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

Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Could Regress After Career Year
Conner Capel

Rockies Sign Conner Capel to Minor-League Deal
Lou Trivino

Heading Back to Phillies
Keegan Akin

Loses Arbitration Case
Deandre Ayton

Enters Day-To-Day Status with Knee Soreness
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Deemed Day-To-Day with Hamstring Injury
Kristaps Porzingis

Targeting Post-All-Star Break Debut
Stephen Curry

May Remain Out Until After All-Star Break
Grayson Allen

to Be Re-Evaluated After All-Star Break
Keyonte George

Night Cut Short by Ankle Injury
Jamal Murray

Forced Out Late Saturday vs. Chicago
Xavier Edwards

Due for Another Big Season on the Basepaths?
Andy Pages

Still an Everyday Contributor Despite Dodgers' Big Signing
Noelvi Marte

Projected for Larger Role in 2026
Addison Barger

Coming Off a Busy Season in the Majors
Isaac Paredes

Trade Talks for Isaac Paredes Reportedly Intensifying
Christian Braun

is Upgraded to Available
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic is Ready to Play on Saturday
Cameron Johnson

is Available to Play on Saturday
Buddy Hield

to Make Team Debut on Saturday
Keyonte George

is Cleared to Play on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

is Available to Play on Saturday
Malik Monk

Won't Suit up on Saturday
Jalen Smith

is Ruled Out for Saturday's Game
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Domantas Sabonis

Out Again on Saturday Night
Zach LaVine

Won't Play on Saturday
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Saturday
Amen Thompson

Available Versus OKC, Will Come Off the Bench
Jakob Poeltl

Questionable for Sunday Afternoon
Drew Rasmussen

: High-Upside Starting Pitcher Option with Health Concerns
Gavin Williams

Looking to Build on 2025 Emergence in 2026
Jo Adell

Can Jo Adell Repeat 2025 Power Breakout?
Brandon Woodruff

Looking to Put Injury Woes Behind Him in 2026
Lawrence Butler

Can Lawrence Butler Bounce Back from Underwhelming 2025 Campaign?
Yasiel Puig

Found Guilty of Obstruction of Justice, Lying to Officials
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Saturday Against Lakers
Brandon Nimmo

Carries High-Floor Profile into 2026
Trevor Story

Can Trevor Story Remain a Consistent Fantasy Option?
Spencer Strider

Carries High Risk Entering 2026
Drake Baldwin

Poised for More Productive Year 2?
Ben Rice

Could See More Time as Catcher Following Free-Agent Addition
Clarke Schmidt

Still Targeting Second-Half Return
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF