Tier 1: Jose Altuve, Dee Gordon

Tier 2: Robinson Cano, Brian Dozier, Ian Kinsler, Matt Carpenter

Tier 3: Jason Kipnis, Roughned Odor, Anthony Rendon, DJ LeMahieu, Kolten Wong

Tier 4: Ben Zobrist, Dustin Pedroia, Neil Walker, Daniel Murphy, Addison Russell, Howie Kendrick

Tier 5: Brett Lawrie, Matt Harrison, Starlin Castro, Matt Duffy, Brandon Phillips, Joe Panik

* Note: Players in bold are my picks in tiers 3 and below to outperform their ADPs.

An official change of the guard took place last year at second base, as Robinson Cano conceded his throne to Jose Altuve, with Dee Gordon establishing himself as the vice president. Cano finds himself leading the tier 2 group, and if he maintains his second half performance from 2015, he’ll provide you with tier 1 numbers. Tier 3 has young players with high ceilings, whereas tier 4, with the exception of Addison Russell, provides solid options but with low ceilings. 

Taking a closer look at a pair of guys in tier 3, both Roughned Odor and Anthony Rendon could bring handsome returns for those who select them. Odor broke out last season for the Rangers following his recall from the minors in June, hitting .292 with 15 home runs, 52 RBI and 46 runs over his remaining 91 games. Time to buy Odor. As for Rendon, last year he was selected as a top 3 second baseman in most fantasy drafts. His issue relates solely to his health – not a small issue – but a healthy Rendon comfortably sits as a top 5 second baseman. He’s worth the gamble.

There’s value to be had if you wait on drafting a second baseman. Nothing wrong with grabbing a top option in the early rounds if you’re presented with good value, but otherwise I’d take a chance on a tier 3 player, especially Odor and Rendon, and see if you can hit a value home run. In any event, don’t overpay for a second baseman, as there are functional options well into the lower tiers.