TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Five Sneaky Second Base Draft Values and ADPs

One of the positions that troubles many fantasy owners at the beginning of the season is second base. Where should I draft the elite players? How long should I wait for middle tiered talents? And finally, can I wait for some sleepers and cover second base later to acquire better talent at a different position? These are five players you can wait for and get some tremendous value out of for 2016.

Editor's note: Read about more draft values and sleepers with our daily updated list. Make sure to also bookmark our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. Our rankings assistant tool consolidates all our staff ranks in one easy place. Filter, sort, and export various rankings for various leagues - mixed leagues, AL/NL only, top prospects, dynasty, keeper values, and more. And it's all 100% free!

 

Second Base ADP Sleepers

Starlin Castro - NYY, ADP: 252

Castro has finally moved out of Wrigley Field and into the friendly hitting confines of Yankee Stadium. It almost felt as if Castro just needed a venue change without all the pressure and hype that has surrounded him throughout his career in Chicago. The Cubs kicked him to the curb for younger talent and Castro has now landed in New York where he can definitely shine.

Castro's 2015 campaign had dips in every major category except for dropping his K% from 17.6 to 15.8%. He was simply not getting on base via walk (3.6 BB%) and his .294 OBP reflected that.

However Castro has always possessed the ability to be a solid everyday player in any lineup. His 2011 season with the Cubs proved that he can do it. Even though it was four years ago, Castro had a .307 BA, 22 SB, 91 R, .344 BABIP and his lowest K% of 13.4%. Sometimes all a guy needs is going to the greener grass on the other side.

2016 Projection: .290 BA, 15 HR, 70 RBI

 

Logan Forsythe - TB, ADP: 224

This is a true example of a gritty player just waiting for his opportunity to break out of the "role player" mold. Forsythe got his chance last year to succeed in Tampa after being a utility man in San Diego. Forsythe went on to finish in the top five in HR for 2B in 2015 with 17 and finished in the top 10 for 2B in RBI with 68. He had an ISO of .163 which was .030 better than his career average and quietly had a SLG% of .444 and a wOBA of .350 to make his 2015 season one to remember.

Forsythe will once again be at the helm of the 2B spot for the Rays this season and should garner starts at 1B too. With support from Corey Dickerson, Steven Souza, and Evan Longoria, Forsythe should enjoy similar success in the power categories.

Forsythe should be treated as a true sleeper based on the fact that he will be treated as a low end CI/MI option but should outperform at least one-third of the players drafted ahead of him.

2016 Projection: .280 BA, 15 HR, 75 RBI

 

Cory Spangenberg - SD, ADP: 415

The San Diego Padres are in full rebuild mode after a disappointing 2015. The door is open for Spangenburg to seize a full time role. The 24-year-old now can get out of the shadow that was Jedd Gyorko and show off his true talent and have a Forsythe-type of year with the added bonus of being a solid and cheap source of SB.

He is also in the hunt to hit lead off for the Padres in 2016 and should be able to show off his career .330 OBP and be a true threat to score 90 R and steal 30 bases. But even if he does not hit lead off, he can still get on base and provide something the Padres have not had much of lately - consistent on base residents.

His 21.7 K% should be of concern but given the small sample size at the MLB level, those numbers should even out with a more disciplined approach that goes with the responsibility of possibly hitting lead off. Spangenberg is more of a deep find for now, but his numbers will gain more mass appeal once Summer comes calling.

2016 Projection: Leading off - .280 BA, 80 R, 25 SB; Not leading off - .275, 60 R, 20 SB

 

Jonathan Schoop - BAL, ADP: 262

Schoop opened up some eyes in 2012 in AA Bowie where he clubbed 14 HR but also had a dreadful .245 BA. He has come a long way to balance out his game and the power potential from the 2B position has made the Orioles and many fantasy owners wonder if he can produce at the highest level.

Injuries to Schoop's knee and hand cost him over half of the 2015 campaign although the team believes he can bounce back nicely for 2016. In the small sample size Schoop hit .279 with 15 HR, ISO of .203, .422 SLG%, and his highest BABIP of .329 since 2011.

