Top 20 2nd Base Rankings

You are preparing for your fantasy draft, as we all are.  And you might be thinking, who is going to tell me where to take 2nd basemen? Well, fear not, because I, Enrico Palazzo, will be telling you all year long how your middle infield should look.  You may also be asking, who the hell are you, and what are you doing writing on a great fantasy baseball site?  That’s also a great question!  To which I will tell you: I’ve played fantasy baseball for too many years and have won championships and lost way more.  But I’m also the guy taking a few hours out of my week to drop this brilliant middle infield knowledge on y’all.  So buckle up.  Let’s get busy thinking about that keystone!  All ranks will be based on the Razzball Player Ranker system, but you’re looking for more.  I’ll give you more.

1. Ketel Marte (21 overall)- Ketel has averaged 29 homers, about 85 runs and ribbies, and hit about 280. His peripherals state he’s going to keep it up.  And given that he has developed old man skills (power and obp) vs having his game be speed based, there’s little concern he’s going to keep it up in his age 32 season.  That being said, he is 32 this year.  Not the best idea for a multi-year keeper. He should be available right at the turn at the 2nd round, giving you a bit of value.

2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (38 overall)- Jazz stayed healthy enough to go 30/30 last year, which is incredible for 2nd.  He also played 130+ games for the 2nd year in a row, which is huge for him.  Heading into his age 28 year, there’s still the concern over injury, but drafters are ignoring that.  He’s consistently going in the late 2nd, ahead of Marte.  Honestly, I’m not touching him unless he falls to me in the third.  I got burned too many times between 21 and 23.  As for keeping Jazz, he’s 28 with an injury history that tells me players that get hurt tend to get hurt again.  I’m out.

3. Jose Altuve (55 overall)- The best ability in baseball is availability.  Altuve has played 140+ games 4 of the past 5 seasons in his 30s.  This has led to counting stats that continue to add up to a very solid option.  20+ homers, 80-90 runs, 70-80 RBI.  He just keeps on ticking until he doesn’t.  And the beauty part is that his ADP is in the mid 90s, so he will continue to be a value for you.  As a keeper option… The little dude is going into his age 36 season.  So nope.

4. Brice Turang (76 overall)- If you want to bet on a career year, here is your sign. Turang was historically bad 3 years ago, about average 2 years ago with 50 steals, and good last year with a power spike. That power looks sustainable, and while he’s backed off on speed a tad, you can easily dream on a 25+ homer 30+ steal season.  He’s fluctuating between the top and the middle of the lineup, so looking at 75 runs and RBI should be expected.  He’s going into his age 26 season, This is the guy I think will be the number 1 2B next year.  Problem is, I’m not the only one who thinks this, which is why his ADP is in the mid 40s, though a little later in Yahoo and ESPN based on their rankings.

5. Luke Keaschall (87 overall)- Our overlords at Razzball like Keaschall.  I don’t get it.  Best case scenario is a 10/20 guy.  My issue is he’s so batting average dependent that some bad luck could tank his other counting numbers.  He just hits grounders too often to even be a power threat.  The other issue is that he’s a Twin.  Twins do one thing very very well.  They get hurt. A Lot.  Keaschall hasn’t, but c’mon. That franchise is so snakebit that they should just film the Pitt in their training room.  He is only 23, so he’s a good keeper option, but his 117 ADP is too rich for my blood.

6. Gleyber Torres (89 overall)- Another example of how staying healthy makes you valuable.  It’s a matter of which half of Gleyber you believe in.  First half, Gleyber was awesome.  Second half, not so much.  He’s not going to steal bases and will just be solid in 4 categories for the position.  Let’s not pretend there are any world beaters in this position.  So 6 is fine, especially with a 202 ADP.

7. Ozzie Albies (101 overall)- Ozzie has 30+ homer seasons in his past.  He also has missed 60+ games in 2 of his last 4 seasons.  And last year, he was just fine overall.  Droppable at times, but 2nd base is such a low ceiling position that 15/15 is fine.  I like him better than Gleyber because he runs.  He’s a good bet to be 15/15, and a long shot to be 25/20. That being said, he could, but it’s not likely.  He’s no longer young at 29, so that speed could drop.  If you’re not willing to pay the Turang price, the Albies price at an ADP of 129 is much more palatable.

8. Nico Hoerner (102 overall)- Put it in down in pen. 280 average, 30 SB, 90 runs.  Also put him down for 7-8 homers and 55 RBI.  He’s consistent and in a great lineup.  He’s also going into his age 29 season.  Nico doesn’t have an upside. He’s just going to give you those numbers.  One of the issues is that you have to take him at an ADP of 92.  That’s a little rich for being low end in two categories.

9. Brandon Lowe (106 overall)- Dude hits dingers.  That’s his value. 31 last year.  His problem is that he can’t stay on the field. Last year was the first time he didn’t miss 60+ games since 2021, and he still missed 30.  The other problem is that he won’t contribute anywhere else.  Improving the Pirates lineup doesn’t make it not the Pirates lineup.  You would think that 31 bombs would produce more than 79 RBI, but it didn’t.  And hitting 240 isn’t going to blow anyone away.  He’s a 1 category guy, which is better than a lot of guys after him.  He is cheap with an ADP of 149.

10. Ceddanne Rafaela (108 Overall)- If you want average production across the board, he’s your guy.  As long as you don’t play in an OBP league. This guy hates walks as much as I hate olives (think Garfield/Mondays level).  But if you’re in a 5×5, he’s not going to hurt you anywhere. He’ll hit 15, score 80, drive in 65, hit 250, and steal 20.  That’s fine. His defense will keep him in the lineup, though that OBP will keep him at the bottom of the lineup.  He is going into his age 25 season, so an uptick in production is possible, if not probable.  Definitely a guy worth taking if you’re waiting. And young enough to be a keeper if he has a Turang-esque age 25 power spike.

11. Brendan Donovan (115 overall)- Another 1 category guy. This time it’s a 280 average.  He is going to a worse home park, and he has no speed, little power. The lineup is better though, so he may score 75+ runs too.  Honestly, if you waited this long, you’re likely going to take him and another, younger 2B option that you may be excited about.  I hope to have my guy before it gets to this point.  Just not enough there for me to take him even at 210.

12. Luis Garcia Jr. (120 Overall)- If you’re looking to take a flyer on a guy who isn’t too much of a stretch to get to 20/20, Garcia is your guy.  If he hits over 265 this year, he will do that.  It won’t be productive in terms of Runs and RBI, but you can live with 20/20/70/70/265.  That’s a guy you would want on your team in the worst position. He’s going to be 26, and an ADP of 274 means he’s definitely worth a bench spot for you.

13. Bryson Stott (131 overall)- Another option where you can get late value.  Just shift Luis Garcia from 20/20 to 15/22.  Same runs, a little lower average, but he’s fine.  He’s turning 29, and he isn’t going to do much in terms of gaining skills that aren’t there now.  ADP of 209, so there’s not much investment there.

14. Jorge Polanco (140 Overall)- I work for Razzball, I write for Razzball. I cannot conceive a world where Jorge Polanco is a 12th rounder in a 12 team league.  He was hanging on for his baseball life after 2024, and moving to the Mets is going to give him a boost in visibility.  He’s not on my list at age 32 even after pick 200.

15. Jackson Holliday (145 Overall)- He’s very young and has a huge prospect pedigree.  He WAS going to be a safe bet to go 20/20 until he broke his hamate at the beginning of spring training.  Now you can likely count on 20 SB, but his power will dip.  The big breakout will come the next baseball season, which could be 2027 if Manfred can get the owners in line.

16. Matt McLain (154 Overall)- He’s getting a LOT of helium with a big spring.  Spring training stats don’t matter, unless they’re your guy.  Then they matter a lot!!!  Honestly, though, he’s going into his age 26 season, and could put up 20/20.  I wouldn’t pay his helium prices, but I would not rule him out for a MI slot.

17. Colt Keith (156 Overall)- I don’t have reason to be excited about him other than… he’s young.  He didn’t improve on his rookie campaign in any category except runs, and even that wasn’t really playable.  He’s a waiver wire pickup if he gets hot at some point and is easily droppable. His 290 ADP reflects that.

18. Andres Gimenez (160 Overall)- Could he steal 20 bases? sure.  He could also score 80 runs.  But we’re talking about a guy who has declined 3 straight years.  I’m really stretching for some reason to draft him, and I can’t think of one.

19. Marcus Semien (163 Overall)- Another new Mets hype guy. This is a guy who I think you can put a late draft pick on.  With him being in that lineup, and the fact he stays healthy, you can easily see good counting stats, including high runs and RBI.  I like him this year, and I think you can get a late starter.

20. Willi Castro (174 Overall)- Drafting a Rockie? Really? Don’t.

Guys not in the Player Ranker Top 20 worth a pick: Xavier Edwards (speed kills), Lenyn Sosa (22 bombs and 75 RBI isn’t worth ignoring), Jeff McNiel (that A’s Lineup is worth considering at every position, in that Stadium), Chase Miedroth (guy gets on base, makes good swing decisions, but no power).