RADIO
Don’t Splurge On Questionable Results
The second base market is shaping to be a minefield in 2015, with numerous options in the middle of the pack and few truly elite players. In such situations it is important to show patience during draft day and wait out the market.
Someone in your league is going to splurge for Jason Kipnis or Brian Dozier, but make sure it’s not you. Address other areas of your team earlier in the draft, and look to grab one of these guys later on for some sneaky value at the 2B position.
Daniel Murphy (ADP: 133)
Daniel Murphy continues to be a low profile fantasy player, producing solid numbers while never receiving his due from the fantasy community. His power and speed numbers digressed last year after his breakout 2013 campaign, but he ended up improving his AVG and OBP and increased his walk rate. Furthermore he’s a lifetime .290 hitter and his OPS has averaged .734 for three straight campaigns.
He may not be likely to reach 92 runs, but he gets to bat at the top of the order which means an 80/10/20 line is not out of reach. Sure, his potential isn’t as high as Kolten Wong, but he’s going to produce solid numbers across the board and won’t kill you in any category. Grab Murphy after the bigger named second basemen go in the middle rounds.
Neil Walker (ADP: 176)
Neil Walker has been providing enough value to fantasy owners in recent seasons to warrant a higher ADP than this. Yes, he has missed time due to injuries in the past three years, but can you name who is second in HR (53) at 2B during that time? Aside from speed, Walker is going to be a solid 2B contributor for your fantasy team, particularly in OBP leagues.
It’s looking like he will fill the cleanup role for the Pirates, which should result in numerous run scoring opportunities as pitchers try to avoid Andrew McCutchen. Walker’s currently ranked as the 14th second basemen taken in fantasy drafts and provides excellent value at that rate. Scoop up Walker, and if (when) he gets hurt grab a stop gap in the meanwhile.
Joe Panik (ADP: 260)
Panik, a former first rounder, joined the Giants in June after their experiment with Dan Uggla failed miserably and he became an essential cog to their lineup. Panik does nothing special in fantasy terms, and his numbers are dependent on his AVG - but his minor league career shows that he can maintain a .300 AVG and he carries a high OBP (.343 last year). Furthermore, his 11.5% K rate along with his low BB% of 5.6% show he has the discipline to succeed full time in the two-hole for SF.
Panik's minor league record shows he has reached double digits SB three times before, so expect to see a rise from the doughnut he put up in 2014. Panik will start the year near the bottom of the order with Aoki likely slotted into the two-hole, but all it will take is one Angel Pagan injury for Panik to see time at the top of the lineup. I don’t think Panik will be enough to carry you at 2B in mixed leagues, but I highly recommend grabbing him late for a MI slot or as a cheap alternative in NL-only leagues.
