Second base doesn’t exactly sound like a huge fantasy position, but lately it really has been. However, most people think of it in terms of speed and average, but not power. There are some players that provide a little of everything. Sure there’s Chase Utley, and Brandon Phillips, but it really isn’t as deep overall as some owners would like. Luckily there is emerging talent in that position. Brian Roberts was elite, but it seems like he’s regressed a little bit. However, Dustin Pedroia is on the cusp of greatness. Robinson Cano on the other hand has the talent, but he lacks the drive that Pedroia has. It’s sad when players are held back because of a passion for the game. Either way, these players deserve recognition for the good that they’ve done this week, even if some of them (cough *Cano* cough) are remembered for other things than good offensive numbers.

Gold

Dustin Pedroia (2B - Boston Red Sox) - Pedroia has been playing outstanding baseball as of late. He’s been hitting the ball hard, for power, and has driven in lots of runs. He’s also stolen some bases to boot. However, he recently broke history by breaking Bobby Doerr’s record for most runs scored by a Red Sox second baseman. Pedroia is having a heck of a year and is showing why he deserved to be an All-Star. He does seem a bit cocky at times, but that’s alright as long as you can back it up, and he has this year. Pedroia also had back-to-back 4-for-4 games. That’s extremely impressive. He’s helped out fantasy owners big-time this year and has a chance to put up even better numbers by the time the season is over with.

13/26, 10 runs, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, .500 AVG

Silver

Brian Roberts (2B - Baltimore Orioles) - Roberts is finally showcasing the speed that owners drafted him for. He’s shown a little pop in his bat lately as well, but his speed is his number one asset. His average has been a bit lower than owners would have liked. Add that and the fact that he hadn’t stolen as many bases and Roberts really looked like a disappointing fantasy pick. However, he’s turned the corner as of late and has been helping fantasy owners when they’ve needed it the most. Roberts really can’t be blamed for his lack of production though. If others were able to get on base more than he’d have a lot more RBI. He leads the league in doubles and 63 total extra base hits. That’s pretty incredible in itself. Roberts is a very good player, but owners need him to continue stealing bases. It makes him that much more valuable.

7/26, 5 runs, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB, .269 AVG

Bronze

Robinson Cano (2B - New York Yankees) - Cano is a complete enigma. It’s impossible to tell what’s going on in his head. I don’t want to say he is lazy or careless, but he really needs to start actually showing that he cares about the game. This week he hit two huge homeruns, but the latter one was pointless as Cano’s lazy fielding blew the game by allowing the opposing team to catch up. It seems that ever since the Yankees gave him his $30mil deal that he’s been a completely different player. He still shows his flashes of brilliance, his power, etc. It just seems like he tries to be too “smooth” in the field, and he’d rather try to look flashy instead of actually making the play. In the latest loss, which falls completely on his shoulders, he wouldn’t speak with reporters. If A-Rod can stand there and get hounded by the media all the time then Cano could do it for 15 minutes instead of leaving and sulking like a crybaby. The reason that this is most depressing is because Cano has so much talent, but he just looks lazy.

10/24, 3 runs, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, .417 AVG

Other Top Performances:

C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF | RP | SP