Top 15 Second Base Prospects

All Positions: C / 1B / 2B / SS / 3B / CF / OF / P

We still haven't dissected 2009's top outfield and pitching prospects in depth, but there's a decent chance that there won't be a single second base prospect inside the Top 50 of our 2009 Top 100 -- don't worry, we'll publish at least a Top 150. Last year, Matt Antonelli was a consensus Top 100 prospect and Top 50 on most lists -- 93rd for ESPN. His 2008 season only reinforced why second base prospects are rarely touted as "can't miss".

The Wake Forest product put up his worst full-season power numbers to date (.106 IsoP vs. .182 in 2007 [A+/AA] and .188 in 2006 [A]). And the main reason we're not completely deterred by his .304 Triple-A wOBA is his BABIP was 80+ points lower than his career average despite a line-drive rate on par with his career rates.

Now our 2007 top second base prospect, on the other hand, has carved out a different niche for himself: Dustin Pedroia, who ranked 74th on our 2007 Top 100. Former "can't miss" second base prospects Rickie Weeks and Howie Kendrick have yet to really establish themselves as above-average big leaguers. Chase Utley and Dan Uggla were never touted as cream-of-the-crop prospects -- Top 25 overall -- though Utley was the 15th overall pick of the 2000 Draft.

We don't advise scouring the Shire for the another Pedroia or chasing the next Utley. Second base is a difficult position to play and a rare home for talented offensive players.

Be cautiously optimistic at best with the names below. It's likely that only a couple of these guys will even become average big leaguers.