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FanDuel Economics: MLB Position Analysis – Second Base

By Matt Rogers

May 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) is out at second base as Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) is out at second base as Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) is out at second base as Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) is out at second base as Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel Economics: MLB Position Analysis – Second Base

Welcome to FanDuel Economics: MLB Position Analysis.  The Position Analysis articles are intended to take a snapshot of the FanDuel MLB year-to-date results, after a period of time, focused on each FanDuel MLB position.  While reviewing the year-to-date results, we’ll highlight the players who are compiling the most points, had the biggest salary adjustments, and have the best value at east position.  Like the daily FanDuel Economics articles, the intention of this column is to arm Daily Fantasy Baseball players with more information to use while choosing your picks for each MLB position.

This article will focus on the Second Base (2B) position.  At this point in the season, the regularly scheduled healthy second basemen have started at least 20 games.  So any second basemen who have not started at least 20 games in the season, so far, are not included in this analysis.

Here’s a a quick look at the three categories we’ll review:

  • Top 10 Points Per Game (PPG)
  • Top 10 Salary Adjustments
  • Top 10 Value Options

Before we get started, all of the statistics and FanDuel information is through Thursday, May 5th.  Now, let’s get started:

Next: Second Base - Top 10 PPG

May 1, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Robinson Cano (22) looks up at the umpire after getting tagged out at home plate to end the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Kansas City won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Robinson Cano (22) looks up at the umpire after getting tagged out at home plate to end the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Kansas City won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base – Top 10 PPG

Highlights

For baseball fans, it’s probably little surprise Jose Altuve is leading all second basemen in FanDuel PPG.  What is a little surprising is his absolute dominance at the position.  With most of the top 10 second basemen in the 11-13 point range, you have to jump almost 4 PPG to get to Jose.  The reason Altuve is dominating is simple.  He has every tool in a hitters tool belt.  Jose is a consistent hitter, averaging .330 on the year, 13th among all hitters in the major leagues.  Altuve has impressive power for a second basemen, 9 home runs (HR) so far this year, tied for 4th among all of MLB, only 1 HR behind Bryce Harper and Chris Carter.  Jose also has 27 runs (2nd in the majors), 19 RBIs (top 25), and 10 stolen bases, leading MLB.  Oh yeah, he’s also a good defensive second basemen, but that doesn’t really help you in FanDuel.  What does matter in FanDuel, is that Altuve has the most points of all hitting options.  And as we’ll see later, Jose’s salary is a manageable $4,300 making him not only an affordable option, but a valuable one as well.  At this point in the season, when Altuve is an option at 2B for you, find a way to fit him into your lineup.

This time last year Robinson Cano was struggling.  I know, because I had him on my fantasy team last year and his results were making me regret the high draft pick.  However, I held onto Cano throughout the season and he rewarded me later for the faith placed in his eventual return to greatness.  Robinson appears to have carried his late season surge into the early part of this season as well.  Cano is hitting a .287 batting average with 9 home runs, 17 runs, and 30 RBI’s, leading the MLB in RBI’s.  Robinson is averaging 13.4 PPG, 13th among all hitters (tied with David Ortiz).  Like Altuve, Cano’s salary is still reasonable, at $3,900.  If you’re going to fade Altuve in any of your lineups, Robinson Cano is your next best option.

Dustin Pedroia isn’t as dynamic of a FanDuel play at second base as Altuve or Cano.  However, Dustin is having an interesting start to the season so far.  After a robust start to his career, Pedroia struggled to stay on the field last year.  Dustin also seemed to lose some power the past couple of years.  But now Pedroia is re-emerging as a powerful force in the Boston Red Sox lineup once again.  Dustin is hitting a .322 batting average so far this season, not too surprising for the career .299 hitter.  However, Pedroia also already has 4 home runs, 3 in his last eight games.  Add in the 20 runs and 14 RBI’s, and Dustin is a top 10 FanDuel 2B again, averaging 11.5 PPG.  Pedroia’s salary is still a reasonable $3,300 and has been fairly consistent throughout the start of the season.  Dustin Pedroia is going to consistently provide at or above double-digit points and for a solid value.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 Second Basemen by FanDuel PPG:

Position     Name                               FanDuel PPG

  1.           Jose Altuve                   17.0
  2.           Robinson Cano            13.4
  3.           Daniel Murphy             12.4
  4.           Ben Zobrist                   11.8
  5.           Ian Kinsler                     11.6
  6.           Logan Forsythe            11.6
  7.           Dustin Pedroia            11.5
  8.           Joe Panik                       11.5
  9.           Neil Walker                   11.0
  10.           Rougned Odor             11.0

Now let’s take a look at Salary adjustments:

Next: Second Base - Top 10 Salary Adjustments

Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) points to catcher Jose Lobaton (59) (not pictured) after scoring on his single during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) points to catcher Jose Lobaton (59) (not pictured) after scoring on his single during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base – Top 10 Salary Adjustments

Highlights

Daniel Murphy is already looking like a slam-dunk free agent signing for the Washington Nationals.  Murphy rose to prominence while on the New York Mets last season, as the Mets surprised many and won the NL East.  Then, the Mets and Murphy scrapped their way into the world series, only to lose to a similarly tough Kansas City Royals.  This season, Murphy continues to flirt with the top batting average in baseball, currently at .382.  With a good hitting day today, he could climb back into 1st among all hitters.  Dan also smacked 4 home runs, scored 17 runs, and drove in 17 RBI’s.  Murphy is hitting 5th in the Nationals lineup and seems to be comfortable there, behind Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper.  Dan is averaging 12.4 PPG, 3rd among all second basemen.  Murphy’s salary is a little expensive at $4,000, but he falls just short of the top 10 value options at the 2B position with a 3.1X value, so he’s still a decent pick each day.  At some point in the season, Daniel’s salary was only $2,800, so somebody got several games out of Muphy at a fantastic bargain.

