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