s this Jordan character? There’s a new sports general in Chi Town. The names are pronounced and spelled differently, but the parallels are there in their respective sports. Beckham has all-world talent and not since Jordan was first drafted has the Windy City been this hyped up about a rookie. The bad news for Beckham is that he faded slightly down the stretch thanks to pitchers around the league figuring him out a little bit. The good news is that he has everything it takes to be successful in the Majors, including a short memory and a calm, veteran mindset even as a rookie. He won’t have a sophomore slump. His positional version of musical chairs (he came up as a shortstop, but moved to third to accommodate Alexei Ramirez and now is moving to second to accommodate Mark Teahen) is proof, he will do whatever it takes to win. He’ll do the same for your team. Expect him to hit 20 dingers, collect close to 175 base knocks, drive in and score 75-80 runs while drawing 65 walks and swiping 15 bags.

10. Jose Lopez SEA
Lopez is now the main RBI threat for what could be an anemic Mariners’ offense. They have no balance, just a bunch of high average hitters. No big boppers. However, that could play to Lopez’s advantage as he could wind up hitting fourth behind Ichiro Suzuki, Chone Figgins and Franklin Gutierrez, all guys who get on base a ton and can fly. It’ll be Lopez’s night every night in Seattle with opportunities like that. I just hope he sticks to baseball and doesn’t try to crack corny, poorly delivered jokes like his raspy-voiced name counterpart, George Lopez. Jose’s got power for real and will have plenty of opportunities, but won’t help you in the steal or average department and since it looks as if the best hitter behind him is an aged Ken Griffey, Jr., won’t score a lot of runs, either. Still, there’s not much better than 25 bombs and 100 RBIs from your second baseman.

11. Dan Uggla FLA
His fielding in the All Star game two years ago was ‘Uggla’-y (sorry, I couldn’t resist) but his fantasy numbers are level. You know what you’re going to get from Uggla year in and year out: a low AVG, 30 homers, 90 RBIs and run totals that should be around 100 (he scored just 84 last year despite 92 walks.) He doesn’t do anything great, but consistency from year to year is a lost art in fantasy baseball, making him very valuable. Plus, 30 bombs from a second baseman can’t hurt your squad.

12. Howie Kendrick LAA
Mark it down: 2010 is the year for Kendrick. It’s the year he finally turns it on and has a stud season. Let me paint you a picture: Kendrick doesn’t just hit off a tee or out of a machine when he works on his swing. He goes into the cage and turns on the pitching machine as fast as it can go, moves all the way up out of the box and hits. Oh, and he has a 1-pound batting weight on his bat all the while. His hands are that fast. That’s insane. Thus far, in four injury-riddled seasons with the Angels, Kendrick has not been able to parlay that into a fantasy season worth noting. That will change this year. He’s never reached 400 at-bats in a season, but expect that to finally change as well. He’s got the potential to win a batting title and hit 20 bombs with 15 steals. That season will be this year. It’s OK if you don’t take my word for it, just don’t come crying to me when he’s helping the owner who drafted him in the 12th round to a fantasy championship.

13. Rickie Weeks MIL
Weeks was on the fast track to maybe his best pro season before a broken wrist derailed him. Unfortunately, it was just when he seemed to find his power stroke (9 HR in 37 games) and wrist injuries have a funny way of sapping hitters’ power. Weeks draws a lot of walks and gets hit by a lot of pitches, providing ample opportunity for him to run when he does reach base. However, those HBPs also put him at more of a risk for an injury, so be cautious. Don’t reach given his injury potential, but do think about drafting him. He will hit ahead of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, which is not a bad place to be ever, and there aren’t many options below him at second base, especially none with as much upside as he’s got. If healthy and feeling no ill effects from the wrist injury, look for Weeks to go 20-20. However, those are big “if”s so tread carefully.

14. Alberto Callaspo KC
Albie never hit a home run in the Majors before he stroked 11 last season, so the power may not be here to stay. However, he did drive in 73 runs, scored 79 and hit .300 with a 51:52 strikeout:walk ratio. He also drove the ball to the tune of 41 doubles and eight triples so who knows? Maybe his little bit of pop is for real. Either way, I’m sure he was pretty silent in fantasy circles last year and that needs to change for this year. He looks like a fast baserunner, so he may steal double digits in bases this year as well. If not, you could do worse with a 15th round draft pick, as I’m sure you could wait that late for him.

15. Kelly Johnson ARI
I put Johnson at 15 here strictly because nobody else below him is worth talking about. All who follow are no better than fantasy backups and if you’re stuck with one of them as a starter, you’re most likely kissing your fantasy season goodbye. Johnson, however, has some pop and can drive in some runs when healthy. He only garnered 300 at-bats last year, but when on the diamond, he can contribute both with his power and with his ability to get on base. He may serve well as the two hitter for the D-backs, hitting ahead of Mark Reynolds, Adam LaRoche and Justin Upton. He can swipe a bag here or there as well, so he’s worth a late round flier.

16. Freddy Sanchez SF—Good average but nothing else. Nothing else.
17. Orlando Hudson FA—Faded down the stretch, poor man’s Freddy Sanchez
18. Mark Ellis OAK—10 homers, 10 steals, .260 AVG is his ceiling
19. Cristian Guzman WAS—See: Hudson, Orlando and Sanchez, Freddy
20. Felipe Lopez FA—Good average and runs, but will he start somewhere?
21. Kazuo Matsui HOU—Can swipe a few bags for your squad, but that’s it
22. Skip Schumaker STL—Good AVG and hits ahead of Pujols, but no power, speed
23. Akinori Iwamura PIT—TB gave up on him and so should you
24. Chris Getz KC—Can steal bags, but has Callaspo ahead of him on depth chart
25. Martin Prado ATL—Good average, but little else
26. Alexi Casilla/Nick Punto MIN—Speed from each, but who will start?
27. Luis Castillo NYM—Definitely on the downslope in every aspect of his game
28. Eric Young, Jr. COL—Fast, but blocked by Clint Barmes. Should get a shot in ‘10
29. Luis Valbuena CLE—Not much upside fantasywise, stay away, at least for now
30. David Eckstein SD—Poor fantasy player in the worst possible lineup