MLB Positional Fantasy Rankings: Second Base

Here are theScore's 2016 fantasy second baseman rankings (projections provided by Steamer (via Fangraphs) and theScore staff):

Positional Rankings
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF1 | OF2 | OF3 | DH | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | RP

1. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

Altuve suffered a decline from 2014's outstanding 56 stolen bases, but his production was elite in the other categories for a fourth consecutive year. His 15 home runs from last season aren't likely to be duplicated, but there are plenty of runs to be scored in Houston's lineup. He's the best at a premium position, and deserving of a selection late in the first round.

2. Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners

Cano's second half of 2015 was the best showing in his two years with the Mariners. He hit 15 home runs in 70 games, showing the 30-home run potential he had with the New York Yankees. The days of elite upside are finished, but he provides a high floor as a second-round selection.

3. Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

Dozier compensates for a poor batting average with consistently high home run totals and a sufficient number of stolen bases. He'll bat in the heart of the most dangerous lineup the Twins have had during his five-year career. While his high strikeout rate is damaging, an improved BABIP should bring a more respectable average. He's a bargain at a sixth-round ADP.

4. Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Carpenter's 28 home runs from 2015 won't be repeated. While hitting at the top of the Cardinals' lineup, the opportunities for runs and RBIs represent his best fantasy contributions. He'll have a high batting average for someone with his power potential, but last season's .233 ISO will drop significantly.

5. Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins

Gordon's stellar batting average last season was a direct result of his otherworldly .383 BABIP. A more conventional average in 2016 would mean fewer opportunities for stolen bases. A full season from OF Giancarlo Stanton will lead to more runs scored, but he won't have many RBI opportunities while leading off. He's a major risk as a third-round pick.

6. Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers

Both Kinsler's power and speed have been declining for several seasons now, but he continues getting on base and scoring runs. The addition of OF Justin Upton to the Tigers' lineup provides insurance behind Kinsler, but he'll struggle to drive in runs as the lineup turns over from a weak bottom third.

7. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals

Rendon enters 2016 with plenty of risk and intrigue after being held to just 80 games last year. He likely overperformed in 2014, but does offer a well-round stat sheet. He has an appealing spot in the batting order, with OF Bryce Harper hitting in the same third of the lineup. He's a safe pick in the middle rounds of drafts, as he comes with an injury discount.

8. Kolten Wong, St. Louis Cardinals

Wong will need to show major improvement against left-handed pitching in order to maintain an everyday spot in the lineup. He will face enough righties to amass a respectable home run total. While his average is somewhat lackluster, the Cardinals may ask him to steal more often while at the bottom of the lineup.

9. Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs

After splitting 2015 with the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, Zobrist joins the most dangerous batting order he's ever been in. He'll both score and drive in runs while in the top third of the Cubs' lineup. He'll offer modest home run and steal numbers. He's a very safe - though not flash flashy - selection in the later middle rounds.

10. Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs

Dual eligibility at second base and shortstop adds to Russell's overall fantasy value. Russell hasn't demonstrated elite speed, but he did steal 21 bases at Class-High A in 2013. He'll score runs from the bottom of the Cubs' lineup, and he's a good value pick in the middle rounds of standard mixed drafts.

▲11. Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles

Schoop should receive regular playing time at the major-league level in 2016, and 30 home runs can't be ruled out at this point. He took a major step with his batting average in 2015, though his .329 BABIP may regress. He's available in the final rounds of 12-team drafts, but his power could bring mid-round returns.

12. Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers

Odor looked the part of a top-tier fantasy second baseman late in 2015, showing major improvements at the plate following a mid-season demotion to Triple-A. He projects to start the season near the bottom of the batting order, but he should be able to work his way up with early-season success.

13. DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies

LeMahieu broke out with 23 stolen bases in 2015. He'll likely need to do more running in 2016, with SS Troy Tulowitzki and OF Corey Dickerson - and potentially SS Jose Reyes - no longer in Colorado. His average will regress, but he's an excellent late-round option at second base or middle infield.

14. Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians

Both power and speed have been dwindling for Kipnis, though he still gets on base. The Indians' offense should be improved in 2016, providing opportunities for Kipnis to score runs while near the top of the lineup. He offers safety, though a lowered ceiling makes him somewhat unattractive with an early-round ADP.