Now, he will not be a Brian Roberts type of player at the top of the order for Baltimore, but his pop can be a welcome addition near the bottom of the order for an offense in Baltimore that is going to have to carry them through their make shift pitching staff. Schoop has to cut down on his 24.6 K% though for anyone to take him seriously. The threat of 20 HR from the 2B position should make owners look at Schoop as a cheap power source later in their draft.

2016 Projection: .260 BA 18 HR 60 RBI

 

Joe Panik - SF, ADP: 218

Panik was one of the many players I saw in the minor leagues in 2014. The way he carried himself and his production on the field spoke for themselves and made me an instant believer.

The stat that jumps out most to me about Panik is his 9.7 K% compared to his 8.8 BB%. Quite frankly that is unheard of these days! The .312 BA with a .378 OBP, .455 SLG%, .833 OPS, .363 wOBA and a wRC+ of 138 made him an unheralded monster for the Giants in 2015. He was overshadowed by his infield teammates Brandon Crawford and Matt Duffy and rightfully so. But his contributions helped plenty of fantasy owners who had the likes of Robinson Cano and Anthony Rendon get through their seasons feeling just fine.

Panik is going to be a guy available late in the draft and owners should absolutely fill their MI, UTIL, or even a bench spot for a player like him. He will not hurt you, and you might find him in your lineup more often than not. His stats on a daily basis will make you hit that confirm button when setting your lineup for the day or even the week.

2016 Projection: .310 BA, 12 HR, 80 R, 65 RBI, .390 OBP

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 


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




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

Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Questionable Versus the Wizards
Seth Jones

to Miss Olympics
Christian Braun

Remains Sidelined on Thursday
Martin Pospisil

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Questionable Versus Charlotte
Teddy Blueger

Available Wednesday Night
Tom Wilson

Comes Off Injured Reserve
Luke Hughes

Devils Place Luke Hughes on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Valeri Nichushkin

Returns to Action Wednesday
Kris Letang

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Caris LeVert

Sidelined Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Unavailable on Wednesday
Tre Mann

Available Versus Cavs
Ja'Kobe Walter

Out of Action Again on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

Remains Sidelined on Wednesday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ruled Out on Wednesday
Domantas Sabonis

Sidelined Wednesday
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Josh Morrissey

Has Three-Point Night Against Blues
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Miro Heiskanen

Records Three Helpers Tuesday
Brandon Hagel

Stays Hot Tuesday Night
Ryan O'Reilly

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Konsta Helenius

Bags Three Points In Tuesday's Win
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Anthony Cirelli

Injured Versus Sharks
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Darcy Kuemper

Hurt on Tuesday Night
Isaiah Hartenstein

Unavailable Against Bucks
Myles Turner

Uncertain for Wednesday Night
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Kevin Porter Jr.

Questionable Wednesday
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Cam Thomas

Rejoins Nets Lineup for Meeting With Knicks
Jaylen Brown

Considered Probable Wednesday
Steven Adams

Out Indefinitely With Ankle Sprain
Deandre Ayton

Exits Early With Eye Injury
CFB

Justin Joly Bringing Strong Resume of Production to NFL
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Kel'el Ware

Unavailable on Tuesday
Mikko Rantanen

Out Tuesday
Andrew Peeke

Returns to Action Tuesday
Rodrigo Abols

Expected to Miss Several Months
Luke Hughes

Out Tuesday
Jonas Brodin

Will Miss Olympics
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Alexandre Texier

Won't Play Tuesday
Kirby Dach

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup
Mark Williams

Active On Tuesday
Brice Sensabaugh

Unavailable Tuesday
De'Anthony Melton

In for Back End of Back-To-Back
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months
Rhamondre Stevenson

Questionable to Return on Sunday With Eye Injury
Woody Marks

Returns Following Brief Exit on Sunday
Dalton Schultz

Won't Return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies
Bo Bichette

Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets
CFB

Weber State Signs former Ohio State, Cal Quarterback Devin Brown
Bo Bichette

Phillies the "Overwhelming" Favorite to Sign Bo Bichette

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP