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Psst! This post is gonna list 2nd basemen that you should target in your 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. I’m whispering because you don’t want everyone to see this post. No, I can’t whisper louder, then it WOULDN’T BE WHISPERING! Okay, gig’s up (or maybe that’s jig’s up), the love I’m about to reiterately (Made Up Word of the Day!) confirm is on these guys I love later in drafts. I’m not going to mention Luis Garcia Jr. other than this one mention of him where I say I’m not going to mention him. At least that’s my apophasis and I’m sticking to it! These are players that you’re looking at later and all of them have ADPs after 200 (unlike Garcia; okay, two non-mentions). Some could be the 2nd baseman on your team, they are more than likely MIs. This is a (legal-in-all-countries-except-Canada) supplement to the top 20 2nd basemen for 2025 fantasy baseball. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2025 projections. Anyway, here’s some 2nd basemen to target for 2025 fantasy baseball:

Jackson Holliday (Yahoo 209, NFBC 220) ESPN has him ranked at 147! Exclamation mark to connote I’m kinda baffled by that ranking to the point where I had to double check that it was for this year and it was ranking for roto. I spent almost 30 seconds doublechecking them, which might be more time than they spent. He’s ranked around same spot as Matt McLain, Luis Garcia Jr., Brice Turang–Well, a lot of guys! Great way to start sleepers to target by pointing out a guy I want less than other sites, but I’d still try Holliday in Yahoo and NFBC at their price. 147 overall is baffling though!

Luis Rengifo (ESPN 202, Yahoo 205) I want to call him Luis Rengifo Jr. and I want to call myself Luis Rengifo Sr. Is this a normal feeling to have? This much I promise you: If someone asked Rengifo, “How much do you love yourself on a scale from one to 10?” And he said anything less than 10, then I love Rengifo more than he loves himself. On the 2nd basemen podcast, BDon tried to talk me out of his speed and to that I say, “His manager’s on speed yelling, ‘RUN!'”

Maikel Garcia (ESPN 205, Yahoo 229, NFBC 209) Ya know how I know I have a good sleeper like I have with my Maikel Garcia sleeper? I don’t reread my sleeper post, just look at his stats and projections and get excited again. Take me out of the equation, Maikel has projections of 8/30/.260 from others. That’s roughly what Andres Gimenez did last year and he was 148th on the Player Rater, and the 11th best 2nd baseman.

Thairo Estrada (ESPN 212, Yahoo 251, NFBC 405) I rarely think ESPN and Yahoo are both better than NFBC with where a guy is ranked (drafted). Thairo is one example, and the reason is something I say all the time, and now you will have to suffer through hearing it again. ADP, like at NFBC, gets baked in in October of last year, then gets calloused over in the months after. Once a guy is being drafted at 400 overall, and no amount of drafting is going to lift him a hundred or two in ADP. Drafters are simps for ADP, as the kids say. They’re ADP-pilled.

Connor Norby (ESPN 239, Yahoo 249, NFBC 265) He’s barely being drafted in most 12 team mixed leagues and he’s being projected for a 20/10/.255 year. That’s, again, not including me. I’m referencing The Others, if you’re lost. Also, already gave you my Connor Norby sleeper.

Brendan Donovan (ESPN 230, Yahoo 258, NFBC 234) Here’s an interesting one, because I don’t want him. Well, not especially. If it’s a deep league, then you have to fill your team’s slots, so to speak. Actually, not so to speak, that is literally what you’re doing. So, why include BDon? Well, ironically, our former podcast host, Geoff, likes the guy who sounds like our current podcast host. I did a solid for our former prospect writer and podcast host, Geoff, and drafted for him because he had a prior engagement and his favorite player I drafted was Calvin Faucher, but his 2nd favorite was BDon. I think BDon is better real world player than fantasy, but I trust Geoff’s opinion too.

Willi Castro (ESPN NR, Yahoo 255, NFBC 223) Was the 9th best 2nd baseman last year and 143rd overall on the Player Rater. I know he’s not “cool” and “sexy” and his name reminds you that the true story of Free Willy finds him dead off the coast of Norway, but Castro’s worth a higher pick than NR.

Kristian Campbell (ESPN 290, Yahoo NR, NFBC 326) The Bregman signing put a little damper on Campbell. A Dampbell, if you will (don’t though, if you’re not feeling it). How’sever, Campbell was the best minor leaguer last year and only thing really stopping him is Devers to DH and Trevor Story getting injured. Is Story hurt yet? How about now? Okay, check back later today. Also, gave you my Kristian Campbell fantasy.

Curtis Mead (ESPN NR, Yahoo NR, NFBC 734) Was thinking about the Rays platooning Mead and Caminero and started howling, while rolling on the floor. ROFH, was I. Not laughing, I was howling. That was why the animal catcher was called to the house. This is not a shaggy dog story. This is a shaggy wolf story. I am Middle-Aged Wolf. I was once Teen Wolf. Okay, so Mead was once considered a top prospect, but you’ve been at the Ren Faire drinking mead for three years if you think Mead is still that. He’s been hitting in the spring, but doesn’t really have a job. That’s all right, let Cash work his magic to get him ABs, and I will howl if he platoons out Caminero for even just one game.

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Bobby W
Bobby W
6 days ago

Would you rather keep Langford in the 8th Rd or Jared Jones in the 25th round?

Dusty
Dusty
7 days ago

If you could only keep 1 pitcher, would you rather have Skubal at 36 (last pick of round 3) or Hunter Brown in the round 23 (last round)?

SteveNZ
7 days ago

I’ve been driving Rudy nuts over at is Auction Value/Rankings pages trying to figure out pitcher values in my league – 12 team with QS and Holds but not Wins. Has been quite an interesting to see how values are affected by Wins.

Things don’t change massively but Crotchett’s a riser and Framber is a faller (compared to Rudy’s standard 12-team Yahoo QS rankings) when you take Wins out of it. Framber still has the highest QS category value tho…

SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Yeah. The more exciting part for me probably was figuring out how to produce custom values and then merge those and the OBP values in a single spreadsheet with all the right headers lol.

SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

“See what I did here? Do the opposite.”

kcleland
kcleland
7 days ago

Any thoughts on closer strategy this year in a 12 team league? Get a top guy…and when?

Cohen
Cohen
7 days ago

Which is best pairing?
Lindor/JRod
Lindor/Yordan
Lindor/Vlad

Joed1414
Joed1414
7 days ago

So Norby will play second or 3rd? If it’s second he’ll have double eligibility 10 games in because only has third in NFBC

J.R.
J.R.
7 days ago

Would you trade Happ, Francis, and Paredes for Robert and Houck in a 6×6 dynasty?

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

I have a side offer of my Doyle, Gausman, M. Keller for Joe Ryan, Strider, G. Holmes, and D. Williams. I dont want to move Doyle at all but any chance of subtracting him makes the deal a no go. He needs a CF. It is dynasty and we play LF/CF/RF so I would only have Mullins with CF elig. Which is why I am trying to snag Robert and have Mullins be insurance then say, *looks at WW* Isbel, Dubon, Hader.

Maybe both deals arent worth it?

(I do need saves. I only have Alexis Diaz. One guy in our league had 5 CF but wont move any. Judge, Meadows, JRod, Harris, Cowser which makes the talent pool thinner in an 18 leaguer)

Landon
Landon
7 days ago

Hey Grey, I can keep 10 players, 10 team league 5×5 category. Pls lmk your thoughts thanks!
Jose Ramirez
Yordan Alvarez
Wyatt Langford
Willy Adames
Marcus Semien
Junior Caminero
Matt McLain
Ezequiel Tovar
Adolis Garcia
Colton Cowser
Logan O’Hoppe
Lane Thomas
Kerry Carpenter
Nathaniel Lowe
Jackson Holliday
Micheal Busch
Victor Robles
Tyler Fitzgerald
Evan Carter
Josh Hader
Edwin Diaz
Tanner Bibee
Spencer Schwellenbach
Joe Ryan
Justin Steele
Grayson Rodriguez
Bryan Woo
Shane Baz
Jeffrey Springs
Ronel Blanco

J.R.
J.R.
7 days ago

Have you seen the stupid overlap hats yet?

I saw two, and I thought was clever with the obvious jokees and googled and some guy had already beaten me to it and some I missed.

I cant tell if we are being trolled, they really thought this was a good idea, or someone in marketing slipped it past the idiot bosses.

https://x.com/DoyersDave/status/1899147329741127864

(was having issues including an image so will just have to drop the link)

Last edited 7 days ago by J.R.
Nobody’s Fool
Nobody’s Fool
7 days ago

Who would you drop in an auction keeper?

Dylan Crews $10
Aaron Judge. $53
Santander. $14

Thank you!

Nobody’s Fool
Nobody’s Fool
7 days ago

Hi Grey….couple final keeper questions:

Casas or Vientos?
Seiya,Santander or Happ?
Woo,McClanahan or Munoz?

Thanks!

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
7 days ago

Hi Grey

I have Riley and Machado plus Jung at 3B. I was thinking of waiving Jung to pick up Muncy of the Dodgers in order to have one player in the upcoming Cubs vs LAD series in Tokyo or would you hold?

Thanks!

Martin

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Thanks!!!

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
7 days ago

Hi Grey,

Would you offer Yelich and Brandon Francis for Roki Sasaki or hold?

Thanks!!!

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Thank you!!

Smitty
7 days ago

Like those top 4, they will all run. Kristian seems to be the odd man out at the moment, but he’ll be valuable when up. Gelof another late option – 20/20 is possible if he cuts down on the K’s.

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
7 days ago

Hi Grey,

Who would you rather have Chourio or Merrill?

I offered Pena and Lane Thomas for Merrill and am waiting to hear back from the manager. If he turns this offer down, would you make the same offer for Chourio or stay with Nimmo?

Thanks!!

Martin

AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
Reply to  martinrostoker
7 days ago

He’s not giving you Chourio if he turns dowm Merrill…

martinrostoker
martinrostoker
Reply to  AntiScioscia
7 days ago

Thanks for giving your thoughts. It’s a different manager. Have a great Thursday

John Feehan
John Feehan
7 days ago

Bret Baty. McNeil is out, and Baty is finally swinging. Could this be the beginning? ….Free is a good price.

Butter Rum
Butter Rum
7 days ago

10 team standard roto, 2 catcher league where we run AL only and NL only separately with individual league prizes and combined overall.

We can keep a total of 10 keepers with annual $5 inflation, and can be personal choice in distribution of the 10 between each of the two leagues.

I am leaning the following:
JRod $24
L. Gilbert $22
A. Rutschman $18
J. deGrom $7
J. Soto $38
B. Snell $22
S. Strider $16
M. McLain $13
E. DeLa Cruz $12
J. Chourio $11

That leaves some really good talent options that I wasn’t going to keep based on price (ability to get at similar price in auction), injury status, and position “scarcity” based on other players I expect to be kept… top ones include:
F. Tatis Jr $38
Z. Wheeler $34
C. Walker $20

Thoughts about the 10 I’m thinking about and distribution (6:4 split between leagues, and 6:4 split between hitters and pitchers)

Butter Rum
Butter Rum
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Thanks so much. Walked over Adley was my original construct before the oblique injury – I know he is back hitting in cage today, but am feeling a bit risk averse before seeing him back ready for opening day.

Play Ball
Play Ball
7 days ago

I’m considering two MI that were offered to me.

1. Albies – Will be hitting 5th or 6th. Don’t see how he gets to 180 combined R/RBI that low in the lineup. I try not to put too much stock in ST stats, but he looks awful so far this spring and did poorly last spring too. Prior ST he hit very well going into his good seasons. In fact, the Braves hitters as a whole look meh again this spring.

2. Adames – He hits 2nd and the Giants hitters aren’t too bad. His xHR in the worst park for HR was 31. Average prior to the 2 seasons before this past season was a liability, but his other seasons before that the average was serviceable. He’s really been consistent with counting stats over the years. I’m in the camp that leans Albies is overrated some.

Did your Albies projections contemplate him hitting 5th or 6th?

OaktownSteve
OaktownSteve
7 days ago

over in the fcl we’re talking Jack Ho. i went back and read your ranking for him in the top 20 and i had a similar impression of him that you did as far as his speed, but was looking at him a few weeks ago and was surprised he had a 95th percentile sprint speed on statcast. stole 24 across multiple levels in ’23 and has 3 in the spring. if he’s able to give you 20 with maybe a 25 upside it it gives him a bit more floor if you wanna gamble that the bat comes forward.

OaktownSteve
OaktownSteve
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

doc holliday, keeping with the 2b theme today

OaktownSteve
OaktownSteve
Reply to  OaktownSteve
7 days ago

i haven’t gotten a jack chou share and sure i’ll regret it

OaktownSteve
OaktownSteve
Reply to  OaktownSteve
7 days ago

also i like when people push their guys up like rudy and damn the adp

Rudy Gamble
Reply to  OaktownSteve
7 days ago

that’s not my standard MO but Son (Razzball writer…i only have daughters) and I had a top 6 ending w/ Soto for the NFBC 12-team and then differed I guess from ADP and even my projections after that. We decided no on SP (Skenes or Skubal). No on Carroll (shoulder concerns). Weren’t crazy about Tatis or J-Rod. Basically the two hitters we liked most were Chourio and Yordan (who we got w/ the 2nd round pick).

i suppose in some ways it would feel better if we got those two 12/13…but really doesn’t matter I suppose :)

AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
Reply to  OaktownSteve
7 days ago

It’s so hard to get him unless you go late in the 1st. I pick 7th in my next RCL – I can’t take him that early, can I? I know he won’t be there in the middle of the 2nd when I pick. I went 1st in my other RCL (drafted last weekend) and almost took your strategy of taking Elly. I went Witt but debated it up until the very end. That HBP did not make me happy

Last edited 7 days ago by AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

I missed that!

mauledbypandas
mauledbypandas
Reply to  AntiScioscia
7 days ago

but what if I take him 6th?

