Middle Infielders

[onejayhawk]

After everyone has stocked their starting 2B and SS, we get to pick our MI. Who do you like after the first 20 at each position? Playing time is getting premium already. By Yahoo rankings, these will all be above #300. Here is their top 30. Feel free to go deeper.

Omar Infante KC - 2B
Luis Valbuena Hou - 2B,3B
Jed Lowrie Hou - SS
Justin Turner LAD - 2B,3B,SS
Brandon Crawford SF - SS
DJ LeMahieu Col - 2B
Jordy Mercer Pit - SS
Emilio Bonifacio CWS - 2B,OF
Brock Holt Bos - 1B,2B,3B,SS,OF
Mike Avilés Cle - 2B,3B,SS,OF
Andrelton Simmons Atl - SS
Adeiny Hechavarria Mia - SS
Yangervis Solarte SD - 2B,3B
Eduardo Escobar Min - 2B,3B,SS
Everth Cabrera SD - SS
Gordon Beckham CWS - 2B,3B
Josh Rutledge LAA - 2B,3B,SS
Yunel Escobar Was - SS
Brad Miller Sea - 2B,SS
Rickie Weeks Mil - 2B
Rougned Odor Tex - 2B
Alexi Amarista SD - 2B,3B,SS,OF
Zack Cozart Cin - SS
Jonathan Villar Hou - SS
Seán Rodríguez Pit - 1B,2B,3B,OF
Eduardo Núñez Min - 3B,SS,OF
Jonathan Schoop Bal - 2B,3B
Chris Owings Ari - 2B,SS
Marwin González Hou - 2B,3B,SS
Eric Sogard Oak - 2B,SS

J

[Sharky]

For 5x5 it may depend on category needs. Bonifacio is probably a decent bet in that range for SB alone. Infante should give a much more balanced profile. Serious playing time risks for most of the others (as well as limited upside and high chance of crapitude).

[Moonlight J]

After everyone has stocked their starting 2B and SS, we get to pick our MI. Who do you like after the first 20 at each position? Playing time is getting premium already. By Yahoo rankings, these will all be above #300. Here is their top 10:

Omar Infante KC - 2B
Luis Valbuena Hou - 2B,3B
Jed Lowrie Hou - SS
Justin Turner LAD - 2B,3B,SS
Brandon Crawford SF - SS
DJ LeMahieu Col - 2B
Jordy Mercer Pit - SS
Emilio Bonifacio CWS - 2B,OF
Brock Holt Bos - 1B,2B,3B,SS,OF
Mike Avilés Cle - 2B,3B,SS,OF

J

Valbuena
Lowrie
Crawford

[Weapon1]

I think Everth and Weeks are still on the street.

[onejayhawk]

I think Everth and Weeks are still on the street.

Correct at this point. Everth appears to be courting Toronto. Weeks, I got nuthin.

Odor stands out for me, but he has to deal with Profar, who is miles down the list.

J

[madducks]

If Jung-ho Kang wins the shortstop job for the Pirates, he could provide more power than the average player at that position. The Pirates are already paying him $2.2 million/yr more than Mercer. For now Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is saying that Kang will enter spring training as a "complementary player." But, Kang's contract and $5 million posting fee says otherwise. Admittedly, he is a high risk/reward player.

[Gregg]

If Jung-ho Kang wins the shortstop job for the Pirates, he could provide more power than the average player at that position. The Pirates are already paying him $2.2 million/yr more than Mercer. For now Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is saying that Kang will enter spring training as a "complementary player." But, Kang's contract and $5 million posting fee says otherwise. Admittedly, he is a high risk/reward player.

I kind of liked Mercer for a cheap end game option. Then they signed Kang and sort of ruined the value for both of them.

I probably go Valbuena then Lowrie, then Kang.

[onejayhawk]

I kind of liked Mercer for a cheap end game option. Then they signed Kang and sort of ruined the value for both of them.

I probably go Valbuena then Lowrie, then Kang.

This isn't really end game yet. This player needs to project at least 400 AB, barring injury. Hence Andrelton Simmons.

Does anyone have a grasp on playing time for Brad Miller and Josh Rutledge.

J

[Sharky]

This isn't really end game yet. This player needs to project at least 400 AB, barring injury. Hence Andrelton Simmons.

Does anyone have a grasp on playing time for Brad Miller and Josh Rutledge.

J

Miller is supposedly in a battle with Chris Taylor for the starting gig. Higher profiler offensive upside for Miller, but situation is cloudy at best.

Have to think Rutledge is the safer bet for the AB, but admittedly I haven't followed LAA as closely.

[Moonlight J]

Correct at this point. Everth appears to be courting Toronto. Weeks, I got nuthin.

Odor stands out for me, but he has to deal with Profar, who is miles down the list.

J

Everth Cabrera has a court date in April, which is why nobody is touching him right now

[Gregg]

This isn't really end game yet. This player needs to project at least 400 AB, barring injury. Hence Andrelton Simmons.

Does anyone have a grasp on playing time for Brad Miller and Josh Rutledge.

J

Maybe I used the wrong wording (endgame). I look at the list that you posted and it is obvious that some are better than others. Some riskier. Some younger with higher upside maybe this year or next. Maybe I am not really grasping what you are looking for?

I understand this as everybody has their MI filled and you can have your pick of what is left, who do we like either from this list or our own? Is that right?

If i have that correct. I like Valbuena as the safe pick with decent stats and good position flexibility. If I am going to gamble a bit with this pick I probably take Kang or Schoop. I like both of their potential for this year and moving forward.

[onejayhawk]

Maybe I used the wrong wording (endgame). I look at the list that you posted and it is obvious that some are better than others. Some riskier. Some younger with higher upside maybe this year or next. Maybe I am not really grasping what you are looking for?

I understand this as everybody has their MI filled and you can have your pick of what is left, who do we like either from this list or our own? Is that right?

If i have that correct. I like Valbuena as the safe pick with decent stats and good position flexibility. If I am going to gamble a bit with this pick I probably take Kang or Schoop. I like both of their potential for this year and moving forward.

Everyone has their 2B and SS filled, but are filling MI.

This is just players #41- #70 by Y! MI rank. All lower ranking players are in the mix, eg Didi Gregorious. Players who will never play a game at 2B or SS, eg Miguel Sano, can be mentioned, because they are MI eligible now.

After Simmons there is a big drop off in ranking, but most of these guys got at least 300 AB in 2014. About 3/4 were owned at the end of my keeper league's season. All that said, it's a solid answer.

J

[NL Only]

Owings
Odor
then Mercer/Kang to go with the list from Jason - Valbuena, Lowrie, Crawford