Every Tuesday and Thursday for the next 4 weeks Caveball will sort out the 8 tiers for all 8 Fantasy positions. The following week at the end of February we will release our unique “Chartfelt Tiers”, the ultimate Cheat-sheet for Fantasy Baseball – unique because it allows you to easily cross-reference players in different positions who have similar value.
During that same week we will offer up our General Draft Strategy, which will then be followed by a specific strategy for 2015, which you can use in tandem with our “Chartfelt Tiers”.
Today we check out the shallower second base position:
Tier #1 – The Alpha Wolves (Level 1)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked in the top 24 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 1 and 2.
- Jose Altuve - Only other player to have 225 hits in last 14 yrs: Ichiro
- Anthony Rendon - 5-tool player quietly scored 111 runs and 83 RBI
- Robinson Cano - Safeco/Mariners cut HR total in half – Cruz will help
Tier #2 – The Alpha Wolves (Level 2)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 25-48 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 3 and 4.
- Ian Kinsler - Shoo-in for 100-plus runs with even stronger line-up
- Brian Dozier - Strong offensive 2nd half for Twins bodes well for 27 yr. old
Tier #3 – The Beta Wolves (Level 1)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 49-84 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 5, 6 and 7.
- Dustin Pedroia - Former ROY and MVP earns new award: Comebacker
- Dee Gordon - Low OPS bodes poorly in pitching-heavy N.L. East
- Josh Harrison - Late bloomers do exist given the right opportunities
Tier #4 – The Beta Wolves (Level 2)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 85-132 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 8, 9, 10, and 11.
- Howie Kendrick - Smooth crosstown transition a great fit in blue
- Mookie Betts - Sneaky 2B value, but ABs might be a concern
- Jason Kipnis - Poor 2014 makes his upcoming bounce-back valuable
- Kolten Wong - Strong post-season may hype his value – fast bat and legs
- Ben Zobrist - Team-wide slump didn’t help his own down year
Tier #5 – The Gamma Wolves (Level 1)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 133-192 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 12-16.
- Martin Prado - Don’t underestimate Marlins beefed up line-up
- Neil Walker - Misses too many games, and won’t repeat 2014 numbers
- Daniel Murphy - Expect many low-scoring games with Mets in 2015
- Chase Utley - Hard-working 36 yr. old had his lowest OPS since 2003
- Javier Baez - Elite talent may take another year to adapt – temper the hype
- Jedd Gyorko - Newly stacked line-up is a catch-22, as he drops in line-up
Tier #6 – The Gamma Wolves (Level 2)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 193 to 240 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 17-20.
- Chris Owings - Sleeper’s shoulder surgery keeps him undervalued
- Jedd Lowrie - Could make an impact in Houston with rising offence
- Justin Turner - Great second half may merit more at bats for 30 yr. old
- Brett Lawrie - Health is the big factor for Donaldson’s replacement
- Asdrubal Cabrera - Might have some relevance if he lands a full-time spot
- Brandon Phillips - Downslide is well underway for 33 yr. old
Tier #7 – The Omega Wolves (Level 1)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 241 to 276 overall. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 21-23.
- Scooter Gennett - .289 avg. is the only stat that pops out
- Rougned Odor - Unusual name is the only thing that pops out
- Stephen Drew - Just signed with the Yankees
- Brad Miller - Strong September slowed sophomore slump for 25 yr old
- Brock Holt - Broad versatility does not guarantee playing time in Beantown
Tier #8 – The Omega Wolves (Level 2)
This tier includes all second basemen ranked from 277 and up overall who have a chance to crack the top 300. For a 12-team league this covers rounds 24 and higher
- Aaron Hill - Could have an 80 RBI yr. left in tank, IF healthy
- Josh Rutledge - Battle is on with Beckham for 2nd
- Luis Valbuena - Infield is packed with new talent – GP will take a hit
- Emilio Bonafacio - Could stream him for steals
- D.J. LeMahieu - Boring output for a Rockie
- Omar Infante - Better days behind him, and they weren’t so impressive
- Jonathan Schoop - Cool name / Cold Numbers
- Yangervis Solarte - Ditto
- Marcus Semien - Minor league stats show some hope