10. Pittsburgh Pirates 2B. Neil Walker
If it wasn’t for a nagging back injury suffered in August of last season, Neil Walker’s second half numbers probably would not look as pedestrian as a .280BA 14HR 69RBI in just 129 games. The Pirates shut him down for the year in September in hopes of giving him time to recover over the offseason. The good news was Walker didn’t require back surgery despite having a herniated disc. The four-year veteran is expected to be in the mix of things at the start of the season and should improve on his 2012 numbers barring any setback. Walker has excelled in the number two hole for the Pirates, driving in as many as 83RBI just two years ago. Not known for his power, he will still hit between 15-18 home runs.
2013 Prediction .280BA 18HR 80RBI .339OBP .424SLG
9. Houston Astros 2B. Jose Altuve
The beautiful thing about playing Major League Baseball is you don’t have to be the strongest, a certain height or weight. I say that because this next guy is the Mugsy Bogues of baseball. Jose Altuve, who is entering his second full season with the Houston Astros is standing a modest 5’5″! Jose is the shortest player in the Majors and will lead things off at the top of the order with the intent of causing havoc for opposing pitchers. He’s raw at 22 years old and still learning how to be a leadoff hitter at the pro level. One thing Altuve needs to improve on this season is drawing more walks. He only had 40 walks last year. Jose is scratching the surface when it comes to stealing bases, as he stole 33 last season.
2013 Prediction .292BA 5HR 40SB. .329OBP .388SLG
8. Atlanta Braves 2B. Dan Uggla
Here is a second baseman with some pop. He is the only player at that position to post five consecutive 30-home run seasons. Since arriving in Atlanta two seasons ago from Miami, Dan Uggla has posted a 36-home run season and had a 33-game hit streak. In a Braves uniform his batting average is .227 and his streak of consecutive 30-home run seasons snapped last year when he only hit 19. One bright spot statistically last season was he did draw a personal best 94 walks. He will bat sixth in the Braves’ potent lineup this season, so the pressure shouldn’t be on him to perform.
2013 Prediction .245BA 28HR 80RBI 85BB .348OBP .469SLG
7. Milwaukee Brewers 2B. Rickie Weeks
I’m including Rickie Weeks as one of the top ten second baseman; by doing that I may have plenty of readers scratching their heads. He definitely doesn’t represent the position defensively as he has led the league in errors five times in his career. Luckily, the game of baseball is more concerned with what you do with the bat on your shoulder rather than the glove in your hand. Weeks is entering his ninth season, all with the Brewers where he will continue to bat second, in front of Ryan Braun. Rickie should be able to see plenty of pitches this season, which should allow him to put up some pretty decent numbers at the plate.
2013 Prediction .265BA 22HR 68RBI 21SB .328OBP .400SLG
6. Cleveland Indians 2B. Jason Kipnis
Major League Baseball is full of up and coming players such as our next budding star, Jason Kipnis. Kipnis, is now entering his third season for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians have probably made the best off-season move over the winter by acquiring 2x World Series Champion manager, Terry Francona. The hiring of Francona has already brought a positive influence to Jason Kipnis, whose actions have displayed a win-now mentality. Jason’s positive thinking will have to transfer to the diamond as he must build on last season’s numbers for the Indians to have any success. In his first two seasons in the Majors, he batted a respectable .260 and reached base 33% of the time. Once he reaches base, he is a dynamite weapon, as he stole 31 bases last season.
2013 Prediction .270BA 18HR 84RBI 35SB .345OBP .400SLG
5. Arizona Diamondbacks 2B. Aaron Hill
Aaron Hill should feel pretty good going into this season as he inked a 3-year deal to stay with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He found his groove again for the first time since leaving Toronto two years ago, as he batted over .300 with 26 homers. He was the only player last season to hit for the cycle twice, which earned him his second Silver Slugger’s Award. He will be asked to drive in plenty of runs this year as he is batting in the three hole. Mr. Hill is a happy camper and this year maybe his best season as a big leaguer.
2013 Prediction .305BA 30HR 101RBI .360OPB .520SLG
4. Cincinnati Reds 2B. Brandon Phillips
I will go on record and say he is the best second baseman in the National League. One of the reasons why the Reds are one of the best defensive teams in baseball is Phillips is an above average defensive player, who has won 3 Gold Gloves. The last seasons, Brandon has displayed a .280BA 18HR 70RBI in the number 2 hole. He isn’t a big base stealer but will swipe 15 to 20 bases a year. Phillips should be in the middle of a dynamic lineup with a lot of run production, he figures to be in the middle of it. Phillips is dependable, and entering his 11th season, you should expect the same results. Solid.
2013 Prediction .284BA 18HR 79RBI 15SB .340OPB .440SLG
3. Texas Ranger 2B. Ian Kinsler
When Ian is focused, there isn’t a second baseman on the list more talented. He is patient at the plate, can hit for power, steals bases, and hits in clutch situations. He is a 2x All-Star and 2x member of the 30/30 club. On defense, he can make unbelievable plays that deserve to be on “Plays Of The Week”. When not focused, he will carelessly get picked off base, gets himself in long hitting slumps and on defense botch routine ground balls that result in big innings. There was even talk of moving him to the outfield when Josh Hamilton left for free agency so the Texas Rangers could bring in the future, Jurickson Profar. As of now, he remains at second, and with the likes of Hamilton and Michael Young gone, Ian will be depended on more than ever now.
2013 Prediction .272BA 28HR 62RBI 31SB .356OPB .470SLG
2. Boston Red Sox 2B. Dustin Pedroia
Pedroia is the last man any pitcher wants to see at the plate when the game is on the line. It always seems that Pedroia’s bat is bigger than his 5’8″ frame. When Dustin takes BIG hacks at pitches he likes, it’s all she wrote. Pedroia is the reason why you never judge a book by its cover. Dustin is the total package as he is a World Champion, 3x All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner, 2x Gold Glove winner, and American League MVP in 2008. Dustin will probably hit third this season as Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino will set the table for him to boost his RBI chances. He should see plenty of pitches this season as he is protected by David Ortiz. Pedroia is the heart and soul of the Red Sox and with everyone coming back healthy, they can erase what was a dismal 2012 season.
2013 Prediction .301BA 22HR 93RBI 24SB .350OBP 474SLG
1. New York Yankees 2B. Robinson Cano
The last impression Robinson Cano left us with was his dismal playoff performance in both playoff series last fall by collecting 2 hits in 35 at-bats. It happens, even to the best second baseman in baseball. Cano, prior to the playoffs was batting over .600 in his last 40 at-bats. There isn’t a second baseman cooler than Robinson Cano; as he plays the position with ease. Everything he does on the baseball diamond is effortless. The past four seasons he has become a World Champion, 4x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger and 2x Gold Glove winner while being the best player on a star-studded Yankee squad. Robinson hasn’t won an MVP yet. This may be the year to do so with Alex Rodriguez unavailable, Nick Swisher traded, and Derek Jeter coming back from injury.
2013 Prediction .310BA 31HR 117RBI .372OPB .575SLG
Players who could easily crash the party:
Philadelphia Phillies 2B. Chase Utley ..245 21HR 72RBI ..365OPB .417SLG
Los Angeles Angels 2B. Howie Kendrick .278BA 12HR 73RBI .324OPB .417SLG
New York Mets 2B. Daniel Murphy .290BA 9HR 65RBI .342OPB .422SLG
Chicago White Sox 2B. Jeff Kippinger .297BA 9HR 53RBI .340OBP .409SLG
LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports
