Today, we move on to Part 3 of our rankings, and it's the second (and what will turn out to be the last) time an Indians player doesn't crack the top 20. Ryan Garko, you are not alone.

Asdrubal Cabrera was very good after the All-Star break last season -- a .320 batting average with five home runs, 33 RBI, 32 runs scored and 13 doubles in 194 at-bats. Before the break, he was dreadful, batting .184 with one homer and 14 RBI.

He should be eligible and both second base and shortstop in your league, and he could prove to be a decent fantasy backup. I wouldn't call or click his name on draft day, however, unless you're playing in an AL-only league.

A quick programming note: Tomorrow, we'll rank the shortstops, with the third basemen to be posted on Friday. The top outfielders and designated hitters will be on the site next week.

About the rankings: Each player is listed at the position he is projected to play this season, according to the depth charts at mlb.com. ... Statistics listed are from the 2008 season.

SECOND BASEMEN

Rank, player, team: R-HR-RBI-SB-Avg.
1. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 118-17-83-20-.326
2. Chase Utley, Phillies: 113-33-104-14-.292
3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 102-18-71-26-.319
4. Brandon Phillips, Reds: 80-21-78-23-.261
5. Brian Roberts, Orioles: 107-9-57-40-.296
6. Dan Uggla, Marlins: 97-32-92-5-.260
7. Robinson Cano, Yankees: 70-14-72-2-.271
8. Placido Polanco, Tigers: 90-8-58-7-.307
9. Jose Lopez, Mariners: 80-17-89-6-.297
10. Kelly Johnson, Braves: 86-12-69-11-.287
11. Howie Kendrick, Angels: 43-3-37-11-.306
12. Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 89-14-46-19-.234
13. Orlando Hudson, Dodgers: 54-8-41-4-.305
14. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates: 75-9-52-0-.271
15. Kazuo Matsui, Astros: 58-6-33-20-.293
16. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays: 19-2-20-4-.263
17. Akinori Iwamura, Rays: 91-6-48-8-.274
18. Felipe Lopez, Diamondbacks: 64-6-46-8-.283
19. Mark Ellis, A’s: 55-12-41-14-.233
20. Alexi Casilla, Twins: 58-7-50-7-.281

SHORT HOPS

Utley says he’ll be ready by opening day after offseason hip surgery, but I wouldn’t take him over Pedroia because of the ailment. ... There’s a big drop after the top two, with Kinsler getting the edge over Phillips because of his batting average, although Phillips could return to his 30-30 form of 2007. ... Cano was awful for much of 2008, but was great in 2006 (.342) and had a combined 34 homers and 175 RBI in ’06 and ’07. ... In leagues that penalize players for strikeouts, be wary of Uggla, who had 171 last season and has 338 K’s in the last two years. ... Weeks steals bases, but doesn’t hit for average, which is why I wouldn’t make the mistake of drafting him over the Braves’ Johnson. ... The Blue Jays’ Hill, who had his 2008 season wrecked by a concussion and says he is OK now, could be a draft-day gem. He had 17 homers, 78 RBI, 47 doubles and a .291 batting average in 2007. ... Another name to watch: Colorado’s Clint Barmes, who batted .290 with 11 homers and 44 RBI in 393 at-bats last season. He is expected to be the Rockies’ everyday second baseman this year.