In many ways, second-base is similar to first-base this year for redraft in my eyes, as it has some guys at the top that are really strong options, and a nice thick middle of solid choices. One of my favorite things about this position is that you can get whatever category you need from it, whether it’s power, speed, strong AVG, or multiple-eligibility, there are a lot of ways to attack it. In a 15-teamer I am more comfortable waiting until the injury bounce-back tier of Ketel Marte, Brandon Lowe, etc. than I am in a 12-teamer. In a 12-teamer I would be slightly more aggressive to lock up an option sooner, but there is some useful depth in this position that has upside for more than just a solid floor.
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Tier 1 – Diamond Tier 💎
| 1 | Jose Altuve | HOU | 2B |
So clearly a stud player in an amazing lineup, 5 category king. SB rule changes help him retain the bags despite his advanced age. High AVG floor. Power will be there.
| 2 | Marcus Semien | TEX | 2B |
One of the most durable players in the game, Semien provides strong roto value pretty much every year despite the shape of his stats changing at times. A reasonably safe bet to return value, but AVG is a little risky.
| 3 | Jazz Chisholm | MIA | 2B |
Managed to provide a ridiculous 14 HR and 12 SBs in just 60 games last year, Jazz has extra loud tools and ability, however, health and durability issues are real with him. He could provide first-round value, but he does bring injury risk to the table.
Tier 2 – Platinum Tier 👑
| 4 | Ozzie Albies | ATL | 2B |
Not a per-game standout, Albies uses elite volume to provide his value and is closer to a compiler than he is a superstar. This isn’t to underrate him, as he has 25/15 upside, however my biggest concern with him is the lineup spot. He could be hitting in the 6 hole with the top of the lineup chock full of star players cemented into their spots. Still, he has upside to provide impact in fantasy.
| 5 | Tommy Edman | STL | 2B/SS |
Edman is polarizing for some because he is not a big power guy who still goes inside the top 75, he is very efficient in terms of steals, and he has a decent AVG floor being an early action player who swings early in the at-bat. A 10 HR, 25 SB campaign with a boatload of runs scored and a palatable AVG is a floor for the Gold Glove Tommy Edman, whose defense secures his PT.
Tier 3 – Gold Tier🥇
| 6 | Andres Gimenez | CLE | 2B |
Gimenez got fortunate to hit 17 HRs, as he hit only 24 barrels (6.2% barrel rate.) He does pull the ball enough to provide a decent HR total, but I think 12-14 is a more reasonable range with his 20+ steals. Lineup spot is another issue, as he could find himself outside of the heart of the order.
| 7 | Gleyber Torres | NYY | 2B |
Boring to some, Torres is exceptionally balanced, with solid power, a presence in the steals category, and acceptable AVG with solid counting stats. Nothing stands out, but he is a good chip away at everything type of pick.
| 8 | Max Muncy | LAD | 2B/3B |
His elbow injury had me scared off last year, but after he returned from the IL on June 9th he was back to his normal self, with 18 HR and a .762 OPS down the stretch (95 games). Versatility, lineup spot, power and stability are the biggest selling points with Muncy, who’s a star in OBP formats. LAD extended him, so they think his health outlook is safe.
| 9 | Brandon Lowe | TB | 2B |
A premier power hitter when rolling Lowe hit 39 monster HRs in 2021 and all the underlying metrics support his pop. A back injury wrecked his 2022 but he is young enough to bounce back from a non-recurring injury, a good way to catch up in the power dept. if you don’t need SBs from your 2B.
| 10 | Ketel Marte | ARI | 2B |
One of the best bargains in the draft, Ketel Marte provides potentially high AVG, and good counting stats with a chance at 25 HRs. Marte is a career .279 hitter with a low-ish K rate and pull power that can go over the fence.
| 11 | Jake Cronenworth | SD | 1B/2B |
Solid DC pick. Flexibility for days. Max at-bats. He sold out AVG for power and he will be going back the other way. Solid AVG with some pop and a lot of counting stats with Jake The Snake.
| 12 | Jonathan India | CIN | 2B |
Potential leadoff bat in Cincinnati, India’s main area of production could be a big run scored total, with 15+ HR and chip-in steals if India is feeling healthy (big if.) The injury risk is more than baked into the price, and he’s a solid stab at upside with a reasonable floor.
| 13 | Jorge Polanco | MIN | 2B |
With a balanced skillset similar to Gleyber Torres, Polanco is a fantastic consolation prize if you missed the top dogs at the position. Health issues hurt his performance in 2022 and he should be fully healthy entering ’23.
