Giancarlo Stanton is a candidate to go No. 2 behind Mike Trout

It’s a virtual certainty that Mike Trout, will be drafted No. 1 overall in all fantasy drafts. The question is, who goes next? While there are only a small handful of players who can even be mentioned as possible options for that No. 2 pick, in the end only one man can take that claim.

Honorable Mention

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera had a down year last season, by his standards. He saw his numbers dip across the board, compared to his previous campaign when he was named AL MVP.

2013 Statistics: .348 AVG, 44 HR, 137 RBI, .442 OBP, .636 SLG

2014 Statistics: .313 AVG, 25 HR, 109 RBI, .371 OBP, .524 SLG

In fact, he had his lowest home run total, 25, since 2006. Perhaps age has finally caught up to Cabrera, who is now on the wrong side of 30. While he is still a lock for 25-plus home runs and over 100 runs batted in, the risk of another down year is not worth the second pick.

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt was having an MVP-type season in 2014 before being hit by a pitch and breaking his left hand. In 109 games, he still managed the following totals:

AVG .300, HR 19, RBI 69, OBP .396, SLG .542

After making a full recovery from the broken hand and expecting to play in a full season, Goldschmidt should revert back to his 2013 season when he hit .302 with 36 home runs and 125 RBI. If first base were not so deep a position for fantasy, Goldschmidt might be worth taking behind Trout. However, there are first basemen available later in the first round, including Jose Abreu, as well as later in the draft, who could put up similar numbers.

Strong Consideration

Clayton Kershaw, P, Los Angeles Dodgers
If going after pitching early is your draft strategy, then there is definitely no one better than Clayton Kershaw. His 2014 season was one of the best regular season pitching performances in history. It was topped off by him claiming his second straight Cy Young Award and his first MVP Award.

Kershaw set career bests in K/9 (10.8), BB/9 (1.4), ERA (1.77), WHIP (0.86), and tied his season-high win total of 21.

While he should definitely be the first pitcher drafted in any league, and in the top of the first round at that, the fact remains you can grab other terrific pitchers in the second or third round, including Felix Hernandez, David Price, or Max Scherzer. With all of the above options, Kershaw is a top five pick, but not No. 2.

Prime Candidates

Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton was finally having his breakout season last year (37 home runs and 105 runs batted in), before being hit in the face with a fastball and missing the final 17 games of the year. Stanton even managed 13 stolen bases to go along with his incredible power numbers. He was rewarded by  finishing runner up to Clayton Kershaw in the NL MVP race. In addition, the Marlins finally paid Stanton, giving him the richest contract in history, 13 years and $325 million.

After a full recovery, Stanton hopes to pick up where he left off last year and continue to be a perennial MVP candidate. Because of the fact that you have to start three outfielders (in most leagues), it’s important to have a stud that puts up 30-plus home runs and over 100 RBI, as your anchor. Looking at Stanton’s projected numbers for 2015, he is definitely a candidate to be that guy and arguably a top choice to be the second overall pick in your fantasy draft.

2015 Projected Numbers:

AVG .283, HR 38, RBI 110, R 92, SB 8

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Even though Andrew McCutchen didn’t win a second consecutive MVP Award last season, he had almost an identical year statistically as he did in 2013, while playing in 11 less games. Bothered by a nagging rib injury in the middle of the  season, the 28-year-old outfielder was only able to play in 146 games but still managed to hit .314 and have an on-base percentage of .410. When McCutchen does get on base, he’s a prime candidate to steal (27 in 2013, 18 in 2014).

When you factor the defense he provides the Pirates, McCutchen is the quintessential five-tool player. He has an ADP of #2, and according to FantasyPros Draft Wizard® is the No. 2 pick in the draft 51% of the time, followed by Kershaw 25% and Stanton 14%. If you do find yourself with the second pick in the draft, the book says to go with McCutchen. You certainly cannot go wrong and should have no regrets if you do select him No. 2 overall.

2015 Projections: AVG .310, HR 24, RBI 87, R 94, SB 20

My Pick

While Stanton may not hit for the same average or get on base as much as McCutchen, the power differential can not be denied. With power numbers significantly in decline across the major leagues, post P.E.D. use, I am looking for a guy who is a guaranteed 30-plus home runs and 100-plus runs batted in with my first-round pick. Combine that with the upside the young 25-year-old outfielder contains, and Stanton is the player I would select with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.

AJ Stone is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from AJ, check out his archive.