Fantasy Preview by Position: Second Base

At second, I try to go for a guy that'll bolster average/OBP, score some runs, and steal some bases - I don't need the guy to hit 20 HR. In this category, the top few guys are really head and shoulders over the rest.

1) Chase Utley (PHI) - How many second basemen hit in the middle of their team's order? Not many. You can count on an OBP over .400 and a batting average in the .320s, with a slew of runs scored and solid power numbers (exceptional for his position).

2) Robinson Cano (NYY) - 2007 line: 93 runs scored and 97 RBIs getting the majority of his at-bats in the 7 hole! Batting 7th! Yikes. Imagine if he was hitting third in that Yankee lineup? I rank him high because the power is still developing, you never know when he'll explode, and maybe new manager Joe Girardi will hit him lower in the order this season.

3) Brandon Phillips (CIN) - One of only three players to go 30-30 last season; the other two were Jimmy Rollins and David Wright (pretty good company, eh?) He was a pleasant surprise for those who thought enough to draft him. This year he won't be a surprise. He's got good power and is enterting his prime years. Could blow up.

4) BJ Upton (TBR) - Ah, second base eligibility despite the fact he'll be Tampa's center fielder. Nice. Upton was always regarded for blazing speed and poor pitch recognition, yet he only stole 22 bags and hit .300 last year - figure that one out. Personally, I'd take either incarnation. He should lead off, therefore score a ton of runs and swipe 25+ bases down in the Sunshine State. I'd venture to guess that average will look a lot more about .275, though.

5) Brian Roberts (BAL) - He might get bumped up if he's traded to the Cubs, but Roberts gets on base, scores runs, and can flat out fly (50 SB in '07). He scored 103 runs in the albatross lineup in Baltimore last year; if he's wearing Chicago blue on Opening Day, 120 is more likely.

6) Chone Figgins (LAA) - His batting average really surprised me last year, hitting .330 after returning from his hand injury. His speed is for real though, and if he can work his way back to the top of the LA lineup, he'll have plenty of opportunities score runs, especially if his OBP is near .400 as it was last year (though it won't be).

7) Placido Polanco (DET) - Great average / on-base guy (.341 / .388) who's going to rounding third base an awful lot in that lineup. He also knocked in 67 runs and could do even more with arguably the deepest lineup in baseball around him.

8) Ian Kinsler (TEX) - Nice blend of power and speed (20 HR, 23 SB in '07). His batting average kills me (.263), but could improve, as he's still young.

9) Howie Kendrick (LAA) - If he can find a way to stay healthy, he'll be a star. Hits for a very high average but doesn't walk much.

10) Rickie Weeks (MIL) - Speaking of an inability to stay healthy... if Weeks can improve his pitch recognition and play 150 games, he'll push 30-30, easily.

Worth a Look: Jeff Kent (LAD), Yunel Escobar (ATL)