On a recent spring afternoon, I hopped a DeLorean to go back to the future and discuss the top 100 prospects for 2021.
Then we explored next year’s dynasty landscape at catcher and first base.
Today, we’ll stay on that future theme, continuing our position-by-position focus by zooming in on second base.
Metal Marte is underrated. I almost ranked him first. His 2019 could be dropped into an actualized Wander Franco’s prime. Ozzie Albies gets the nod because he’s almost half a decade younger and was better than Ketel Marte the previous two years, but I wonder if he’ll ever have a season as elite as Marte’s just was.
Jorge Mateo’s big chance might be just around the corner, and while he’s not a great player in real life, we’re hoping he’s just good enough to carve out a role. Marcus Semien is a free agent, so if Mateo can pick up eligibility in a part-time role this year and carry that into a starting gig in 2021, his inclusion be legally required on every sleeper list published that draft season.
I left Jon Berti off and kept Jonathan Villar on. Neither or both could qualify. I’m leaning neither, but Villar is valuable enough that he changes the position’s landscape if eligible.
Pick to click: Luis Arraez has batting title written all over him. Tattoos, man.
I’ve said this before but might as well restate: Arraez was a 22-year-old softbody who nonetheless gave pitchers nightmares, walking more than he struck out while hitting .334. If he improves his physicality even a little bit, he’ll be a perennial All-Star.
Thanks for checking out the most comprehensive 2021 dynasty rankings money can buy!
Third base is on deck and knocking donuts off the bat as I type this!
I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter if you’re looking for laughs and baseball!