Neil Walker is making it easier for New York Mets fans to lose Daniel Murphy to the Nationals this past off-season.  Neil has a solid .276 batting average, not quite at the level of Murphy’s, but his power has been tremendous.  Walker has 9 home runs so far this year, tied for 4th among all MLB hitters along with several other prominent sluggers.  Neil also has 14 runs and 19 RBI’s.  Walker is averaging 11 PPG, top 10 among all second basemen.  Neil’s salary is $3,600 which isn’t too expensive, nor a bargain.  Walker’s salary grew $1,100 over the season, so at some point you were only spending $2,500 on a great slugger at the 2B position.  The Mets seemed to have replaced Murphy with a good one.

Ben Zobrist has been on a tear lately, and his salary is quickly climbing as a result.  So far this season, Zobrist is hitting .261 with 3 home runs, 17 runs, and 20 RBI’s.  The Runs and RBI’s are important to note.  Zobrist is playing for the Chicago Cubs who has one of the best, if not the best, lineups in baseball.  So it’s likely Ben will continue to get many Run and RBI opportunities, and could see career highs in each.  As I’m writing this article, Zobrist just went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI’s, 3 runs, and 2 walks in a Friday afternoon game against the Washington Nationals.  So those totals for Friday were not included in my stat line, but it’s worth noting that his tear continues beyond these stats.  Ben is averaging 11.8 PPG so far this year, 4th among all second basemen.  Zobrist’s salary is a respectable $3,200 and he is among the top 10 value options at the 2B position.  Earlier in the season Ben had a salary of only $2,400, but it’s clear his salary is more likely to only move north from here.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 Second Basemen by Salary Adjustments:

Position     Name                               Salary ($)     Salary Adj. ($)    Salary Adj. (%)

  1.          Daniel Murphy               $4,000         +$1,200               +42.9%
  2.          Neil Walker                     $3,600         +$1,100                +44.0%
  3.          Rougned Odor                $3,900         +$1,100                +39.3%
  4.          Logan Forsythe              $3,500         +$ 900                  +33.3%
  5.          Ben Zobrist                     $3,200         +$ 800                  +29.6%
  6.          Brett Lawrie                    $3,700         +$ 800                 +33.3%
  7.          Robinson Cano               $3,900         +$ 700                 +31.8%
  8.          Josh Harrison                 $3,200          +$ 700                 +28.0%
  9.          Ian Kinsler                       $3,600         +$ 600                  +20.0%
  10.          Jose Altuve                      $4,300         +$ 600                 +16.2%

Now let’s take a look at Top Value:

Next: Second Base - Top 10 Value

Apr 10, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) is congratulated by left fielder Adam Duvall (23) and shortstop Zack Cozart (2) as Phillips scores the game winning run in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) is congratulated by left fielder Adam Duvall (23) and shortstop Zack Cozart (2) as Phillips scores the game winning run in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base – Top 10 Value

Highlights

Late last year and throughout the off-season, there were rumors swirling in Cincinnati that Brandon Phillips was likely leaving the Reds organization after a wonderful career.  However, Brandon stayed and is toughing it out on a re-building team.  Phillips seems unphased by the Cincinnati Reds organizational transition.  Brandon is hitting a .293 batting average with 3 home runs, 13 runs, 11 RBI’s, and 3 steals.  That’s a decent start.  His stats only lead to a 9.6 PPG seasonal average, but at a fantastically lose $2,300 salary he’s a bargain.  Phillips provides the only 4+ value among all second basemen, at 4.2.  Brandon has also been hitting cleanup, giving us the best possible situation out of the Reds lineup each day.  Phillips is one of the best daily value pick at the 2B position.

Chris Owings is more well know for his defense.  The young Arizona Diamondbacks prospect isn’t much on power hitting, but he’s holding a .253 batting average and has 5 steals.  Chris also has 10 runs and 7 RBI’s.  Owings has a solid 7.7 PPG average and his salary is a rock-bottom $2,000.  Chris Owings may not seem like a sexy FanDuel point option at second base, but he’s likely to give you 5-10 points, consistently, on a salary cheap enough to open up many big plays in other positional picks.

Logan Forsythe is having a tremendous year for the Tampa Rays.  Unfortunately, his salary is catching up to his year-to-date results, climbing $900 through the spring.  But Logan is still holding a top 10 value at the second base position.  Since the start of the season, Forsythe is hitting a .312 batting average with 4 HR’s, 15 runs, and 10 RBI’s.  Logan also snuck in 3 stolen bases.  With an 11.6 PPG average, 6th among all 2B’s and a somewhat pricey $3,600 salary, Forsythe has a 3.2X value.  Logan’s value pulls him within the top 10 value picks for second basemen.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 Second Basemen by Salary Adjustments:

Position     Name                             Value (Points/$1,000)

  1.           Brandon Phillips        4.2
  2.           Jose Altuve                   3.9
  3.           Chris Owings              3.8
  4.           Joe Panik                      3.6
  5.           Dustin Pedroia            3.5
  6.           D.J. LeMahieu              3.5
  7.           Robinson Cano            3.4
  8.           Ben Zobrist                  3.4
  9.           Ian Kinsler                    3.2
  10.           Logan Forsythe          3.2

To re-visit other recent value options for FanDuel MLB, view some of my other columns.

For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at my good friend and follow staff writer Brian Tulloch’s MLB Picks & Pivots column.  Also, Mike Marteny provides Draft Kings MLB Picks analysis.  Draft King uses a different point system and Mike does a great job of breaking down your options.  Both also provide great ‘stacking’ options which I like to discuss and use as well.

I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers!  Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!