Fantasy Baseball RPV Breakdown: Who's First at Second?

If third base was the infield epitome of “top heavy," then second base was clearly the deepest heading into the season. There was a clear first tier, but overall there was enough mid-range depth to allow owners to let the draft come to them. With very little advantage to gain form a Relative Position Value (RPV) standpoint, it was wise to hit the middle of the position hard and grab two solid guys for 2B and MINF. The reason for that was the mid-lower tier at shortstop was too bereft of production to realistically help in MINF slots.

When the season started, Jose Altuve was practically lapping the field, but since then the pack has come roaring back and closed the gap. Using RPV, we can see just how strong the fantasy league average holds at second base. However, if you heeded my earlier warning there’s an advantage to gain at MINF. Simultaneously, you will be weakening the rest of the infield pool by owning two mid-upper tier second basemen.  

Here’s the tale of the tape:

As the season’s marched on, the point totals become much more realistic and now we’re finally seeing a clearer picture. Early stats can swing values of players too drastically both positively and negatively. Now that we’re 2/3 of the way through the season, most players have had a hot and a cold streak revealing their true selves.  Altuve is still our leader at +66%, but consider a month ago that number was closer to +80%. There’s still a clear cut upper tier, but what happens next is what makes the position so strong.

Numbers 8-15 on this list have about only 10 percentage points separating them. Yes, some are in the negative side, but only by single digits. That means if you own two and play one at 2B and the other at MINF you are actually stronger than an owner player a top guy and a scrub or a mid-range 2B and a lower level 2B/SS. Understanding how to keep production above the fantasy league average is the path to success. 

Ben Zobrist and Dustin Pedroia have rebounded nicely this season after bringing real question marks into 2016. The real surprise on this list is the Twin Eduardo Nunez. His 9 home runs and 12 steal have made him a roto stud in the early going. Jean Segura has come back down to earth a bit after a torrid start, but is still holding true in terms of value. 

Even the negative guys at this position have talent that can pull themselves out of the bottom half. After a hot start, Neil Walker has fallen back dramatically, but still offers power. Starlin Castro would benefit greatly if the Yankees could continue their recent offensive output after an awful start. Even Rougned Odor, who has yet to play his best baseball, has 7 HR and 31 RBI.

If I had to pick two guys who could surprise as the season goes on it would be Aaron Hill and Jonathan Schoop. Hill is a notoriously streaky player who’s been left for dead countless times only to become relevant again. The Brewers are in “sell mode” and if Hill ends up in the right lineup/ballpark, he could be a nice addition in a deep leagues. Now would be the time tospeculate on him for next to nothing. Schoop is still just 24 years old and his power has always been legit. He’ll only get better as time goes on. When Buck Showalter is positive about a player, you should take notice!

Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17) is the seven-time best-selling author of the Fantasy Black Book Series for baseball and football. He hosts Fantasy Sports Tonight on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and the Dear Mr. Fantasy Podcast.