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2016 in Review: Values at Second Base

Kelly TerBest analyzes three value performances at second base (2B) in 2016 and offers early thoughts on their 2017 outlooks.

Second base is no longer the light hitting position of the past. Eighteen fantasy eligible second basemen hit 20 or more homers this season and four hit 30 or more. The deep field resulted in several late round or undrafted values, and here are three of the best bang-for-your buck second basemen from 2016.

Value Second Basemen in 2016

Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles

Jonathan Schoop got a little overshadowed by the big sluggers in the Baltimore Orioles’ potent offense this season, but fantasy owners looking for good value at second base were rewarded with a gem in Schoop’s under-the-radar 2016 season. Playing a full season for the first time in his big league career, Schoop hit .267/.298/.454 and blew away career highs with 25 homers, 38 doubles and 85 RBI. He did strike out a lot (137) and didn’t walk much (21). Considering he finished in the top 10 among fantasy eligible second basemen in home runs, doubles and RBI and had an average draft position of #233, fantasy owners will take that trade off for some excellent value.

Schoop won’t fly under the radar in fantasy drafts again next year, especially considering he just turned 25 and is part of a big time offense in Baltimore. A repeat performance is probable and maybe even likely, considering he put up even better numbers in an injury shortened 2015, albeit in about half the number of plate appearances. The evidence for consistency is there and fantasy owners can reasonably treat him like a top 10 second baseman when 2017 draft time comes.

Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is well past his days as a perennial All Star and MVP candidate, but his perceived over-the-hill status caused him to be overlooked in fantasy leagues this year and he ended up being a nice value for those who took a chance on the 15-year veteran. Phillips put up very similar numbers in 2016 as he did in 2015, as this season he slashed .291/.320/.416. The big difference between the two seasons was an improved slugging percentage thanks to 34 doubles - the most he has hit since the 2011 season and the second most he has hit in a single season. He did all this while being drafted at an average position of #253.

Age will continue to play against him going into 2017, as fantasy owners are likely to overlook him again despite two solid seasons a row. Trade rumors are swirling around him this offseason as he may be willing to waive his no-trade clause to be dealt to a contender, which could bode well for his playing time in 2017 as the Reds continue to look to the future.

Jedd Gyorko, St. Louis Cardinals

Not only was Jedd Gyorko a great value pickup for fantasy owners in 2016, he did it while providing eligibility at four positions. He played first, second, third, and shortstop for the Cardinals in 2016. Since he played more games at second base than any other one position, we’ll rank him here. He was one of just four fantasy eligible second basemen to hit 30 or more home runs this season. Gyorko hit a career high 30 bombs along with a slash line of .243/.306/.495 while playing in 128 games. You don’t expect to get this kind of power production and positional versatility from #332 in the draft, but that’s what Gyorko delivered.

Gyorko is expected to put more time in at third base for the Cardinals next season. As long as he continues to back up at second and short and maintain that positional eligibility, he should remain a nice option for fantasy owners looking for infield pop and versatility in 2017.


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
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Derrick Lewis

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Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

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Aims To Bounce Back
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Tuco Tokkos

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Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

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Austin Hill

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Tyler Reddick

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Kyle Busch

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Denny Hamlin

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William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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