In my fantasy league (which is a twenty-team keeper league), we draft five rounds of minor leaguers following our regular draft. These players can be kept in the minor leagues until they are called up, or stashed away until they reach rookie eligibility. These top prospects become huge trade bait at the trade deadline and if your team is in the hunt for the playoffs, these prospects can be traded for some great first round talent that can put your team over the top. It also allows those teams that couldn't quite make it, to snatch up super keepers for the following year or years to come.
To be eligible for the minor league draft, players must maintain rookie eligibility and to qualify for rookie eligibility, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the major league level.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the Top 15 Prospects at each position. Every couple of days you can find a new Top 15 Prospects by position and to complete the guide to prospects, I will be ranking the Top 100 Prospects.
Today we look at the top fifteen second base prospects. In case you missed it, be sure to check out the first base minor league rankings.
In your 2010 Fantasy Draft, within the first two round will probably be looking for a smooth numbers guy at second base such as last year's Chase Utley who hit 31 HR and 93 RBI batting .282 or Aaron Hill who hit 36 HR and 106 RBI hitting .285.
Finding the next guy at second base to do this is not an easy task. Searching for the diamond in the rough, might be as easy as looking at the first two picks. These players are mashers and you can expect big things from both of them in the near future one sooner than the next though.
Top 15 Second Base Prospects:
1) Dustin Ackley - Seattle Mariners (6'1'', 185 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 2/26/1988)
A shortstop in high school and an outfielder and first baseman in college, Ackley was selected second overall in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft as the best hitter available in the draft. The Mariners decided that after the Arizona Fall League they would give him a go at second base, to expedite his trip to the Major Leagues. He is an exceptional hitter with a keen eye for plate coverage and plus bat speed. He could impact late during the 2010 season.
2) Brett Lawrie - Milwaukee Brewers (5'11", 200 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: 1/18/1990)
He was drafted out of Brookswood Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada as a catcher 16th overall in the 2008 draft, but he was moved to second base after signing with the Brewers. He has highly rated raw power, good bat speed and good base running skill with average speed. He stands out as an athletic player with a strong arm.
3) Todd Frazier - Cincinnati Reds (6'3" 220 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: 02/12/1986)
The Reds drafted Frazier as their first pick in the supplemental round of the 2007 draft. He plays shortstop and the outfield, but will probably stick at second base. He's already opening eyes during spring camp and I am sure you will see him at some point this season. He has plus power, can hit for average and plays great defense.
4) Eric Young Jr. - Colorado Rockies (5'10", 180 lbs - Bats: S Throws: R - DOB: 5/25/1985)
He has a quick short swing that can really slap the ball. A speedster, he's got wheels and is exciting to watch play. He is smart and learning to be patient at the plate and on the bases.
5) Scott Sizemore - Detroit Tigers (6'0", 185 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: 1/4/1985)
He is a good hitter with a compact short stroke, the job at second base is his to lose in the spring. He is still has some things to learn around second base defensively but has some power in his bat to carry him.
6) Jemile Weeks - Oakland Athletics (5'10", 175 lbs - Bats: S Throws: R - DOB: 01/26/1987)
He was selected 12th overall in 2008 Draft by the Athletics and is the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewers infielder Rickie Weeks. He is a top-of-the-order second baseman, polished player with speed and athleticism. He is a solid defender as well.
7) Reese Havens - New York Mets (6' 1", 195 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 10/20/1986)
Selected by the New York Mets 22nd overall in 2008 out of the University of South Carolina. He is a power hitter with no lack of speed or defense. He needs to improve his plate discipline and improve his batting average. Keep your eyes peeled for this young hitter.
8) Adrian Cardenas - Oakland Athletics (6'0", 185 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 10/10/1987)
He was acquired from the Phillies in the Joe Blanton trade. Drafted 37th overall in 2006, he is a lefty hitter that can put up some offensive numbers. He will be a .300 hitter and added doubles 41 doubles in 2009. He may be moved to third base with Jemile Weeks ahead of him in the depth chart at second base.
9) Daniel Descalso - St. Louis Cardinals (5'10", 190 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 10/19/1986)
He was selected by the Cardinals out of the University of California - Davis in the 3rd round (112th overall) of the June 2007 draft. He has a good make-up, strong work ethic, and natural hitting skills. He was an Arizona Fall League Rising Star and a Topps Double-A All-Star in 2009.
10) Johnny Giavotella - Kansas City Royals (5'8", 185 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: Born: 07/10/1987)
He was selected by Kansas City Royals in 2nd Round (49th overall) of 2008 draft. He can hit and hit with power. He is an average defender yet a hard worker on the field.
11) David Adams - New York Yankees (6'2", 190 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: 5/15/1987)
The Yankees picked him in the third round of the 2008 draft. He is a grinder, a gritty hard-nosed player. He has decent power, 10-15 homers a year, but he excels at making contact. Not fast for a middle infielder but he can still steal some bags.
12) Eric Sogard - Oakland Athletics (5'10", 180 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 05/22/1986)
He was selected by the Padres in the second round of the 2007 draft and traded to the Athletics along with third basemen Kevin Kouzmanoff for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. He has good plate discipline along with some decent power and is solid defensively. He hit .293 in Double-A Texas League in 2009 with 25 doubles.
13) Jeff Kobernus - Washington Nationals (6'2", 210 lbs - Bats: R Throws: R - DOB: 06/30/1988)
He was selected 50th overall in the 2009 draft, out of University of California - Berkeley. He is athletic and versatile and can play all around the diamond, settling at second he can hit and run. He does not overwhelm but he sure can play.
14) Nick Noonan - San Francisco Giants (6'0", 180 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 05/04/1989)
He was the Giants' sandwich pick (32nd selection overall) in 2007 draft. He has a smooth left handed swing, excellent base running skills and a great arm. He needs to improve his plate discipline, but has the skills to become a great hitter.
15) Corban Joseph - New York Yankees (6' 0", 170 lbs - Bats: L Throws: R - DOB: 10/28/1988)
He was selected out of Franklin High School in Tennessee by the Yankees in the 4th Round (140th overall) of the 2008 draft. He is lean athletic hitter, who is continuing to learn plate discipline. He has limited power at this point but can slap the ball with his smooth swing.