Tier 4 – Silver Tier 🥈
| 14 | Thairo Estrada | SF | 2B/SS |
He is a reasonable steals target if you missed out, but his power is pretty light. A 10 HR player with 15-20 steals, versatility, and potential for OF eligibility. If he is leading off, then he carries much more value, so monitor closely. He plays a bit better in 15-teamers due to the hit in power. I won’t be reaching for him.
| 15 | DJ LeMahieu | NYY | 1B/2B/3B |
Health issues have hurt his performance as he has aged, but triple eligibility with strong runs and AVG in a DC is amazing. I have some exposure, but there is some significant health risk. When I take DJLM, I like to put him into the UT spot so I can float him wherever I wish as the year/draft progresses. Could smash his ADP if he goes .280 AVG with 80+ runs, elite hit tool.
| 16 | Jean Segura | MIA | 2B |
Slated to add 3B eligibility (CI/MI), Segura combines a nice hit tool with chip-in speed and not a 0 in power. Park shift will hurt his power, but his AVG floor is great and he stole 13 bags in 98 games in 2022, and on the go-go Marlins he could steal 20 bases.
| 17 | Jeff McNeil | NYM | 2B/OF |
High AVG guy in a good lineup, McNeil has a safe floor but he only fits certain builds if you can accept a low HR bat with no steals. Not my type of player at this somewhat elevated cost.
| 18 | Bryson Stott | PHI | 2B/SS |
A nifty potential 15-15 guy, Stott had a lot of promising signs once he settled in as a young MLB regular. He posted 10 HR and 12 SB from June 1 to the end of the year. He is a patient hitter with a good all-around game as he is special nowhere, but solid everywhere, there is hidden upside with Stott.
| 19 | Christopher Morel | CHC | 2B/OF |
One of the toolsiest players in the game, Morel has some weaknesses (whiff rate, plate discipline issues) but his speed is electrifying and he has huge power in his bat. The range of outcomes is wide, so if you select be ready to back him up, but he could also go 20-20. Considering the fact he made the MLB before his 23rd birthday and his 14% barrel rate, I want to put him on some teams.
| 20 | Luis Arraez | MIA | 1B/2B |
Very build dependant pick, since he is basically a 0 in the power dept. Arraez is nice due to his elite AVG upside and his duel-eligibility, but the lack of power does have me fading him.
Tier 5 – Bronze Tier 🥉
| 21 | Brendan Rodgers | COL | 2B |
Used only at home, Rodgers is a fantastic player, as he provided a .313 AVG with 10 HR in just 68 games. He cannot be used on the road, so be careful with him, but when used right he is powerful. Slide him down the ranks if you don’t want to play the matchups or the league depth won’t allow that.
| 22 | Chris Taylor | LAD | 2B/OF |
Health issues factored into Taylor’s decline in 2022, but he is locked into a good opportunity for playing time and provides a little power and speed, with solid versatility. The Bat X is looking at Taylor as a nice bounce back, and so am I.
| 23 | Nick Gordon | MIN | 2B/OF |
After bulking up following a resolution to a digestion issue, Gordon used his added mass to provide some power, and he even has room for more growth (9 HR on 29 barrels.) Gordon will be in a floating utility role and has 15-15 potential with upside for 20-20 if he can cement himself even more firmly in the lineup, which is possible given the injury risk of the guys in the lineup in front of him.
| 24 | Luis Urias | MIL | 2B/SS/3B |
Despite the fact that he was an interesting prospect, Urias is a little boring, as he isn’t a standout in AVG, steals but he pulls the ball a lot and can barrel the ball well for a MI. Great flexibility.
| 25 | Gavin Lux | LAD | 2B/OF |
A former 70 FV prospect who has shown strong AVG and OBP numbers with a tiny pinch of pop and speed, Lux is far from flashy but he is entering his 3rd full season as an MLB regular and he does have multiple paths to value, whether the power improves, he steals more or he can maintain a high AVG, he is a solid stab at a potential 5-category player with elite pedigree. Needs to raise GB to tap into power.
| 26 | Whit Merrifield | TOR | 2B/OF |
Entering into a different stage of his career, Whit will be hitting in the bottom of the lineup and has declined each year in terms of wRC+ since 2018. He can no longer be viewed as an AVG asset and his PT is at risk if he starts out slow. Could provide a blast of speed with non-zero power, but only looking at him if he slides a bit.
| 27 | Isaac Paredes | TB | 1B/2B/3B |
Triple-eligible with budding power (solid Max EV, pull heavy with a lot of FBs), Paredes also brings a good glove to the equation, which should provide him even more PT. He helps you have much more flexibility at a cheap cost.
| 28 | Brandon Drury | LAA | 1B/2B/3B |
Drury did slip up some after his monster run in Cincinnati, which is sensible given the fact he was due to regress some. His true talent probably has him around a .245 AVG with 20 HRs or so, which is not unusable given his triple eligibility.
| 29 | Wilmer Flores | SF | 1B/2B/3B |
The triple-eligibility and safe playing time, paired with a decent lineup spot make Flores a fairly safe floor play. He is very boring, but he provides great flexibility.
| 30 | Kolten Wong | SEA | 2B |
He will begin to platoon, and his age is creeping up. Power is going to take a hit and I am just not interested even though he has been clutch over the years in 15s.