Ryan Horner
Ryan Horner
7 days ago

Grey, have a trade opinion for you in a points league, each team gets 5 keepers. I was offered Chourio who is a 13th round keep for my 1st round pick, which is most likely either going to be Lindor or Harper. I think that’s a pretty easy take even if I think Lindor will outscore him this year, correct?

Ryan Horner
Ryan Horner
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Thanks Grey, was able to get the deal done! Now I’ve got guys throwing me offers for Chourio. A couple are at least interesting, was offered Austin Riley (9th round keep) and a 2nd round pick for Chourio and my 5th round pick. Think that’s enough for Chourio? So figure like Riley and Jazz for Chourio and Hunter Brown maybe

Wendell T. Montgomery
Wendell T. Montgomery
7 days ago

Yo Grey! First comment of hopefully many this season!

I need your expert advice on my 2nd keeper in my Yahoo H2H 12 team mixed league. I am already keeping Elly in the 8th round. I do not have to keep 2 players, but I have the option to keep Ryan Walker or Hunter Brown in the 10th round. Pitching categories are W, L, K, ERA, EHIP, and Sv+H. Walker has the best value according to ADP (but I think his ADP probably drops in a Sv+H league since there are so many holds available later), but I finished 2nd in Sv+H last year with my first RP being Bryan Abreu in the 13th round and the rest were waiver wire guys.

Is Walker good enough to be my first RP in the 10th, then 3 RPs in the last 3 rounds, or lock in Brown as a SP2/3, or just take BPA in the 10th?

Thanks Grey!

AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
Reply to  Wendell T. Montgomery
7 days ago

I never spend valuable draft capital on a closer in saves+holds. I love Holds, but I don’t understand valuing them equally. More leagues should do it where they are still one category, sv+h, but saves count as 2.0, holds 1.0. We do that in one of my keeper leagues with 2B+3B, so that triples can have value without being their own category

motown_magic
motown_magic
7 days ago

Grey- daily reader and you’ve helped me year after year. Just wanted to point out- I think you may be sleeping on Brandon Lowe just a bit.
Currently going 200+ everywhere and looking like the Opening Day 2 hitter surrounded by a very decent lineup. Certainly not a lock for health, 110 games should be the expectation. Statcast shows he is still crushing the ball, and should be an easy 90/30/90 pace while healthy. As we know, the dude can flat out hit. Just feel like he is a very cheap ride til the wheels fall off guy, with easy top 10 2B production while healthy, more like top 5..

motown_magic
motown_magic
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Hear ya, moreso talking prorated pace. Prorate each of the last 2 season’s’ 110 games played and both were a dead on 90/30/90 pace, with surprising consistency across the board too. I went into this year thinking he was washed, complete DND, but the fact you could get that type of production that late in the draft, just seems like he needs some consideration. 2 hole cannot be ignored either.
Appreciate ya man, easily the #1 source of fantasy baseball info for me, been that way for years.

gobiggreen
gobiggreen
7 days ago

Is Matt Shaw going to fall on this list now that he has a starting job? Yahoo 3b/2b eligible

J C
J C
7 days ago

His Skubal and Arrenado for my Shota and Caminero. Which side?

Snacks
Snacks
7 days ago

Wanted to thank you and of the staff for all the great articles to help us all out. These comments are also great. Morning staple is Razzball and Coffee. Thanks.

Badfantasymanager
Badfantasymanager
7 days ago

14 league, have a lot of useless stats besides the usual ones like OPS, NSB instead of SB, QS, holds apart, among other.

The team is:

C – Heim
1B – Harper
2B – Westburg
3B – Riley
SS – Winn
OFs – Tucker, Ozuna, Meadows
Util – Toglia, Suarez
Bench – Cowser, Willi Castro
NA – Cam Smith

SPs – King, Schwellenbach, Woo, Flaherty, Ranger, Gavin Williams
RPs – Robert Suarez, Hoffman, Pressly, Brayan Abreu, Tyler Rogers

What’s the opinion? Should I look to trade King or Schwellenbach for a SS or other batter?

stevie
stevie
7 days ago

12-team H2H. Some injury concerns, but please share your opinions on this team.
C- Langeliers
1B- Bellinger
2B- Hoerner
SS- Witt
3B- Chisholm
OF- Acuna
OF- Cruz
OF- Crow-Armstrong
Ut- Lewis
Ut- Ramos
Bn- Burleson
Bn- W. Castro

SP- Valdez, Bryce Miller, Woo, Jones, Ranger, Francis
RP- Suarez, A. Diaz, Jansen, Jax, C.Smith

Pine Tar Incident
Pine Tar Incident
7 days ago

Grey-

12 team mixed keeper league (keep four forever). Keeping Ohtani and Chourio.

Who would be your last two: Treat Urner, Jarren Duran, James Wood, Westburg.

Seems like its Duran and Wood, even though it fills up my outfield… but what does the FML think?

Thank you!

Cable
Cable
7 days ago

Three targets for my h/h points draft…Woods..Bregman ( monster year at
Fenway )… Langeliers
BTW …. Red Sox to win AL Division at +$900

Cable
Cable
7 days ago

Now youse can’t leave. I will never forget the look on their faces. All eight of them.

Peter guigli
7 days ago

Roto, redraft :RUNS, BB,, RBI’S, HR, XBH, SB, K’s, and hits. I have 2nd pick Judge or Witt? Thanks as always

Hoppy
Hoppy
7 days ago

Hey Grey,

Recently had a draft and actually landed a few of the players you mentioned above. Tried to acquire flexibility.

How do you think my team balances out? Weakness? Strength?

10- team- 6 keepers
Daily moves
5 SP, 4RP
H2H 6×6

HITTING:

Avg
OB%
Runs
HR
RBI
SB

PITCHING:

K/9
Wins+QS
WHIP
IP/9 (starters only)
ERA
SV+H (counted equally)

C- Baldwin
1b- Casas
2b- McLain
SS- ELDC
MI- Tovar
3b- Rengifo
CR- C. Walker
OF- Tatis
Of- Harris
Of- Merrill
Of- Profar
Of- Burleson
U- Josh Jung

Sp- Crochet
Sp- Cease
Sp- P. Lopez
Sp- Glasnow
Sp- H. Brown
RP- J. Martinez
RP- J. Payamps
RP- Vesia
RP- D. Lee

BENCH:

SP- Flaherty
SP- Luzardo
1b- Soderstrom
1b- Busch
OF- Bleday
OF- Beck
SP- E. Perez (IL)
SP- Lodolo
2b- Estrada
Mauricio
SP- Q Mathews
P- Misiorowski
SS- J Wilson

Thanks and keep up with the great material.

Hoppy
Hoppy
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

I don’t disagree! I feel like I need another true thumper.
I felt like I rushed early to build out a staff and maybe could have gone a better hitter early. Tough to balance it all.

Have to work the wire and manage the inevitable injuries.

Thanks for feedback!

Juju
Juju
7 days ago

Morning Grey!
Tough calls this year after bottoming out in the standings and selling off top picks..

16 team H2H 7×7
Keeper League (each year kept, draft round +2)
R 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG
W L SV K HLD ERA WHIP

Please help me pick 3:

R Acuna – RD 1
T Casas – RD 2
D Crews- RD 8
J Merrill- RD 9
J Westburg, C Cowser, P Crow-Armstrong,
C Norby, C Keith, E Carter, K Campbell, J Lawlar – All RD 10
C Rafaela- RD 11
L O’Hoppe – RD 11
J Rodriguez – RD 13
C Sanchez – RD 14
B Lee – RD 20
J Hoffman – RD 21

Much appreciated!

Juju
Juju
Reply to  Grey
7 days ago

Thank you kindly sir, love your content each year!

It’s tough to finally turn the page on Acuna after keeping as a RD10 keeper years back (and seeing how high you are on a bounceback)— the value just doesn’t seem to be there compared to those mid round keepers.

Tigres
Tigres
7 days ago

Hey Grey! So everything I’m reading suggests BOS wants Campbell to win the 2B job. Everything, except his ST game lines LOL… He was a late rd pick in a keeper, if he breaks camp w the team def will hold on. If he starts in AAA though, drop and work the waiver wire? He’d be on bench anyway once Rengifo is healthy and starting. I hate giving up on young talent in keepers but also hate wasting a bench slot.

VinWins
7 days ago

RCL ADP for Holliday is 164. He’s gone as early as 128 and as late as 202.

Estrada has been taken in just 9 of 16 drafts, with an ADP of 274.