15. Starlin Castro, New York Yankees

The Yankees and fantasy owners alike are hoping a change of scenery will lead to a bounce-back performance for Castro. As a right-handed hitter, he'll miss out on the all-important right-field short porch at Yankees Stadium. Even with meager home run offerings, he'll return value at an all-time low ADP.

16. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

Pedroia's power resurfaced in 2015, and he would've pushed 20 home runs had he been healthy all year. He was a non-factor on the basepaths, with his two steals representing a career low. He's going late enough to be used as a middle infielder as opposed to a starting second baseman. He's a good option in Round 15 or later.

17. Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates

Harrison's positional versatility is a nice bonus, but he's better suited for a middle-infield spot in lineups, or as a backup second baseman. His true abilities lie somewhere in the middle of the past two seasons, and he's an excellent sleeper option in the latter rounds of drafts with owners scared off by last year.

18. Matt Duffy, San Francisco Giants

Duffy is unlikely to improve too much on last year's power numbers, but he did show base stealing promise in several levels of the minor leagues, so an increase in SBs is possible. He has maintained a consistently high BABIP over most levels, leading to an impressive batting average. He's a capable backup infielder in mixed leagues. He should be going ahead of his 29th-round ADP.

19. Brett Lawrie, Chicago White Sox

Strikeouts have long been Lawrie's problem at the major-league level and they trended in the wrong direction again last season. Chicago's addition of 3B Todd Frazier will push Lawrie over to second base full time. He's a risky pick due to the possibility he enters into a platoon situation against lefties only.

20. Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals

Murphy is highly unlikely to repeat last season's power numbers, and his upside will be limited by hitting behind OF Bryce Harper in the Nationals' order. He'll be over-drafted based on last year's postseason performance, and owners shouldn't be buying into the hype at his current mid-round price.

21. Neil Walker, New York Mets

Walker's power numbers will drop with the move to Citi Field in New York. He's not a threat on the basepaths, though can get on base consistently. He's a similar player to Murphy, but carries more appeal due to the fact that he should be available a few rounds later.

22. Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays

Travis won't resume baseball activities until April, pushing his likely return to game action back to May. Even once back and healthy, he may lose some playing time if 2B/SS Ryan Goins hits well to start the season. Travis should be drafted late in AL-only leagues, but left for waivers in mixed leagues.

23. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

Turner will have a shot to win the starting job at shortstop out of Spring Training, and he'll shoot up the ranks if he does. With the expectation of his debut not coming until late April or early May, he's best left for NL-only leagues at the moment. Keep a close eye on his spring.

24. Logan Forsythe, Tampa Bay Rays

An inflated BABIP led to an overly high batting average, though the breakout power showing was promising. The Rays' offense is largely unreliable entering the season, and Forsythe should be left for the latter rounds of AL-only leagues, and the waiver wire in mixed leagues.

25. Jedd Gyorko, St. Louis Cardinals

Gyorko will receive the bulk of the starts at shortstop while Cardinals SS Jhonny Peralta is sidelined by injury. How he performs during that time will dictate how many starts he receives after Peralta's return. He's worthy of a starting second baseman selection in NL-only leagues, but he's better suited as a middle infielder in mixed leagues. Leave him for the late rounds in both.

26. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Dodgers

It's unclear how much playing time Kendrick will see in 2016 with the Dodgers' glut of infielders. He can still hit for a respectable average, but the power and speed are both gone, making him a waiver-wire leftover in all but the deepest leagues.

27. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

If healthy, Phillips can still manage a respectable stolen base total, but the power and average are evaporating. With a lower average, he'll score even fewer runs than he would have while in an unimpressive Reds batting order.

▼28. Scooter Gennett, Milwaukee Brewers

Gennett is mostly a platoon option against right-handed pitching, though he'll face enough of those throughout the season to be of some value. He's a middle infielder in NL-only leagues and a mid-season injury replacement in mixed leagues.

29. Brock Holt, Boston Red Sox

Purely a waiver player, Holt will need to hit near the top of the Boston lineup on days when he draws in to warrant fantasy consideration. He's a total utility player, but there are enough elder statesmen for him to occasionally spell in the Red Sox order for him to receive fairly regular playing time. He won't kill a batting average in the event of an injury.

30. Martin Prado, Miami Marlins

Prado holds some appeal in NL-only leagues, but his upside is limited while hitting at the bottom of an unimpressive Marlins order. He'll need to start stealing more bases in order to be relevant - something that's unlikely to happen at this stage.