Fantasy Baseball Friday: Top Five Infielders in 2015 AL Central

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman

(24) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1B Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Many fantasy experts already want to dethrone Cabrera as an elite fantasy option, but I will not do so until his performance on the field suffers.

Yes, Cabrera had a down season last year, but as I have stated before and will say again until proven wrong, Cabrera was not completely healthy last season and still has the potential for huge numbers because his “down season” still put him in the MVP conversation.

Cabrera has averaged 36 home runs, 120.9 RBI and 102.3 runs per season in seven years with Detroit. For most players, those numbers are career-highs, but for Cabrera, those are averages.

He has also hit .325 in those seven seasons.

If Cabrera continues to rehab well in spring training, he is one of the safest player to pick in the top 10.

Mar 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1B Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

If anyone wanted to argue Cabrera is no longer the top infielder in the AL Central, then Abreu would be the guy to argue as the new No. 1.

As a 27-year-old rookie, Abreu hit .317 with 36 home runs, 107 RBI and a league-leading .581 slugging percentage. Those numbers were good enough for the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Abreu is off to another great start this spring, hitting .423 in 26 at-bats with two extra base hits and five RBI.

He has the potential for another monster season.

Mar 10, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman

(3) hits a triple to left field during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

2B Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers

There is a big drop off from the top two fantasy infielders in the AL Central to the third.

While Cabrera and Abreu should each go in the top 10 in fantasy drafts, Kinsler should be around to the end of the third or early part of the fourth round in 10-team leagues.

As far as second base options go, though, Kinsler is a top five second baseman in fantasy and can contribute a little bit of everything.

Last season he hit .275 with 17 home runs, 92 RBI, 100 runs and 15 stolen bases. His runs and RBI increased in his first season in Detroit last year while his average, home runs and stolen bases remained about the same.

In the Tigers potent lineup, Kinsler has the potential for another 100 run and 90 RBI season and could return back to the 20 stolen bases plateau, which he routinely reached with Texas.

Those are some big numbers for second basemen.

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman

(2) hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2B Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

If owners wait on middle infielders and are looking for value at the position, then these next two guys should be on the radar.

Dozier has some unique ability to hit for power at the second base position. He had 23 home runs in 2014, which was most among AL second basemen.

He also scored 112 runs with 71 RBI and 21 steals.

The Twins second baseman hurts his fantasy value with a lower average, .241 lifetime batting average in three seasons, but after the elite second baseman are gone, he is the next best option.

Sep 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman

(22) makes a play on a hit by Chicago White Sox third baseman

(not pictured) during the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2B Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians

Kipnis finds himself in the same tier of fantasy second baseman as Dozier. Both provide quality value around the sixth or seventh round.

The Indians second baseman, though, was actually a big disappointment in 2014 with a stat line of .240 BA, six home runs, 41 RBI, 61 runs and 22 stolen bases.

In 2013, he hit .284 with 17 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs and 30 stolen bases.

But because of the disappointing 2013, owners will be able to get Kipnis at a cheaper price, yet Kipnis’ upside is still there at just 27 years old.

Next: Fantasy Baseball Draft: Take Joakim Soria in Later Rounds