ROTO FILES
With the season right around the corner, now is the time to get your fantasy baseball draft plan in order. Here’s a look at the top middle infielders to look for on draft day.
Shortstop
1. Hanley Ramirez (Fla)
Best power-speed threat in the bigs.
2. Jose Reyes (NYM)
Who else is a lock for 50 steals?
3. Jimmy Rollins (Phi)
No bonus points for goading division rivals.
4. Derek Jeter (NYY) — overvalued
Production was down across the board in ’08.
5. Rafael Furcal (LAD)
100 R/30 SB guy — when healthy.
6. Stephen Drew (Ari)
Gurus love emerging pop (21 HR, 44 2B in ’08).
7. Troy Tulowitzki (Col) — undervalued
At 24, best years are ahead, plus Coors factor.
8. Jhonny Peralta (Cle)
Could make run at 30 HR.
9. J.J. Hardy (Mil)
Flip a coin between him and Peralta.
10. Michael Young (Tex) — undervalued
Moved to third but still qualifies at short.
Honorable Mention: Mike Aviles (KC), Miguel Tejada (Hou)
Sleepers: Elvis Andrus (Tex), Khalil Greene (StL)
Second Base
1. Dustin Pedroia (Bos) — overvalued
Excuse some for selling surprise MVP “short.”
2. Chase Utley (Phi)
Balky hip only thing to derail RBI machine.
3. Ian Kinsler (Tex) — undervalued
18 HR/26 SB in just 121 G last season.
4. Brandon Phillips (Cin)
Low BA keeps 20-20 threat from top 3.
5. Brian Roberts (Bal)
Power has declined, speed has not.
6. Alexei Ramirez (CHW)
Sox new shortstop hit 14 second-half HRs.
7. Dan Uggla (Fla)
Reliable HR hitter strikes out more than pro bowler.
8. Jose Lopez (Sea) — overvalued
So underestimated he’s overestimated.
9. Robinson Cano (NYY) — undervalued
Expect rebound with rejuvenated Bombers.
10. Kelly Johnson (Atl)
NL East is middle-infield haven.
Honorable Mention: Howie Kendrick (LAA), Placido Polanco (Det), Mark DeRosa (Cle)
Sleepers: Luis Castillo (NYM), Blake DeWitt (LAD), Eugenio Velez (SF)

