Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATL Second Base

Robinson Cano is part of Peoria's resurgent infield, and he may be the driving force that will push the Cardinals into the playoffs. He just needs to find a way to pitch from second base.



Around the League: Second Base
By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly


Eastern Division
6. Howie Kendrick, ARL
Injuries slowed this young star’s accession, and mental handicaps will slow him again in 2008. I think we can expect big things from Kendrick down the road, but there ill be a lot of learning to be done this season. The lofty number posted in partial play should average out to a mediocre option with a nice ceiling.


5. Placido Polanco, BRW
Just as everyone on the Weasels, Polanco was playing above his head last season. Or was he? The Weasels weak arm reached 200 hits in his first full season, with 35 doubles in Bridgewater’s spacious park. I have no reason to believe he will drop his average below .300, and fully expect him to top 100 runs and 10 homeruns. Speed is not his game, but he is a two and a half category player who is reaching his prime. Yes, he is old, but finally given the opportunity, he has proven he is pretty good.

4. Chone Figgins, WEY
Being the only option in Weymouth, it is a shame that the Shaddupu can’t use Figgins’ versatility a bit more, but he has more than enough talent to carry the water on the Island. He is a two-category stud, and more at bats this season should lead to more runs. He is guaranteed numbers, and though he only ranks in the middle of the pack in the East, any team would love to have him.

3. Rickie Weeks / Jeff Kent, LV
The Doggs have been patient with Rickie Weeks, and this season it may finally pay off. Despite hitting .235, Weeks scored nearly 90 runs and stole 25 bases last season. If he can hit for an EHCC average, expect those numbers to climb through the roof. On top of that, Las Vegas has a proven veteran platoon with Jeff Kent, who makes up for all that Weeks lacks. The combo is potentially very good, but it all hinges on Rickie having a breakout year.

2. Robinson Cano, PEO
Cano won the Cardinals race for second base last season, beating out Ian Kinsler. He has quietly built quite a track record for himself, combining power and average numbers that on Utley can compete with. With Teixeira hitting behind him this season, Robinson is poised for a breakout season. If healthy, he could challenge 30 homeruns and should pass 100 RBIs.


1. Chase Utley / B.J. Upton, RAK
Rakeville decided to compliment the best second baseman in baseball with another top 5 talent, and though Upton is expected to start in the outfield for the Rockets, he is an elite backup for the EHCC’s elite weak arm. Chase battled some injury problems last season, but is expected to be back in form. No doubt this is the top combo in the East.

Western Division
6. Dustin Pedroia / Freddy Sanchez, SD
Here is the dirty little secret. Dustin Pedroia is not that good. The White Devils second basemen did hit .317 last season, but a full season of at bats only yielded 86 runs and 8 homeruns. Couple that with poor speed, and Pedroia offers EHCC teams very little. He is Freddy Sanchez, only a little younger and not as good. The duo offers little talent and little upside, but Santo Domingo is hoping at least one of the breaks out.

5. Kelly Johnson, GLD
Johnson’s 2007 was a nice window into what the lefty will offer in 2008. He has pop in his bat, enough speed to eek out double digit steals, and depending on where he hits in the Gryphons line up, could provide 100 runs. I don’t think he’ll make a huge jump this season, but if the young Golden second baseman continues to improve, he could be talked about as a top 5 option in a few years.

4. Dan Uggla, WS
He is a first baseman in a second baseman’s body. Uggla is a powerful little man, and it likely got to his head last year. He posted big time home runs and doubles, but the average took a terrible turn. He needs to bring it up this season. His job isn’t in jeopardy, but his team playoff hopes are if he can’t hit for hits rather than homers.

3. Brian Roberts, TIJ
With steroids no longer an option, Roberts opted for calf implants last offseason and used his new bionic legs to steal 50 bases. The question is, what freak category will Roberts dominate this season? Rumor has it that he is looking for arm extenders to allow him more defensive range. Good news for Tijuana pitchers, bad news for folks who were hoping for an offensive repeat from the franchise.

2. Ian Kinsler, QC
Kinsler put up scary numbers for his limited play. It is tough to figure out what direction Ian will go in this year, but I’m going to guess he’ll kick the average up a few points, maintain his 20/20 status and be a hot ticket in the West for the next few years. Or, at least until Quebec City trades him for pitching.

1. Brandon Phillips, TKO
After the young star broke out last season posting 30 homeruns and 32 steals, lets temper our assessment of Phillips a little. Like Fielder, Philips excelled in the shadowed of a failed season for the Omyoujis, facing the EHCC’s lesser arms and excelling against lesser competition. The league will be in for a rude awakening this season when they take a look at the Tokyo lineup, and Phillips will be at the top of the order for this stellar young crew. The speed is there, but the power may be a bit of a fluke. Plus, it is not like the Omyoujis need more homeruns. They need a lead off hitter, so expect his average to rise and his dingers to drop. Still a great player in the making.