Tier 6 – Copper Tier 🪙
| 31 | Nolan Gorman | STL | 2B |
Process power stats are good but can the former elite prospect cut down the K’s? That is the question. A perfect pick for an Online Championship, not as good in DCs.
| 32 | Vaughn Grissom | ATL | 2B |
Lackluster Statcast data and a lot of helium have me out. A 15/10 with a .260 avg is possible, but give me Stott cheaper.
| 33 | Luis Garcia | WAS | 2B/SS |
Somewhat of a boring play on the surface, Garcia did increase his Max EV substantially and he has a solid hit tool with a locked-in opportunity. The issue is he lacks speed and hits too many GBs but as a depth play, he’s fine due to the volume.
| 34 | Luis Rengifo | LAA | 2B/3B |
A decent utility player, Rengifo is a 2B/3B option for the Halos that is occasionally miscast as a SS, and he could provide a 10/10 year. Bland but acceptable.
| 35 | Jon Berti | MIA | 2B/3B |
Highly questionable PT for the poor hitting Berti has me out at his price.
| 36 | Josh Rojas | ARI | 2B/3B |
Poor defender, a mediocre hitter with speed, a crowded depth chart, and too much risk in this profile for me to touch it.
| 37 | Brendan Donovan | STL | 2B/3B/OF |
Classic scrappy Cardinals utility-man, Donovan has a strong hit tool, he’s a poor man’s Luis Arraez who could spike a nice AVG year. I wish he provided speed, but he’s a glue guy.
| 38 | Ramon Urias | BAL | 2B/3B |
Hovering around a 10% barrel rate with both 2B/3B eligibility, players like this Urias allow us to get closer to 4 hitters eligible at each infield slot. Urias isn’t flashy, but he’s very affordable, has great duel eligibility, and should receive a solid amount of at-bats even if he rotates in as a utility man.
Tier 7 – Fool’s Gold Tier 🙍
| 39 | Trevor Story | BOS | 2B |
Internal brace surgery will force Story to miss much of 2023, and he is off my board in FAAB leagues that do not have an IL spot. Late in a league with IL spots or as a post-35-round guy in a DC is my thinking with the very talented Trevor Story.
| 40 | Joey Wendle | MIA | 2B/SS/3B |
More of an NL-Only guy at this stage, Wendle provides a tiny bit of something everywhere and could go 10-10 with a non-harmful AVG. Triple eligibility and a steady glove help his profile gain traction.
| 41 | Taylor Walls | TB | 2B/SS/3B |
Blessed with triple-eligibility, Walls has 3B/2B/SS eligibility, and while he is a backup, his strong defensive value will allow him to draw starts. He has the potential to provide some value as an emergency backup INF type for those drafting deep DC squads. Scouts have remarked that with Walls’ strong frame, more power could be coming, and he’s dirt cheap with a lot of flexibility.
| 42 | Tony Kemp | OAK | 2B/OF |
This is the definition of empty volume, and sometimes that is just what you need in a draft.
| 43 | Jonathan Schoop | DET | 2B |
The bottom totally fell out for Schoop, but he appears to be lined up for volume PT in a poor park and lineup, but he is also crazy cheap. On paper, he could bounce back to an acceptable cheap MI power-only profile but be prepared for more decline since he is aging.
| 44 | Jonathan Aranda | TB | 2B |
Aranda doesn’t necessarily have a wow skill that will make fantasy managers gush, but a very polished and strong hit tool with budding power is the selling point for Aranda. Defense is an issue for Aranda, so he will be looking at opportunities at 1B/DH primarily, but his bat should be able to play there if he can get to league-average power while keeping the K rate under 20% roughly. A solid bat here, if you are willing to roll the dice on his 50-grade talent.
| 45 | Christian Arroyo | BOS | 2B |
A league-average bat since arriving in Boston, Arroyo is a decent band-aid, as he has a solid hit tool and will play a reasonable amount for the retooling Red Sox.
| 46 | Santiago Espinal | TOR | 2B |
A good glove helps maintain Espinal value since he can pick it but there is not much upside to see here.
| 47 | Michael Massey | KC | 2B |
A strong barrel rate captures my attention, but a bad park limits Massey’s upside, as well as his low AVG projection. Theoretical upside and he could wind up on my roster to pad the depth.
| 48 | Edouard Julien | MIN | 2B |
An eye-popping age-23 statistical campaign set the stage for Julien to be a popular end-game target for Draft Champions, as Julien punished AA last year, with a monster .441 OBP to go along with 39 XBHs in 113 games. Patient to a fault, Julien profiles as a runs-scored contributor with the ability to occasionally run into a HR, and drive runners in given his advanced skillset. I am looking to add as many shares as I can given the ceiling he has displayed in the minors.
| 49 | Michael Busch | LAD | 2B |
Since the start of 2021, Busch has a lethal .877 OPS, buoyed by a big 12.6% BB rate, and a discerning eye to go with HR and XBH power. The Max Muncy comps started once he was drafted out of North Carolina, and I think they are fair. PT will be the ultimate determination on Busch’s value, he could even receive looks in LF, but his bat is MLB-ready.
| 50 | Jordan Diaz | OAK | 2B |
A strong 2-level campaign in 2022 could set the stage for a 2023 debut for Diaz, as there is endless opportunity in Oakland. Decent flyer.