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.

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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

 

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