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Second Base Draft Values and Sleepers For 2017

Pierre Camus analyzes some MLB second basemen as 2017 fantasy baseball sleepers. These 2B are draft values/ targets to provide value in the later draft rounds.

Today I'm here to help identify some early second base draft values and potential sleepers for the 2017 fantasy baseball season. Sleepers don't always wake up when we expect them to.  Some players enter the season with a fair amount of expectations heaped on them, only to disappoint. Others seemingly come out of nowhere to produce results that pleasantly surprise unwitting fantasy owners.

In this piece, I will identify players at the second base position who have the potential to far outplay their current draft day ADP.

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Second Base Draft Values - 2017 Fantasy Baseball

Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays

Travis was a valuable streamer for many fantasy owners at times last season, but inconsistency has held him back from being a full-fledged fantasy starter. He hit .321 in the second half of the year to finish with an even .300 batting average. Travis took the majority of his at-bats in the leadoff spot, giving him a great chance to score runs atop a powerful lineup. He only posted a .323 OBP when hitting first, however, and will need to do much better than a 4.35 K/BB rate in order to retain that coveted spot. Travis has modest pop and could reach 15-20 HR and 60+ RBI, especially if he is moved down in the order. All this is assuming he stays healthy, which has been an issue his first two seasons. Keep him pegged as a high-end backup MI.

Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants

Panik is a former first-round pick who hasn't quite panned out yet, but the potential is there. After hitting .305 and .312 in his first two Major League seasons, which included an All-Star appearance in 2015, he dropped to .239 last year. His injuries, although seemingly minor, may have played a big part in his decline. Consider too that his BABIP plummeted nearly 100 points from two years ago, down to .245. His plate discipline actually improved, as he walked more times than he struck out (50/47 BB/K) - a rarity in this era. Panik is a prime rebound candidate who should climb near the top of the pack where AVG and OBP are concerned. 15 HR might be his absolute ceiling and there isn't much speed to speak of, but Panik is a safe pick for deeper leagues when you might need to offset the averages of some of your hard-swinging sluggers at other positions.

Jose Peraza, Cincinnati Reds

My personal favorite among all sleepers at the position, Peraza had the kind of post-deadline production that makes you salivate about his potential over a full season. He spent the early part of the season bouncing back and forth between Triple-A and the big club, hitting .250 with the occasional stolen base. After his last call-up on August 20, Peraza hit .366 with 11 steals in 156 at-bats to close the season. The former Braves prospect now has a .301 career mark across all levels. He had already flashed his speed with seasons of 64 and 60 SB in the minors. The only issue is playing time, as Brandon Phillips simply refuses to be traded. Still, if you don't want to pay a pretty penny for teammate Billy Hamilton to collect steals, grab Peraza much later and plug him in when the opportunity presents itself.

Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers

The dust has settled on Profar's hype and he is now being valued well outside the top 20 at second base. You may recall Profar got off to a sizzling start, hitting .343 at the onset of July. It was all downhill from there and he finished with a disappointing .239 average with five HR and two SB to his name over 272 at-bats. Profar played all over the field in 2016, making him a valuable Swiss Army Knife of eligibility for fantasy benches. He still showed a good eye at the Major League level, so if he can build on his initial success to start last year, he could live up to the expectations that made him the #1 overall prospect in baseball back in 2013.

Joey Wendle, Oakland Athletics

Mr. Wendle had a modest showing in his rookie debut, slashing .260/.298/.302 with a single home run, two steals and 11 RBI over the last month of 2016. His minor league profile suggests that he could be a Lite version of Devon Travis if things break right. Oft-injured veteran Jed Lowrie is his only competition for the 2B job as of right now. Double-digit homers and steals with a batting average around .275-.290 won't spur you into reaching for him in any draft, but he may be worth a stash in deeper leagues.

Carlos Asuaje, San Diego Padres

The Padres started their rebuilding process early last season, as the pieces kept getting traded away. The youth movement should be in full effect, including an all-rookie outfield and healthy competition throughout the infield, other than first base. Ryan Schimpf should get first crack at the second base job, but he will need to prove he can do more than just slug. Whether he can sustain a 17.9% HR/FB rate or hit higher than .217 remains to be seen. Asuaje was called up late in the year after tearing it up at old El Paso to the tune of a .321 average with 98 runs scored. He won't enter Spring Training as the favorite to start, but should have a shot to earn playing time if Schimpt falters.




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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
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
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
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

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
RANKINGS
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3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

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RB
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K
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