Z - MLB Positional Outlook

Second Basemen Outlook

June 15, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

SECOND BASEMEN

Table: Do not bench list

Player	Team
Chase Utley	PHI
Brian Roberts	BAL
Brandon Phillips	CIN
Robinson Cano	NYY
Jeff Kent	LAD
Dan Uggla	FLA
Ray Durham	SF
Kelly Johnson	ATL

UPPER ECHELON

Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Schedule: 6 games - HOU (3), PIT (3)

Analysis: Kendrick appears to have finally gotten over the hand injury that plagued him earlier this season. After hitting just .152 (5-for-33) during May, he has upped his average to .306 (11-for-36) so far in June. Kendrick has also doubled his run total this month, in only nine games. However, aside from that, he isn't bringing much to the table. With the Astros and Pirates up this week, Kendrick will be playing his first games against either team. They will be coming at home, where he is hitting just .177 this year. Although Kendrick has been hitting well, he hasn't been doing much else. With his low home average, you might want to take a look at other options this week.

Luis Castillo, Minnesota Twins

Schedule: 6 games - @NYM (3), @FLA (3)

Analysis: This could be a big week for Castillo as he will be playing his first games against a Marlins franchise he won two World Series with. After a stellar May (.368 average, five RBI, 24 runs), Castillo has come back down to the earth slightly. So far in June he is hitting .313 (15-for-48) with just five runs and three RBI. Castillo's numbers (mainly his runs scored) could also improve with the return of catcher Joe Mauer (quadriceps) from injury last week. Mauer is without a doubt a better hitter than third baseman Nick Punto, who was in that spot with Mauer out. Castillo has played in 112 games against the Mets, hitting .305 with 26 RBI, 58 runs and one home run. He has never faced the Marlins, but in 563 games at Dolphin Stadium, he hit .295 with 339 runs, 123 RBI and five home runs. His use this week will depend on what you are looking for. If you need average, then consider him for your lineup. If you need power, it would be worthwhile to look elsewhere.

Kazuo Matsui, Colorado Rockies

Schedule: 6 games - NYY (3), @TOR (3)

Analysis: If you were looking for proof on the effect Coors Field can have on a hitter, look no further than Matsui. Struggling to a .200 average last season with the Mets, he hit .345 with the Rockies after being traded to them in mid-June 2006. That success has carried over to this year, with him hitting .315 with 15 RBI, 22 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. So far this month, he has been hitting .349 with seven RBI and nine runs. Matsui has faced the Yankees 11 times in his career, hitting .302 (13-for-43) with 10 RBI, nine runs and two home runs against them. This will be his first trip up to Canada to face the Blue Jays. Matsui has been a decent contributor in all categories but home runs this year, making him worth a spot in your lineup this week.

Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers

Schedule: 6 games - @WAS (3), @ATL (3)

Analysis: Through games Wednesday, June 13, Polanco was ranked at fourth in the majors with a .343 batting average. June has been his best month so far as he is hitting .400 (20-for-50) with 15 runs and five RBI in just 11 games. He has played 65 games against the Nationals in his career, hitting .313 with 25 RBI and 39 runs scored. He has done slightly worse against the Braves, hitting .324 with 22 RBI and 24 runs in 53 games. If you need a boost in average and runs this week, Polanco should be put into your lineup.

Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

Schedule: 6 games - CHC (3), HOU (3)

Analysis: Kinsler would be ranked much higher if he could improve on his average (.230). His best value to your team will be in home runs, which he has 11 of and ranks third among third basemen. Just to complete the stat line, he has 29 RBI and 35 runs to go along with 10 stolen bases. Those power numbers are also deceiving as he hit nine home runs in April, following that up with just one in May and one so far in June. Kinsler has not faced the Cubs before, but in six games against the Astros, he has hit .524 (11-for-21) with two RBI, one home run and five runs. Kinsler will also be playing all six games at home, where he is hitting .243 with four home runs, 14 RBI and 13 runs in 30 games. With his power disappearance in May and June, it takes away Kinsler's greatest value to you. Because of that, it might be worth looking elsewhere this week.

MIDRANGE

Felipe Lopez, Washington Nationals

Schedule: 6 games - DET (3), CLE (3)

Analysis: The struggles continue for Lopez. His average in June has dropped to .103 and he has yet to steal a base. He has also scored just three runs, although he is on an RBI/game pace this month. This might not be the week to break it as he is facing the two top teams in the American League Central. For his career, Lopez has hit .200 (8-for-40) with one RBI and four runs against the Tigers. His numbers are better against the Indians as he is hitting .286 (26-for-91) with eight runs and eight RBI in 22 games. With his recent struggles, Lopez might be best used on your bench for this week.

Marcus Giles, San Diego Padres

Schedule: 6 games - BAL (3), BOS (3)

Analysis: After a solid April, in which he hit .327 with two home runs and 14 RBI, Giles has seen his average drop to .263 and he has just one home run and nine RBI over the last two months. He is still scoring runs (37 on the season), but the rest of his stats have tailed off. His first series will be against the Orioles, who he has hit .176 (6-for-34) against with six RBI and six runs in nine career games. He has fared better against the Red Sox, hitting .385 (10-for-26) with two RBI and five runs in six games. With his recent struggles, Giles might be best left on your bench this week.

Josh Barfield, Cleveland Indians

Schedule: 6 games - PHI (3), @WAS (3)

Analysis: Barfield's average has been steadily improving this season (.162 in April to .278 and .341 in the following months). However, his other totals appear to have stalled. He does have 29 RBI and 26 runs on the season, but has just three of each in 10 games in June. He is hitting the ball better, so those numbers should improve as the month goes on. Barfield faced the Phillies six times last year and hit an impressive .478 (11-for-23) with three RBI and two runs against them. He has also faced the Nationals six times, hitting .350 (7-for-20) with three runs and one RBI against them. If you are in need of an average boost, consider using Barfield this week. Also keep an eye on him, as once his RBI and runs scored totals improve, he should be jumping up this list.

Orlando Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks

Schedule: 6 games - TB (3), BAL (3)

Analysis: Like Giles, Hudson followed up a solid April (.352 average, 16 runs, 21 RBI) with a weak May (.232 average, 14 runs, 12 RBI). Perhaps the pressure of being a key part of the Diamondbacks offense got to him. His numbers have still not risen to what they were in April, although he is hitting the ball better. So far this month, Hudson is hitting .297 with one RBI and three runs in 11 games. In the coming week, he will be returning to the American League East to face two former rivals (from his days with the Blue Jays). In 58 career games against the Devil Rays, Hudson has hit .265 (54-for-204) with 27 runs and 37 RBI. Against the Orioles, he has hit .262 (58-for-221) with 32 runs and 23 RBI in 67 career games. Despite the improved average, Hudson is still struggling in the other stat categories and would likely best be left on the bench, unless you need to boost your team's average.

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays

Schedule: 6 games - LAD (3), COL (3)

Analysis: Hill owners will not be happy to see his numbers have been on a steady decline since April. So far in June, he is hitting .238 (10-for-42) with five runs and 10 RBI. He has failed to knock one out of the park yet this month. The only numbers that have maintained are the RBI totals. He faced the Dodgers in a weekend series last week for the first time in his career, going 1-for-10 with one run scored. He has faced the Rockies once in his career, going 5-for-10 with two runs. If you are looking for RBI, Hill would be a decent option next week. Also consider him for the series against the Rockies based on his past success against them.

OTHERS FOR CONSIDERATION

Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs

Schedule: 6 games - @TEX (3), @CWS (3)

Analysis: DeRosa's June average has jumped over 100 points from his May average. He is hitting .340 this month with four runs and 10 RBI. The 10 RBI are already four more than he had all last month and the average is 109 points better than he hit in May. In the coming week he will make a return to Arlington, not even half a season after leaving there during free agency in the offseason. He played 101 games at Rangers Stadium at Arlington, hitting .305 with 49 RBI and 53 runs. He has faced the Rangers just once, going 0-for-3. The second series next week will see him face the White Sox. In 20 career games against them, he has hit just .200 (14-for-63) with six RBI and eight runs. DeRosa's recent hot streak should give you reason to keep him in your lineup, especially if you are looking for RBI and average.

Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners

Schedule: 6 games - PIT (3), CIN (3)

Analysis: While you couldn't say Lopez struggled in May, he has certainly come alive in June. So far this month he is hitting .340 with six runs and 13 RBI in just 12 games. Those numbers have put him on pace to have his best month of the season. He has yet to face either team in his career, but he will be at home for all six games. At Safeco Field this season, he is hitting .299 with 14 RBI, three home runs and 16 runs in 29 games. Lopez is firmly planted on the second tier of second basemen. He would be a solid option for your team if you are looking for average and RBI this week.

Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates

Schedule: 6 games - @SEA (3), @LAA (3)

Analysis: Sanchez's strong May has carried over into this month as he is hitting .348 with four runs, six RBI and one home run in 12 games. In the coming week, he will be making his first West Coast stops in Seattle and Los Angeles (at least to face the Angels). It shouldn't be as bad for Sanchez, however, as he is a better hitter away from home. His numbers on the road so far this season see him hitting .296 with 16 runs, 10 RBI and one home run. He won't bring as much to the table, with only his high average being a positive for your team.

Tadahito Iguchi, Chicago White Sox

Schedule: 6 games - FLA (3), CHC (3)

Analysis: Despite the team's struggles this month, Iguchi has hit the ball well, posting a .348 average (16-for-46). He is also on pace to have his best month for RBI and runs, with five and six, respectively, through 12 games. He has yet to face the Marlins in his career, but in 13 games against the Cubs, he has hit .333 (16-for-48) with 10 RBI and 10 runs scored. Like so many other second basemen on this list, the only real advantage he has is his average. With the team struggling to score, he is not crossing the plate too often and he has minimal power with only three home runs on the season. If you need a higher average this week, consider using him. If not, keep him on the bench.

KEY PLAYERS ON DL

Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers - Out until at least mid-June

B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Out until at least late June

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Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.