X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Best of the Rest: Potential Impact Second Basemen for 2014 Fantasy Baseball

By Johnmaxmena2 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

RotoBaller's Bill Dubiel looks at potential impact second basemen for 2014 fantasy baseball

 

Potential Impact Second Basemen for 2014

Last week, we looked the Top 20 Second Basemen for 2014 Fantasy Baseball.  These are the second basemen that probably aren’t going to begin the season in anyone’s starting fantasy lineup, but could make a potential impact at some point in the season. These guys might be bench players who overtake someone’s job or starters who are just in the shallow end of the talent pool. You might add them midseason if someone on your team gets hurt or if they get hot. Here we go, in no particular order:

 

1. DJ LeMahieu (COL)

LeMahieu hasn’t yet played a full season, but he did get in 109 games in 2013, and hit .280 in those games. He was a career .321 hitter in the minor leagues, so there is definitely talent here. Problem is, he’s going to severely lack the counting stats that make him valuable in fantasy. Like I said, he hasn’t played a full season yet, so perhaps 2014 can provide the opportunity he needs.

 

2. Marco Scutaro (SF)

This 38-year-old journeyman hit a very respectable .297 in the 120+ games he played in last year, and was even selected to his first All-Star Game. Clearly he’s still got some gas in the tank. Unfortunately, the counting stats aren’t there. Don’t expect many fantasy points out of him, but with a very low strikeout rate he certainly isn’t going to hurt you on most nights.

 

3. Eric Sogard (OAK)

Sogard is slated to start at second base for the A’s come Opening Day, and I expect him to improve upon his numbers from last year. In the 130 games he played in 2013 he hit a paltry .266, but he did show some speed. Again the counting stats aren’t going to amaze anyone, but if he jumps the batting average up to .275 or .280, he could find all of his numbers rising given the offense that he’s in.

 

4. Alex Guerrero (LAD)

Guerrero is a Cuban import that the Dodgers signed to a 4-year/$28 million deal in the early offseason. Now while the Dodgers have not officially declared him the Opening Day second baseman, I expect he will ultimately be given the job. He was one of the best hitters in the Cuban League, and brings a very capable set of skills to the MLB. If he does start, I expect he will not break out as a .300 hitter right away (as he consistently was in Cuba), but once he gets half a season under his belt he could be a legitimate fantasy option.

 

5. Scooter Gennett (MIL)

Gennett was very impressive in the 69 games he played last year, hitting .324 with 6 jacks and 20+ runs scored and RBI. Extrapolate those numbers to 150 games and you’ve got a very solid fantasy option. Whether or not he lives up to those numbers with a full season to play is not certain though, so I don’t expect him to break the top 20 2B come draft day.

 

6. Darwin Barney (CHC)

Barney has now played three full major league seasons, and he has regressed in each of them, culminating in a 2013 campaign where he hit .208 in 141 games. Yikes. Those are Uggla numbers, except he only had 7 homers. I don’t think there’s any way he could be worse this year, and the Cubs don’t really have any solid options behind him so he should still see enough playing time. Should he bounce back (and I think he will) he could be a nice play if someone on your team gets hurt.

By Johnmaxmena2 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

7. Kolten Wong (STL)

This Hawaiian speedster has been so highly touted that the Cardinals repositioned Matt Carpenter so Wong could be brought into the starting lineup. As a lefty who hits lefties well, Wong has nothing but opportunity in 2014. The Cards did sign Mark Ellis to spell Wong (at least at first), but I think he’s going to break out and earn a full-time job. The Cardinals are high on him, and so am I.

 

8. Rafael Furcal (MIA)

Coming off of a season lost to a Tommy John surgery (weird, right?), Furcal isn’t going to blow anyone away. I’d bet on him not getting more than 130 games in, but for the time he is playing he could be a decent plug-and-play option. .270 hitter, a handful of SBs in there, 50 RBIs and 75 runs. Useful, but not stellar.

 

9. Dan Uggla (ATL)

Sigh. Every year since 2010, when the Braves signed him, Uggla’s batting average has plummeted like it had a boulder strapped to its feet. Drafting Uggla or picking him up means that you are prepared to accept a .200 average and 25 jacks from those big, beefy biceps. That’s just what he is at this point, but he could be a benefit if you play with category scoring or if you’re looking to balance out your lineup with some power.

 

10. Ryan Goins (TOR)

There’s nothing really exceptional about Goins, but he is projected to be the Jays’ Opening Day starter. He is going to hit at the bottom of the lineup, which may end up benefitting him—he’ll be on base for the boppers. Assuming he does start and get full playing time, he could make something of himself in that lineup. Definitely worth a flier if you're weak at MI.

 

Agree? Disagree? I wanna know. Tweet me @Roto_Dubs or leave a comment here.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
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
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
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
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
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

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF