Over the 'Hill" or on the Rise? This Year's Second Base Sleepers

Mtaness' Monster

Daniel Murphy- Second base is one of the most overlooked positions in baseball, and Daniel Murphy's past performance is no exception. Having only played 3 seasons for the New York Mets, Murphy has demonstrated good power, exceptional contact, and decent speed. A career average of .292 would have placed him 4th amongst second base offensive statistics for the 2011 season, yet in 109 games he batted an astonishing .320 last year. Although his power was missing it was evident in the 2010 season where he slammed 12 homeruns in his first full year. Add to that his 63 RBI and 60 runs and the New York Mets knew they had something special. Going into this year I can guarantee brilliance as the young Met hits the highly anticipated age of 27 where everything goes right for youngsters waiting to breakout- and will he ever. Noone will be gunning for this up-and-comer so take him very late and watch as the stars align. He may not add great speed, but to be top ten in average, homeruns, and RBI for the position is a bargain in this stud piece.

Player Profile: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=502517#gameType='S'&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012

Projections: .295 AVG, 81 R, 19 HR, 79 RBI, 9 SB

Bmac's Pick

Aaron Hill- Is Aaron over the hill? Hill no! He has only one bad season and he plummets down the 2^nd base ranks. Most experts don’t even see him in the top 15, since last year he only hit 8 homeruns. But between the ‘09 and ‘10 seasons he averaged 31 homeruns! I’m not expecting him to hit 30 slammers again, but he would be a great late pick up for big power.  Even if you are not sold on him, he is a great steal as your back-up 2^nd basemen with the hopes that he reverts back to his old ways. He also became a successful base stealer last season, snagging 20 bags, which is something he was limited from attempting in the past. Now with the more aggressive Diamondbacks you can expect his stolen base numbers to increase higher than expected. He also seems to be really comfortable in Arizona, since immediately after being acquired in a trade last year he batted .315 in 33 games. Perhaps he really loves being in a warm city, because the move from chilly Toronto to “wow it’s scorchin’ outside!” Arizona really seemed to improve his game

Player Profile: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=431094#gameType='S'&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012

Projections: 263 AVG, 74 R, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 20 SB

Where Great Minds Think Alike

Kelly Johnson- Kelly is our consensus pick for second base sleeper to look for in the late rounds of your draft. With over 20 homeruns in the past two seasons, Kelly Johnson is easily ranked top ten for second basemen in power. His Boom Stick only hit a measly .209 in Arizona last year, but managed to slam .270 in Toronto in 33 games. The new environment must have given him a fresh start to relax, live in a new city, and the ability to juice his bat with cheese and gravy smothered Canadian poutine. Most analysts have Kelly ranked between 13 and 18 among second basemen, but if you look at his 2010 season he has the talent to be in the top 10. Grab Johnson late while your loser friends are sleeping, and watch him have a season reminiscent of his 2010 year. He’s now playing in Toronto where even John McDonald can poke homeruns, and it helps batting in a top run producing lineup where he will regularly see good pitches with so much protection surrounding him.

Player Profile: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430637#gameType='S'&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012

Projections: 255 AVG, 79 R, 22 HR, 84 RBI, 17 SB