Fantasy baseball middle infield rankings

By David Ferris
CSNChicago.com

The following players qualify at a middle-infield position (if not multiple positions) in standard Yahoo! leagues. Rankings are based on a 5x5 scoring system (batting average, runs, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases).

1. Robinson Cano, Yankees
2. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
NOTE: Bat perked up in Anaheim series.
3. Jose Reyes, Marlins
NOTE: He's been active on the bases again.
4. Neil Walker, Pirates
NOTE: The unsung hero of this club.
5. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
6. Brandon Phillips, Reds
7. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
8. Jason Kipnis, Indians
9. Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
NOTE: Has eyes set on stolen-base crown.
10. Allen Craig, Cardinals
NOTE: No clear position, but man what a bat.
11. Elvis Andrus, Rangers
12. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
NOTE: Starting to heal up nicely, but might not be 100 percent.
13. Derek Jeter, Yankees
14. Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers
NOTE: A change of scenery at the right time.
15. Ben Zobrist, Rays
16. Danny Espinosa, Nationals
17. Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
NOTE: We expected more in the thin air.
18. Alcides Escobar, Royals
19. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
NOTE: Starting to produce at the expected level.
20. Starlin Castro, Cubs
21. Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
22. Jose Altuve, Astros
NOTE: The last bat standing in Houston.
23. Josh Rutledge, Rockies
NOTE: Probably slides over to second if and when Tulo returns.
24. Ian Desmond, Nationals
25. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
NOTE: There's no need to rush him back.
26. Chase Utley, Phillies
27. Daniel Murphy, Mets
28. Jhonny Peralta, Tigers
29. Dan Uggla, Braves
NOTE: High fly-ball, high-strikeout hitters have extended slumps.
30. Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
31. Kyle Seager, Mariners
32. J.J. Hardy, Orioles
33. Howie Kendrick, Angels
34. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
NOTE: Won't lose it for you, but not a lot of category punch.
35. Omar Infante, Tigers
36. Kelly Johnson, Blue Jays
NOTE: Production has fallen since the batting slot dropped.
37. Zack Cozart, Reds
38. Jordany Valdespin, Mets
39. Michael Young, Rangers
NOTE: Might be in trouble with Mike Olt around.
40. Trevor Plouffe, Twins
NOTE: It was a fun story before the thumb injury.
41. Alexi Amarista, Padres
42. Brandon Inge, Athletics
43. Dustin Ackley, Mariners
44. Jemile Weeks, Athletics
45. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
NOTE: A little passion wouldn't kill him.
46. Gordon Beckham, White Sox
47. Ryan Theriot, Giants
48. Mike Aviles, Red Sox
NOTE: Nicked up, losing time.
49. Darwin Barney, Cubs
50. Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays
51. Erick Aybar, Angels
52. Marco Scutaro, Giants
NOTE: Heady veteran, but stats were mostly Colorado driven.
53. Willie Bloomquist, Diamondbacks
54. Pedro Ciriaco, Red Sox
55. Elliot Johnson, Rays
NOTE: A typical Ray, a story out of nowhere.
56. Dee Gordon, Dodgers
57. Everth Cabrera, Padres
NOTE: Has nifty wheels but stuck in crummy batting slot.
58. Maicer Izturis, Angels
59. Ryan Roberts, Rays
NOTE: Joe Maddon's type of player.
60. Luis Cruz, Dodgers
61. Ruben Tejada, Mets
62. Brian Dozier, Twins
63. Robert Andino, Orioles
64. Jeff Keppinger, Rays
NOTE: Crushes lefties, but that's the short side of any platoon.
65. Andrelton Simmons, Braves
66. Yuniesky Betancourt, Royals
67. Jerry Hairston Jr., Dodgers
68. Mark Ellis, Dodgers
69. Steve Lombardozzi, Nationals
70. Jed Lowrie, Astros
NOTE: Good bat when healthy, but durability the constant concern.
71. Sean Rodriguez, Rays
72. Jamey Carroll, Twins
73. Cody Ransom, Brewers