Overall rankings will consist of the player’s value in a points format, earning points for each H, R, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, basically a formula of Total Bases + RBI + Runs = Total Value.  Here are the rankings for 2B, projections are italicized:

Shortstop is getting to be extremely shallow in fantasy.  It is filled with injury risks and aging veterans.  Gone are the days of several superstars, which has been gone since ARod moved to third and Nomar was traded to the Cubs.

1. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

.302/.372/.544, 36 2B, 2 3B, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 9 SB in 537 AB

.313/.394/.559, 38 2B, 3 3B, 34 HR, 112 RBI, 4 SB in 589 AB

There is one elite player at this position and Tulowitzki is it.  For all of the hype that has gone to Jose Reyes and his mega-Free Agency this offseason, he isn’t the difference maker that Tulo is.  He is a power-hitting SS and he will be the only SS with 100 RBI in 2012.  If you don’t get him, you’re going to settle for the rest.

2. Starlin Castro, Cubs

.307/.341/.432, 36 2B, 9 3B, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 22 SB in 674 AB

.298/.347/.461, 38 2B, 7 3B, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 18 SB in 647 AB

Castro only had 207 hits in his first full season.  He is probably not going to be a long-term hit machine, as he is going to fill into a player with more power, possibly even moving to third base.  He is more of a certainty than others who come after him, like…

3. Jose Reyes, Marlins

.337/.384/.493, 31 2B, 16 3B, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 39 SB in 537 AB

.301/.365/.449, 29 2B, 8 3B, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 21 SB in 467 AB

Reyes is an excellent player and a game-changing talent, but he isn’t on the field enough to be taken seriously.  While he’s been on the field more than someone like Rickie Weeks in his career, you have to wonder how his speed game is going to hold up as he ages, as it hasn’t held up in his youth.  The constant nagging injuries will take away from his value, as will the spacious ballpark that he is going to be playing in from his already non-Tulo power stats.  With that being said, he could prove me wrong and repeat what he did in 2011 for several years and be elite…but why would you count on that?

4. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians

.273/.332/.460, 32 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 92 RBI, 17 SB in 604 AB

.281/.341/.459, 36 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 81 RBI, 13 SB in 587 AB

Well…that came out of nowhere.  You have to wonder if this power-hitting, team carrying type of player is here to stay.  He was injured for the previous couple of seasons.  Can he make adjustments, though?  He hit just .244/.310/.419 in the 2nd half of 2011.  He’s still well-above average with a decline, but it won’t be as drastic as some believe.

5. J.J. Hardy, Orioles

.269/.310/.491, 27 2B, 30 HR, 80 RBI in 527 AB

.259/.314/.486, 24 2B, 29 HR, 76 RBi in 564 AB

Remember the scoring.  He isn’t a top five SS in most leagues due to the average and lack of running ability; however, his power is very, very valuable at his position.  Hardy is playing in a bandbox still and he will continue to hit homeruns, post low averages, and strikeout with Mark Reynolds.

6.  Jhonny Peralta, Tigers

.299/.345/.478, 25 2B, 3 3B, 21 HR, 86 RBI in 525 AB

.287/.338/.479, 28 2B, 2 3B, 22 HR, 86 RBI in 563 AB

Peralta isn’t a SS…but the Tigers gave up on defense for the offensive power.  They may have the worst left side of the infield in the history of baseball in 2012, but fantasy baseball doesn’t count range factor and errors.  He’ll have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs and should build on his successful 2011 season.

7.  Jimmy Rollins, Phillies

.268/.338/.399, 22 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 30 SB in 567 AB

.280/.340/.411, 26 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 24 SB in 584 AB

J-Roll still has another good year in him, but he is of the same pedigree as Jose Reyes – speed + injuries = worthlessness.  Buyer beware, but the Phillies are counting on him to build off of 2011 as the age of their offensive core increases quicker than the National debt.

8.  Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays

.290/.369/.413, 24 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 3 SB in 513 AB

.284/.376/.422, 27 2B, 4 3B, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 5 SB in 562 AB

Escobar is a real pain in the ass.  He got traded from Atlanta due to attitude issues and seems to not care at times.  If he bothered putting out maximum effort, he could rank as high as 3rd on this list.  He has quite a lineup around him, so if he puts it all together, don’t be shocked.

9.  Derek Jeter, Yankees

.297/.355/.388, 24 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 61 RBI, 16 sB in 546 AB

.307/.364/.408, 29 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 65 RBI, 13 SB in 573 AB

The Captain isn’t as bad as people think.  He still posted a decent AVG and OBP last season, though the SLG got ugly quick.  He isn’t getting any younger, but he still has the lineup around him and the ability to play every day.  He should rebound a bit.

10.  Elvis Andrus, Rangers

.279/.347/.361, 27 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 60 RBI, 37 SB in 587 AB

.287/.356/.394, 32 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 64 RBI, 42 SB in 593 AB

Andrus is still very young and is in a fantastic lineup and ballpark.  He has a solid eye and should improve upon his 75.5% SB rate.  The power is lacking, but he does enough small things to get you points.

11.  Erick Aybar, Angels

.279/.322/.421, 33 2B, 8 3B, 10 HR, 59 RBI, 30 SB in 556 AB

.268/.313/.406, 29 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 24 SB in 498 AB

If Trumbo is going to play third and Mike Scoscia is still in charge, Maicer Izturis is going to steal Aybar’s playing time from time to time.  Slight drop-off due to that decrease.

12.  Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

.269/.328/.399, 31 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 7 SB in 614 AB

.264/.325/.403, 30 2B, 1 3B, 18 HR, 67 RBI, 5 SB in 598 AB

13.  Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks

.252/.317/.396, 21 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB in 321 AB

.269/.328/.403, 24 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 61 RBI, 3 SB in 461 AB

Those Drew boys never stay healthy.  If he comes back healthy, he could post solid numbers, but he may have issues staying in the lineup due to his last name.

14.  Zack Cozart, Reds

.324/.324/.486, 2 HR, 3 RBI in 37 AB

.259/.327/.403, 21 2B, 4 3B, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 6 SB in 498 AB

Sleeper like crazy here.  He isn’t going to post an incredible average, but Cozart has some pop and plays in a great offense and ballpark.  He could do even more than the numbers listed above…or…Dusty Baker’s veteran-loving-ass could play Paul Janish over him…ugh.

15.  Sean Rodriguez, Rays

.223/.323/.357, 20 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 11 SB in 373 AB

.241/.336/.374, 26 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 19 SB in 471 AB

The Rest: Ian Desmond, Nationals; Alex Gonzalez, Brewers; Alcides Escobar, Royals; Jed Lowrie, Astros; Dee Gordon, Dodgers; Jason Bartlett, Padres; Ryan Theriot, Giants; Rafael Furcal, Cardinals; Cliff Pennington, A’s; Mike Aviles, Red Sox;